For decades we have heard the stories of thousands who have left Armstrongism and how that action impacted their lives. One of the most shocking things many experienced was how fraudulent the friendships that they had with fellow church members actually were. The minute any one starts questioning the church, beliefs, the minister, or its doctrines those once "loyal" friends would instantly turn their backs on you.
Armstrongism has always been belief system that was based upon superficial appearances. It was vitally important to the church to be seen as special. Beautiful campuses, exquisite homes for leaders filled with gold, silver and the finest art. Impeccably dressed leaders pounding lecterns while living repugnant lifestyles. Beautiful videos, visually striking booklets and magazines, produced by some of the most morally and spiritually bankrupt men/churches imaginable. All utterly fake and insincere. Just like relationships.
Real friends stick by one another, regardless of the situation. Real friends would refuse to follow the admonition of lying fools who tell them to turn their backs on spouses, family and friends. Friendships in the Church of God have always been superficial. They never have been truly sincere and usually never deep. Deep abiding love is hard to find in the Church of God.
The following letter was posted on the following thread:
Rod Meredith's Super Special Not So Special Christmas Sermon
- My family left LCG about two years ago.
The first three months or so were somewhat lonely, but we looked around for community organizations we could join to meet people with shared interests.
By six months out, we had a social routine that was as busy as our old LCG routine, except that we never had to drive more than a half-hour to go to a meeting with any of our new friends.
After about a year, we had started to develop some close friendships with our new friends.
Around that time, my wife became seriously ill. We let our old LCG acquaintances know about her illness, and one of our children who still has some close LCG ties even got his mother's name on a prayer list.
So, who was it who came to visit my wife in the hospital? Was it the LCG friends she had known for nearly 20 years? NOT ONE of the LCG friends visited or even phoned to express their concern or support. It was our new friends, people we had known for no more than a year, who rallied to my wife's side and gave her the encouragement that she so needed.
When she was discharged from the hospital, my wife reminded me of my own time in the hospital about a decade ago. Even while we were LCG members in good standing, nobody from LCG had bothered to visit me in the hospital. At the time I didn't think anything of it, as I just assumed everyone was busy with their work and with their many church activities. But seeing how non-LCG-members rallied for my wife, the contrast was too great to ignore.
If you are still in LCG, do not fear. Life is much better on the outside. You will have friends. Real friends. Better friends than you ever had in LCG.
