Einstein and the COGs
By Wes White
I recently stumbled across a fascinating quote from the genius, Albert Einstein. Just before World War II, Einstein was contemplating the history of Europe. He was watching as the continent was reverting back to the tribalism of the Dark Ages. He foresaw a new tribalism developing. Looking back, we now see that that tribalism caused the deaths of millions between 1939 and 1945.
Einstein said:
“When posterity recounts the achievements of Europe, shall we let men say that three centuries of painstaking cultural efforts carried us no farther than from religious fanaticism to the insanity of nationalism?”
When I first read this, my mind immediately raced to the history of Armstrongism (which started around 1933) and to where it is today.
Before we examine whether or not Einstein’s observation might possibly be applied to the Armstrong movement, let me attempt to relate my definitions of terms. Because many of us have different definitions of terms. And, while it is fine that we disagree on these definitions, we should at least understand where each of us is coming if we are going to be able to effectively communicate with each other.
When examining Armstrongism, the atheist’s view of “Armstrong fanatical teachings” would begin with things like a belief in God and belief in the Bible.
Main stream Christianity might define “Armstrong’s fanatical beliefs” as the seventh-day Sabbath and anti-Trinitarianism.
My personal definition of “Armstrong fanatical teachings” goes something like this. HWA learned what I believe were good teachings from Church of God Seventh Day. He picked up sound doctrines such as the seventh-day Sabbath, soul sleep, no immortality of the soul, no ever-burning suffering in hell, no going to heaven, rejection of pagan holidays, etc.
But then Armstrong ADDED to that body of teachings. He added things like Petra place of safety, the Gospel has not been preached for 1900 years, end-time apostleship, anti-doctor/anti-medicine/anti-science, banning interracial dating, three-tithe system, ban on voting, ban on military service, headline theology, etc. To me, these ADDITIONS comprise “Armstrong fanatical teachings.” I do not consider CG7’s teachings to be part of “Armstrong fanatical teachings.”
Again, you may very well disagree with my definition. I just want you to know where I am coming from in this post.
So, when I look at the evolution of the beliefs of so many who are (or were) followers of Armstrongism, I find that Einstein’s quote aptly describes the transition of beliefs of some of the Armstrongites. I say this because so many of those who once embraced Armstrong’s fanatical teachings have now moved on to a new love.
And it is only instinctively that they understand that Armstrong’s fanatical teachings were hollow. Even to themselves, they can’t openly admit that Armstrong’s additions (his fanatical teachings) had no substance. Pride seems to keep them from acknowledging that, while they were immersed in these teachings, they were only on a sugar high.
Today, these folks have found a new sugar high in politics! The religious fanaticism of HWA has been relegated to a mere secondary love for them now. Their first love is now politics! And all of this is clearly demonstrated when you read their current church writings, hear their current sermons, and listen to their conversations before and after Sabbath services.
They have not so much replaced their love of religious fanaticism as much as they have replaced its PRIMACY with their new love of politics… and nationalism. Granted, this is not the state of affairs in all offshoots of Armstrongism. I believe this change does not ***officially*** exist in UCG or COGWA, even though many of their members embrace it. (Yes, I personally know some UCG and COGWA members who are part of this new belief system.) Aside from UCG and COGWA, which officially reject this phenomenon, it does indeed exist in a lot of the Armstrong break-away churches.
Now let’s do a disclaimer.
Our current President openly embraces nationalism. This is a fact.
And many of the Armstrongites are fervent Trump supporters. This is a fact. Yes, they enthusiastically embrace Trump’s version of American nationalism.
Now, let’s be even more clear. I am not condemning this. I am apolitical. I don’t take sides in secular politics. I don’t even vote. So I am not placing any value on Trump’s version of American nationalism. I refuse to say whether it’s good or bad. And I do not put a value on the political leanings of anyone.
Instead, I merely try to make observations. And I believe I am being accurate when I say that many of the current and former Armstrongites have embraced Trump’s American version of nationalism and that this new political fervor now takes precedence over their Armstrong religious fanaticism.
With all of the above in mind (again, without necessarily placing any value on the following), I believe we can paraphrase Einstein and ask the question below about the Armstrong COG movement:
“When posterity recounts the achievements of the Armstrong COGs, shall men say that decades of painstaking Bible study, prayer, and fellowship carried them no farther than from religious fanaticism to the insanity of nationalism?”
Again, I am only asking a question. Perhaps we are too close to the situation to be able to make an accurate assessment at this time. Perhaps we won’t know the answer until 50 or 100 years from now. I certainly don’t profess to have the answer. But I do believe it sure can’t hurt for us to have a civil conversation about this.
z
