Ian Boyne Responds and Apologizes

Below is a letter I received from Ian Boyne that he asked to be published here.  I also told him I look forward to hearing about his interpretation of Reformed Armstrongism and why it still maintains meaning for him today.

I apologize unreservedly if any offense was taken to my  comments made in the Journal. None was  ever meant. I specifically said  SOME of those who  posted  on this blog can be crude, callous and cryptic—NOT all. (Had to use my Armstrongite trademark of the caps!) I said that  because  I have read  highly insensitive, distasteful  and, indeed, crude and callous comments made about  people  who had just  died , with family and friends still in grief. My comments  concerning the reaction to Ron Dart  were  to stress that his life was so impactful and impressive, especially in an environment and context where decency, compassion and respectfulness were in very short supply, that even an anti-Church of God blog like this spared him the vitriol. I never meant to convey that all who participate  on this blog make crude and callous comments. That would be a total misrepresentation on  my part.   

My reference to “scruples” related to those who were prone to make crude statements, not to everyone here. My  overarching  point was that the respect and honor shown to Dart in his death was not due to any  tradition of not speaking evil of the dead, for I have seen that violated here, but due to genuine high regard for Dart and his non-authoritarian, non-cultic behavior and ministry.  I  check  this blog literally every day and  find many of  your comments useful and poignant. l  have written in the Journal, for example,  about my respect for Byker Bob’s insightfulness and incisiveness. I always look forward  to his contributions. He has a fine, sharp mind, with formidable analytical skills.  

You, too, Gary, are obviously a  very reflective and thoughtful person, whose stand against abuse, authoritarianism and autocracy must be commended.  As a minister in the Armstrong movement  I, naturally, disagree with  much  of what is said here, but  I do  log on every day  to see what you guys are saying and what the crazies in the movement are up to.  I am sorry that because of my busy professional and pastoral life (and heavy reading schedule—which I guess is a shock. LOL), I don’t have much time to engage.  

But I confess to being  tempted to write a piece showing why a cerebral person like me still finds some value in what I call  Reformed Armstrongism.  Perhaps  one day soon  I  might yield. In the meantime I stay tuned to your site. Thanks for  giving  me a voice and again  no offense meant.  

Ian Boyne

We Have No Scruples But They Have Lots of Rainbows, Lollipops and Cotton Candy

The latest Journal that is out for January 2016 is filed with glowing tributes to Ron Dart.  One of the articles is by Ian Boyne from a branch of the Church of God International that is based in Jamaica.  He starts his article by immediately discussing this blog and how all of the unscrupulous readers here somehow found time to have kind words about Ron Dart.

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Perhaps the most telling indication of the caliber, character and com- passion of Ronald Lee Dart happened on the day of his death (Jan. 23, 2016).

When his death was announced on the leading anti–Church of God blog (run by Gary Leonard at armstrong ismlibrary.blogspot.co.nz) there was an outpouring of respect for his life and regret over his death expressed by visitors to the blog.

Some of those guys on that blog can be crude, callous and cryptic, but Ron Dart was spared their vitriol, and not because of any polite notion that one must not speak evil of the dead. Those guys hold no such scruples. 

For those who don't remember the definition behind unscrupulous (which is what he called everyone here) it is this:

un·scru·pu·lousˌənˈskro͞opyələs/
adjectivehaving or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair.
synonyms:

1. unprincipled, unethical, immoral, conscienceless, shameless, reprobate,  exploitative, corrupt, dishonest, dishonorable, deceitful, devious,   underhanded, unsavory, disreputable, evil, wicked, villainous, Machiavellian

While there may certainly be some crude comments in some the comments sections it certainly is a far stretch to claim that everyone here have no moral principles, are not honest and are not fair.  This is the only blog/web site out in the COG Internet universe the allows comments from ex and present day COG members with little restrictions.

This accusation is rich coming from a writer for the the Journal which is filled with some of the most unchristian and idiotic paid advertising that can be imaginable.  What valid articles the Journal may have are undermined by these advertisements.  Add to that the Journal's refusal to allow anyone to present an alternate view or debunk the trojan-horse of Armstrongism - British Israelism.

For decades now the Church of God has been led by some of the most immoral, unscrupulous, corrupt, dishonest, deceitful and odious men imaginable.  Even the Church of God International, of which Boyne is part of, was founded by an immoral, corrupt, shameless reprobate who could not keep his pants zipped, had no problem gambling members tithe money at casinos around the world, contributed to child abuse in the church which his absurd child rearing teachings, and mentally and spiritually abused members and employees. That is certainly some legacy to carry on.

I had no idea a few years ago that this blog would ever have hit 3.25 million hits in a few short years. Nor would I dream it would average 400 new visitors  every single day within the 1,200-2,000 daily hits it may receive.

Living Church of God members have found this blog to be the only source of information about the terrible abuses going on in their church.  While I certainly wish they would leave the church and find true freedom, I also see why so many stay in because of familial ties and friendships.  I have no doubt that there are many sincere Christians in the LCG who truly do want to serve God with all their heart.  Both of these reasons are why I give them unfettered access here both in articles they submit and comments.

Its not my fault that the Church of God is filled with so many unscrupulous ministers, evangelists and outright frauds who continue to abuse and steal members money to build their own little
mini-Ambassador campuses trying to recapture the glory days of old.

If the Journal, Ian and others truly believe they are doing God's work then why do they not shout from the mountain tops and expose the abuse that Dave Pack, Gerald Flurry, Rod Meredith and others are committing on a daily basis? They know the evil that exists in these groups and yet do nothing. Why are the years of false prophecies by Dave Pack, Ron Weinland, Gerald Flurry and Rod Meredith never exposed?  As usual in COGland, its all rainbows, lollipops and cotton candy.

Dave Pack: My HQ Will Soon Be The ONLY Headquarters On The Entire Earth

I was sent this today by a  former Restored Church of God member. Its supposedly a new video from Dave Pack telling how his church is the most superfantabulous Church of God ever to exist and that his headquarters will soon be the ONLY headquarters for the ENTIRE Church of God.  He mocks leaders from a couple other Church of God's that their prayers are fruitless.  Their groups will NEVER be as superfantabulous as his.  Only his god hears his prayers while it ignores those of other COG leaders.

The church and the world is soon to be entranced by the most mind boggling landscaped campus ever built in the existence of humanity.  No campus upon this entire world is as "staggering" beautiful as his.

He claims 100 more employees will soon be jumping ship to work on the most important campus on earth that is doing the ONLY true ministry since the creation of man.

The narcissism and arrogance of Pack is so sickening that it almost clogs your computer up watching this video.

Cocoons and Wombs

Cocoons and Wombs

by Miller Jones

Ed Suominen recently posted a piece on his blog entitled "Community." Of particular interest to me, he made reference to the fact that many Fundamentalist groups effectively encase themselves in a cocoon. They separate themselves from the outside world to reinforce the group's beliefs and protect those notions from being corrupted by the heathens without.

This phenomenon is not foreign to the Armstrong Church of God culture. Herbert Armstrong taught that the church (meaning the now defunct Worldwide Church of God) was the mother of the saints. The church served to protect the developing embryos (church members) until they could be born again into God's Kingdom. Moreover, this notion continues to be expressed by the numerous splinter groups which have succeeded that organization.

Bruce Ritter of the Restored Church of God underscored the continued importance of this analogy in his article "Is the Church Our Mother?" Speaking of the church, he stated "she carries her unborn child in her womb." According to Ritter, this is done to protect, feed and nurture the embryonic Christian.

However, as with many other features of Armstrongism, the analogy doesn't hold up under closer scrutiny. In short, we should be asking ourselves whether or not this is what God intended for "His" people. Did God design "His" Church to be a cocoon or womb to protect and nurture the saints from the evil influences of this world?

In attempting to answer that question, a few other questions come to mind:

• Didn't Christ engage folks with religious views that differed from his own? (Pharisees, Sadducees and Samaritans)
• Isn't he portrayed in all four of the gospel accounts as being in the habit of asking and/or answering questions?
• Weren't many of his sermons delivered in response to questions/challenges from his disciples and opponents?
• Did Jesus withdraw from sinners?
• Did he instruct his followers to withdraw from this world or did he encourage them not to allow themselves to be polluted by it?
• Didn't Christ ask God to protect his followers IN the world?
• Was Jesus isolated or exposed?
• Did Christ face and do battle with his adversary (Satan)?
• Why did Paul instruct the Christians of his day to put on the armor of God?
• Is armor necessary inside a womb/cocoon?
• If the truth is the truth, why should we fear or avoid challenges?
• Is the truth that fragile and delicate?

What do you think?

The Perfect Bible For The Churches of God

A revised version of the Bible is out that fits perfectly with the god of the Church of God.  This should delight Gerald Flurry, Rod Meredith, and James Malm, since is this is the god they follow.

That god was always eternally pissed at us for something.  Jesus has had to delay his coming so many times now that we have all lost count.  All because we were not ready.  We needed more time to be corrected and spanked.

Its no wonder so many have left the church over the decades when this is the only god they ever heard about.

Vengeful and angry and ready to strike us down for being such worthless worms.

God is Disappointed in You

God Is Disappointed in You is for people who would like to read the Bible... if it would just cut to the chase. Stripped of its arcane language and its interminable passages of poetry, genealogy, and law, every book of the Bible is condensed down to its core message, in no more than a few pages each.

Written by Mark Russell with cartoons by New Yorker cartoonist Shannon Wheeler, God Is Disappointed in You is a frequently hilarious, often shocking, but always accurate retelling of the Bible, including the parts selectively left out by Sunday School teachers and church sermons. Irreverent yet faithful, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to see past the fog of religious agendas and cultural debates to discover what the Bible really says.

David C Pack: Claims RCG members will be "raptured" to Jerusalem to help angels rebuild temple

If we had previously thought that Dave Pack had mental issues, this further confirms that.  I have not listened to all of Dave's latest sermons, so had not heard this one.

The quote below is from Exit and Support. 

February 8, 2016
I want to tell you just how crazy David Pack is. It seems he loves to praise himself. He has declared that he is the real Elijah. He is now predicting a weird type of Rapture (he doesn't use that name) in which the members all will go to Jerusalem and help three angels build the Temple. Then Jesus reigns the world for three and a half years. After that, Jesus leaves the world to the Tribulation, but He also leaves the members here! He is beating down the members with twisted scriptures and sermon after sermon on the same subject. He is quicksand! --Anonymous

I assume this happens soon after his god strikes down three COG leaders and all of their members come over to Dave's empire with their tithe money.  However that prophecy has failed for three years straight now.  This is one more lie that Dave has uttered that will NOT happen.

Ingrained Negativity in the Churches of God

A comment on UCG: Even though ship is sinking we love spending money

The basic problem with the way Armstrongism works on the human mind is that it conditions people to consider all possible outcomes to variable situations, and then to focus in on the worst or most negative scenario as being the probable outcome. Under such thought patterns, even the blessings for living a Christian lifestyle can’t be enjoyed in this lifetime as an example to others, you have to wait for the next life to enjoy them. Also, don’t even expect loving encouragement if you go in to counsel with your minister, expect a serious ration of crap, instead. And especially expect the worst if you need to interface with someone from “the world”! 

When they are writing articles for their recruitment magazines, this negativity is just so ingrained, that they can’t suppress it! That is what flows outward as the takeaway. Who in their right mind would want such negativity in their homes, and in their minds? The people who don’t renew are most likely the positive thinkers who realize that mankind is capable of high level problem solving. 

One of the aspects which makes churches grow today is a positive message, a message that people can influence the surrounding community or culture towards good. The example of Lot is cited, in which God promised to spare the majority for the sake of a small number of righteous, or where Israel and Judah had punishment postponed multiple times when God saw even encouraging signs of partial obedience. You just don’t walk into an ACOG sabbath service and hear a message about winning the community for Jesus Christ. Instead, the messages are about how minorities are going to start race wars for no reason, or how the homosexuals are going to convert everyone to their “lifestyle”, and then outraged and morally superior Germans are going to need to come over here and mop everything up for God. Droughts, floods, new diseases, and demon activity. They have all manner of toys or tools to use on the unsuspecting. People just do not respond positively to such negative coercion. Nobody wants to live in circumstances of entrapment. That is not what makes the human spirit thrive!

BB 

How the Living Church of God Treats Dogs

sent by an LCG member.

Rod Meredith Looks Into The Hearts Of Men

Many in LCG have watched in confusion over the years at the overt inequity with which their ministers rule and discipline members of their congregations.   For example, some members have participated in "private Bible studies" (aka unsanctioned Bible discussion without an LCG minister present) and get away with it, with no more than a slap on the wrist, whilst others get disfellowshipped for the very same offense.  A couple of years ago in Charlotte there was a rash of members engaged in adultery. Many were disfellowshipped without a second chance in spite of their shameless pleadings. Others got to remain employed at HQ's and are still active members of the congregation to this day. Some members can read the Book of Enoch but others have lost their HQ's jobs for the very same "crime". Some get suspended for getting caught smoking cigarettes or for refusing to cut their hair into a "proper men's style" while others are actively using street drugs such as marijuana and methamphetamine and get to remain in church week after week.  Some are permitted to divorce and remarry for the very same reasons that others are not. Sometimes LCG ministers will marry two people viewed as "unequally yoked" (different races, big age differences or an unbelieving partner) but others are told "no" forcing them to get married in shame at the Justice of the Peace. Some offenses are covered up such as trips to rehab and child molestation while other, seemingly less grievous offenses, are spread through congregations by whispering campaigns initiated from ministers who wish to diminish the reputations of those they are rumoring about (usually to rationalize their own unfair treatment of these people).

How does LCG ministry justify this kind of blatant favoritism and unfairness? Well, according to the top men at LCG headquarters, it is because they are Christ's apostles on Earth and as such, they are able to look into the heart of a man to assess real (verses fake?) repentance.

We have heard Rod Meredith use the claim that he is "3rd in all the universe" to command his ignorant followers into submission and obedience. Now he is using his self proclaimed Christ-like powers to judge the hearts of men and women who have the misfortune to end up in his self-serving, tired little cult.

You see, it isn't enough to say you're "sorry". Apologizing after one is caught doesn't really count in their estimation. Only "God's ministers" are able to really look into the offenders heart to determine if true repentance is found.

In true Amstrongism form, LCG ministers simply do not understand that God is the only Being in all the universe who is able to assess repentance. God the Father is the only One who can give mercy or take it away.  LCG puts themselves in God's place time and time again. They really don't get it. How many of Rod Meredith's victims have given up on God all together because of the harsh and hateful treatment they received in what they thought was God's church? What will Judgment Day be like for a man with such uneven scales and a heart full of arrogant pride and self righteousness? Surely RCM, Rod McNair and others in power at LCG have read that Jesus sat with tax collectors and sinners. Surely they have read "judge not, lest ye be judged" and "let he who is without sin cast the first stone". James 2:13  says, "blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" and Matthew 5:7 warns that men who don't show mercy "shall have judgment without mercy". It is vexing to see that they sincerely feel these scriptures don't apply to them.

It should, however, go without saying that when LCG ministry makes a mistake, the members should remain focused on the "big picture" and remember that ministers are still human and deserve mercy; even if they are unwilling to afford it to others.

Justice dictates that the same crimes should have the same punishments. Justice doled out by ministers in LCG is  more often than not perverted and corrupt. LCG is rotten to the core.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men to do nothing." (quote by Edmund Burke)

From a guest contributor with ties to LCG.

Dave Pack: Rejecting me will lead to your utter destruction!

God's most awesome leader of the most superfantabulous Church of God EVVVVVVVVVER, has produced a set of video sermons lately that claim to tell who he is according to the Bible.

Dave now thinks he is "that prophet" mentioned in Acts 3:22-26.  Some in the Churches of God and much of Christianity understand this verse to be referring to Jesus Christ.  However, in Armstrongism we have those even claim this verse is written to specifically describe them.  Gerald Flurry claims this and now Dave Pack.

The Bible foretells the arrival of Elijah and That Prophet just before Christ’s Return. Many Christians believe That Prophet is Christ. Jews believe he and Elijah are different men. Are they correct?

22 For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people. 24 Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. 25 You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.' 26 To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities." (Acts 3:22-26)

Just how many biblical mantles of leadership can Dave take on?  The title of being Elijah and Joshua apparently was not been enough for him.  What's left?  Being Jesus Christ on earth? Is Dave Pack now subconsciously claiming he is Jesus Christ? He is narcissistic enough to do so. Either way, he is claiming the rejection of him as a minister will result in a person being utterly destroyed.

Thankfully salvation does not rest in Dave Pack's hands or Gerald Flurry's.  It doesn't rest in keeping the sabbath or eating "clean" meats or being part of numerous quibbling groups ending up in Petra for "final training."  Salvation does not rest in the hands of "doubly blessed" prophets, Canadian Pharisees, or in the hands of "sinless" COG leaders. Of that we can all be assured of!

The "Loose Brick Theology" of Armstrongism

Here us an interesting excerpt from an article in the Baptist Press about a former Church of God International minister's journey out of Armstrongism. One of the first things he debunked was the British Israelism myth. After that the house of cards quickly fell.  This tends to be the path of many out of Armstrongism.  Once a person debunks the British Israelism myth, things start collapsing quickly.

Theology and doctrinal study by church members is not something many did.  If it wasn't printed in a booklet for them most never studied theology or doctrinal history.  The Correspondence Course was the end-all when it came to established belief. Theology classes at the various campuses were never taught be well rounded theologians, but by men trained at the feet of Rod Meredith, Herman Hoeh and others. We all know now that these men were theologically bankrupt.

Once in cult, student now sees importance of knowing theology

“Armstrongists have a ‘loose brick’ approach to theology,” Bell said. “They look at doctrine as a complete whole or as nothing at all. That’s why they refer to their system of belief as ‘The Truth.’ person any one doctrine falls then the whole system falls.”  

Bell had been a member of the movement for three years when he began to question its teachings. In 1995 he founded the Owensboro church but soon began to examine central Armstrongist teachings under the microscope of Scripture and history.  

For Bell, the first brick to crumble from the wall of Armstrongism was the sect’s doctrine of “Anglo-Israelism.” Influenced by a book called “Judah’s Scepter and Joseph’s Birthright” by J.H. Allen, Herbert Armstrong taught that Anglo-Saxons are direct descendants of the 10 lost tribes of Israel. Armstrongists see this teaching as the key that unlocks a true understanding of biblical prophecy.  

Bell read “Judah’s Scepter” and was incredulous at his findings. 

“When I got finished with it, I thought, ‘There are some interesting ideas here, but this is historical fantasy,’” he said. “... I began to research it in more depth and quickly tossed it out.”  

Though spooked by this revelation, Bell nevertheless dismissed the doctrinal aberration as a peculiarity of Herbert Armstrong’s system of belief. 

The next doctrine to tumble down was the Trinity -- Armstrongists are strongly anti-Trinitarian. The final Armstrongist brick that Bell dislodged was the group’s teaching on God. Armstrongists believe that man eventually accomplishes ‘god-status,’ a qualitative equality with God. 

It didn’t take a seminary education for Bell to realize that was blasphemy. 

 “When I was first getting into the Armstrongist movement, I read a booklet that said the resurrection (of the dead at Christ’s return) would be the most momentous event in the history of the world because it would be the birth of gods,” Bell said. “When I read that, I said ... ‘that’s blasphemy.’”

Still, Bell decided to ignore the booklet because Garner Ted Armstrong had not written it. He remained in the movement. 

“I chose [to believe] that everything else I was hearing was so good, I was going to shove that aside,” he said. 

Under the leadership of Joseph Tkach, who succeeded Herbert Armstrong as leader of the Worldwide Church of God upon his death in 1986, the sect experienced a massive doctrinal shift in the mid-90s toward biblical orthodoxy.  

The group’s website trumpets this radical transformation as a “Damascus Road experience.” The Worldwide Church of God was admitted as a member of the National Association of Evangelicals in 1997.  

As an Armstrongist devotee, Bell saw the change as a great apostasy. Other true Armstrongists agreed and the Worldwide Church of God lost more than half its members and ministers because of the shift. True Armstrongists still hold fast to the teachings of Herbert Armstrong and have churches scattered about the country, Bell said.  

It wasn’t until the spring of 1998, after a series of sexual misconduct allegations were lodged against Garner Ted Armstrong, that Bell’s foray into Armstrongism came to an end.  

The allegations turned the Church of God International on its head and struck Bell with sledgehammer force. Due in large part to the accusations, Bell eventually resigned the pastorate and began the journey back to Christian orthodoxy.  

Bell enrolled at Southern in the fall of 1998. It was a revolutionary experience and within one year, his view of theology underwent a profound metamorphosis. 

That first year, Bell studied Baptist and church history, theology, and hermeneutics. Soon, he had embraced fully historic evangelical Christianity.  

“By the end of my first full year at Southern Seminary, I had my theological world rocked,” he said. “I emerged from that a convinced evangelical.”

UCG: Even though the ship is sinking, we love spending money to patch the holes.

Vic Kubik sent out a letter the other day discussing the latest from Cincinnati.

One telling thing he pointed out is their Beyond Today flagship magazine.  For some reason they have been dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into another failure.  No matter how much advertising they do, they cannot retain subscribers.  They have a 72% failure rate.

One very important benchmark is the reach and circulation of Beyond Today magazine. As 72% of readers do not renew their subscription, we need to constantly seek new subscribers. This costs money. We use everything from card decks and print advertising, to online keyword marketing to tell people about the gospel message. The more people that subscribe, the more who will ask for other literature and become engaged–even to the point of becoming donors and coworkers. Then some of these will eventually come to repentance and be baptized.

A reader here mentioned something I missed.  Its obvious from the above quote that the UCG is more concerned about number of subscribers first.  The more subscribers you have the more money that comes in.  Maybe a few will repent and be baptized, but its more important to have then numbers first.

Suely there is an editing error there.  I’m sure what he intended to say was first the reader will come to repentance, be baptized, then become a donor.  This unfortunate editing error will lead people to think  that their primary purpose is attracting donors not in bringing the plain truth about the good news to the attention of sinners.

What does UCG really have to offer? Thousands of members and 3/4 of the ministry felt that it had nothing to offer and left a few years ago.  UCG's income is not keeping pace with their expenditures and expectations.  Its still trying to be the WCG from the 1980's and it cant do it.  The glory days are gone in the Churches of God, never to return.

The January Beyond Today cover is prophetic, the handwriting truly is on the wall!

COGWA and Living Church of God, The Meeting That Wasn't A Meeting

It'd been a week since the love fest between administrators of COGWA popped into Charlotte for coffee and scones with Rod Meredith and crew. This was a meeting where absolutely nothing was implied other than brothers getting together for some warm chats, or at least that's the story LCG and COGWA want people to think.

Popping into town were Jim Franks, Clyde Kilough, Doug Horchak and Britton Taylor.  For a group of high ranking ministers from a competitive splinter group to pop in at Charlotte like this is unusual, especially when they bring along their church treasurer and financial operations manager, Britton Taylor. More went on here that some chit chat over coffee in Rod Meredith's office.  It is surprising that anyone actually believe this.

Jim Franks claims it was nothing but conversations around the table.  They spent time talking about the evil empire of the Tkach era that drove them all out.  They talked about doctrinal changes, that ripped the church apart, their common bonds in beliefs and their own churches.  It was just one big love fest!

Do conversations need church treasures in attendance?  Everyone knows that LCG and COGWA are both facing money issues, LCG more than COGWA though. Meredith knows that when he dies that the money will dry up.  No one will support his son,  Gerald Weston is too much of a dictator and will drive more away, many others cannot stand the thought of being under Richard Ames.

If LCG and COGWA actually do attempt to merge they are both going to be in for a huge shock.  COGWA members refuse to join up with the heretics in Charlotte.  LCG members  consider the COGWAites heretics.  Its one big unhappy dysfunctional family.  But then, that is the current face of the entire Church of God movement.  Never has there been so many unhappy disappointed people than at this point in COG history.

Storm clouds are brewing and a chill fills the air.

"It is the duty of the government to kill gays" So Says COG False Prophet

Horrific moment two gay men are thrown off tall building by ISIS then stoned by baying mob including children

The Chief Pharisee has laid down HIS law again, this time lashing out at homosexuals. In his eyes it is appropriate that Iran hangs young men and that Isis throws them off of buildings.  When James Malm speaks it is quit obvious as to what happens to the mind of people who are obsessed with legalism.  Like Meredith, Malm apparently is sinless, therefore he can be the accuser of humankind and feel justified in doing so.  James Malm would be quite excited to see Canada and the U.S. do such things below.

God loves the homosexual, therefore the deeds of homosexuals are an abomination to God; and the homosexual person is to be killed so that his example does not infect others. Today there are millions who not only commit this wickedness; they loudly proclaim pride in their sin, so that their sin exceeds that of Sodom.  This is the duty of the government and no individual is to take it upon himself to attack anyone.

New moderate Iran executes two gay men and hands down death sentence for “insulting the prophet” 

Wanton ladies in the Church of God

The Chief Pharisee is back proclaiming his version of what he wants scripture to say.  Like so much of ht time it seems to be that the women get the short end of the stick.  Ever since Eve gave Adam that juicy red apple while he was standing right next to her, women have been the cause of most evil in the world, at least in the eyes of religious dictators.

The Church of God has never been an exception to that.  From idiotic rants by Meredith and Waterhouse, to the dictates of Herbert Armstrong and Garner Ted in numerous articles and booklets. Even though many of the hierarchy of the COG could never keep their pants zipped, it was always the women's fault. And so it is today with James Malm.

Some of the wanton things COG women do are

Mess around with astrology and horoscopes:

I have noticed since I was first baptized in 1976 that the observing of times and horoscopes which is forbidden as an abomination by God, is commonly practiced in the Ekklesia especially by ladies. This is a grave sin which will keep you out of the resurrection to spirit

Buy mixed fabrics:

We are not to mix seed or fibers in cloth, or to mix kinds of animals. The focus on this is PURITY. The spiritual lesson is to keep ourselves PURE and unspotted by the false doctrines and prophecies of false religions. We are not to allow our white linen garments of righteousness to become mixed with the fibers of unrighteousness and error and sin, of impurity and defilement of false ways.

Let men perform oral sex on them before marriage:

I have heard of many cases where women have been convinced by their men friends that oral or manual sex is not really sex, and they then do this, thinking themselves to still be virgins.