ht: Facebook
Saturday, June 28, 2025
The Rodney Dangerfield of the Churches of God says he is the only known ordained prophet in any legitimate Church of God group
In a lengthy post on Friday, June 27, 2025, God’s self-proclaimed greatest gift to the world once again cited Norm Edwards to argue that God intended prophets to lead the Church of God in these end times. Naturally, Thiel claims he is the one and only true prophet today.
Norman Edwards was the editor for Shepherd’s Voice magazine. He is not part of the Continuing Church of God, where I function as its human leader (and am an ordained prophet; the only known such ordained prophet in any legitimate Church of God group).
While Norman Edwards and I have long disagreed about aspects of church governance and various matters of doctrine, we both agree that many who are in or claim to be in the Church of God (COG) wrongly do not accept that God has any prophets today and that Laodicean pride gets in the way. We also agree that most have severe difficulty identifying one who really is a prophet because of various unscriptural biases and improper criteria that they have.
Bwana Bob, steeped in Armstrongism, has mastered the art of blaming others—especially when the Worldwide Church of God, Global Church of God, and Living Church of God completely rejected him. Of course, someone must take the blame, and it’s certainly not Bwana Bob!
In his latest rant, he lists 55 reasons why every Church of God group is heretical and overrun with Laodiceans who dare to reject him. I won’t bore you with the full list—most are absurd, rooted in Armstrongite mythology and shaky doctrines.
He even drags the United Church of God and Living Church of God into his desperate attempts to legitimize himself.
Some will come up with their preferred rationale as why not to agree with the position of the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) on these matters. Yet not only is CCOG’s position biblical, it should be noted that leaders in the Living Church of God and/or the United Church of God confirmed to me personally that I was biblically correct on nearly all of the above points, despite the fact that their respective churches hold to several of the errors pointed out above. Those who rely too much on a compromised ministry (Ezekiel 34:7-10) to teach them prophecy, that is not truly in accordance with scripture, need to realize that according to Jesus’ words in Revelation 2 & 3 and Luke 21 only relatively few Christians will be protected from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole world.
The Great Bwana even goes after independent Churches of God and smears them:
There are also independents do not accept that God has been fulfilling prophecies of Acts 2:17-18. Laodiceans do not accept God’s standards, but prefer their own interpretations on how God works.
Then, once again relying upon Norm Edwards:
As Norman Edward’s article points out, it is scriptural to now have prophets according to the New Testament. But many who truly believe that they live by the word of God have discounted or overlooked what the Bible actually teaches and/or have been influenced by others who have done the same or worse. The COG has at least one demonstrably true prophet today, yet most in the greater COG world seem to be able to ignore the truth about that, like most ignored John the Baptist and others in their day.
Norm Edwards' views on prophecy in the church today are irrelevant. Citing his Armstrongist perspective doesn’t make Bob Thiel any more a prophet than it does Dave Pack or Gerald Flurry.
Did you know your PRIDE leads you to reject the Great Bwana Bob? How dare you, you ungrateful wretches!
Pride is a bigger problem for Christians than most realize. People, including Christians, have a hard time admitting that they are wrong.
If anyone in the Churches of God reeks of pride, it’s Bob Thiel! Holy manna!
The Great Bwana, self-proclaimed as the most perfect prophet in church history, then drags out Herbert Armstrong and bashes him for a false statement:
Now, let me add that because Herbert W. Armstrong said there were no prophets in the old Worldwide Church of God when he was alive, many have falsely concluded that there could not be any legitimate prophets in the Church of God beyond New Testament times. But that is wrong.
The Great Bwana searched long and hard for a quote from Herbert Armstrong about prophets in the church today, and—surprise, surprise—he found one that conveniently points straight to himself. According to Bob, Herbert Armstrong foretold his rise to prophetic greatness:
Furthermore, notice a conversation Herbert Armstrong had with a WCG minister in late 1984 or 1985:
“Mr. Armstrong went on to say, ‘I have come to realize there will be an even greater work to follow—to go again, to “prophesy again” to all nations tongues and peoples (Rev. 10:11) before the work of the two witnesses—but with more power and with a stronger warning message. But that will be for others to do.’ He continued, ‘It will be a short work (Rom. 9:27-29), compared with the longer time to complete the work I was given, and it will be cut short. That’s when the Great Tribulation will begin, as will the work of the two witnesses. These will last for three and one-half years, at the end of which Christ will return in glory.’” (Schurter D. “The Greatest Work Lies JUST Ahead…” conversation with Herbert W. Armstrong 1984/1985 as stated in RCG letter of May 31, 2013)
So, Herbert Armstrong felt that there would be a prophet BEFORE the two witnesses were given power, hence the need for one or more prophets.The New Testament (e.g. Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 14, Revelation 11) makes it clear that there would be prophets in the latter days.Specifically, Acts 2:17-18 which has already had fulfillments in the Continuing Church of God.
He ends with this:
Do not let pride or preconceived ideas get in the way of you accepting biblical truth. That, according to Jesus, is actually the biggest problem for most Christians in the end time per Revelation 3:14-22–most Christians refuse to fully “hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22).Will you truly hear and take the proper steps related to matters such as prophets?
The biblical truth is clear: Bob Thiel is a liar and a false prophet. He was not sent by God, nor was he doubly ordained or blessed to start a rebellious splinter group. He is unequivocally a false prophet—a prideful, narcissistic upstart rejected by the Worldwide Church of God, Global Church of God, and Living Church of God. No Sabbath-keeping church in Africa ever ordained him as a prophet or even ordained him as a legitimate minister with apostolic succession.
Stay far away from him—your very salvation may depend on it!
Boring Dave Plays the Guessing Game
The Guessing Game
Since David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God admitted that even he cannot know the day or the hour of Jesus Christ’s return, he no longer has any real material to bring to the table. “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 581)” on June 21, 2025, was a real snoozer.
The Pastor General purloined another 85 minutes of the brethren's Sabbath, pontificating half-baked ideas and throwing out potential possibilities. RCG members experienced a taste of what the workweek is like in the Third Floor Executive Imaginarium when Coffee Kid and Pepper Boy are subject to Dave’s banal lectures pondering potential scenarios.
Rest assured, the period of David Passover’s vagueness will not last long. He was already bursting at the seams to retake his rightful place as being the only exception to the “no man knows” rule.
During Part 581, David C. Pack was playing the guessing game. He was not sure about anything, but he was filled with ideas. In the end, brethren rose from their chairs with nothing to cling to. Could be. May be. Potentially. Dave was dying to tell them he knew more and tried his best to uphold his relevance, but members who feigned sickness to avoid services did not miss anything substantial.
Members knew they were in for a wild ride when Dave opened by giving himself a Participation Award.
Part 581 – June 21, 2025
@ 00:06 Well, good evening, everyone. Here we are. We all I expected to be here, of course, this week.
I laughed out loud. When an unordained non-prophet/non-psychic and God’s Seventh Messenger apostle/sometimes-prophet both know the same thing before it happens, it grants us an even status for prophetic legitimacy.
With the Israel/Iran situation continuing to cool, the RCG Fear Factory suffered a significant depletion of raw materials this week. Dave’s paper tiger is now a yapping chihuahua.
@ 00:21 Of course, the the war is is is intensifying. We all know that. And we see the day approaching.
The words of David C. Pack do not age well. Not about prophecy. Not about what he plans to do. Not about world news. The only thing reliable about David C. Pack is how unreliable he is. But it did not prevent the little guy from trying.
@ 17:06 I hate to see war, but I'm thankful in a way because I know there's a prophecy that Jerusalem is at war when the Kingdom comes, and their their war is intensifying and growing worse. Or you could wonder, “Wait a minute, are we gonna go another year?”
How adorable. The headlines are not kind to David C. Pack. The 12-day war is over. A ceasefire is in place. Iran is willing to negotiate. Both Russia and China applied for conscientious objector status. That is not exactly the definition of “intensifying.”
Giggles, giggles, and more giggles in 3…2…1…
@ 1:24:34 Keep watching the war and strife and contention and violence and lawlessness and protests. Keep watching the day approaching. And we may all know when the Kingdom comes together. We're just we we're we’re at we’re at the end. It's about to snap. I believe we'll be here next week, but I'm not sure.
Dave’s previous warnings about imminent world hell and societies soon collapsing all fall flat. Adding this to being unable to teach exactly when the Kingdom of God will arrive, some members might be wondering, “Why are we paying you?”
When the summer solstice was the apple of Dave’s eye, the word “summer” meant “summer” in the parable of the fig tree. When that day approached, and his Spidey Senses tingled with discomfort, he discovered that “summer” just meant “heat” in the same parables.
In Part 580, it meant world-conditions heat. In Part 581, it means weather heat. Care to play the guessing game for what it will mean in Part 582?
@ 04:22 I have never seen four days in a row foretold to be as hot as they are now. The hottest day that's ever been, ever been, even a single day in June in Wadsworth, is 95, and we're scheduled for 93, 94, 93.
@ 04:55 Now, is that a coincidence? Where does that put us? We learned last week for the first time that blazing, meaning glaring heat, really hot, is a sign of the time. And and then this happens.
2024 was the year with the hottest average in Ohio. The hottest temperature ever recorded in Ohio was 113 degrees in Gallipolis in 1934. If heat was a sign of the time, Dave missed it already.
@ 1:23:33 Tremendous heat is striking the country. I don't have a lot more in the Series. I didn't plan this message. So, lo and behold, God plans for me. But heat, tremendous heat, is striking the country starting today.
@ 1:24:23 I've never seen anything like this. Is it a coincidence?
RCG members have suffered through eagles, rainbows, biblical fog, and prophetic COVID-19. Now, members endure a prophetic heatwave in summer. Coincidences are the bottom of the barrel of theological proofs.
David C. Pack’s bread and butter in The Restored Church of God was hosing down his worshipers with prophetic adrenaline while the doomsday clock ticked toward midnight. With a precise target on the bullseye missing, Dave is just throwing darts to let people know he is still rushing to call out anything.
His guessing game extended to an undefined Day of Gladness by moving the Last Great Day from the fall to somewhere in the summer. The Last Great Moving Day did not go over well in 2023.
But Dave makes all things new.
@ 1:19:50 So, this is not our first rodeo looking at moving the Last Great Day to the spring. But WE took it too far. WE took it too far. WE took it from the back end of the of the Feast of Tabernacles all the way to the front of Abib year. Maybe we're only supposta to go about half that far. Something like that.
Despite having nothing of substance to offer, Dave tried to push his unique legitimacy.
@ 05:57 I’ve learned some incredibly interesting things, but I haven't moved from where I was last week.
@ 06:29 I'm pretty sure I know the hour of the day. I no longer think I know the day. I used to be the other way around. I thought I knew the day but not the hour.
@ 06:52 Because you can almost certainly, and I believe I will prove to you you'll know the hour. It'll be the start of the day when when a Great Supper would begin.
Spoiler Alert: The hour is when a day begins at sunset. Mic drop.
See, no man knows the day and hour. Kinda.
Dave figured out the ingredients to the Bible’s secret sauce by taste and a partial label on the box. Just because you cannot know the day does not mean you do not see what the day is called.
@ 07:26 I know a lot more than I did last week, but it it duddn’t involve knowing the day. I know more about it and some fascinating things about it. And how I’d even equates to some lost knowledge. I know what the day is called, how God labels it, but this is a kind of a a hidden season. We'll call it a phantom season or time, kairos, known only to God.
@ 25:55 I I I could ask, how many have ever wondered, read, and wonder, “What's the Day of Gladness?” But I'll bet no hands would go up. Now, maybe one or two would, so I don't I won't say absolutely.”
Dave desperately wants to speak in absolutes, but reality keeps thwarting him. He lacked the courage to test his Day of Gladness awareness theory in the Main Hall. He dared not ask for a show of hands, or it would have silenced his thunder. He read the room and avoided the real challenge to his bravado.
Part 581 was a painfully long smattering of goofy questions while Dave played the guessing game. Prepare to yawn and shrug at the same time. This is just a small sampling.
@ 34:12 But is this is this the feast we're waiting for? Are we waiting for the feast in Acts 18:21? Are we waiting for the Day of Gladness? Or are we waiting for the phantom mystery shadow chag of Exodus 15, and 19, and 24? What are we waiting for? [pats hand on table] Very, very interesting.
@ 45:51 One wonders, did God take Av 10 and move it closer to where we are now?
@ 50:48 To where might God move a Holy Day to remain forever? Where might He move it? To signal the only day he will ever use to build the Kingdom of God question mark?
@ 1:02:30 Is that mean the Last Great Day on that day is gonna shift? Is that really what [chuckles] what happened to it when it disappeared at the end of the feast in Ezekiel 45? Is that where it went? So that it could be a Great Supper?
@ 1:22:07 So, what might the mysterious date be? What might it be? Well, I mean, technically, you could say, “Mr. Pack, is there any chance it's still in Sivan?”
@ 1:21:24 Is God going to take the Holy Day that currently is the 22nd of the month and move it to early in the month [Tammuz] we're coming up on? Seems reasonable.
@ 1:20:11 And no, I'm not, you know, hinting at a particular day there. It'd be incredible. Was God telling us, “I'm going to end this war on the Last Great Day because I'm gonna start it on that day?”
David C. Pack
All Questions. No Answers.™
For those with patient perseverance and the discipline to bother reading all of that malarkey, you now know what modern Sabbath Services are like in The Restored Church of God. Dave takes the term “bored to tears” to a new level.
David C. Pack
Hinting at substance without providing substance.™
@ 35:50 I would need to restore that knowledge, and I can't restore it unless God shows it to me. And I I promise you, [chuckles] when you go study, they go nobody even focuses on these verses, never mind, assembled them all.
When the Day of Gladness fades like the summer solstice, revisit the concept that God showed him this.
@ 1:25:10 But I doubt that I'm gonna be able to tell you the day. I have some suspicions, but the problem is I have more than one suspicion. So why why give you any of them? I gave you a whole bunch of days to think about.
This is some astonishing double-minded blindness: “Why give you any of them?” in one breath with, “I gave you a whole bunch…” in the next. Dave’s mouth operates independently from his brain.
We can all long for the next occasion when Dave thinks he knows the day and hour of Jesus Christ’s return so we can avoid any more quiz show messages like Part 581.
In the meantime, brethren of The Restored Church of God will have to stew in their disappointment for yet a little while as Dave stalls for more time playing his guessing game.
Marc Cebrian
See: The Guessing Game
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Mr Aaron Dean belongs to God! Not to the United Church of God, nor to any other church! He is a brand plucked from the fire. He is the Administrator of the Worldwide Church of God!
Poor Bob Thiel. All along, he thought he was the chosen one, planned by God as the foundations of the world were being formed to lead the church in these perilous end times. Alas, it isn't so. There is someone better and more qualified. Poor Bob, always the bridesmaid and never the bride!
Samuel Kitchen writes, after a long quote by Aaron Dean on how HE organized the sit-ins in the Hall of Ad during the receivership (though many who were in Pasadena have another view on that), the following:
So Mr Dean was responsible for the 5,000 brethren, the grassroots movement that stood up in protest against the California receivership in 1979, by taking possession of and using what belonged to God!This is what we the membership of the Worldwide Church of God are doing today. Fighting for what belongs to God. Standing up for what belongs to God. Even coming together in Jerusalem, to make that known and to make known Mr Aaron Dean belongs to God! Not to the United Church of God, nor to any other church! He is a brand plucked from the fire. He is the Administrator of the Worldwide Church of God!The mantle of authority he has in THIS CHURCH was delegated to him BY THE APOSTLE. This is his assignment!None of us had a say in it, and so none of us has a say in it now. We cannot go and speak a lie, nor should we. We cannot say he has zero authority in the Worldwide Church of God. But now we ought to do right and raise awareness for the truth, edify him for the sake of his ministry, and strengthen the brethren so his work may be effective!People may wonder why I went to Jerusalem earlier this year. It was to stand up in protest. To declare what belongs to God belongs to God! Just like those 5,000 brethren did when they took the Church property and did their sit in, when it was being taken over by outsiders.I’ve always wondered why does the Church go to Jerusalem and flee from Jerusalem? To declare that which belongs to God! Just by showing up as the church, keeping God’s Holy Days.And that’s what I’m doing. And I am not deterred!Mr Dean, belongs to Jesus Christ, and so the Lord rebukes the Devil, in the name of Jesus Christ! Is He not a brand plucked from the fire?
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Dave Pack's Fear Factory
Fear Factory
The sky is always falling in Wadsworth, Ohio.
Whenever a major crisis of any kind arises in the world, David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God seizes on the opportunity to reestablish the climate of prophetic fear, saturating the Main Hall at Headquarters.
With the summer solstice’s eminent failure and no new date in sight, the sudden conflict between Israel and Iran became the lucky break the Pastor General needed. During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 580)” on June 14, 2025, David C. Pack threw up his hands and admitted for the first time again that “no man knows the day and hour” of Jesus Christ’s return.
The warfare in the Middle East enabled him to shift focus away from his most recent failures while relieving him of the need to establish a new specific day for the arrival of the Kingdom of God. He maintained his perceived authority and keen insight into world events by laying the fear on pretty thick to ratchet up member anxiety.
Part 580 – June 14, 2025
@ 00:17 God, brethren, has brought long-expected events to the front, and the world is, you could almost say, at war. …now there’s a big war in the Middle East that’s gonna come to a very, very bad end. …the war between Iran and and Judah, Israel, will not be complete when the Kingdom comes. But it’s now on.
David C. Pack repeated that the Kingdom of God would arrive before the fighting between Iran and Israel ended. His credibility tanked again. There is already a ceasefire of "The 12-Day War" in place. The safest position to take is always to believe the opposite of what David C. Pack says.
@ 01:05 So, what is happening has got to be close enough …to the Kingdom that it cannot it cannot come to conclusion.
Further expressing his love for theatrics, Dave threw out the N-word to further edify the brethren.
@ 16:34 If you wonder whether Israel whether Israel will defeat the Iranians, all you hafta know is they they believe in, and their official military doctrine is "Uh Operation, You Know, Sampson.” They’re the they said, “Before we will be destroyed, we will tear down the temple of mankind.” Before Iran will win this war, Israel does have nukes, and they will nuke Iran before Iran can destroy them. They will cross a threshold where they're under such threat and so much death you will see you will see mushroom clouds in Iran unless God intervenes.
Right out of the Worldwide Church of God Fearmongering Playbook, Dave floated the idea of a nuclear war. At least Herbert W. Armstrong had the sense to put it in far future context "in twenty years," so his malarkey would take two decades to stink. Dave proves his ineptitude within hours.
There are several resources for those interested in researching “The Samson Option.” This Times of Israel write-up is quite informative. "Uh Operation, You Know, Sampson" is David C. Pack's distorted version.
The sleight-of-hand “unless God intervenes” trick at the end is Dave putting all his chips on black and red. If something nuclear happened, he could puff his chest and crow about being right. Even after nothing happens, he can say God intervened, shielding his perceived authenticity. Setting up shop in this safe space would prevent him from ever being wrong again. Every single failed date going forward could be due to God intervening. There is no downside to that excuse.
Fear is one of the ways The Restored Church of God retains members. They are not a church. They are a fear factory. When they keep the brethren afraid of what is going on around them, it keeps them from leaving.
The hireling enablers at Headquarters are counting on the persistent fear that world events could take a sudden, dark turn to keep members from fleeing their spiritually bankrupt organization. David C. Pack knows what he is doing when he sounds the Chicken Little alarm bells.
It is a good thing they are in the One True Church. And they better not leave.
@ 15:42 Now it’s impossible not to watch. Anybody among us who's not watching now, who's not trying to see or can't see the day approaching, is probably [chuckles] in the wrong church. And I hope that’s few or none.
Armstrongism followers have been seeing “the day approaching” since the 1930s. Every time there is a military conflict, a financial collapse, or a natural disaster, it is time to get ready. When no single event is eating up the headlines, there are always the low-level “world conditions” to exploit.
David C. Pack is a fear peddler, and the members of The Restored Church of God keep buying it.
@ 27:02 If you’re paying attention, you know the world is collapsing! Nobody knows what China’s gonna do. Are they gonna attack Taiwan because the world’s distracted? Will the Russians do even worse things because the world’s distracted? What will the North Koreans do? What will aggressors and dictators in Africa and South America do? United States left a big hole.
@ 46:45 “It will surely come and can’t tarry.” Maybe that’ll be what it means. We’ve got more to learn. Where where, I guess, I would call it “intense world hell.” Now, you need to be you need to be you need to fear God all through the week. Not just when Mr. Pack saying really serious, grave things. Heavy stuff. You need to stay close to God and be ready.
Staying close to God includes believing His word, fleeing from proven liars and wicked men, not giving money to a spiritually corrupt organization, and holding accountable blaspheming hypocrites claiming to speak with God’s authority.
Staying close to God involves discerning a false prophet and false apostle plainly presenting himself and doing what the Bible says in those circumstances.
@ 47:40 But, you know, we’re the only people on the face of the earth, the only ones, including the people who are who are who are starting Operation Rising Lion, we’re the only ones even among God’s people, the only ones who know how this ends. Do you know that? But only if you’re watching.
Members of The Restored Church of God are not watching what happens right in front of them, so how can they accurately frame world events? They continue to accept the words of deceitful men, spewing fear and lies with impunity. Nobody in The Restored Church of God has a clue about “how this ends” because David C. Pack has wasted over nine years and 580 Parts changing how he thinks it ends. That is not a track record to rely on.
@ 48:02 Maybe a time for a little less fun and a little more sobriety. Little more prayers, study, fasting, staying close to God.
Being a proven false prophet 130 times has not been fun for anyone, but it appears that Fear has become the official mascot of The Restored Church of God.
If Dave’s doom and gloom preaching seems familiar, it should. After Hamas invaded Israel to slaughter and kidnap families on the Last Great Day in 2023, David C. Pack exploited that horrific event to instill fear while propping up his timing narrative.
Two years later, the Pastor General repeats that current events have biblical implications, signaling prophetic timing. The “Israeli Preoccupation” article covered this in detail.
What David C. Pack said back then meant nothing. What he says today means nothing. What he will say tomorrow will mean nothing.
Flashback Part 474 – October 7, 2023
@ 02:06 A great Bible prophecy is underway.
@ 11:29 But, I walked in this morning to powerful confirmation of timing.
@ 35:56 When this happened…I knew immediately what my assignment was. I finally understood my last assignment. I was to rush to carry out.
@ 1:00:25 Now, it’s easy to understand. It’s easy. There should be no one alive in this church who cannot now see “the day approaching.”
People wonder how anyone in RCG can believe Dave. Even if most of them do not, they still will not leave. Each person has their own reasons. The evidence that their human idol is a false prophet, false apostle, and false teacher is overwhelming.
Part 580 – June 14, 2025
@ 1:24:50 And we're we're on the verge of world war. We're on the werge verge of the collapse of various societies, including Israel.
The “No Kings” protests in the United States on the same weekend as Israel’s assault on Iran only encouraged the RCG fear factory to maintain production.
@ 42:22 Now let me pause so you understand the gravity… It may be that real horror comes two or three days before Israel rises. …it’s nowhere near potentially where it will be when real-world hell breaks out, and I'm saying that on the day when there are 2,000 protests in American cities, and there's more war in the Middle East.
In a telling moment of David C. Pack’s character, he explained what should happen to the protesters. Notice the placement of his chuckle when it involves the deaths of others.
@ 21:01 What you should do [chuckles] the only way to have civil obedience is put them all to death. They have to. And that’s God’s law. And you know what? You’ll never have a prob–“That’s so harsh.” No, it isn’t. It means nobody would ever die because nobody’d do it. But they can’t put ‘em to death. They have rights. Even if they weren’t born here. Even if they don’t have citizenship. Even if they just crash the the the border and swam across the Rio Grand.
David C. Pack takes righteous indignation to a whole new level. His occasional chuckles at odd moments betray how he really feels, regardless of what he tries to present to his worshippers. As time goes on, David C. Pack’s words and behavior become increasingly disturbing.
He shows no fear of God when he flippantly blasphemes. He shows no empathy when he chuckles about mass death. It makes perfect sense that producing more fear to manipulate the brethren is easy for him.
Instead of being a church of clock-watchers and calendar enthusiasts, RCG members now have the vague “we must be close” fear to keep them in their seats. More effective than pinning a specific day, having a world crisis with a perceived biblical angle applies pressure for brethren to stay within the familiar borders of The Restored Church of God because worldwide prophetic events could “come as a thief” on an unsuspecting world any day now.
When David C. Pack says there will be war, watch for peace. When David C. Pack says there will be peace, watch for war. When he says he is comfortable, expect discomfort to blossom. When he says to fear, be not afraid of him.
Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid of him.
The Headquarters Campus of The Restored Church of God is a fear factory, and they churn out product as fast as they can make it. Brethren, do not be afraid of David C. Pack’s words.
Marc Certain
See: Fear Factory
Agnosticism/Atheism Part II: “Why do people get so angry at atheists for not believing in God?”
“Why do people get so angry at atheists for not believing in God?”
https://socialthoughtsblog.com/2024/11/02/why-atheists-enrage-theists/
- The existence of atheists threatens their theist-based perception of reality.
When theists have been conditioned to believe that they are on this planet because of a supreme being, they can’t handle an opposing view. Their theism affects everything else in their life:
- Reason for living
- Right vs wrong
- Social connections
- How to vote
- How to view death
Furthermore, indoctrination is not without the threat of eternal damnation for the act of doubting.
Most believers genuinely believe in a severe supernatural punishment if they dare to question their religion. I wrote about the use of Satan for the sake of control back when I was a Pagan: “The Devil: Lucifer vs. Satan vs. Satanism”
The realization that it’s possible to live according to your own perception without the fear of punishment causes many theists to be confused and/or envious.
- Theists have denial and projection of doubt.
No one likes to be made a fool. Not all, but many people will not admit when they are wrong or even unsure.
Our society has made it better to make up an excuse answer for a question than sit with uncertainty. This goes for religion and business alike — which makes sense because the church is very much a business. It sells you the idea that divinity and the supernatural exist, while never providing concrete proof for any of their claims. These types of theists would rather go to their graves telling atheists they’re wrong than admit that no one can actually prove that divinity exists.
- Theists don’t understand atheism.
Many of the angry theists make wild accusations about what atheism even means. Atheism answers one question: “Do you believe in god(s)?” If the answer is anything except for “Yes,” you’re an atheist.
These types of angry theists will instantly demand an explanation for how the universe began or they’ll tell you what they think you believe, as if it’s a fact: “You believe that something came from nothing!” What they don’t understand is that identifying as an atheist does not require that you answer this question or any other, in fact. They don’t understand that a perfectly rational, acceptable and the most honest response is “I don’t know, and neither do you.”
The Big Bang is the best scientific explanation for how the universe came to be; however, it does not account for the very first few seconds because no one was there to witness it. Science does not make up a story to explain what is unexplainable; religion does; hence creation myths like in Genesis I: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
While plenty of theists prefer the “God of the gaps” argument, it fails as soon as it begins. If God is responsible for everything, then where did God come from?
The unfortunate reason why so many theists don’t understand atheism is because they were told what it is through the lens of religion. If religion doesn’t allow them to question, it won’t allow them to know the truth about the opposing views; instead, it invents its own untruthful version that paints atheists as “ignorant” and “arrogant” for not believing, while simultaneously demanding blind faith from its own followers.
- Theists think atheists hate God.
“Why do you hate God, if you don’t believe God exists” is a common question from theists to atheists. They don’t realize how illogical this question is.
Do Christians believe in the Easter Bunny? Adults don’t usually believe. So, does this mean they hate the Easter Bunny? I doubt it. It’s quite a silly accusation; yet, replace “Easter Bunny” with “God” and you will understand how absurd this question/claim sounds to atheists.
Some theists will get especially angry if you don’t believe in their God.
I find this particularly confusing. There are billions of people in the world. I can’t help but wonder how it’s possible to be so insecure about learning that another person doesn’t believe exactly as you do.
Even Christians argue amongst themselves. Christianity alone has thousands of denominations. Who has the correct interpretation of the Bible? Which version of the Bible is the true version? What makes someone a “true Christian?” In my multiple debates with Christians, a surprising amount don’t even seem to be aware there are multiple versions of the Bible. Where did they think the multiple churches came from?
I have heard that the Christians most eager to prove their God exists are the most insecure. This makes sense. The Christians who truly believe in their God need not convince anyone else. I think that goes for any theist.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Why Choose Atheism?
It has been a long journey from absolute belief to skepticism and non-belief. I find these reasons for my own personal and ultimate conclusions about it all to be the reasons and issues that pushed me along towards my own conclusions, to date, about life, death and the ever after.
Your experiences may vary...
While many prefer agnosticism (without knowledge) to a-theism (without God), agnosticism is simply atheism light.
One, a-Gnosticism, claims to not believe in a God but maybe, who knows? And the other, a-theism, simply does not believe. No matter, not knowing if there is a God and not believing there is a God both are a-theism. Without theism or belief
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Becoming an atheist is rarely a decision made lightly. It often stems from a combination of intellectual inquiry, personal experiences, and philosophical considerations.
Here are 30 reasons why people reject religious belief, exploring the thought processes, emotional journeys, and societal factors that lead to atheism.
Lack of Evidence
For many atheists, the lack of empirical evidence supporting the existence of a deity is a decisive factor. They argue that belief in a god should meet the same rigorous standards of evidence as scientific claims. Without verifiable data like tangible miracles or undeniable divine interventions—they find no logical reason to accept theistic claims.The Problem of Evil
The existence of suffering, evil, and injustice in the world poses a challenge to the idea of an all-powerful, benevolent deity. Atheists argue that a loving God would not allow atrocities like wars, genocides, or illnesses. The disconnect between religious teachings of a just God and the harsh realities of life reinforces atheistic perspectives.
Contradictions in Religious Texts
Atheists also often scrutinize religious scriptures and find contradictions, such as conflicting accounts of creation or historical inaccuracies. They also question moral teachings that condone actions like slavery, war, or discrimination. These inconsistencies and ethically problematic passages lead many to view religious texts as human constructs rather than divine revelations.
Scientific Understanding
As science advances, it provides natural explanations for phenomena that were once attributed to gods. The Big Bang theory, evolution, and neuroscience explain the origins of the universe, life, and consciousness without invoking a deity. Atheists often see science as a more reliable, evidence-based framework for understanding the world than religion.
Cultural Relativity of Religion
Religions vary widely based on geography, with different cultures worshiping different gods. Atheists argue that this cultural relativity suggests religion is a human invention rather than a universal truth. If one’s faith depends largely on where they are born, they reason, it undermines claims of absolute truth.
Indoctrination and Fear Tactics
Religions often use indoctrination from a young age and fear-based tactics, such as the threat of eternal damnation, to enforce belief. Atheists reject this as psychological manipulation, arguing that a truly loving God would not rely on fear or coercion to gain followers, further supporting their disbelief.
Moral Independence
Many atheists reject the notion that morality requires religion. They argue that ethical behavior is rooted in empathy, social contracts, and evolutionary biology, not divine commandments. By rejecting religion, they embrace the freedom to create their own moral code, which they see as more adaptable and relevant to modern society.
Negative Personal Experiences
Personal experiences, such as hypocrisy, abuse, or exclusion within religious institutions, often lead to disillusionment. For example, someone hurt by judgmental or corrupt religious leaders may question the validity of the faith they represent. These experiences can spark a deeper investigation into the foundations of religion, culminating in atheism.
The Burden of Proof
Atheists argue that the burden of proof lies with those making extraordinary claims, such as the existence of a deity. Since believers have yet to provide convincing evidence for their claims, atheists see no reason to accept them. They adopt a position of disbelief until presented with sufficient evidence, much like a jury evaluates a case.
Occam’s Razor
Occam’s Razor suggests that the simplest explanation is often the best. For atheists, natural explanations for the universe and life are simpler and more plausible than invoking a supernatural being. They argue that adding the concept of a god complicates the equation without adding explanatory value.
Religious Wars and Conflicts
The long history of violence in the name of religion, such as the Crusades, witch hunts, and modern terrorism, leads many to reject faith. Atheists view religion as a divisive force that promotes intolerance and hostility, contradicting claims that it promotes peace and love.
Equality and Inclusion
Many atheists are troubled by the discriminatory practices and teachings found in some religions, particularly against women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups. They reject faiths that perpetuate inequality, finding atheism to be a more inclusive worldview that values human dignity over divine authority.
Freethinking Ideals
Atheists often value intellectual freedom and critical thinking above adherence to dogma. They see freethinking as the ability to question, challenge, and evaluate ideas without fear of divine retribution or societal condemnation. For many,religion imposes limitations on inquiry, particularly when it demands blind faith or unquestioning obedience to authority.
Disillusionment with Prayer
For many atheists, the perceived ineffectiveness of prayer plays a pivotal role in their rejection of religion. They notice that prayers often go unanswered or produce outcomes indistinguishable from chance. This leads to skepticism about the existence of a divine being who listens and responds.
Naturalistic Worldview
Atheists who adopt a naturalistic worldview believe that everything in existence can be explained through natural laws and processes. They argue that invoking supernatural explanations for phenomena adds unnecessary complexity without providing tangible answers.
Religious Hypocrisy
The gap between religious teachings and the actions of religious leaders and followers often leads to disillusionment. Scandals involving clergy, such as financial corruption, abuse, or moral failings, expose a contradiction between the principles preached and the behavior exhibited.Desire for Autonomy
Atheists often reject religion because they value personal autonomy and freedom of thought. They resist the idea of external authorities dictating how they should live, think, or believe. Religious doctrines, which often prescribe specific moral codes, rituals, and life choices, can feel restrictive and incompatible with modern values of individualism.
Lack of Personal Revelation
While many religious believers cite personal experiences or revelations as the foundation of their faith, atheists often report an absence of such encounters. Without tangible or transformative experiences to affirm the existence of a deity, they find it difficult to maintain belief.
Philosophical Materialism
Philosophical materialism—the belief that only physical matter exists—aligns closely with atheism. Atheists who adopt this view reject the supernatural entirely, including gods, spirits, and an afterlife. They argue that everything in the universe can be explained through material interactions and scientific principles.
Disillusionment with Organized Religion
The perceived flaws of organized religion—such as political entanglement, commercialization, and authoritarianism—drive many toward atheism. Atheists often see religious institutions as more concerned with power and wealth than with genuine spiritual guidance.
Exposure to Diverse Beliefs
Interacting with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds often leads to questions about the exclusivity of any one faith. Atheists may notice that every religion claims to be the ultimate truth, yet they offer contradictory narratives about the divine.
A Scientific Mindset
Atheists with a scientific mindset often prioritize skepticism, evidence, and falsifiability. They apply these principles to religious claims and find them lacking in empirical support. Religious concepts such as miracles, creation stories, or divine intervention often fail to meet the rigorous standards of scientific inquiry, leading to their rejection.
Lack of Coherence in Theology
Theological arguments often involve abstract concepts that atheists find incoherent or contradictory. For instance, the idea of an all-powerful, all-knowing God raises questions about free will and the nature of evil. Atheists also challenge the idea of infinite punishment for finite sins or the notion of divine omniscience coexisting with human autonomy.
Religious Exclusivity
The exclusivity of many religions, which claim to be the sole path to truth or salvation, is a significant turn-off for atheists. They question how a just and loving God could condemn billions of people who follow other faiths or no faith at all. This exclusivity often appears arbitrary and unjust, leading atheists to reject the idea of a deity who demands unconditional loyalty to one specific doctrine.
Existential Freedom
Atheists often find freedom in the idea that life’s meaning is not dictated by an external deity but is something individuals create for themselves. This existential perspective allows them to live authentically, pursuing their passions and values without fear of divine judgment.
Cultural Modernization
As societies modernize, traditional religious beliefs and practices often become less relevant to people. Atheists see this secular shift as a natural progression toward reason and equality. In many developed nations, education, technological advancements, and social progress challenge old dogmas, paving the way for a more skeptical and humanistic worldview.
Rejection of Miracles
Atheists often view miracles as events that lack credible evidence or verifiable causes. For them, stories of divine intervention, such as miraculous healings or supernatural occurrences, can usually be explained through coincidence, psychological biases, or scientific phenomena.
Psychological Insights
Psychological research shows that religious belief can originate from cognitive biases like pattern recognition or the need for agency. Atheists often reject faith after recognizing these psychological mechanisms at play. They argue that religion is a byproduct of human evolution and societal needs rather than evidence of divine existence, choosing to trust empirical findings over spiritual interpretations.
Focus on Humanity
Atheists often prioritize human welfare over divine worship, emphasizing compassion, empathy, and progress. They believe that addressing global challenges—such as poverty, climate change, and inequality—requires human action, not divine intervention. This focus on humanity aligns with their belief in self-reliance and collective responsibility rather than waiting for a higher power to intervene.
A Desire for Truth
Above all, many atheists are driven by a commitment to truth. They reject comforting illusions or unproven claims, choosing instead to base their worldview on observable, testable, and verifiable facts. For them, the pursuit of truth is intellectually fulfilling and a moral imperative, even if it leads to uncomfortable or unpopular conclusions.
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