Internet Campaign To Force Flurry Off The Air In England Worked!

Some time back the Philadelphia Church of God boasted on how it was being granted access to CBS Reality in the United Kingdom in order to broadcast their Key of David program to the UK and Europe.  Of course God was the one responsible for this.

There has been a concerted effort recently by several Facebook groups and web sites in letting  CBS Broadcasting corporation in the United Kingdom know that they should not broadcast Gerald Flurry's cult program over its airwaves. Apparently it has worked.  Many  wrote to the company to let them know how the Philadelphia Church of God has broken up families, destroyed marriages and caused suicides. 

Two different pro-COG sites are reporting the story:

British CBS CBS Reality cancelled The Key of David shortly before it’s first broadcast, at 08.00  am on Sunday, 7th September. The program continued to  be listed for a while but has been dropped from the schedule. CBS has not published the reason for the cancellation, nor has there been any comment from PCG. James Malm

PCG announced that, “In mid-July, we received approval to begin airing in Britain. The Key of David will debut on CBS Reality a few weeks before the Feast of Trumpets .... With mounting tension in Britain and Europe, it looks like God’s timing is perfect for launching The Key of David to the general population. Pair with that the possibility of expanding Herbert W. Armstrong College into Britain, and we could muster a labor force ready to take calls, process requests and do other support work for the program.”

“God’s timing” proved not to be perfect, as CBS cancelled The Key of David shortly before its first broadcast was due, at 8.00am on Sunday, 7th September. The program continued being listed for a while (probably due to an appeal by the PCG), but has now been dropped from the schedule. CBS received complaints about the church, but has not published its reason for the cancellation, nor has there been any comment from PCG. Church of God News

Ten Warning Signs Regarding People Involved In/with A Potentially Unsafe Group/leader.

Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.

• Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.

• Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.

• Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".

• Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.

• Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.

• Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.

• A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.

• Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.

• Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.

• Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

Source:  Cult Education Network

Which Kind of Church of God Leader Are You Following?

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
   
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
   
3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
   
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
   
5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
   
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
   
7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
   
8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
   
9. The group/leader is always right.
   
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.         more in link at bottom.......

Ten Signs of a Safe Group/Leader

1) A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.

2) A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.

3) A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.

4) A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.

5) A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.

6) A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
 7) A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.

8) A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
 9) A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
 
10) A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

Source:   Cult Education Institute