Have you ever noticed how every single COG splinter group feels
It is the ONE GROUP doing the BEST WORK
and are DIFFERENT than all the other groups?
The House of Yahweh (HOY), founded by Yisrayl Hawkins in 1980 in Abilene, Texas, has a significant connection to Herbert W. Armstrong and his Worldwide Church of God (WCG) through shared theological roots and historical associations.
Here are the key connections:
Shared Doctrinal Foundations:
Many of HOY’s teachings are similar to those of Armstrong’s WCG, particularly those associated with Armstrongism. Both groups emphasize the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath, adherence to Old Testament dietary laws, and the celebration of biblical feasts such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. They also share a belief in an impending Great Tribulation and the idea that Satan, referred to as the "god of this world," has deceived humanity.
Both HOY and WCG reject mainstream Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, viewing them as pagan rituals. They also share a non-Trinitarian view, with HOY explicitly denying the divinity of Yahshua (Jesus) and Armstrongism historically questioning the traditional doctrine of the Trinity.
Similar to Armstrongism, HOY views the New Testament as a continuation of the Old Testament, emphasizing strict adherence to the Torah and the 613 laws found in the Pentateuch.
Historical and Organizational Ties:
Yisrayl Hawkins, the founder of HOY, was formerly involved with the Worldwide Church of God before establishing his own movement. This connection is noted in sources that describe Hawkins as having been influenced by Armstrong’s teachings before branching off to form HOY.
The origins of HOY and WCG are also linked through their shared roots in the Church of God (Seventh Day) (COG7). Both Armstrong and Clarence O. Dodd, a key figure in the Sacred Name movement that influenced HOY, were ministers in COG7 before breaking away in the 1930s over disagreements about the observance of biblical feast days. Hawkins’ emphasis on the Sacred Name doctrine (using "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" exclusively) aligns more closely with Dodd’s teachings but retains similarities with Armstrong’s focus on restoring "true" biblical practices.
In 1974, Yisrayl Hawkins’ brother, J.G. (Yaaqob) Hawkins, returned from Israel claiming to have found proof of the name "Yahweh," which led to the establishment of the first House of Yahweh in Odessa, Texas. This focus on sacred names distinguishes HOY from WCG, but the broader framework of their beliefs, including eschatology and Torah observance, reflects Armstrong’s influence.
Distinct Divergences:
While HOY borrowed heavily from Armstrong’s teachings, it introduced unique elements that set it apart. For instance, HOY teaches that its sanctuary in Eula, Texas, is the only legitimate place for observing biblical feasts, a belief not shared by Armstrong’s WCG.
HOY’s strict adherence to the Sacred Name doctrine, rejecting terms like "God," "Lord," or "Jesus" as pagan, goes beyond Armstrong’s teachings, which retained generic titles for God and Jesus.
Yisrayl Hawkins claimed that he and his brother were the "two witnesses" prophesied in Revelation 11, a claim not made by Armstrong, who focused more on his role as an end-time apostle restoring biblical truth.
Critical Perspectives:
Critics note that HOY’s authoritarian structure and apocalyptic focus mirror some aspects of Armstrong’s WCG, particularly in its early years when Armstrong was seen as an autocratic leader. Both groups have been labeled as cults by former members and critics, partly due to their strict control and exclusive claims to truth.
However, after Armstrong’s death in 1986, WCG underwent significant doctrinal reforms under Joseph W. Tkach, moving toward mainstream Christian orthodoxy and away from Armstrongism. HOY, in contrast, doubled down on its unique blend of Torah observance and Sacred Name theology, further diverging from WCG’s evolving path.In summary, the House of Yahweh is connected to Herbert W. Armstrong through shared theological roots in Armstrongism, particularly in their emphasis on Sabbath-keeping, biblical feasts, and end-time prophecies, as well as their common origins in the Church of God (Seventh Day). Yisrayl Hawkins’ prior involvement with WCG and his adoption of Armstrong’s teachings provided a foundation for HOY, but Hawkins introduced distinct doctrines, such as the Sacred Name emphasis and the exclusive role of the Eula sanctuary, that differentiate HOY from Armstrong’s movement.
The House of Yahweh has a darker, more sinister side. It is filled with child abuse, bigamy, polygamy, sexual abuse, and more.
The House of Yahweh (HOY) has faced multiple allegations and documented cases of child abuse, contributing to its controversial reputation. Below is a detailed overview of the reported incidents and issues related to child abuse within the organization, drawing from available sources and focusing on specific cases, legal outcomes, and broader patterns.
Documented Cases of Child Abuse
Yedidiyah Hawkins Case (2007–2008):
Incident: Yedidiyah Hawkins, an elder in the House of Yahweh and son of founder Yisrayl Hawkins, was arrested on October 16, 2007, for the aggravated sexual assault of his 14-year-old stepdaughter. The abuse reportedly began when the girl was eight years old and involved Yedidiyah using a vaginal speculum under the pretense of checking for cervical cancer, despite having no medical training. During a forensic interview at the Abilene Police Department’s Child Advocacy Center, the victim disclosed the abuse, and documents from the Callahan County District Attorney’s Office alleged that Yedidiyah was preparing to marry the underage girl, though HOY denied this claim.
Legal Outcome: On October 27, 2008, Yedidiyah was convicted by a jury in the 42nd District Court of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced to 30 years in prison. A motion for a new trial was rejected on February 18, 2009, and the conviction was affirmed by the Eleventh Court of Appeals on July 29, 2010. Additional charges were pending until all appeals were exhausted.
Further Allegations: Attorney Brian Butcher, who represented the victim, stated that the abuse occurred throughout the victim’s time at HOY, and evidence suggested that HOY elders were aware of the abuse but failed to act. A civil case charging Yisrayl Hawkins with failure to report the sexual abuse of a minor was scheduled for trial in March (year unspecified in the source), with Butcher alleging that the practice of marrying minor females to elder males was common within HOY,
2003 Child Death from Home Surgery:Incident:
In 2003, a 7-year-old girl died after her mother and another HOY member performed an unauthorized home surgery on her infected leg. The procedure was not conducted by medical professionals, and the lack of proper medical care led to the child’s death. Both women involved were convicted of injury to a child.
This case highlights a broader pattern of medical neglect within HOY, as the group’s teachings reportedly discourage reliance on conventional medical care, favoring internal practices based on their interpretation of biblical laws.
Child Labor Violations (2008):
Incident: In 2008, Yisrayl Hawkins was charged with child labor violations for allegedly forcing approximately 40 children, some as young as 11, to work long hours in the HOY compound’s fields, cafeteria, canning operation, and butter-making process. Court records indicate children under 14 worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in violation of Texas labor laws.
Legal Outcome: Yisrayl Hawkins pleaded no contest to four counts of child labor violations, receiving a $2,000 fine and 15 months of probation for each count. As part of a plea bargain, bigamy charges against him were dropped.
Medical Neglect in Childbirth (2006):
Incident: In 2006, Lisa Johnson died after developing complications during childbirth at the HOY compound. According to a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by her husband, Michael Wayne Johnson, HOY midwives Shandra Hawkins, Sherry Hawkins, and Melody Boyd refused to provide further treatment or allow outside medical intervention, leading to Lisa’s death from severe bleeding. The lawsuit alleged negligence and gross negligence, claiming that HOY’s requirement to use only their midwives, who were members of the sect, contributed to the tragedy.
Legal Outcome: The lawsuit argued that the case fell under the Texas Medical Liability Act, but HOY contended they were not “health care providers” as defined by the act. The trial court’s denial of HOY’s motion to dismiss was appealed, and the case was remanded for further proceedings due to issues with the plaintiff’s expert report. Specific outcomes of the lawsuit are not detailed in the sources.Broader Patterns and AllegationsCultural Practices Enabling Abuse:Polygamy and Underage Marriages: Former members and legal sources allege that HOY’s endorsement of polygamy included marrying underage girls to older male members, often elders. Attorney Brian Butcher, in the Yedidiyah Hawkins case, claimed this was a common practice, with elders aware of such arrangements. Former member Amy Hawkins testified in a 2015 custody case that her children were subjected to strict control, with her son forced to work in the group’s slaughterhouse and her daughters denied education and medical care, suggesting a systemic environment that could facilitate abuse.
Medical Neglect: HOY’s rejection of conventional medical care, rooted in their belief that only their practices align with Yahweh’s laws, has been linked to multiple incidents of harm. The 2003 child death and 2006 childbirth case illustrate how this doctrine can endanger children and adults alike.
Control and Isolation:
HOY’s gated compound in Eula, Texas, and its requirement for members to live in or near the compound contribute to an isolated environment where abuse can go unreported. Former members, such as Kay Hawkins, describe a culture of manipulation and control, where dissenters face excommunication and ostracism. The group’s practice of encouraging members to change their last names to “Hawkins” and live in mobile homes around the compound further reinforces this insular community.
Amy Hawkins’ 2015 testimony highlighted how her family’s decisions were controlled by elders, and her children were denied basic rights like education, pointing to a broader pattern of neglect and control over minors.
Failure to Report Abuse:
Legal cases and former members’ accounts suggest that HOY leadership, including Yisrayl Hawkins, failed to report known instances of abuse. The civil case against Yisrayl for not reporting Yedidiyah’s abuse of a minor underscores this issue, with allegations that elders were complicit in allowing abuse to continue.Recent DevelopmentsNo Recent Cases Post-2021: The sources do not provide evidence of child abuse cases at HOY after Yisrayl Hawkins’ death in October 2021. The most recent specific incidents date to the 2000s, with the Yedidiyah Hawkins conviction (2008) and the Amy Hawkins custody case (2015) being the latest detailed accounts. A 2018 case involving Benjamin Russell Roberts, a former church daycare worker in Abilene, was unrelated to HOY, as it involved Wylie Baptist Church and other local churches.
Ongoing Concerns:
A 2024 Reddit post indicates persistent rumors about HOY’s practices, including polygamy and potential cover-ups, but no concrete evidence of recent child abuse cases is provided. The post references a former member, Sandra Dantin Keller, who escaped the group, suggesting continued community concern about HOY’s activities. A 2025 documentary episode, “How I Escaped My Cult: The House of Yahweh,” features former member Debby Hopkins describing a “prison of abuse, misogyny, and paranoia,” indicating that the group’s reputation for harmful practices persists.Critical AnalysisLimited Recent Evidence: While historical cases (2003–2008) are well-documented, the lack of recent (post-2021) child abuse cases in the sources may reflect either improved oversight, reduced reporting, or the group’s secretive nature. HOY’s gated compound and distrust of outsiders make external investigations challenging, as noted in the 2015 custody case where an elder claimed legal issues were unrelated to the group.
Systemic Issues:
The combination of polygamy, medical neglect, and child labor suggests a systemic environment where children are vulnerable. The group’s rejection of mainstream medical care and education, as seen in the 2003 and 2006 cases, aligns with its strict interpretation of 613 Torah laws, which critics argue prioritizes ideology over child welfare.
Legal Accountability:
While Yedidiyah Hawkins was convicted, Yisrayl Hawkins faced minimal consequences (probation and fines) for child labor violations, and bigamy charges were dropped. This has fueled perceptions that HOY’s influence or legal strategies have limited accountability, as speculated in the 2024 Reddit post.
The House of Yahweh has a documented history of child abuse allegations, including a high-profile 2008 sexual assault conviction of elder Yedidiyah Hawkins, a 2003 child death from medical neglect, 2008 child labor violations, and a 2006 childbirth death linked to neglectful practices. These cases, combined with allegations of underage marriages and a controlling, isolated environment, paint a troubling picture of systemic issues that endangered children.
Despite the troubling allegations against the House of Yahweh and its practices, Armstrongite apologists steadfastly claim that the Church of God represents the pure manifestation of first-century Christianity. They assert it upholds flawless church governance, perfectly adheres to biblical law, and maintains ministers and elders who are beyond reproach. However, these claims are widely regarded as baseless in light of documented issues. This unwavering belief in the Church of God’s purity continues to drive the formation of splinter groups led by figures like Bob Thiel, Ron Weinland, Gerald Flurry, David C. Pack, Alton Billingsley, and others.
