Too Much Invested in This
Over the 38 years plus since Herbert Armstrong’s death, many of us have written a number of posts analyzing why folks continue to associate themselves with one of the successors of the now defunct Worldwide Church of God. Why? Because of all of the numerous books, articles, and now podcasts that have been written/produced which have definitively refuted so much of Armstrong’s theology, many of us continue to wonder how anyone could still be supportive of it! Our bewilderment is also augmented by the fact that the history of the movement since Herbert’s death has forced almost universal recognition of the fact that horrendous mistakes were made in the administration of the “church” (even among the membership of ALL of the splinters). Hence, it is reasonable for us to wonder: “What could possibly motivate a person to ignore so much evidence of failure and continue in it?”
I have a friend who joined the Worldwide Church of God as a young man and remained a part of it until the Tkach regime started making their changes. Then he joined one of the splinters and has been faithful to it ever since. Throughout those years, this person had a good job and tithed on his gross income. He faithfully attended weekly Sabbath services, the festivals, and many of the other gatherings and activities organized by the church.
Now, my friend is very intelligent, and he readily acknowledges many of the abuses that existed in the parent organization. He knows that people were hurt and bullied. He acknowledges that the Worldwide Church was poorly governed, and that the organization’s resources were often squandered and used to benefit and enrich folks who did not contribute very much to the church’s teachings or mission. Even so, this intelligent, kind, and sincere individual continues to attend with the splinter he joined and still contributes a significant portion of his income to their “work.”
Yet, when I ask him about his continuing loyalty in the face of what he has witnessed and experienced, he answers that he “still believes in the core teachings” of the church. Now, I know that many of the folks who will read this post have heard that same phrase from their friends and family who remain within the ranks of one of the many splinters who claim to have inherited Armstrong’s mantle. Nevertheless, if we actually got into the weeds of those teachings, I’m sure that just about all of these folks would have a different answer about what constitutes those “core doctrines.” At any rate, however they choose to define the “core doctrines” of Armstrongism, this appears to be one of the most common justifications given for a person’s continued association with one of the Armstrong Churches of God.
Now, I know that what I’m about to say will provoke denials from many quarters, but I really believe that what is really motivating these folks has more to do with protecting their own investment in a choice that most of them made many years ago! In other words, they simply have too much time, energy, resources, self-denial, and familiarity invested in Armstrongism to turn their backs on it now! Think about it. After spending 30, 40, 50, 60, or even 70 years, sacrificing jobs, relationships, various opportunities, and thousands upon thousands of dollars to maintain their association with like-minded folks, to admit failure now would mean acknowledging that they have wasted a good part of their lives. More importantly, it would mean admitting that their original decision to embrace Herbert Armstrong’s teachings and church had been wrong! In short, for many of these folks, acknowledging the failure of Armstrongism would be tantamount to acknowledging their own failure! It is such a part of their story and identity now, that the thought of chucking it poses an existential threat to them. Who would they be without this?
Of course, for many of us who have left Armstrongism behind, we rejoice in whatever time, resources and effort have been saved. For many of us, we feel like we have escaped a sinking ship and have saved ourselves from drowning and certain death. For many of us, we have removed the knife and staunched the bleeding. We have started thinking for ourselves again and employing our time and resources in more promising ventures. Yes, we have had to admit that we were wrong – that we made mistakes – that we made a big error in judgment and have paid a huge price for it. Even so, some of us have also experienced the joy of rediscovering Jesus and having our own personal relationship with the Divine. Moreover, a few of us have even discovered that we wouldn’t be in the good place that we are now without having experienced the delusions, disappointments, and hardships of Armstrongism! So, I would remind those of you who are still a part of that system of the old axiom that it is never too late, and that letting go of your ego and admitting failure doesn’t have to be a dead end!
Lonnie Hendrix/Miller Jones
30 comments:
Victor Kubic of UCG has written a series reflecting his personal experience of the doctrinal breakup of WCG in 1995.
His series titled 'Ground Zero' is freely available to read on his website and social media. His account is a serious salvo against these blogs because it's a real name stepping out, standing boldly, and detailing why.
Just about every major denomination has their own equivalent of a Armstrong type leader/founder. The Jehovah's Witnesses has their Charles Taze Russell, the Seventh day Adventists has their Ellen G. white, the Lutheran's has their Martin Luther, the Calvinists has their John Calvin, the Mormons has their Joseph Smith etc. This article could apply to all of them.
I left the WCG back in 1995 not because I disagreed with the doctrinal changes but because the lid was blown off of the Pandora's box of what the WCG really was. I am now an agnostic with no church affiliation. Believe me there is a life after Armstrongism. Yes there are withdrawl issues like an addict turning from a drug addiction. But eventualy there is recovery and a better life ahead.
I had a quick look at his Ground Zero page and couldn't find his salvo against these blogs. Please enlighten us with what he wrote.
Those who still believe in the core teachings of the church of the Worldwide Church of God believe they have God's Truth. They do not find it in traditional Christianity. They believe they are not following a man's teaching but God's Word. To ask them to leave their church associated with WCG's teachings is asking them to forgo their one and only chance of salvation.
Its called "justification of effort".
Leon Festinger wrote about it extensively.
Sunk Cost continues your personal holocaust.
For me, the tribulation ended in 1975 when the great disappointment destroyed the total raison d'etre of the entire Armstrong movement.
An old gospel song comes to mind here. Doug Oldham used to sing it every day on Jerry Falwell's radio program:
"We've come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord.
"Trusting in His holy word... He's never failed us yet.
"No... we can't turn back. We've come this far by faith."
That's what many of us in "splinters" are doing. It's about what the Bible says - even if ministers (and even us) sometimes foul it up.
My wife and I hung on until 1998, and even before that time, we had stopped FOT attendance (after 1994) as we didn't want to disrupt our kids' schooling any longer. We had already started dumping a number of past practices, including tithing and the drudgery of unleavened bread housecleaning. We had also been running into some serious issues with a couple of local church members at the time, and as the environment of the church was becoming somewhat toxic due to divisiveness about "the changes", we finally pulled the plug and left with no regrets. I don't feel that our years in the church were wasted years as it was where I met my wife, and I know that I would have remained single otherwise. For us it wasn't all bad, outside of the incessant financial demands, nutcases like Waterhouse, and a couple of abusive local pastors. FOT travel took us to many exotic locations; we made many friends in the WCG over the years, and we still remain in contact with some of them. Those church years also gave me ample material that has kept me busy and mentally active in retirement with my book writing projects. I'm thankful that we left the church with our minds intact, even though our finances took quite a beating. The only residual artifact of my past church years comes in the form of a repetitive dream where I'm back attending the FOT once more.
"Just about every major denomination has their own equivalent of an Armstrong type leader/founder. The Jehovah's Witnesses has their Charles Taze Russell, the Seventh day Adventists has their Ellen G. white, the Lutheran's has their Martin Luther, the Calvinists has their John Calvin, the Mormons has their Joseph Smith etc. This article could apply to all of them." I agree with this statement, and the next logical conclusion is that Armstrong was NOT superior to any of them. In this same vein, the apostles Peter and Paul had a number of personal failings too (as the New Testament makes very clear). However, pointing out the failures of all of these other men does NOT excuse and/or justify Herbert Armstrong's failures in any way. After all, are you suggesting that we attribute the theological failures of men to Almighty God?
My effort is less as I no longer read Scout and Miller.
My wife and I were members of the WWCG for 24 years. We once had a dear friend (now deceased) who, after becoming aware of some of the many errors of Armstrongism, refused to acknowledge them because she had invested too much of her life in the church. I don’t think she could bring herself to admit she had made a mistake. It’s hard to admit you’ve been wrong.
Our family ended up confessing our foolishness and sins and returned to our spiritual roots. Our three children were brought up in WW, but by the grace of God, they have all accepted the Jesus of the Bible. They have married believing mates and we have five grandchildren who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior! God is good. We are now much more discerning, rightly understanding and teaching the true gospel. š
That is certainly true, but this is a blog about Armstrongism. A church that its leaders declared infallible in its teachings. It was hand-picked by God, as were all of its leaders. It claimed to possess the ONLY truth. A truth so perfect, in fact, that God chose to reveal it all to HWA after 1900 years.
Armstrongism considered all of those groups you mentioned as deceived, so they do not even belong in the same conversation as the only TRUE church that was led by Herbert Armstrong.
So go ahead and gaslight us.
I have read Kubik's side of the story. It is seriously flawed and is a prime example of gaslighting members. Many of us in Pasadena saw the underhandedness of Kubik and others as they plotted to start UCG behind WCG's back while stealing mailing lists, diverting tithes, and other issues. It is filled with as many half-truths as Bob Thiel's and David Pack's versions of the story do.
His account is an impotent attempt at gaslighting members and certainly has NO influence upon any so-called "dissident" blog or website. To think such nonsense is hilarious!
So? Why do we care?
I would disagree. Kubic's account is in the open with both his wife's and his name on. It will stand the test of time as a witness account.
People are free to disagree.
Meanwhile all these blogs offer are fake names. None of you can do what Kubic has bravely done.
That’s right. For those who have spent much, most, or all of their lives following in the Armstrong churches, investing so much of their reputation and being into COGism, it is almost impossible psychologically to leave. If they do leave, then they are often disillusioned and oppose religion entirely. My prayers continue daily for those who are still hip-deep in it for whatever reason. It's not always easy to leave, but it's a necessary painful step if you want to find the joy of salvation.
11.04, the Jehovah's Witnesses and others also claim to be the infallible one true church as well. HWA was a member of COG7 and learnt all the dirty tricks of that and other denominations. They're incestuous in stealing evil ploys from one another, which is why their dissident blogs are so similar. I'm not saying that these other fraudsters justify or minimize Herbs sins, but rather that they're all in bed together. This is worth knowing for anyone considering joining a splinter or some other denomination.
I don't know if I agree with it. I don't think all of those individuals held quite the same adulated position HWA did for WCG members. More to the point, though, the site's about Armstrongism, what does pointing out other founders of various groups have to do with anything? If you've had kids, you know damn well that "But they did it toooooooo" is the stupidest excuse.
Just sharing an interesting (to me) aspect of my experience:
I left WCG at the end of 1992. I could see that HWA’s claim to apostleship was a farce. After much prayer and “proving all things” from “my very own Bible” (along with CGI booklets and audio cassette sermons), I came to believe WCG was going the wrong way doctrinally, so I left the church of HWA and went to the church of GTA.
It’s funny to think about now, but I still believe I made the right move for me at the time. One might think, “Oh, no. What are you doing? You’re going the wrong way!” But the very act of walking away from the “one, true church” was a big step for me. Yes, looking back, I was wrong about doctrinal positions, but I was not wrong about recognizing a phony, self-appointed false apostle with no true authority. I knew his was not the “one, true church.”
In time I learned better about doctrinal matters, but that one big step of leaving all I had grown up with (e.g., hundreds of friends, my social structure, etc.) was important. I believe it proved to God that I would follow him no matter what — to the best I knew how, even if I was confused about biblical teaching. My heart was in the right place.
i understand most of the normal, workaday people and families still in COGs; I don’t judge them harshly. But I do have a harder time with today’s COG leaders and preachers who are obstinate and should know better. They are some of the most hard-headed people, who continue to lead people away from the right path. Stiff-necked is a good adjective.
Yet I know I shouldn’t judge them either. That’s not my job. I can only be thankful for what God has done for me and my wife, and I want to share the right way with others.
Imagine the fun we could have had at the Feast back in the day if there had been entertaining products available such as the Pooter, or the Sharter!
938, I love it. Very happy for you!
It's always good to be effortless. You wouldn't want to strain anything!
But what if your wrong? Is your opinion God's truth.
I understand your comment as sarcasm; don’t worry though there is strain in any lived life and everyone will feel some of the struggle you want them to.
Was your wife the one that led you to Catholicism? That would explain a lot.
But what if your wrong? Is your opinion God's truth.
That is a good and fair question.
My opinions are generally no better than anyone else's. But since the Church of the Ages is the Body of Christ, her teachings are Christ's -- and therefore trustworthy. So if my "opinions" don't align with HWA's, but instead align with the Church's doctrine, then I have all the assurance I need.
Was your wife the one that led you to Catholicism? That would explain a lot.
No, she did not. But if she had, the apostle Paul would have been pleased (1 Corinthians 7:16).
This is how it played out in our case (it's a good story):
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/my-path-to-the-worldwide-church-that-jesus-built
The Pooter! I love the Pooter! It's fun at the grocery store, but would have been supremely awesome at the FOT.
One of the late, great Pat Paulsen's side splitting routines was (sits down on chair, and there is a noise)
Pat: "Ah, that is a timeless source of laughter, the so-called Whoopie Cushion, used for decades by pranksters around the world!"
Pat then makes a fetish of standing up, lifting the seat cushion, and expresses surprise upon discovering that no Whoopie Cushion is present.
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