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.