Breaking in the new year, The Two Witnesses podcast presents: Episode #3 "Walk This Way"
If there was anything the Worldwide Church of God was really good at (besides collecting member tithes), it was telling members that they'd better Walk and Talk as the leader Herbert Armstrong and the ministry taught (but notably did not necessarily do themselves). In the specific case of the WCG, and in many of the splinters, members knew and know that they'd better toe the party line or they are to be expunged from the organization and most likely disfellowshipped, which means being estranged from their friends and acquaintances in the church.
This is one of the identifying features of any cult, and in this episode, the Two Witness hosts go through several characteristics that define a "cult", discussing how their own experiences demonstrate these characteristics being manifested in the WCG and its daughter churches. Certainly, many readers here will be able to relate to it.
In this episode, you'll also hear:
HWA railing against any sinful Jezebel-like women who would dare to put on makeup!
Rod Meredith screaming like a madman against what was apparently his favorite subject, sex and the "homosexual queers"!
HWA's obsession with his own importance, and his lackeys and worshippers who even now still lap it up.
Members being put in fear of not being able to escape to the "place of safety" in Petra when HWA gave the word.
Garner Ted Armstrong scaring baptized members by explaining that leaving the church is... the Unpardonable Sin!
At one point Witness Ralph tries to declare himself the new Apostle, but we're having none of that! :)
There's also a shout-out to John Trechak (RIP) that some may know from the once-published Ambassador Report, and another to this very blog, BannedByHWA.
With one more episode being planned after this one, this is the penultimate. We hope interested listeners will find it worth their time, or at least fodder for further recollection or discussion.
Michael
