From an LCG source:
The Living Church of God still refuses to acknowledge that COVID was passed around at one of their Branson feast sites. They have had two weeks to mention something in their weekly update that's sent out to the church, but nothing so far. Word from the beginning of this outbreak was that they wanted to keep it hush, hush, and not let it leak out on social media. But as more and more cases started to appear, prayer request started to surface on Facebook. However, not a word from HQ on the matter. One would think they would want the church to pray for those who were sick, but no. No love from HQ to those infected.
From "Infection Very Possible" (Mission Impossible Disavowal)
ReplyDelete"Good morning....your mission is be a good member , should you accept it, you will not embarrass HQ...as always, if you become infected, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your infection... Happy Feast..."
Is this so surprising? The various splinter groups may seem reproachable in this behavior but they are operating within the boundaries of secular politics that we see play out on TV everyday. Yesterday I discovered that the Vice President's staff was hit by COVID-19 and there was an attempt to conceal it. At what motivation? We all can speculate on that but it cannot be good or altruistic.
ReplyDeleteThere has been some recent discussion on this blog about the effects of failed prophecy. An Armstrongist leader issues a prophecy, the prophecy fails and theoretically unfortunate and punitive consequences ensue. I don't think that scenario actually happens. It is just a kind of idealized justice on the part of observers of these apocalyptic phenomena.
One of our secular political leaders who has the undying respect of about 40 percent of the electorate, lies incessantly, promulgates conspiracy theories of the rankest sort, assassinates the character of others without foundation and we cannot possibly class him as a failure. He does this to stir up his base. And it works quite effectively. And his base never holds him accountable. Instead, they creatively and innovatively make excuses for him (and themselves).
Apocalyptic Millerite preachers have bases, too. And they seek to stir their bases up, too. Stirring up the base can be financially lucrative, it can bring discipline to the crowd, it can identify and smear perceived enemies, it can generate an exciting break in a string of boring sermons. What we see as the discrediting effect of failed prophecy, they see as profound success. And now this methodology has endorsement in the highest ranks of government. It is modeled for us daily.
We are surprised but they are not. They have a useful tool that will be used over and over again precisely because it is successful. And a good time was had by all.
"There is something rotten in the State of Denmark".
DeleteNck
NEO
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that society as a whole has become more cult like, especially in the past decade. Many secular leaders must be using abusive cult ploys that they observed in their religion and church going.
Anonymous (8:32)
ReplyDeleteI believe you are correct. Society is more cult-like. And the following elements seem to be steadily growing:
1. The abandonment of truth.
2. The exaltation of personal, unfounded viewpoint.
3. Because of 1 and 2 above, the rejection of science.
4. The disrespect of the dignity of the person.
That's just a few. The question is: Are we witnessing the fall of America or is this just a transient disturbance? If it is the former, it is interesting that the plunge into oblivion is being led by the right-wing. (I do not consider the Trump Movement to be conservative. It is rather an odd, conspiracy-laden populist movement that is parasitic on American conservatism. But conservatives and the extreme right-wing serve as the Sturmabteilung for the Movement.)
If it is the latter, a stutter in American history, we may have some hope. In any event, the splinter groups have not come out of the world but look more like the world than most mainstream churches. They seem to be aligned in belief with the evangelicals of Greater Appalachia. And this is a relationship that will not work. The evangelicals will regard the Armstrongists as rank heretics.
NEO
DeleteThe conservative inward looking, suspicious of authorities, conspiracy laden witch hunters are called Puritans.
The Appalachian clans are Scottish hailing the robber clan of Armstrong from the Scottish borders.
It is the prophesied fall oc America, not a phase.
Nck
HEY HQ TROLLS FROM CHARLOTTE: For the third week in a row, nothing has been mentioned in your weekly update about the COVID-19 outbreak in Branson! WHY NOT?! I still know of people suffering from this virus who attended the feast there.
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that they don't love their own members enough to ask for the membership to pray for them. If a paid minister or evangelist from Charlotte cane down with COVID, they would hold a church wide fast the following Sabbath. People are starting to notice the silence!