The non-ordained self-appointed prophet Thiel has laid down the law today on how TRUE Christians in his personality cult are expected to act.
Why the 150-200 some people who left LCG to join up with Thiel allow themselves to be told what to do by this non-ordained wanna-be is beyond me. If they really believed in the God they claim to then they would know that they are not required to subject themselves to the rantings of a delusional self-appointed false prophet.
The followers that jumped ship from Living Church of God are expected to:
Be pacifists: Most religions, however, that profess Christ chose to allow warfare and other activities that do not show love to one’s neighbor...Love, not war, is what life is supposed to be all aboutIts really ironic that the non-ordained prophet starts off with this. Most COG groups do NOT show love towards their neighbors. Most never get involved in their communities, care for the homeless, work with prostitutes or take care of the sick. Almost all COG's are inward focused instead of outward. The standard thinking in Armstrongism has always been, "God is going to come and fix all of this in the millennium, so why should we."
Expect to be persecuted: The non-ordained prophet quotes from John 5 to justify the belief that his little cult will be persecuted.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. 25 But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause. (John 15:16-25)
There are no REAL Christans outside of the Continuing Church of God: The non-ordained prophet writes:
Throughout history, there have been true Christians, just as Jesus prophesied (Matthew 16:16; Revelation 2 & 3).
Real Christians lived differently than most who professed Christ and they were often persecuted for it. He then goes on to quote the Sermon on the Mount claiming this is what his group will be emulating.When they do so this will happen:
This affects them at work, at school, and home and all the time. They are not only Christians when they attend church services. They try not to live as hypocrites. Nor do they view pornography, engage in fornication or homosexuality, or live a life of hate.Many of the top evangelists in the COG view porn. I has seen it in their homes when they were in Pasadena. The COG has always been a hotbed of fornication. The colleges were and a lot of the youth were doing it (and still do.) Gay people have always been apart of the COG, always heave been and always will be. They are in LCG and even PCG and RCG, though one wonders why. As for hate, the COG's seem to hold a monopoly on it.
Real Christians pray 30 minutes each day: Real Christians pray and the Bible teaches this (Matthew 6:5-7). In modern times it has been suggested that Christians should strive to pray at least thirty minutes per day.
In "modern times" was only a directive of Armstrongite ministers. The best prayer a person can pray is the single word, "Thanks!" or even "Help!." While thirty minutes might be good for the righteous, a one word prayer many times is better than a bloviating 30 minute, "I want this, expect you to do this or intervene in this" type prayer.
Real Christians "fast."Fasting was never a requirement of the early Christians.
Real Christians read the Bible (those who could read) and the more honorable ones daily
A word of warning to you slackers out there. The non-ordained prophet says you are not honorable if you do not read the Bible every day!
Real Christians tithe.Well of course they do! How else would the non-ordained prophet sustain his lifestyle? Tithing is something else that is not a requirement for Christians
There is no "law" telling a Christan what they can and cannot eat.
Real Christians avoid eating biblically unclean meats
Real Christians are not dishonest at work or school. They do not lie or cheat. They do not go along with sin in organizations.
That's rich considering how dishonest most in the upper echelons of the COG ministry have been over the decades.
Real Christians do not read horoscopes, practice witchcraft, or see fortune tellers
Real Christians do not have idols in their homes, wear “lucky charms,” etc.In other words, if you have a cross on your wall or wear one you are nothing more than a piece of pagan filth. God forbid if you have a rabbits foot or a four-leaf clover!
Real Christians do not have “filthy communications” come out of their mouths
Some of the foulest mouthed people I have ever heard have been evangelists! One evangelist, greatly revered in Armstrongism, loves to say the word "fuck."
Christians are to properly teach and bring up their childrenThe COG sadly has a legacy and a reputation of child abuse. Beating kids senseless, child molestation and other abuses were daily occurrences. The abuse of children in the COG was a direct result of the GTA and his child rearing booklet. Meredith added to the problem with his strict authoritarian punishments.
Real Christian women dress modestlyI guess it is time to get out the measuring sticks once again! Three inches below the knee women! Three inches!
Another laughable requirement considering the high number of COG members who have tattoo's (including women!)
Real Christians do not get tattoos
Now to hair styles for women and men. These are the same as Armstrongism has held in the past, though the prophet takes it one step further. Men should not shave their heads bald because they are imitating pagan priests when they do!
Christian women should not have short masculine hair styles
Christian men should not have long feminine hairstyles
Christan men do not shave their heads bald Since pagan priests tended to totally shave their heads, this does not seem to be a proper regular practice for Christian men (Leviticus 19:27; 21:5).
Really? Really Bob!
Christians do not get drunk or participate in improper revelriesAnother laughable requirement considering how many alcoholics are in Armstrongism. Feast sites are known around the world for their excessive alcohol consumption. Bars and restaurants stock up on alcohol before COG's come to town. What kind of legacy is that?
Then my favorite comment from the non-ordained prophet. He wants his followers to know that they will be persecuted and mocked by people like me for holding to his standards he has set for them. He justifies this by using scripture to get his point across:
So, Christians are subject to be talked about badly for doing what is right. The Apostle Peter also wrote:
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. (1 Peter 4:12-14)Thus, negative consequences from the world for being a Christian is expected.
Real Christians do not observe religious pagan holidays or birthdaysHalf of the so called "true" festivals that Armstrongism keep are carry overs from pagans in the time of the Israelites. They were reworked for the use of the Israelites in their worship of God. That's a fact that has been established throughout history.
Armstrongism has always been more concerned about external appearances than they have with grace. As one person on a COG Yahoo group recently mentioned, the Church of God mind-raped us. Sadly, many still allow it to this day.