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
Christianity is easy ... when you remove its standards, blur its focus and strip away its purpose. And a lot of churches are happy to do that for you. We aren't one of them. We strip away JESUS!
The "we don't water down" is pure marketing. It's like Herb claiming that he never compromised with Gods law one ittsy bittsy bit. Yeah sure, forget about 1975 and robbing members of their rights. It's like the old teaching of "AC teachers students how to live." I never found AC graduates to be any more enlightened than the average member. It's lying justified with the pretext of marketing. To be fair, the line between marketing and lying is sometimes a thin line, but in my experience, that's rarely the case in ACOG-land.
I have some doubts about Cogwa, since they left UCG voluntarily because they may be looking for the truth, but I have no doubt that UCG is a bunch of dishonest scumbags, they just want to believe what they were raised to believe, regardless of any truth in it. Also, UCG has the weakest apologetics, it’s bad beyond measure.
Now, I no longer believe in armstrongism because I know that there is no kingdom coming, but Jesus is being preached in the splinter groups, it is just their version of Jesus, in reality no version of Jesus is really correct he most likely never existed.
Cogwa doesn’t know what the majority of churches teach. I’ve seen both and Cogwa is silly and watered down compared to the rigorous doctrine of many churches which cogwa can only mischaracterize due to their ignorance of Christianity outside of their own silly mindset bubble.
Cogwa leaders are no better than the UCG leaders. Both have "watered it (truth) down". The split occurred because more and more sins were being committed in UCG, so Christ had to shake up its candlestick (Rev 2:5) and reduce it (Lev 26:22). All you have to do is read the back-and-forth carnal remonstrating that went on in their e-mail exchanges, as well as notice the deceit and self-justifying in their words. They simply refused to be honest with one another. It was disgusting watching these men arguing over what to do with the church's money, while also judging motives, contrary to the articles they've written in the church's publications. By their behaviour these ministers refuse to submit to Christ's plain teachings on problem resolution, yet they expect complete obedience from their sheep. Well, they're not gonna get because they are living in sin, just like Solomon who was the main reason for the split in Israel into two nations 3000 years ago. If they don't want to repent of their unrighteousness, abuses of the brethren, perversions of justice (to favour the corporate office and hierarchy), pride in their 1% and 2% increases, cover-ups, holding back the truth (Rom 1:18), neglect of the needy, the constant respect of persons with clout (Ja 2:9), the dereliction of duty when it comes it preaching the Word, the dominionizing of the faith (2 Cor 1:24) of certain zealous members, the (gehenna) fire will continue to burn in the church and in the world (with all its forest fires raging on from year to year). When you sin against your fellow saint, you sin against Christ (1 Cor 8:12) and The Father, who is represented by His Son, and your sin must be judged if you refuse to judge it yourself. And this judging of sin is not just a ministerial prerogative as some ignorant and haughty elders like to believe. Woe to you derelict elders who must give account to the Lord for HIS sheep! It's time to use your computers for more than just e-mail screening and blocking and office work. And quit taking offence and being fooled by appearances!
Of course they actually water down their beliefs online. You will not find their full beliefs on their webpage. If genuine and honest they would give their nonwatered down beliefs:
1. We believe we were given special knowledge. 2. Without this special knowledge you are a fake Christian. 3. The presence of the holy spirit is proven first by your acceptance of this special knowledge rather than by fruits of the spirit.
4. Herbert armstrong determined the special knowledge which includes a selected sinai law keeping while ignoring other sinai laws, nevertheless we call ourselves Law Keepers.
5. Through Armstrong, We understand tithing and other Old Testament laws better than the Jews..
6. We believe we are the firstfruits and, upon Christ’s return, will rule over the false Christians who don’t believe as we do.
7. We believe the U.S., Britain, and Europe constitute most of the descendants of Ancient Israel; thus we understand prophecy even though many false prophecies have been given by Herbert Armstrong.
8. We believe truth from God came directly to Herbert Armstrong who then passed it down in hierarchical manner to his evangelists then regional head ministers, then local ministers, then elders and deacons, and finally to lay members (church attendees).
9. We hold fast to those teachings of Herbert Armstrong, but today we believe God directs a group of men at Head Quarters (though we say Christ is the Head) who then pass the truth to local ministers who then disperse the truth to church members.
There’s more, but this is a good start on their honest non-watered down beliefs. What else should be added?
Coming from an unhappy home, this is the exact phrase that hooked me into going to AC.
I did get a wonderful family out of the experience, and we were finally set free when we left WCG, and discovered the grace of God and the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ.
Well finally the truth about cogwa . It's the most watered-down cog there is. Isaiah 56:10-12 says it all about the blind leaders. They don't ever give a full detailed accounting of where all the money goes and what their salaries are. They run from anything controversial. About prophecy they don't want to preach that, they might say something that might offend someone in the great whore church. You should not ask a question they can't answer your causing trouble.
Herbert started the lie of beliefs being "watered down" because he was not the center of attention at that time in the mid 70's. Feast attendance & tv responses were substantially higher for appearances / telecasts made by GTA. I know some of the HWA apologists will deny this but it is a fact. HWA had a mindset like Stalin, totally consumed by the lust for power and being the center of attention. GTA had his faults, but the Apple does not fall far from the tree. I was there in St. Petersburg for the feast & I remember the mandatory standing ovations for HWA & the dirty looks you would get if you did not stand & clap It was a purge for power, plain & simple. He started the lie of "watering down" as away to install himself as an all powerful czar, that is about the time when the ban on makeup was re-instituted. Soon after, the state of California started their investigation. If they had focused on HWA and his personal spending & misuse, it is very likely he would have went to jail. Most of the lackey ministers shoveled out the lies from HQ and by their own actions they showed their true colors.
We believe truth from God came directly to Herbert Armstrong who then passed it down in hierarchical manner to his evangelists then regional head ministers, then local ministers, then elders and deacons, and finally to lay members (church attendees).
FALSE! Many ministers taught this, but it's not what HWA taught. HWA taught that truth came to him, then he passed it to THE WHOLE CHURCH. Evangelists, pastors, and elders were his administrators, with authority over members' lives, but when HWA wrote to the members, he was directly sharing truth with all of WCG. And when he wrote to the ministers directly, it was far more often about administrative details or to deal with problems in the field, rather than to explicate any new doctrines to be preached. It's not that HWA taught evangelists who taught pastors who taught elders who taught members. No. EVERYONE in WCG was there for the sole purpose of holding up HWA's hands, according to HWA. This is how people like Bwana Bob Thiel were able to fuel their delusions of grandeur, as every part of the body was doing its part to support HWA and was taught that this was his or her God-given role of service. A loyal boil on the church's ass was a more profitable servant than a disloyal arm.
Another COG started in a fit of self-righteous anger when they threw a hissy fit with UCG and stomped out the door trying to take as many members, ministers, and as much money as they could. The only difference they have is in leadership, not one single thing they believe or do is any different than UCG. They are both a waste of time.
The ministers have always been the enforcers. They ask members nosey questions about their beliefs, then verbally attack them if they give the "wrong" answers. I've experienced this many times. It's hardly surprising that the PCG has an article on the The Trumpet site teaching its readers to never lie. Do you tell the Nazis where the Jews are hiding, or do you lie?
COGWA is horrible. They took the worst of the worst with them when they split from UCG. Don't get me wrong, UCG is still a very toxic organization, but Franks, Horchak, Pinelli, and the other jackasses that left to form COGWA were the most toxic of the lot.
COGWA exists only for one reason, and that's to guarantee an income for its leadership and field lieutenants (aka ministers). Eventually both organizations will just wither away as members die off and nobody new enters the organization to replace them. The younger generation will gradually adopt a more secular set of beliefs that whittles down their dogma to a fraction of what it is today. By that point both organizations, if they still exist, won't look, worship, or believe like how they do right now.
Real Christianity is really easy - it is all about receiving gifts!
Being made righteous in God sight is given as a gift (Romans 5:16)! The Holy Spirit is given as a gift (Acts 2:38.)! Grace is given as a gift (Romans 12:6)! Salvation is also a gift (Ephesians 2:8)!
If any church tries to make you work for what God gives freely as a gift, you can be sure they have numerous nefarious plans to cheat and abuse you and they are not from God!
Yesterday I read a UCG article on their web site, and it came across as very protestant-ish. Constant mention of love, which in today's confused culture, means little. There are many philosophic blogs that are much more meaty on moral issues.
no image content available... Please at least add text descriptions to your posts, it truly sucks to hear look at this picture then the screen reader say no description available or a variation of that like no text detected or the few other wonderful things I get to hear like the site code for a picture XP
OK i'm leaving before I mess up any other posts. L8rzthat
cogwa is the epitome of the cogs masquerading as sheep in wolves clothing. While the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of many cog leaders are blatantly apparent, cogwa lies low in a sinister way. Judgmental and condemning attitudes from the self-righteous hirelings are as rampant in cogwa as in other cogs, but just more carefully concealed. cogwa is a splinter founded on lies and slander more than anything biblical, harshly ruled by the cronyism, and for the financial support of, the good ole boy's country clubbers. It is a whited sepulcher to beware of.
Spiritual inbreeding and indoctrination from the AC and WCG years have seemingly produced a limited genetic pool in the cogs, no matter what their differences, as each claims either directly or by inference to be the only true cog.
The elitist cogwads only care about their income and retirements, and by flying below the radar escape detection when in reality they are one of the most abusive, heartless and non-caring cogs on the manipulative market.
So true. Christs "beware of the Pharisees.." equally applies to ACOG ministers and many church members. Their endless articles calling on "give, help, serve, love" etc, are attempts to suppress the natural reactions against their heartless, non-caring behavior. By contrast, God says that he is far from the wicked.
I'm very glad you found the grace of God and the finished work of Jesus and were able to extricate yourself from WCG and any splinters. Many have not been so fortunate.
Another COGWA un-watered down belief:
10. We believe scripture is inspired, but not just each book, but all books and chapters of the Bible are without seam between them such that the context, intent, and literary techniques present within and unique to each book or chapter need not be considered. Thus, we can pair many unrelated scriptures together to formulate our doctrinal private interpretations.
After the Tkaches' Great Apostasy of 1995 in the Worldwide Church of God, some people who did not totally agree with it formed the UCG to continue to collect a paycheck when their WCG paychecks disappeared along with the resulting implosion of the WCG. Many unrepentant, unconverted unbelievers also went to the UCG to hang out there and behave very badly while playing church. Some very bad, totally unqualified, non-Ambassador College trained characters also got themselves newly “credentialed” as UCG “ministers.”
The so-called “United” Church was not really all that united, and COGWA split off from the UCG around 2010 when some bad characters did a hostile takeover of the UCG and forced many people out of the UCG. The apostate Tkaches' goon Victor Kubik currently leads the UCG.
Unity is a natural consequence of people living by good morals. When any organization or movement (eg communism) endlessly talk about unity, it's because genuine unity does not exist within that group. So they pressure their members to fake reality, and pretend to agree with the official line. It's a fake unity.
An essential verse to go to when sorting out the COGs is:
Galatians 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
It's easy to see the truth of that scripture working out in the Jesus-less, grace-less COGs. It's sad to see the GOGs arguing over which of them are most zealous about the law. It's as if they are bragging about which church is the most alienated from Jesus.
Oh here we go. Here is a ripe comment 3:43, full of spit and spittle of self righteous apostate state of being.
None in ACOG know Jesus because the hate filled ones say so. I have found those that oppose COG to be filled with self righteous hate. They tend to spend all the time complaining and whingeing yet don't teach Jesus either.
"I have found those that oppose COG to be filled with self righteous hate."-- 7:33
Says one in the COGs. Says one who claims to have the Truth and most all other Christians do not and are thus fake Christians. Often the COGs state the real reason they don't believe as the COGs believe is because they are "unwilling to obey", they are doing it "their own way".
Talk about self-righteous...
How quickly would you drop one of your COG friends if they began to disagree with the COGs. How demeaning would you be if they actually tried to have a logical discussion with you? And yes, part of that logical discussion would include the logic in following the teachings of an uneducated man (HWA), a man who believed he understood the Torah better than the Jews. I won't even get into the moral failings, but they do matter. Part of the logical argument would include incredulity about COG beliefs that are in the end based in Armstrong's say so. It is easy to get angry when one realizes they were deceived as we were by Armstrongism...you might call it hateful, but maybe you will see it too one day and change your tune and what you call it. Isn't it logical to question why Armstrong cherry picked the laws he would keep...and ignore others. How is one a lawkeeper doing so? So, there will seemingly be mockery because the COG lawkeeping is arbitrary and incomplete ... this is an obvious COG weak point and for COG members not to see that is exasperating. But, I remind myself I didn't see it at one time as well.
The COGs mocked those that talk about love. You've heard the ministers before referring to Christians outside the COGs, "All they talk about is love, love, love and Jesus Jesus, Jesus." Not bad topics I say.
The COGs don't talk about Jesus that way. They seemingly treat Him as a tool: a Sacrifice for our sins and a Conquering King to bring in the Millennium. He is much more than that and at least from my 30 year experience in the COGs, the COGs don't really know Jesus. They are just glad for His sacrifice and His future Rulership.
Hey Anonymous of May 18, 2021 at 7:33 AM: I am the Anonymous of 3:34 and I thank you for your comment about what I posted. I see your point; I should never miss an opportunity to preach Jesus!
I hope you've taught me a lesson I'll never forget or neglect.
I was hugely wrong to drop only the sad news of the state of the COGs, which is demonstrated by Galatians 5:4 - You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
I should have also provided the Good News about Jesus found in Romans 3:24 - All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
You are right that I hate the COGs - this is because they are a destructive force that lead people away from the grace and redemption offered by Jesus. However, I do not hate the individuals - to prove that, I will preach Jesus to them!
Hey Anonymous of May 18, 2021 at 7:33 AM: this is also the Anonymous of 3:34. In your comment to me, you seemed concerned that I just complain and whine but don't preach enough Jesus. I do complain and whine too much and do want to preach Jesus more. Most mornings, I pray for opportunities to preach Jesus. Yet, I did miss it in my post to this thread. However, some days, I do a little better. For the past several Saturday mornings, I've posted advice to Doug Winnail of LCG - as comments to the threads on this blog that feature Doug's "Have a profitable Sabbath" messages to his church. The advice I offer is that Doug should be preaching more Jesus - and I provide an example for how he could address the same topic, but with more Jesus. What I write is mostly just Bible verses, with only a few extra words to connect the verses. I doubt my preaching Jesus has been very effective - yet, I enjoy it and I think it's the right thing to do to bless any COG members who may read it.
Oye I'm 7:33 and I did NOT say anywhere that I claim to have the Truth and most all other Chtistians do not. That is a LIE. I NEVER wrote that anywhere. You invent strawman arguments and then make a big fuss in knocking nonexistent arguments down.
You said this: "I have found those that oppose COG to be filled with self righteous hate."
I have no idea who you are, but you apparently feel so strongly about COG doctrine that you say those that oppose the COGs are "filled with self-righteous hate." So, I am treating your vehement support as if you were a typical COG member who believes what the COGs tell them. The COGs believe they have the Truth and that those outside the COGs do not. As such, my comment is not a strawman argument. Nor a lie as it requires intent and most anonymous posters responding as you have done believe that COG teaching.
Am I to now assume you do not believe you have the Truth or that you believe those outside the COGs also have the Truth?
Hardly, 10:05. The 10:26 post that I assume you wrote was highly juvenile. Your silly response now, further indicates that.
You didn't answered my question about whether you believe you have the Truth or, if you believe you do, whether those outside the COGs can also. In your original hissy-fit you play this foolish game of "I didn't claim anywhere in my post that I believe I have the Truth and those Christians outside the COGs don't", but you never said you don't believe it. Not surprising.
The only one having a hissy-fit is you. You love to continue an argument over and over, only women do that. It is your comments, even now, that are full of self righteous hatred.
People's own opinions aren't allowed in your narrow mind. You have to belittle and insult. I feel sorry for you arguing to the death on here repeatedly.
I don’t get why COGWA demeans an easy Christianity. Jesus says to come to Him and He will give you rest and that His yoke is EASY.
I really wonder if COGWA is so focused on the old covenant, prophecy, and law that they don’t know/remember the words of Jesus enough to recall His easy yoke in matt. 11 (KJV)
Maybe they should have gone the Biblical route and said:
“Christianity is easy...if you take on Jesus’s easy yoke.”
If you want “watered down,” just go to the UCG. The UCG is currently led by Victor Kubik who helped the apostate Tkaches to water the WCG right down the toilet.
41 comments:
We don't do "watered down."
Christianity is easy ... when you remove its standards, blur its focus
and strip away its purpose. And a lot of churches are happy to do that
for you. We aren't one of them. We strip away JESUS!
The "we don't water down" is pure marketing. It's like Herb claiming that he never compromised with Gods law one ittsy bittsy bit. Yeah sure, forget about 1975 and robbing members of their rights. It's like the old teaching of "AC teachers students how to live." I never found AC graduates to be any more enlightened than the average member.
It's lying justified with the pretext of marketing. To be fair, the line between marketing and lying is sometimes a thin line, but in my experience, that's rarely the case in ACOG-land.
I have some doubts about Cogwa, since they left UCG voluntarily because they may be looking for the truth, but I have no doubt that UCG is a bunch of dishonest scumbags, they just want to believe what they were raised to believe, regardless of any truth in it. Also, UCG has the weakest apologetics, it’s bad beyond measure.
No one is stripping away Jesus because Jesus is still preached you just the messenger rather than the message he brought.
Now, I no longer believe in armstrongism because I know that there is no kingdom coming, but Jesus is being preached in the splinter groups, it is just their version of Jesus, in reality no version of Jesus is really correct he most likely never existed.
Cogwa doesn’t know what the majority of churches teach. I’ve seen both and Cogwa is silly and watered down compared to the rigorous doctrine of many churches which cogwa can only mischaracterize due to their ignorance of Christianity outside of their own silly mindset bubble.
Cogwa leaders are no better than the UCG leaders. Both have "watered it (truth) down". The split occurred because more and more sins were being committed in UCG, so Christ had to shake up its candlestick (Rev 2:5) and reduce it (Lev 26:22). All you have to do is read the back-and-forth carnal remonstrating that went on in their e-mail exchanges, as well as notice the deceit and self-justifying in their words. They simply refused to be honest with one another. It was disgusting watching these men arguing over what to do with the church's money, while also judging motives, contrary to the articles they've written in the church's publications. By their behaviour these ministers refuse to submit to Christ's plain teachings on problem resolution, yet they expect complete obedience from their sheep. Well, they're not gonna get because they are living in sin, just like Solomon who was the main reason for the split in Israel into two nations 3000 years ago. If they don't want to repent of their unrighteousness, abuses of the brethren, perversions of justice (to favour the corporate office and hierarchy), pride in their 1% and 2% increases, cover-ups, holding back the truth (Rom 1:18), neglect of the needy, the constant respect of persons with clout (Ja 2:9), the dereliction of duty when it comes it preaching the Word, the dominionizing of the faith (2 Cor 1:24) of certain zealous members, the (gehenna) fire will continue to burn in the church and in the world (with all its forest fires raging on from year to year). When you sin against your fellow saint, you sin against Christ (1 Cor 8:12) and The Father, who is represented by His Son, and your sin must be judged if you refuse to judge it yourself. And this judging of sin is not just a ministerial prerogative as some ignorant and haughty elders like to believe. Woe to you derelict elders who must give account to the Lord for HIS sheep! It's time to use your computers for more than just e-mail screening and blocking and office work. And quit taking offence and being fooled by appearances!
Of course they actually water down their beliefs online. You will not find their full beliefs on their webpage.
If genuine and honest they would give their nonwatered down beliefs:
1. We believe we were given special knowledge.
2. Without this special knowledge you are a fake Christian.
3. The presence of the holy spirit is proven first by your acceptance of this special knowledge rather than by fruits of the spirit.
4. Herbert armstrong determined the special knowledge which includes a selected sinai law keeping while ignoring other sinai laws, nevertheless we call ourselves Law Keepers.
5. Through Armstrong, We understand tithing and other Old Testament laws better than the Jews..
6. We believe we are the firstfruits and, upon Christ’s return, will rule over the false Christians who don’t believe as we do.
7. We believe the U.S., Britain, and Europe constitute most of the descendants of Ancient Israel; thus we understand prophecy even though many false prophecies have been given by Herbert Armstrong.
8. We believe truth from God came directly to Herbert Armstrong who then passed it down in hierarchical manner to his evangelists then regional head ministers, then local ministers, then elders and deacons, and finally to lay members (church attendees).
9. We hold fast to those teachings of Herbert Armstrong, but today we believe God directs a group of men at Head Quarters (though we say Christ is the Head) who then pass the truth to local ministers who then disperse the truth to church members.
There’s more, but this is a good start on their honest non-watered down beliefs. What else should be added?
Looks like a new wrap around on their webpage. Might be written to try and appeal to discouraged LCG, RCG, UCG, ect members.
Neither side came out of the COGWA/UCG split war well.
Bob, you hit the nail on the head!
"AC teaches students how to live."
Coming from an unhappy home, this is the exact phrase that hooked me into going to AC.
I did get a wonderful family out of the experience, and we were finally set free when we left WCG, and discovered the grace of God and the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ.
Well finally the truth about cogwa . It's the most watered-down cog there is. Isaiah 56:10-12 says it all about the blind leaders. They don't ever give a full detailed accounting of where all the money goes and what their salaries are. They run from anything controversial. About prophecy they don't want to preach that, they might say something that might offend someone in the great whore church. You should not ask a question they can't answer your causing trouble.
Herbert started the lie of beliefs being "watered down" because he was not the center of attention at that time in the mid 70's. Feast attendance & tv responses were substantially higher for appearances / telecasts made by GTA. I know some of the HWA apologists will deny this but it is a fact. HWA had a mindset like Stalin, totally consumed by the lust for power and being the center of attention. GTA had his faults, but the Apple does not fall far from the tree. I was there in St. Petersburg for the feast & I remember the mandatory standing ovations for HWA & the dirty looks you would get if you did not stand & clap It was a purge for power, plain & simple. He started the lie of "watering down" as away to install himself as an all powerful czar, that is about the time when the ban on makeup was re-instituted. Soon after, the state of California started their investigation. If they had focused on HWA and his personal spending & misuse, it is very likely he would have went to jail. Most of the lackey ministers shoveled out the lies from HQ and by their own actions they showed their true colors.
We believe truth from God came directly to Herbert Armstrong who then passed it down in hierarchical manner to his evangelists then regional head ministers, then local ministers, then elders and deacons, and finally to lay members (church attendees).
FALSE! Many ministers taught this, but it's not what HWA taught. HWA taught that truth came to him, then he passed it to THE WHOLE CHURCH. Evangelists, pastors, and elders were his administrators, with authority over members' lives, but when HWA wrote to the members, he was directly sharing truth with all of WCG. And when he wrote to the ministers directly, it was far more often about administrative details or to deal with problems in the field, rather than to explicate any new doctrines to be preached. It's not that HWA taught evangelists who taught pastors who taught elders who taught members. No. EVERYONE in WCG was there for the sole purpose of holding up HWA's hands, according to HWA. This is how people like Bwana Bob Thiel were able to fuel their delusions of grandeur, as every part of the body was doing its part to support HWA and was taught that this was his or her God-given role of service. A loyal boil on the church's ass was a more profitable servant than a disloyal arm.
Another COG started in a fit of self-righteous anger when they threw a hissy fit with UCG and stomped out the door trying to take as many members, ministers, and as much money as they could. The only difference they have is in leadership, not one single thing they believe or do is any different than UCG. They are both a waste of time.
Which splinter is that?
COWA is a splinter of UCG
The ministers have always been the enforcers. They ask members nosey questions about their beliefs, then verbally attack them if they give the "wrong" answers. I've experienced this many times. It's hardly surprising that the PCG has an article on the The Trumpet site teaching its readers to never lie.
Do you tell the Nazis where the Jews are hiding, or do you lie?
COGWA is horrible. They took the worst of the worst with them when they split from UCG. Don't get me wrong, UCG is still a very toxic organization, but Franks, Horchak, Pinelli, and the other jackasses that left to form COGWA were the most toxic of the lot.
COGWA exists only for one reason, and that's to guarantee an income for its leadership and field lieutenants (aka ministers). Eventually both organizations will just wither away as members die off and nobody new enters the organization to replace them. The younger generation will gradually adopt a more secular set of beliefs that whittles down their dogma to a fraction of what it is today. By that point both organizations, if they still exist, won't look, worship, or believe like how they do right now.
Real Christianity is really easy - it is all about receiving gifts!
Being made righteous in God sight is given as a gift (Romans 5:16)!
The Holy Spirit is given as a gift (Acts 2:38.)!
Grace is given as a gift (Romans 12:6)!
Salvation is also a gift (Ephesians 2:8)!
If any church tries to make you work for what God gives freely as a gift, you can be sure they have numerous nefarious plans to cheat and abuse you and they are not from God!
Yesterday I read a UCG article on their web site, and it came across as very protestant-ish. Constant mention of love, which in today's confused culture, means little. There are many philosophic blogs that are much more meaty on moral issues.
no image content available...
Please at least add text descriptions to your posts, it truly sucks to hear look at this picture then the screen reader say no description available or a variation of that like no text detected or the few other wonderful things I get to hear like the site code for a picture XP
OK i'm leaving before I mess up any other posts. L8rzthat
cogwa is the epitome of the cogs masquerading as sheep in wolves clothing. While the hypocrisy and self-righteousness of many cog leaders are blatantly apparent, cogwa lies low in a sinister way. Judgmental and condemning attitudes from the self-righteous hirelings are as rampant in cogwa as in other cogs, but just more carefully concealed. cogwa is a splinter founded on lies and slander more than anything biblical, harshly ruled by the cronyism, and for the financial support of, the good ole boy's country clubbers. It is a whited sepulcher to beware of.
Spiritual inbreeding and indoctrination from the AC and WCG years have seemingly produced a limited genetic pool in the cogs, no matter what their differences, as each claims either directly or by inference to be the only true cog.
The elitist cogwads only care about their income and retirements, and by flying below the radar escape detection when in reality they are one of the most abusive, heartless and non-caring cogs on the manipulative market.
“We don't do 'watered down.'” -- COGWA
Herbert W. Armstrong spent over 50 years teaching against the X-mass custom.
Someone else has now spent over 50 years trying to bring his own X-mass Weekend custom into the WCG and its splinter groups like UCG and COGWA.
So true. Christs "beware of the Pharisees.." equally applies to ACOG ministers and many church members. Their endless articles calling on "give, help, serve, love" etc, are attempts to suppress the natural reactions against their heartless, non-caring behavior. By contrast, God says that he is far from the wicked.
6:58
I'm very glad you found the grace of God and the finished work of Jesus and were able to extricate yourself from WCG and any splinters. Many have not been so fortunate.
Another COGWA un-watered down belief:
10. We believe scripture is inspired, but not just each book, but all books and chapters of the Bible are without seam between them such that the context, intent, and literary techniques present within and unique to each book or chapter need not be considered. Thus, we can pair many unrelated scriptures together to formulate our doctrinal private interpretations.
After the Tkaches' Great Apostasy of 1995 in the Worldwide Church of God, some people who did not totally agree with it formed the UCG to continue to collect a paycheck when their WCG paychecks disappeared along with the resulting implosion of the WCG. Many unrepentant, unconverted unbelievers also went to the UCG to hang out there and behave very badly while playing church. Some very bad, totally unqualified, non-Ambassador College trained characters also got themselves newly “credentialed” as UCG “ministers.”
The so-called “United” Church was not really all that united, and COGWA split off from the UCG around 2010 when some bad characters did a hostile takeover of the UCG and forced many people out of the UCG. The apostate Tkaches' goon Victor Kubik currently leads the UCG.
COGWA is currently led by Jim Franks.
Unity is a natural consequence of people living by good morals. When any organization or movement (eg communism) endlessly talk about unity, it's because genuine unity does not exist within that group. So they pressure their members to fake reality, and pretend to agree with the official line. It's a fake unity.
An essential verse to go to when sorting out the COGs is:
Galatians 5:4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
It's easy to see the truth of that scripture working out in the Jesus-less, grace-less COGs.
It's sad to see the GOGs arguing over which of them are most zealous about the law.
It's as if they are bragging about which church is the most alienated from Jesus.
It is indeed a fake unity. Unity to never dare question anything and slide down the river in unison into apostasy.
Oh here we go. Here is a ripe comment 3:43, full of spit and spittle of self righteous apostate state of being.
None in ACOG know Jesus because the hate filled ones say so.
I have found those that oppose COG to be filled with self righteous hate. They tend to spend all the time complaining and whingeing yet don't teach Jesus either.
"I have found those that oppose COG to be filled with self righteous hate."-- 7:33
Says one in the COGs. Says one who claims to have the Truth and most all other Christians do not and are thus fake Christians. Often the COGs state the real reason they don't believe as the COGs believe is because they are "unwilling to obey", they are doing it "their own way".
Talk about self-righteous...
How quickly would you drop one of your COG friends if they began to disagree with the COGs. How demeaning would you be if they actually tried to have a logical discussion with you? And yes, part of that logical discussion would include the logic in following the teachings of an uneducated man (HWA), a man who believed he understood the Torah better than the Jews. I won't even get into the moral failings, but they do matter.
Part of the logical argument would include incredulity about COG beliefs that are in the end based in Armstrong's say so. It is easy to get angry when one realizes they were deceived as we were by Armstrongism...you might call it hateful, but maybe you will see it too one day and change your tune and what you call it.
Isn't it logical to question why Armstrong cherry picked the laws he would keep...and ignore others. How is one a lawkeeper doing so? So, there will seemingly be mockery because the COG lawkeeping is arbitrary and incomplete ... this is an obvious COG weak point and for COG members not to see that is exasperating. But, I remind myself I didn't see it at one time as well.
The COGs mocked those that talk about love. You've heard the ministers before referring to Christians outside the COGs, "All they talk about is love, love, love and Jesus Jesus, Jesus." Not bad topics I say.
The COGs don't talk about Jesus that way. They seemingly treat Him as a tool: a Sacrifice for our sins and a Conquering King to bring in the Millennium. He is much more than that and at least from my 30 year experience in the COGs, the COGs don't really know Jesus. They are just glad for His sacrifice and His future Rulership.
Hey Anonymous of May 18, 2021 at 7:33 AM: I am the Anonymous of 3:34 and I thank you for your comment about what I posted. I see your point; I should never miss an opportunity to preach Jesus!
I hope you've taught me a lesson I'll never forget or neglect.
I was hugely wrong to drop only the sad news of the state of the COGs, which is demonstrated by Galatians 5:4 - You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.
I should have also provided the Good News about Jesus found in Romans 3:24 - All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
You are right that I hate the COGs - this is because they are a destructive force that lead people away from the grace and redemption offered by Jesus. However, I do not hate the individuals - to prove that, I will preach Jesus to them!
Hey Anonymous of May 18, 2021 at 7:33 AM: this is also the Anonymous of 3:34.
In your comment to me, you seemed concerned that I just complain and whine but don't preach enough Jesus.
I do complain and whine too much and do want to preach Jesus more.
Most mornings, I pray for opportunities to preach Jesus.
Yet, I did miss it in my post to this thread.
However, some days, I do a little better.
For the past several Saturday mornings, I've posted advice to Doug Winnail of LCG - as comments to the threads on this blog that feature Doug's "Have a profitable Sabbath" messages to his church.
The advice I offer is that Doug should be preaching more Jesus - and I provide an example for how he could address the same topic, but with more Jesus.
What I write is mostly just Bible verses, with only a few extra words to connect the verses.
I doubt my preaching Jesus has been very effective - yet, I enjoy it and I think it's the right thing to do to bless any COG members who may read it.
Oye I'm 7:33 and I did NOT say anywhere that I claim to have the Truth and most all other Chtistians do not.
That is a LIE. I NEVER wrote that anywhere. You invent strawman arguments and then make a big fuss in knocking nonexistent arguments down.
Shame on you.
Stop it and your placement of shame.
You said this: "I have found those that oppose COG to be filled with self righteous hate."
I have no idea who you are, but you apparently feel so strongly about COG doctrine that you say those that oppose the COGs are "filled with self-righteous hate." So, I am treating your vehement support as if you were a typical COG member who believes what the COGs tell them. The COGs believe they have the Truth and that those outside the COGs do not. As such, my comment is not a strawman argument. Nor a lie as it requires intent and most anonymous posters responding as you have done believe that COG teaching.
Am I to now assume you do not believe you have the Truth or that you believe those outside the COGs also have the Truth?
Backtracking now 12:42.
Hardly, 10:05. The 10:26 post that I assume you wrote was highly juvenile. Your silly response now, further indicates that.
You didn't answered my question about whether you believe you have the Truth or, if you believe you do, whether those outside the COGs can also. In your original hissy-fit you play this foolish game of "I didn't claim anywhere in my post that I believe I have the Truth and those Christians outside the COGs don't", but you never said you don't believe it. Not surprising.
The only one having a hissy-fit is you. You love to continue an argument over and over, only women do that.
It is your comments, even now, that are full of self righteous hatred.
People's own opinions aren't allowed in your narrow mind. You have to belittle and insult. I feel sorry for you arguing to the death on here repeatedly.
I don’t get why COGWA demeans an easy Christianity.
Jesus says to come to Him and He will give you rest and that His yoke is EASY.
I really wonder if COGWA is so focused on the old covenant, prophecy, and law that they don’t know/remember the words of Jesus enough to recall His easy yoke in matt. 11 (KJV)
Maybe they should have gone the Biblical route and said:
“Christianity is easy...if you take on Jesus’s easy yoke.”
This seems embarrassing marketing for COGWA.
“We don't do 'watered down.'” -- COGWA
If you want “watered down,” just go to the UCG. The UCG is currently led by Victor Kubik who helped the apostate Tkaches to water the WCG right down the toilet.
COGWA leaders are self righteous . Enough said
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