Living Church of God members just cannot seem to ever do anything right. Now they are too stupid to use the internet. They seem to be falling for internet scams that take money out of LCG's pocket.
I want to remind everyone to be extremely careful using social media and the Internet. Scams are proliferating. Long-time users recognize many of them, but they may not appear so obvious to less savvy and newer users. Even if something reportedly comes from someone you know, be careful. Hackers get into people’s e-mail lists and send out fraudulent requests for money (“I was robbed and can’t get back home—please send money”) and invitations to invest. Then there is the one where you have been chosen to help a rich widow transfer millions of dollars from another country. These are the easy ones to spot, but some schemes are becoming more sophisticated and members need to be wary. When in doubt, ask someone who knows more than you.—Gerald Weston
LCG's Most Presidingest Evangelist wrote:
ReplyDeleteWhen in doubt, ask someone who knows more than you.
In other words, don't ask a minister! Good for you, Gerald!
It’s very telling, the level of intelligence or common sense these leaders believe that the people who follow them possess.
ReplyDeleteBB
"Scams are proliferating."
ReplyDeleteHWA often warned of this with his "beware of competition." The ACOGs really hate having competition.
Weston's words are sound and wise, at least for this one issue at least.
ReplyDeleteGerald Weston said, "Scams are proliferating. Long-time users recognize many of them..."
ReplyDeleteMY COMMENT - Boy, isn't that the truth! Pot meet Kettle. The Armstrong scam has been going on since 1934. No German attack on America in 1972 after the second 19 year time cycle. No return of Christ in 1975. Long-time users recognize many of them (the Armstrong Splinter franchises) for what they are.
Richard
It's a good warning but would we not have to include phony baloney preachers. There seems to be a plethora of these sleazy handed people out there who pretend to be a minister of light. So many in the splinters and outside just want to take some ones money. The ones that want to return to yester year and relive the days of Ambassador college when money flowed like the very expensive vintage wine at HWA's parties. We are in the gun lap true they stuck a gun to your head and said we want more and more. Did they care if your kids had shoes with holes in them and you should get a second job just so you can send in more HWA needs a more golden goblets and plates.
ReplyDeleteLet's be fair - this is a good public service message - especially older people who may not be as sharp as they used to be . People do fall for these scams unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI just got the latest co-worker letter with a request to send in some money to help God's work. Is this valid or is it a scam?
ReplyDeleteGerald Weston, that's calling the kettle black.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is sound advice. I agree that this is a good public service message. I also agree that on this issue, Gerald Weston is correct.
ReplyDeleteWith that said.
I do not agree with his tone. It is often demeaning, haughty, arrogant, and knocking. The way he said that insinuates every reader is a dumb, ignorant, stupid person. A better way to say this - if he deemed those he was writing to as even halfway intelligent - would be;
"I am confident in your abilities, with Christ's help and guidance, to discern the sheep from the wolves. Yet these sort of wolves are extraordinarily cunning and slick - regardless of who you are, where you are from, or how educated you may be. If you're in doubt, contact your local authorities to ensure your safety and well-being in these times."
Instead, we hear "Those who know more than you."
That's the problem, not his message.
SHT, Weston also thinks so poorly of LCG members that he thinks he has to teach them that "vaping" of nicotine in e-cigarettes is unhealthy. I'm sure it frustrates the Gestapo man in him that kids who would be caught if smoking cigarettes can get their nicotine hit by vaping and the ministry might never find out. Read the article for yourself, and ask yourself what it implies about the relationships between ministers, parents, and children in the very unhappy (and very hierarchy conscious) LCG: What Parents and Youth Should Know About Vaping
ReplyDeleteVaping nicotine? These cunning linguists such as Gerald Weston are only worried about nicotine? Most parents "in the world" know that kids vape marijuana, as well. In fact, probably LCG brethren also know about this, so instead of appearing "hip", GW comes off as being a naive prude! Maybe a couple years of marijuana therapy are just what GW needs to be more effective as a minister.
ReplyDeleteBB
Reading between the lines, what he is saying is, don't allow yourselves to be scammed out of money. This is less money that you will have to send to us!
ReplyDeleteIn other words, don't be scammed so that you can be scammed by us!
"Is your best friend smarter than you?"
ReplyDeleteThat may not be a bad thing, you know.
Let's be fair - this is a good public service message - especially older people who may not be as sharp as they used to be . People do fall for these scams unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteFair? Fair? Fair? No good deed goes unpunished when you are a COG minister and there are people out there determined to turn anything you say or do into something negative.
Gerald, are there not websites which warn people about scams? Of course, some old folks are still not web savvy, whether in or out of a COG.
ReplyDeleteGW comes off as being a naive prude!
ReplyDeleteWow. A naive prude. All because of his opinion on vaping. Harsh.
No, simpleton @ 8:02! Based on the totality of the quotes and excerpts published here over years, and based on actually having known him back in the day.
DeleteWhatever point you are trying to make, you are like the proverbial dog barking at air!
BB
In fact, probably...
ReplyDeleteAt it again I see.
Yes, “probably” was a totally appropriate word, unless you personally believe that all LCG parents are stupid and don’t know about vaping, and sit around waiting for all of their intellectual input to come from Jerry’s sermons and articles.
ReplyDeleteSheer law of averages demonstrates that some of the LCG members have greater intellect than Jerry, others the same, and still others less.
BB
Byker, Mr. Weston isn't just a naive prude. To this day, I remember one Charlotte Family Weekend attended by several "good kids" to whom Mr. Weston had taught "God's true standard for dancing" at Living Youth Camp. The kids, true believers, were confused and concerned when they saw Mrs. Weston dancing in a style her husband had told them was worldly and inappropriate. One of the kids made the mistake of asking Mr. Weston about this, and received a response so angry and hypocritical that it turned a formerly obedient young member into a kid who would leave the church when he turned 18.
ReplyDeleteWas that kid you??? If so, I’m so happy that you found your freedom, even though Jerry’s anger must have been very unpleasant to experience.
DeleteBB