Like all churches out there that utter predictions that never come to pass, they fluff it off as a timing mistake or that God was not ready or it happened spiritually. Even today in 2021, the church is filled with many false prophets uttering asinine predictions and outright lies to their members. Just look at Bob Thiel, Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, and Ron Weinland and you can see this in action today.
None of these buffoons ever take into consideration what happens to members when they are subjected to their prophetic lunacy that fails every single time. Some members become numb to it and just fluff it off as not really important to worry about because even HWA made mistakes and he was still God's apostle. Others sink into depression due to these constant moving of goal posts. Marriages suffer and frustrations are taken out of family members with all kinds of abuse happening. Others, like Terry Ratzmann are so damaged by the words of COG ministers that they lash out in violence and kill members. Sadly, as more and more COG self-appointed prophets make more and more public lies, I am afraid that we may soon see a member in Restored Church of God or Philadelphia Church of God crack under this pressure and resort to some kind of violence. It is only a matter of time. Then, watch as their leaders leap into action to delete sermons, backtrack, and portray the members as the disturbed ones instead of taking any responsibility.
I have to hand it to Jeff Reed of the Church of God international who recently wrote about the current spate of false prophets in the Church of God. In his article, The Dangers of Headline Theology, Reed said,
We in the Church of God International may occasionally look at world events and examine them through the lens of God’s law or prophecy. Still, we carefully avoid making dogmatic statements and identify our observations as speculation. Those who practice “headline theology” go much further. They may predict specific days or years as an absolute fulfillment of prophesied events. Or they may suggest that the end is only a few years away.
One of the dangers of this mindset is paranoia. We are told in Philippians 4:6-7 to “not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Looking at every new war, earthquake, natural disaster, social trend, or political change as a fulfillment of prophecy can cause anxiety.
Armstrongism is filled with prophecy addicts who have a field day by looking at every war, earthquake, natural disaster, social trend, and the political minefield as somehow relating to Bible prophecy. Most of the time, these fools are pulling predictions out of their sanctimonious privileged derrieres which have absolutely nothing to do with end-time events.
Of course, some of them only say they are speculating and if it doesn't happen then they are off the hook. In a comment on The Painful Truth website there is this comment by a woman named Kathy regarding COG prophets and those who make excuses for their lies:
Re: whether or not the Armstrongs claimed to be prophets, It's all semantics, my friend. Catch-phrases, such as "we're now in the gun-lap" "eight or nine short years to go", "in five or six short years from now", "last dying gasp of this wicked society," "God's apostle for the "end-time," etc. etc. ad infinitum, do have a certain prophetic ring to them. Both Garner Ted Armstrong and HWA have been more careful, at least since 1972, when their credibility was slightly damaged by the non-fulfillment of their predictions, to make it abundantly clear that they are not "prophets"-all the while continuing to "watch," or as a cynical person such as myself might put it, to prophesy.
If you are a sincere person, and I have no reason to doubt that you are, I suggest that you go to a university (a "worldly," accredited one, please) and take some basic history courses, beginning with the History of Western Civilization. I especially recommend this if you think you already know this history, based on what the Armstrongs taught you. The reason that "not many wise men now are called" is because educated people, generally, simply know better than to fall for the histrionics of the proclaimers of the end of the world. They've seen this sort of thing through the ages and they understand the motive behind it. (And yes, I do remember what the New Testament says about people who say what I've just said. I don't care, so don't quote it to me.) Garner Ted Armstrong's Myrmidon Replies To Questions
Back to Jeff Reed's observations:
Another danger with “headline theology” is that it may cause some to lose their faith. Many over the years have put their hopes in a prophetic fulfillment that never comes to pass. Church leaders have unwisely predicted specific dates for the return of Christ or have implied that it would occur within a certain number of years. This date-setting has caused disillusionment in many former Christians. Faith in Christ becomes entwined with faith in their leader's predictions. Once these predictions ultimately fail, they can have a devastating effect on those who gullibly believed them.
William Miller predicted that Jesus would return to earth by 1844. He was so wrong in his calculations that the ensuing failure has been labeled the “Great Disappointment.” This failed prediction caused many to abandon their faith entirely and others to refer to this event as a reason to not even consider Christianity. Since then, many others have made similar predictions based on faulty calculations and their perceptions of world wars, disasters, and other dramatic events. They have all been wrong, and some of the fallout has been many people losing faith entirely. This also hurts the credibility of organizations and preachers, making their ensuing evangelistic efforts less effective.
One of the great things about Reed's article is that he used outside sources to support his viewpoints. Most COG members never look outside their insular worlds filled with pastor generals, chief apostles, and overseer's booklets, sermons, and articles as all the proof they will ever need. Besides, those so-called Christians of the world are losers and fake so why care about what they say!
One of the links Reed used was about what failed prophecy does to the mindset of members of these cults and in this case, it was a Jehovah's Witness. They too had the same end of the world scenario that was supposed to happen in 1975 that Armstrongism did. Here is how it affected one of its members:
A DEPRESSED JEHOVAH’S WITNESS
Since 1975 when the Witnesses predicted the arrival of God‘s kingdom on earth there have been numerous problems in the Watchtower congregation. These problems have included dis-fellowshipping, doctrinal disputes, and the aftermath of recurring prophetic speculation failures (Hickman1992). In 1966 the Watchtower society issued a number of statements predicting the significance of the new date 1975 for the heralding of Christ Millennial Reign and the catastrophic implications for non-believers. The prediction was based upon biblical chronology which predicted that 6,000 years from man‘s creation will end in 1975 and the seventh period of a thousand years of human history will begin in the fall of 1975. This prophecy had a significant effect on the movement which was galvanised and proselytisation increased substantially. However, 1975 passed without incident leaving the Watchtower vulnerable and open to claims of prophetic disconfirmation. The leaders responded through invoking a number of rationalisations, denial and purges and blamed the rank and file membership for misreading the organisation‘s interpretation. The initialrationalisation of the failure of Armageddon to arrive emphasised the time lapses within the creation of Adam and Eve. This had been miscalculated.
In his ethnographic study of Witnesses Sociologist Andrew Holden (1992) presents a number of testimonies of ex Witnesses who believed the world would end in 1975.
"I said it from the platform. We told everyone the end was near. When I became a Witness I gave up my insurance policies, I cancelled my insurance endowments, I never bought a house because I knew I wouldn‘t need one. We didn‘t even want to put the kids‘ names down for school".
Holden notes that the governing body of Watchtower regarded the failures as a test of faith. In agreement with Brian Wilson‘sjudgement many did not abandon faith because of disappointment about a date as this would be too traumatic an experience to contemplate. Like many other prophetic groups disconfirmed prophecy does not necessarily lead to the dissolution of the group (Stone 2013).
In my own work I have treated one man who lived through the anticipated apocalypse in 1975. Martin is a 70 year old man. Martin was born in the north of England. He first encounters Jehovah Witnesses while he was growing up as an adolescent in his home town. He started to attend Kingdom Hall and to read Watchtower. Very quickly he became hooked and begun to believe their prophecies about Armageddon. In 1974 the year before the expected arrival of Armageddon he was very excited. Much of his time was spent in Kingdom Hall and the discussions there centred round the arrival of Jesus‘ reign. He had no doubt in his mind that this would occur. He left his employment as a chef in anticipation of this prospect. He remembers for several days before the expected arrival he could not sleep. Every morning he awoke in eager anticipation of the end.
But the expected date arrived and nothing happened. How did he respond? Like many other Witnesses he knew at the time, he developed a depressive disorder. For several months he was low in mood. He was bewildered and could not understand why things had happened as such. His sleep was poor as was his appetite. He lost a considerable amount of weight. He begun to doubt the views of the Witnesses and debated with them as to why their prediction had failed. He became angry when one Witness explained to him that it was the fault of the believers who had miscalculated the date. He began to feel that life was hopeless and even seriously contemplated suicide. He ended up in psychiatric treatment where he was prescribed antidepressants. Over several months he improved and shortly afterwards left the Jehovah Witnesses movement. Much of the psychotherapeutic work with him focused upon his anger pertaining to this disconfirmed prophecy. In retrospect he felt he was ̳naive‘ to be taken in by this prophecy and cautioned me never to get involved with them. He is no longer religious although he considers that God may exist but for him no one can know when the world will end. Prophecies are Dangerous Things: Mental Health Implications of Prophetic Disconfirmation
Depression in Armstrongism has been rampant but leaders and ministers sweep it undercover as they label such depression either a sign that a person has been sinning or even demon possessed. Never do they consider it is because of their lies. Sadly in the Churches of God today there are few if any, ministers who are trained to deal with depression or are even trained as real counselors. Their only training is from a minister above them or the current church leader and not by real clinical therapists who teach proper counseling techniques.
As more and more Church of God leaders make more and more asinine prophecies or speculations as they call them, more and more COG members will be suffering from deep depression and hopelessness. None of this needs to happen if these ministers and leaders actually followed the Christ they claim to follow. If they did they would stop the prophecy crap and teach their members about the present rest one can have in Christ and a peace that passes all understanding.
Matthew 11:30
The Message
28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
John 14:27
The Message
25-27 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.
John 14:27
New Revised Standard Version
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
29 comments:
There are many excellent videos and resources available online about Jw’s. Their resemblance to the WWCoG is remarkable. Remarkable in the stories told by those who have left both organisations. The similarities are almost indistinguishable at times. Prediction addiction and its resulting neurological problems I don’t doubt was widespread. It was a drug and blinded and clouded the focus of many including myself from the core message of the scripture, that of redemption in Jesus Christ. The joy and freedom many how experience in leaving both these groups is a story in itself and points to the fact that not all is well under the veneer of righteousness that these organisations display.
Yet I acknowledge there are those who are perfectly at home in both groups. Such is the power of the need to belong and for purpose.
And that is why we need our Redeemer.
I've read JWs dissident sites over the 1975 fiasco. Thousands sold their homes, giving all the money to the church. The church got a financial windfall, and didn't return the money when the date proved wrong. They lost hundreds of thousands of members over the date.
They came up with 2000 as the new date of Christs return, presumably hoping for another financial boost to pay for the many sex abuse payouts.
Here we go again. Every Passover and FOT time, Satan stirs up world events to distract Christians from these feasts. For Passover this year, it was the container ship Ever Given, and for this FOT it will be the Taliban threatening the foreigners, especially the Americans stuck in Afghanistan
As interesting as this post is (and I mean that, I'm not being dismissive), I do not know that "prophecy failure" could be considered a key factor in member depression. I'm sure it didn't help, but I would hypothesize that it had more to do with the WCG tendency to be joy-killers in so many aspects of life. Maybe for a specific set (the group that watched 1975 and previous dates come and go)?
Another alternative to the depression and fatigue syndrome of "prophecy fatigue", is actually getting excited and "turned on" , or actually "rooting for" bad things to happen, so as to reinforce ones hope that its the "end times".
The human spirit needs to have hope and a positive dream. While I do believe that the world will indeed be a better place under the rule of Jesus Christ, we should be doing all we can now to make the world a better place, and to embrace personal self improvement and growth in all areas.
I fear that many want the "second coming" as a means to bail themselves out of their own miserable circumstances that have been self inflicted. Again, this is a bad motivation, and will lead to depression and bad mental health.
"rooting for" bad things to happen
I read somewhere that Christians in Rome rejoiced at "Nero's fire" as they thought that was a sign of the end. And by doing so, it helped support the accusation that they started it.
I fear that many want the "second coming" as a means to bail themselves out
Yes, I've heard that. Also (from WCG males who were hopeless with trivial domestic tasks) that they "really need a wife". With the former, Tevy (Fiddler on the Roof) lamented as the Russians drove them out of Anatevka, "We've waited a long time for Messiah to come; now would be a good time!"
I wasted 13 years in the Worldwide Church of God, believing that what they taught was true and reliable; that “within three to five years” the Great Tribulation would start, but I (not my wife and kids, who were not members) would be in the Place of Safety.
In 1995, when most of the ministry abandoned the now slightly-reformed church, under the Tkaches, I was left one Sabbath in the near-empty meeting hall with but a few “not good enough” members who were not informed or invited to move off to the new church.
I finally came to my senses, and humbly re-joined my family’s Presbyterian Church, where the main theme is the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, as that works for good in both this and the next life. By the slimmest margins, my marriage was saved. But the scars and wounds persist these many years hence.
For how many hours, in Sabbath services did I turn my Bible to scripture after scripture that affirmed so specifically what the minister was preaching; most of which was centered around The Law. Christ was mentioned only incidentally; often never in an entire 70-minute sermon.
But those proof-text scriptures validated everything being taught. They confronted me with that week’s scriptural truth. No getting around it.
But, there was one proof-text that was never once read, mentioned, or referred to:
Deuteronomy 18:22
“When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.”
1975 came and went. Hoeh’s and Armstrong’s stout prophecy of the coming of Christ that year never happened. If this scripture is valid (it is), then, and now, the multitude of failed prophecies indict and disqualify each and every Armstrongist preacher and church.
Definitively, absolutely, Deuteronomy 18:22, by itself, alone, negates and disqualifies Armstrongism, in all of its sordid forms. Read that scripture again; then, walk away. It’s in the Bible for a purpose.
Tonto 6:59 AM, I would presume that's WHY the return of Christ is necessary in the first place - because humanity as a whole (the sum total of all of us individually) has indeed inflicted many miserable consequences upon itself for millennia and NEEDS to be bailed out, because we are unable to do it ourselves.
Just consider one current event alone that illustrates my point: the absolute disaster unfolding before our eyes in Afghanistan. And many people thought the election of an ego-driven reality show billionaire was a disaster in 2016! But what do we now see following the last Administration? A far greater disaster with the election of a dementia inflicted lifetime politician who's about as corrupt and incompetent as they come!
The present voting population of America is a historical micro example of why humanity needs to be "bailed out" as you put it. As much progress as humanity has made in certain areas, such as technological progress, still, it's fairly clear that we are quite helpless to solve larger macro-scale issues we face as a species.
Some of the unthinking statements that people often make here on this website really are every bit as foolish as the nonsense that they are intended to point out, no matter what side of the overall debate one is on.
Yes, the above post echoes my own sentiments even as an ex-PCG member!
I attended a Global Church of God service in 1995 and heard Rod Meredith state plainly, "Christ will return in 5 to 15 years."
Early in 2011 I left LCG with a clear conscience, having received conclusive proof that Rod Meredith was not inspired by God. If anyone chose to stay longer and get depressed, that was their choice. I felt a bit stupid for trusting the man, but I learned my lesson and moved on.
Anon 951 - I took Tonto's meaning to be personal problems, not national ones. It looks like Zippo interpreted that the same way.
In fact, I remember at least one WCG minister even say that joining the WCG to solve personal problems was the wrong reason!
At this point in time, nobody should believe false prophets like Gerald Flurry, David Pack, Ronald Weinland, or Robert Thiel.
Only those who made the mistake of sending the false prophets too much money still believe them and hope that they will somehow be right yet someday.
Yes, even those who are harmed or depressed by so-called ministers who twisted scripture to shove their version of prophetic events down members throats, does not negate the fact that prophecy is taking place all around us, daily.
9.51 AM
You are parroting the official HWA church position that man is incapable of ruling man, so he must be ruled by Christ. But as with many such church claims, things aren't always what they seem. Scratch the surface and some debatable views come to light. The unofficial church position is that Christ's rule will be like today's ACOG culture, with everyone being micro managed. The freedom from others thingy is rejected. This can't be the case since tyranny conflicts with man's nature of being made in Gods image. When ancient Israel asked Samuel for a king, the elder social system gave maximum freedom to everyone. It's God Himself who warned of the suffocating type of government that a king would involve.
Also, what the "man can't rule himself" view ignores or down plays, is that the purpose of man's 6000 year mis rule is to smash every false God. This would not be necessary if man is going to be lorded over by Christ and his gang.
Today's HWA ministers have made the millennium in their own self serving image. They fantasize that it will be an extension of today's church system.
Anonymous 9:51 here - My point was that even the most cursory understanding of history demonstrates convincingly that man's systems of government ultimately cause more problems than they solve. And all the bad fruit produced by COG organizations doesn't change that overall observation.
But this is not to justify COG incompetence over the years.
Of course people can do all kinds of things with wrong, self-centered motives - and the fruits are never good. The WCG's obsessive emphasis on "God's Government" - but most of all the heavy-handed manner in which it was typically applied in everyday circumstances and situations - produced a lot of unfortunate results.
Who can in good conscience deny this?
However, to assume that Christ's rule during a millenial period would be anything like an extension of what we've observed in the COG systems of governance, well, then God help us all! As Christopher Hitchen often pointed out, it would be like living in a North Korean-like dictatorship.
He ended up in psychiatric treatment where he was prescribed antidepressants.
According to Andrew Kaufman, MD, a psychiatrist who used to prescribe antidepressants, they don't really work. But they are a profitable business.
... a North Korean-like dictatorship.
Or, a dictatorship brought in under the pretense of a pandemic based on PCR tests that can't tell the computer generated covid-19 "virus" from the flu or the common cold, 100% of the time. Compare only 37 base pairs out of a (simulated) genome of 30,000 base pairs and you can find a match to almost anything.
As I recall, Charles Taze Russel was a free mason. Didn't he start JW's? Was the WCG therefore basically based on the free masons? See the book by Gary H. Kah "En Route To Armageddon".
Hi Y'all, just thought i'd add that the 75 book and the local minister not letting him marry who he wanted to jacked up my brothers life but good :(
Then okc got flurry transferred in and that Targ screwed up what little was left of the brother I knew (it was before pcg hit but not long b4).
I myself have not found a path yet other than if the acog leaders r gonna be in charge I think I'll take the lake of fire route :D
L8rGators :)
The ones who tend to suffer from depression in ACOG tend to be from the ministry. The ministry tend to live isolated lives. The lowly membership on average tend to have more life experience through having careers outside of religion and working life in general provides a happier outcome.
Yes HOSS, I meant personal ones. People, who usually are the designers of their own messes and problems in life, look to the "second coming" as a way of escape from their own menageries that they have created.
This is a bad motivation for wanting the Second Coming, and is one reason many are depressed in ANY religion. Being a Christian does not produce a "magic charmed life". It still takes effort, wisdom, and the embracing of patience and work to produce self actualization and achievement.
6.12 AM
I never came across a minister that looked depressed. They seemed very happy lording it over their flock and strutting around like big shots.
If depression is anger turned inside out, then anybody can see how people who were induced to sacrifice EVERYTHING because of false prophecy would be depressed. And this would be doubly so for a minister who had taught the party line and who had watched as the lives of those who listened to him were all negatively impacted.
Depression is very prevalent in humankind at large. It is not as if it is a great exception to the general rule. Even so, it is sad that a church, which is supposed to promote and foment an abundant life, would be the author of depression. Welcome to Armstrongism!
All religions worship demons. It is only God who does not seek to be worshiped. He has no ego problem.
Thats the hype in front of an audience Anon 4:35. Do you know the reality behind closed doors ? Burned out Minister's and ministry Wives and athiest ministry is an epidemic in today's society.
Written as a true elite Tonto. Patronising others into the ground and, jumping to conclusions and assuming much in one whole sweep.
Anon 10:32PM, I'm sure you have figured out that ordaining new ministers has become a problem for most of the ACOGs.
Some new ministers are cynics who know it's all a lie, but who are willing to be ordained so they can be at the top of the heap. Other new ministers start out as true believers who think they deserve to be at the top of the heap. Neither has an attitude that creates peace and harmony among the brethren. And to make matters worse, many are atheists.
The ones who aren't atheists mostly act as if they believe God will save you for your works, such as keeping the Sabbath, which makes them theologically dangerous, as even their own churches don't "technically" teach that.
Anonymous August 26 at 7:26 said...
"[I]t is only God who does not seek to be worshiped. He has no ego problem."
Oh really? Why devote 40 percent of his commandments to rules for excluding other gods and glorifying only him? Why fly into a rage when things don't go his way and rain destruction on cities, tribes, nations? Why drown everybody who does not worship him, in the process washing away nearly all of creation with them?
When he called himself a jealous god, he owned up to a classic case of narcissistic psychopathy--the most extreme ego problem known.
Retired Prof: Answers to your four questions IMHO: 1. No! 2. There are no other gods that know the number of hairs on your head, name each of billions of stars by name, know when you gave a cup of cold water to a needy person, designed you so your nose is on your face and not on your hip, etc etc etc. 3. They were bent on self-destruction forever and was better to die and be resurrected to a world where possibly they may be salvageable and think differently. 4. Read answer to #3.
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