Exposing the underbelly of Armstrongism in all of its wacky glory! Nothing you read here is made up. What you read here is the up to date face of Herbert W Armstrong's legacy. It's the gritty and dirty behind the scenes look at Armstrongism as you have never seen it before!
With all the new crazy self-appointed Chief Overseers, Apostles, Prophets, Pharisees, legalists, and outright liars leading various Churches of God today, it is important to hold these agents of deception accountable.
Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web of Corrupt Leaders
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Friday, October 26, 2018
Yes, The Church was Aware of the Harm Their Sermons Were Doing to the Little Ones
A problem with modern Christian churches, including the ACOGs, is that their sermons are not designed to teach people how to live, out there, in the real world. Rather, they attempt to create a alternate reality, a Paradise for irresponsible people within the church. In disguised form, it's an application of the unjust steward. The effect is that what's taught from the pulpit works against people in the outside world.
Groups of young people who had been damaged by WCG somehow found each other in the mid-1970s, and underground social circles formed. Debbie (mentioned in her father's report) and her boyfriend were part of the same social circle that I ran with for several years back during that time, and we all had a lot of fun times together as we entered the first stages of our recoveries from Armstrongism. Sadly, as I segued into my second marriage, and got into more seriously minded pursuits, I lost contact with all of the friends from that tight little group, which had also grown to include my brothers after they came to California. I hope all of our little group has done well in life.
Debbie expresses something that I've always felt as well. You couldn't have real relationships with WCG parents. If you wanted to discuss anything with them, basically you could read the Plain Truth, Good News, or review sermon notes to know what their pre-fab opinions would be. There wasn't the typical parental nurturing, or the atttention to childrens' emotional needs, and this is what caused most of the damage to church youth. The term "unconditional love" was unknown in the Armstrong movement, as everyone's status was always conditional at all times, and we were all expendable. That's not a real good operational basis for a stable life.
The problem in COG culture, both past and present, is "Yellow Pencilism" and "Formatic Management". It does not allow for any concept of individualism, and reduces relationships to simple 25 word answers. Life and relationships are much more complicated than a "booklet".
Here's the thing. WCG parents were like the WCG version of the Holy Spirit. They were an impersonal force. That doesn't work with physical children, and it's faulty theology for God's children. What part of "paraclete" do they not understand?
Life is more complicated than a booklet. Or a blog post. Or an article on the web. So I guess we should all pack it in. It's hypocritical to even comment.
It’s no different now with “mommy blogs”. Young mothers read a thousand parenting tips based on opinion and superstition and what’s stylish and do actual (though unknowing) harm to kids.
A problem with modern Christian churches, including the ACOGs, is that their sermons are not designed to teach people how to live, out there, in the real world. Rather, they attempt to create a alternate reality, a Paradise for irresponsible people within the church. In disguised form, it's an application of the unjust steward.
ReplyDeleteThe effect is that what's taught from the pulpit works against people in the outside world.
Groups of young people who had been damaged by WCG somehow found each other in the mid-1970s, and underground social circles formed. Debbie (mentioned in her father's report) and her boyfriend were part of the same social circle that I ran with for several years back during that time, and we all had a lot of fun times together as we entered the first stages of our recoveries from Armstrongism. Sadly, as I segued into my second marriage, and got into more seriously minded pursuits, I lost contact with all of the friends from that tight little group, which had also grown to include my brothers after they came to California. I hope all of our little group has done well in life.
ReplyDeleteDebbie expresses something that I've always felt as well. You couldn't have real relationships with WCG parents. If you wanted to discuss anything with them, basically you could read the Plain Truth, Good News, or review sermon notes to know what their pre-fab opinions would be. There wasn't the typical parental nurturing, or the atttention to childrens' emotional needs, and this is what caused most of the damage to church youth. The term "unconditional love" was unknown in the Armstrong movement, as everyone's status was always conditional at all times, and we were all expendable. That's not a real good operational basis for a stable life.
BB
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe problem in COG culture, both past and present, is "Yellow Pencilism" and "Formatic Management". It does not allow for any concept of individualism, and reduces relationships to simple 25 word answers. Life and relationships are much more complicated than a "booklet".
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing. WCG parents were like the WCG version of the Holy Spirit. They were an impersonal force. That doesn't work with physical children, and it's faulty theology for God's children. What part of "paraclete" do they not understand?
ReplyDeleteTo Anon Oct 26 @ 4:22 PM.
DeleteExcellent comment!
Life is more complicated than a booklet. Or a blog post. Or an article on the web. So I guess we should all pack it in. It's hypocritical to even comment.
ReplyDelete5.12 PM
ReplyDeleteYours is a straw man argument. How about some intellectual honesty?
It’s no different now with “mommy blogs”. Young mothers read a thousand parenting tips based on opinion and superstition and what’s stylish and do actual (though unknowing) harm to kids.
ReplyDelete