How do (COG) teenagers of today cope with their cultically-intoxicated parents?

From a reader:

This afternoon presented stellar radio as I ran my errands. Being a compulsive dial surfer, I usually switch amongst our ten local FM rock stations, and today I seemed to catch one fave tune after the other, back to back. As I sip a Heineken now back at home, I got to wondering about how this power-mongering amongst the adults in the ACOGs plays out these days with the kids. Setting the tone, my parents were moving up the WCG ladder as I was completing my high school years. One assumption of the higher ups was that aspiring deacons and local elders would definitely have their families under control. This means that their children had to be exemplary, which often led to duplicitousness, that is, hiding certain behaviors from the parental figures. Separate wardrobe for school in the ol' locker, one lingo at school and more formal linguistics at home, classical music overtly at home and falling asleep each night secretly listening to a clear channel AM rock station through the earplug on your transistor radio. And, then, there were nicotine fits over the weekend. Beer and wine hidden in the attic were helpful in getting through the weekend, but it was tough being a teenager in HWA's WCG cult. Honestly, I couldn't shake these same behavioral patterns during my two year tenure at AC, which ultimately led to some decisions being made for me. No worries, as I was already out from under the parents, and able to live my own life and make my own decisions. AC had been an excellent escape. 

How do teenagers of today cope with their cultically-intoxicated parents? Someone recently stated that most of the church kids of today are home-schooled. That kills the escape valve that we had back in the day, because we realized that for a goodly portion of each weekday, at school, we got to be normal. I had my transistor radio taken away for listening to the Ventures or the Young Rascals. What if a PCG, RCG, or LCG parent catches his daughter listening to Megan Thee Stallion on her cellphone? Or son listening to Ghost Face Killah? Does their cell phone get taken away? If so, how do the parents use the cell phones to spy on and control their kids? Home Schooling cuts off the escape in several ways, one of which is that the church's college will probably recognize that education as being sufficient to attend, let's say, HWA College. City College, State College, Oxford, or Harvard? Not so much. 

My Mom just about blew a fuse when I told her that my ride home from athletic practice lost his car privileges due to "parental problems". She was shocked and appalled that I could possibly even come up with such a label! Cultie parents are so out of touch with reality! Imagine having to tell peers today that you are into Irish dancing! Or that you will be gone for Christmas Week for a winter retreat with your church that had nothing to do with Christmas! I'd just bet that it still royally sucks being a kid in an Armstrong splinter!

LCG Friday Night Smackdown: Are LCG Members Clamoring To Be Ordained?

 

In the previous post about Gerald Weston's weekly comments to the faithful, he mentions that the laborers in the ministry are few and the church needs more men...sorry ladies.

Let us make sure that we stay close to our Creator and pray to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, especially in the ministry.

Then, in the weekly Friday Night SmackDown, Doug Winnail cautions those in LCG to not be clamoring for positions in the church.  

It has to take a person who is desirous of being in leadership positions to be able to function in those positions. COG leaders know this to be a fact but try and pull one over on members by claiming this is an organic process by God to reveal the leaders in the church. 

God apparently made quite a few mistakes over the decades considering some of the men in LCG/GCG leadership positions, including in their mother church, the Worldwide Church of God. Far too many men in LCG have the intense need to be noticed and they make sure you know that.

What Motivates You? 

 

In today’s world, many are motivated by a desire for a position, power, prestige, pleasure—and a bigger paycheck. Even in the Church, these desires can motivate individuals to seek positions and be noticed. While Jesus saw these attitudes in religious leaders of His day (Matthew 23:1–11), He admonished His disciples, “whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant” (Matthew 20:20–28). Jesus set us an example in that He “did not come to be served, but to serve.” The Apostles Paul and Peter urged Christians to avoid selfish motivations and be examples to others by serving with genuine humility (1 Timothy 6:3–5; 1 Peter 5:1–6). As we strive to come out of this world and its ways, let’s look for ways that we can serve others—so God can use us more effectively as instruments in His hands (Philippians 2:3–12).
Have a profitable Sabbath,

Douglas S. Winnail

Isn't it refreshing to know that the servant leaders of the LCG have genuine humility! Now, if only you dumb sheep could be as magnificent as we are then we could ordain you and put you to work too! 

Gerald Weston: Did he really just say that????

 

I am shocked that the boys in Charlotte thought this was a good thing to publicly post. Completely out of touch, as usual.

Greetings from Charlotte,
COVID-19 has been an inconvenience for almost everyone, a significant trial for some, a tragedy for others, but a huge boost to the Work of God. As we come to the close of the second year of the virus, we see literature requests around the world up substantially—especially the Bible Study Course. Our Social Media advertisements have produced large increases in subscribers to the magazine along with booklet requests. For the first time in the history of the Living Church of God, with the January issue we will be crossing the 540,000 mark in Tomorrow’s World magazine subscriptions. At the same time, we face significant challenges when it comes to manpower, especially in some of the international areas. These are exciting times. Let us make sure that we stay close to our Creator and pray to the Lord of the harvest for more laborers, especially in the ministry. Thank you for your dedication and love for one another.—Gerald Weston

 

Living Church of God: How Truthfully Charitable Are They?

A reader sent this to me today asking me to post this. This is the financial statement that the Living Church of God has to present annually to the Australian Government.

The reader asks:

"When has the Living Church of God EVER taken care of financially disadvantaged people in their communities? When has the Living Church of God ever assisted homeless people in their areas?

The Living Church of God has never taken care of the world around them let alone care for many of their actual members. Even though 3rd tithe is one of their commands, many LCG members never receive help from the church.

When I was a student at Ambassador College, Rod Meredith had been found to have used 3rd tithe to remodel his home on Waverly Drive when the Pasadena church area had lots of widows and unemployed members who needed assistance.

When has the Living Church of God ever done charitiable work, particuarly in Charlottee?"

Their Summary of Activities states: 

The Living Church of God Ltd continues to promote the Charity's principal purpose as a Christian Church which includes organising local congregations, promoting spiritual teachings, religious festivals, Bible education and pastoral care. The Church's broadcasting activities include weekly messages aired nationwide on Channel 7Two offering to the general public free magazines, DVD's, booklets, Bible-study courses and other literature to assist improve their personal and spiritual lives. The Bible Education Centre continues to provide students with an education founded on Biblical principles and is based on the Living Education (USA) curriculum and the Bible Study Correspondence Course. 

 

The Church assists, were possible, in emergency relief and humanitarian efforts throughout Australasia, the South Pacific and South East Asia, including during the current COVID-19 Pandemic.

You can see LCG's profile here: Living Church of God Ltd 

FANTASY

 

Were there humanoids before Adam and Eve?

"As modern humans are concerned, the Bible plainly states that Adam was “the first man” (1 Corinthians 15:45), and he named his wife “Eve because she was the mother of all living” (Genesis 3:20). Adam and Eve were therefore the first humans."

"While there are fossil records of apes and other creatures that predate Adam, these creatures were not the same as modern humans as far as God is concerned."

"God gave animals instinct, but not the type of understanding that He gave humans. Many scientists will not admit that there is a spirit in man that God gave."

"Pre-Adamic primates, were, at best, like advanced chimpanzees. There were no humans before Adam."

FACT

Totally modern human Cro-magnon 35,000 years ago, based on  skull facial reconstruction

• Homo sapiens, the first modern humans, evolved from their early hominid predecessors between 200,000 and 300,000 years ago. They developed a capacity for language about 50,000 years ago.
• The first modern humans began moving outside of Africa starting about 70,000-100,000 years ago.
• Humans are the only known species to have successfully populated, adapted to, and significantly altered a wide variety of land regions across the world, resulting in profound historical and environmental impacts.

Forensic Facial Reconstruction Based on the Human Fossil Record

Commercial Break: “I imagine hell like this: Italian punctuality, German humour and English wine.” ― Peter Ustinov

 

“The whole image is that eternal suffering awaits anyone who questions God's infinite love. That's the message we're brought up with, isn't it? Believe or die! Thank you, forgiving Lord, for all those options.”
― Bill Hicks

“I would prefer an intelligent hell to a stupid paradise.”
― Blaise Pascal

“When I was little, I bragged about my firefighting father: my father would go to heaven, because if he went to Hell, he would put out all the fires”
― Jodi Picoult, My Sister's Keeper

When Family Members Are Part Of A Cult

 

PCG: "Do you fellows look upon the woman you want to marry as a sister?" And Other Convoluted Beliefs For Singles

 

The Philadelphia Church of God has an article up by Joel Hilliker about being single in the church.

Here are some of the convoluted beliefs of the PCG:

• What is your big goal in life? Like it or not, for true Christians, the answer is family. 

• We are destined to be born into the God Family as Gods! Our entire lives today are meant to prepare us for that future—to teach us to become more and more like God! 

• Righteous character is God’s greatest, most magnificent creation—His masterpiece! And He is working on that masterpiece within you. However, this requires your acquiescence, your full cooperation, your total submission. That is what makes it so challenging for Him. 

• Your part in allowing God to create His character is your greatest, noblest challenge! 

• Physical human families are the first thing God uses. Physical family is one of His most powerful tools for destroying human nature and helping us grow in godly character. 

• The Church family is a fantastic way to crush your human nature and get you ready for the God Family! Those in the Church are people with whom God wants you regularly practicing His love!

• Confront the shallow notion that “single” is opposite of “family.” God is preparing you for eternal family life—and He wants to use your experience as a single in His Church to help in that process!  

• Your spiritual family provides you unique opportunities to confront your carnality and to build righteous thinking and godly character.

• The women in the Church—the women you date—are sisters first! “First of all, she’s a sister—a member of the Family of God! The Family of God comes first! 

• Mr. Flurry continues, “Do you fellows look upon the woman you want to marry as a sister? Is she really like a sister to you, spiritually? Or do you just skip over that part?” 

• Dating is a service—an act of giving to the family. It is a way of providing companionship to brothers and sisters in Christ. When you serve in this way, you are drawing those you date closer into the spiritual family and enriching their experience within God’s Church. And on top of that, you are also taking a hammer to your own selfishness! You are becoming more like God! ‘Single’ Is Not the Opposite of ‘Family’

As with all things in Armstrongism, the goal is to look inward to the closed system instead of outward to the world, bringing the kingdom into a reality one person at a time.

Gerald Flurry: God Slams Door In PCG's Face In Spite Of Fast Meant To Con God Into Approving Geralds Plans

 

Recently Gerald Flurry declared a fast in order to force his god into allowing the Philadelphia Church of God to open a new institute in Israel. That fast was a deliberate attempt to force the god of Flurryism to do what Flurry wants, after all, "he is Eliakim and that God gives him “extra authority to open and shut doors”; that he is a father to the inhabitants of Judah, and that God has a work for him to do in Israel."

It is always so delightful to watch these self-appointed fools leading COG's today get their comeuppance. 

Exit and Support Network says:

GF’s “Open Doors” Are Turning Into Closed Doors: 

 

November 28, 2021 

 

Concerning the November 21 letter “Members Fasting Today / GF’s Need for New Stimulation,” it looks like God may have responded to their fast. 

 

GF said in his co-worker letter [see November 8 and November 13 letters above] that he wanted to make sure God is behind what they had decided to do. 

 

First of all, he said that he already decided to start his Armstrong Mazar Institute in Jerusalem, rather than seek God’s will on this fast day. He wanted to make sure God was behind his decision and, in other words, he wanted to petition God to get in line and back his decision. 

 

It seems God has responded with a big fat NO! Within a few days of their fast, an omicron [i.e., small] variant of the coronavirus was identified, and now Israel has shut their borders! How will they do this work in Judah that they keep going on about? 

 

As Flurry stated in his December 5, 2019 co-worker letter, referring to Isaiah 22:20-22, that he is Eliakim and that God gives him “extra authority to open and shut doors”; that he is a father to the inhabitants of Judah, and that God has a work for him to do in Israel. 

 

Never mind the fact that he thought the first building was the “open door”; then that fell through so he switched to another building and when that, too, fell through, he said there was no building and that the relationship with David Be’eri was the open door. 

 

Once coronavirus hit the scenes, he was shut out of Israel and his work came to a stop there. Once again, he’s trying to dupe his followers into thinking that God is opening up Israel for him. 

 

It is clear to even “blind Freddy” that God is not with the PCG, that God is not supporting their work, that God is not answering their prayers and that Gerald Flurry is a mere weak man with no authority to do anything in Israel. History has proven this and history tells us that he will never to do a work in Israel and his followers are deluded to believe so. 

 

It is time for people to wake up to the fact that there is no open door and that Flurry and his goons are con artists and scammers. They have no interest in doing anything for God. They are simply in it for themselves. There is no reward for those who follow him. –M.K.

Just in Time for Christmas: Rescuing the Bible From Fundamentalism Revised Edition

 A friend sent me a complimentary copy as a gift.

First Edition

Updated Version.

( That's me in the crib taken from long lost and never until now developed negatives recently found by a relative. )

Philadelphia Church of God Gaslights Its Youth On How They Treasure Family During Thanksgiving

 

If you were to poll Church of God members on which church group treasured families, the Philadelphia Church of God would be right at the top...NOT!

Other than the Restored Church of God, there has never been a COG that actively sought to destroy families and marriages with diabolical man-made teachings concerning associating with "Laodiceans" and family members who may have left the church than what we see in the PCG today.

It has been well documented here on Banned, Exit and Support Network, The Painful Truth, Living Armstrongism, and personal stories on hundreds of Facebook pages and blogs over the last 2 3/4 decades on how the PCG has ripped families apart. Parents turned against their own children. Children against parents. Husbands against wives. Grandparents against grandchildren and so on. Divorces have been the result. And sadly an untold number of suicides have been the legacy of these demonic teachings.

The PCG acts like they are doing nothing wrong and that this is necessary to keep the "purity" of the church from being tainted by unbelievers. Besides, God will eventually save them in the end so don't worry about them today.

The other day in an article to the youth of the PCG, Eric Burns to that gaslighting to an entirely new level.

The very first sentence starts off with this:

Thanksgiving is a day about family—it’s a day about being grateful for all the blessings that each one of us has been given.

A couple paragraphs later:

Most Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering at home with family or friends for a feast of turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. And while some may take a moment to consider the blessings they have, fewer and fewer take the time to really reflect on what marvelous and miraculous blessings this nation has been given over the past 200 years or so of its existence. What about us? How thankful are we for the tremendous blessings we have been given in God’s Church? 

Then Burns says this: 

When was the last time we really took stock of our lives, of the many and varied blessings that God has poured out on us, and shared that appreciation with our Father? This season is an excellent time for each one of us to pause and reflect, not only on the material blessings that God has richly shared with us, but—more importantly—to examine all the spiritual blessings that we may be taking for granted.

When have Philadelphia Church of God members ever actually taken stock of their lives and what the church has done to them? 

Did they give thanks at the table on Thanksgiving for kicking their teenager out of the house? Did they give thanks for the child they were told to take to the mall and abandon so the state would take care of it so that they could send in the money it took to take care of that child? Did they give thanks for the wife, daughter or son that committed suicide because of PCG's teachings and family abandonment? Did they give thanks for their children they leave destitute because they gave all their money to keep the Gerald Flurry and Lil'Stevies families living the high life? Did they give thanks for Wayne Turgeon?

Never in the history of the Church of God movement have we seen such diabolical splinter groups as we have seen in the Philadelphia Church of God and the Restored Church of God. 

If you are a youth in the Philadelphia Church of God your very life may be at stake. The leadership truly does not care about you, and your very own family may not if you ever decide to take that wild and wonderful step away from the church for true freedom.

 

Crackpot Prophet Speaks Out About Islands

 

Never one to allow an irrelevant topic go by without a sermon, our resident prophet is speaking out about islands and what you need to know about them in Bible. Islands vs Jesus, anything to get away from discussing Jesus

Islands and Biblical Prophecies
Are there biblical prophecies that those who live on islands and coastal regions should know about? Are islands mentioned in the Old and New Testaments? Is there a massive earthquake prophesied to occur shortly after the gathering at Armageddon? How might islands be affected by that as well as scorching heat? Is there enough water to raise the sea levels by 270 feet? Will all in the islands perish? What about salvation? Are there steps that those who live on islands should take? Do they have 10,000 years or perhaps ten or less? Did Jesus make any prophesies that look to affect those on islands or coastal regions? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues with scriptures and some scientific facts.

The Great Bwana to Africa and 304 Caucasians is also predicting that when all the glaciers melt during the tribulation that all of the islands of the world will be flooded, including Australia. 

Perhaps it should be pointed out that Revelation 16, also states the following:

8 Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:8-9). 

Why is great heat of importance to those living on islands?

Well, among other reasons, there is about enough water still in glaciers and the polar ice caps to raise the level of the oceans about 200-300 feet if they completely melted. And any plague that strikes the earth with scorching heat is going to accelerate the melting of these frozen bodies of water--especially if large masses of ice break-off from earthquakes or other causes.

Many islands are less than two or three hundred feet high at their highest point, and nearly all islands have major portions that are less than 200 to 300 feet above sea level. Hence, many islands will probably become completely covered when the ice melts and a great earthquake levels mountains. This also will devastate coastal land masses.

Bob is like Congressman Hank Johnson who said that Guam would tip over if the US built a military base there.

Be Thankful

 

Probably why some COG leaders are so opposed to Thanksgiving.