The Role of Women Writers in the the UCG

For decades women in the Church of God have been relegated to the back burner.  It was not until all the changes hit the church that women really got a voice.  Huge debates wrangled around in the Journal for several months over the roll of women in the church.  A surprisingly large number in the Church of God have no issue with it now, while others rebelled at the thought of women "teaching" men.

Now UCG needs to write up a policy and approve it for women to really have a voice.  It's 2016 not 1936 or 1966

Media and Communications Committee (MCC)—Rex SextonA MCC video conference was held on Feb. 11, 2016. Currently their responsibilities are to review the current Media Operation Plan and how it is being carried out. They also discussed flexibility in carrying out the Scopes and Responsibilities. The subject was discussed regarding the role of women authors in Church publications. There was a general discussion on the history of female UCG authors, and it was agreed that there exists no approved policy or guidelines on the subject. It was suggested that the Council consider an approved policy for Media and Communications Services, and there will be discussion on this topic in this week’s meetings.

False prophet Bob Thiel continues to be disgusted by the Cross, even the one on Mars

For several weeks now pictures have been floating around on news and web conspiracy sites about speculation that a cross and remains of a structure have been seen on Mars.  The fact that Bitter Bob, a certified false prophet, is searching conspiracy sites for his "religious" articles proves what a charlatan he is.

Anyone in their right mind knows that a cross would never be on Mars. But then, there's doubly  blessed Bitter Bob who in his hatred of the cross and that dude he never discusses in any of his articles or web stories has to use the story as an attack on the cross.  If ever there was enmity between Jesus and a COG leader it is has to be the cross.

So what is so evil about this non-cross on the desolate plains of Mars that has the prophet's knickers all in a wad?   Some Christians might use it as a tool of unification between Protestants and Catholics.  Say WHAT???????  Who's brain can imagine such absolute stupidity other than an entrenched Armstrongite?

The first is that it may have ecumenical and interfaith appeal. It may be that those that do may consider the Mars’ ‘cross ‘ (presuming it is not a shadow or something) as proof of its ‘universal’ nature.  This may encourage some to embrace the interfaith and ecumenical agendas that the Church of Rome is promoting.  Especially if the Vatican ever accepts the possible existence of this Mars’ cross as valid.

The second is that Catholic prophecy indicates that a cross will be used as a way to separate its supporters from others in the future.

Then in his outraged bitterness he makes this absurd comment:

The Bible is opposed to the idea of ‘holy relics’ like crosses. Here is one admonition from the Apostle John: 

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1 John 5:21). 

John is no more talking about the cross than he is the Easter bunny.  What Bitter Bob, Meredith, Pack, Flurry and Kubik ignore when they push Jesus to the sidelines in favor of the law, is grace.

That cross is a metaphor for radical grace. Radical grace in Armstrongism has been bastardized into wanton licentiousness through its reinterpretation of it.  A Christian believes that through it, what ever has separated us from God has been taken away.  Wiped clean.  Something the law, sabbath keeping, kosher eating and holy day keeping cannot do.

Letter from the Scarboroughs

I received this today:

To Whom It May Concern

Patrick and I have decided to take down the Go Fund Me account this morning. It seems it has called into question our integrity which makes us feel badly. While much of the scrutiny is baseless (our lawyer isn’t working on contingency and we do not have millions of dollars in our bank account), it is still upsetting to be accused of “going back to court for a second helping” and other untrue statements which have been made to paint us in a negative light.

We tried for over a year to do everything possible to avoid this situation. We would have greatly preferred not to go to court but they left us with no other options because they were unwilling to even speak to us and we were unwilling to let our name be tarnished without basis.

Last Spring LCG put this whole ordeal into the realm of “worldly courts” when they sent us the attached release letter. The last paragraph is appalling. It was them, not us, which drew first (and second) blood and elevated this situation to this point. They not only wanted us to agree to their untruths but there was absolutely no indication that doing so would facilitate the initiation of the peace making process.

I would also like to take this opportunity to let people know that we had our lawyer write Mr. Meredith and Rod McNair a letter last summer stating that we had no desire to take this matter to court. We beseeched them to contact us within 7 business days to schedule a meeting to talk things out but they let the deadline come and go. We have made it clear that we do not desire to be reinstated as LCG members but that we just wanted to walk in peace, have our names cleared, and be able to openly love our few remaining LCG friends without them risking getting in trouble themselves.

From the beginning of this horrible ordeal with LCG, we have tried to do everything as rightly as we possibly could. The point of the lawsuit is to recover the sterling names passed down from two of God’s most devoted servants, Ralph and Patricia Scarborough. We want everything on the level in honor of their memory. We realize that at some point, everything we have done and said will possibly be made public. For that reason, we have strived especially hard to do everything with the best character we possible could.

We greatly appreciate the help of those who contributed to the Go Fund Me account in the short time it was activated. We have already paid over $10,000 in legal fees related to this lawsuit so every little bit helps.

Sincerely,
 Patrick and Elizabeth Scarborough