From an anonymous source:
These are direct statements from ministers, often and routinely claimed by them, from WCG and certainly from LCG.
Statements 15 through 22 are from lay members and from local non-minister power brokers. Clearly here, the term "government of God" is synonymous with the ministry, and also for God's divine will; one in the same. Unconditionally submitting to the ministers is the same as worshipping God.
Entire biblical essays could be written--should be written--on each point showing how they are so very wrong. In particular, point 5 comes to mind given the recent and ongoing unbiblical threats coming from Doug Winnail and Gerald Weston of LCG, and how they so wickedly twist the incidents with Moses and the Israelites in order to prove their own authority. Although I do believe overall what we were shown through Mr. Armstrong (thus appearing something like Messianic Jews and 7th Day Baptists), the spiritual hegemony in which these false ministers engage must be exposed for what it truly is. Would that LCG members and from other groups study your Bibles, recapture true values as Mr. Armstrong taught, and do not be frightened or intimidated. To do anything less leads to this present, unacceptable idolatry.
1. "If you believe that Christ" (they never say Jesus) "is the head of His church, then you will follow and submit to His ministers. His government."
2. "If you can submit to us in the world today, then you will have no trouble submitting to God in tomorrow's world.
3. "Even if we are wrong, obey us anyway, and God will work it out."
4. "Even if you think we're wrong, submitting to God's true ministers is a matter of faith in God and that Christ is the head of his church."
5. "Remember this! Even if we are wrong, God was angry with the people! Not Moses!"
6. "As God's ministers, we sit in the seat of Moses. We occupy Moses' seat."
7. "God always backs us up. God backs up his government."
8. "Even if we are wrong, God will back us up. God always backs up his government."
9. "We have the keys to the Kingdom. We can shut you out."
10. "If you believe that Christ is the head of his church, then have faith in God that he is guiding and leading us--his ministers--to make right decisions and judgments."
11. "As ministers, we are never wrong. We might have a different interpretation of things, but we are never wrong!"
12. "Now that I am a minister, I cannot be your friend. You can be my friend, but I cannot be your friend."
"As ministers, we are not your friends."
13. "Don't go to the police and the law about this. Leave it to the ministers."
"Don't go to the media, and don't say anything about this to them. Refer them to the ministry."
14. Said to children at the LCG camps:
"As ministers, we are the main authority over you in your life. Your parents are under us. We as ministers are over your parents. They take care of you and they are your parents, but we are the main authority over you in your life."
Things Wrongly Believed And Said by lay members about ministers, elders, and deacons, And Even by These Same Of Each Other:
15. "He's ordained by God, so he must be right."
16. "I'll just do what I'm told, and if the minister is wrong then he'll get in trouble for it; not me."
17. "I know he's wrong, but I can't go against the government of God."
18. "I do not believe this teaching. I do not hold to it, but I won't go against God's government."
