Dave Pack's Fear Factory

 

Fear Factory

The sky is always falling in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Whenever a major crisis of any kind arises in the world, David C. Pack of The Restored Church of God seizes on the opportunity to reestablish the climate of prophetic fear, saturating the Main Hall at Headquarters.

With the summer solstice’s eminent failure and no new date in sight, the sudden conflict between Israel and Iran became the lucky break the Pastor General needed. During “The Greatest Untold Story! (Part 580)” on June 14, 2025, David C. Pack threw up his hands and admitted for the first time again that “no man knows the day and hour” of Jesus Christ’s return.

The warfare in the Middle East enabled him to shift focus away from his most recent failures while relieving him of the need to establish a new specific day for the arrival of the Kingdom of God. He maintained his perceived authority and keen insight into world events by laying the fear on pretty thick to ratchet up member anxiety.

Part 580 – June 14, 2025
@ 00:17 God, brethren, has brought long-expected events to the front, and the world is, you could almost say, at war. …now there’s a big war in the Middle East that’s gonna come to a very, very bad end. …the war between Iran and and Judah, Israel, will not be complete when the Kingdom comes. But it’s now on.

David C. Pack repeated that the Kingdom of God would arrive before the fighting between Iran and Israel ended. His credibility tanked again. There is already a ceasefire of "The 12-Day War" in place. The safest position to take is always to believe the opposite of what David C. Pack says.

@ 01:05 So, what is happening has got to be close enough …to the Kingdom that it cannot it cannot come to conclusion.

Further expressing his love for theatrics, Dave threw out the N-word to further edify the brethren.

@ 16:34 If you wonder whether Israel whether Israel will defeat the Iranians, all you hafta know is they they believe in, and their official military doctrine is "Uh Operation, You Know, Sampson.” They’re the they said, “Before we will be destroyed, we will tear down the temple of mankind.” Before Iran will win this war, Israel does have nukes, and they will nuke Iran before Iran can destroy them. They will cross a threshold where they're under such threat and so much death you will see you will see mushroom clouds in Iran unless God intervenes.

Right out of the Worldwide Church of God Fearmongering Playbook, Dave floated the idea of a nuclear war. At least Herbert W. Armstrong had the sense to put it in far future context "in twenty years," so his malarkey would take two decades to stink. Dave proves his ineptitude within hours.

There are several resources for those interested in researching “The Samson Option.” This Times of Israel write-up is quite informative. "Uh Operation, You Know, Sampson" is David C. Pack's distorted version.

The sleight-of-hand “unless God intervenes” trick at the end is Dave putting all his chips on black and red. If something nuclear happened, he could puff his chest and crow about being right. Even after nothing happens, he can say God intervened, shielding his perceived authenticity. Setting up shop in this safe space would prevent him from ever being wrong again. Every single failed date going forward could be due to God intervening. There is no downside to that excuse.

Fear is one of the ways The Restored Church of God retains members. They are not a church. They are a fear factory. When they keep the brethren afraid of what is going on around them, it keeps them from leaving.

The hireling enablers at Headquarters are counting on the persistent fear that world events could take a sudden, dark turn to keep members from fleeing their spiritually bankrupt organization. David C. Pack knows what he is doing when he sounds the Chicken Little alarm bells.

It is a good thing they are in the One True Church. And they better not leave.

@ 15:42 Now it’s impossible not to watch. Anybody among us who's not watching now, who's not trying to see or can't see the day approaching, is probably [chuckles] in the wrong church. And I hope that’s few or none.

Armstrongism followers have been seeing “the day approaching” since the 1930s. Every time there is a military conflict, a financial collapse, or a natural disaster, it is time to get ready. When no single event is eating up the headlines, there are always the low-level “world conditions” to exploit.

David C. Pack is a fear peddler, and the members of The Restored Church of God keep buying it.

@ 27:02 If you’re paying attention, you know the world is collapsing! Nobody knows what China’s gonna do. Are they gonna attack Taiwan because the world’s distracted? Will the Russians do even worse things because the world’s distracted? What will the North Koreans do? What will aggressors and dictators in Africa and South America do? United States left a big hole.

@ 46:45 “It will surely come and can’t tarry.” Maybe that’ll be what it means. We’ve got more to learn. Where where, I guess, I would call it “intense world hell.” Now, you need to be you need to be you need to fear God all through the week. Not just when Mr. Pack saying really serious, grave things. Heavy stuff. You need to stay close to God and be ready.

Staying close to God includes believing His word, fleeing from proven liars and wicked men, not giving money to a spiritually corrupt organization, and holding accountable blaspheming hypocrites claiming to speak with God’s authority.

Staying close to God involves discerning a false prophet and false apostle plainly presenting himself and doing what the Bible says in those circumstances.

@ 47:40 But, you know, we’re the only people on the face of the earth, the only ones, including the people who are who are who are starting Operation Rising Lion, we’re the only ones even among God’s people, the only ones who know how this ends. Do you know that? But only if you’re watching.

Members of The Restored Church of God are not watching what happens right in front of them, so how can they accurately frame world events? They continue to accept the words of deceitful men, spewing fear and lies with impunity. Nobody in The Restored Church of God has a clue about “how this ends” because David C. Pack has wasted over nine years and 580 Parts changing how he thinks it ends. That is not a track record to rely on.

@ 48:02 Maybe a time for a little less fun and a little more sobriety. Little more prayers, study, fasting, staying close to God.

Being a proven false prophet 130 times has not been fun for anyone, but it appears that Fear has become the official mascot of The Restored Church of God.

If Dave’s doom and gloom preaching seems familiar, it should. After Hamas invaded Israel to slaughter and kidnap families on the Last Great Day in 2023, David C. Pack exploited that horrific event to instill fear while propping up his timing narrative.

Two years later, the Pastor General repeats that current events have biblical implications, signaling prophetic timing. The “Israeli Preoccupation” article covered this in detail.

What David C. Pack said back then meant nothing. What he says today means nothing. What he will say tomorrow will mean nothing.

Flashback Part 474 – October 7, 2023
@ 02:06 A great Bible prophecy is underway.

@ 11:29 But, I walked in this morning to powerful confirmation of timing.

@ 35:56 When this happened…I knew immediately what my assignment was. I finally understood my last assignment. I was to rush to carry out.

@ 1:00:25 Now, it’s easy to understand. It’s easy. There should be no one alive in this church who cannot now see “the day approaching.”

People wonder how anyone in RCG can believe Dave. Even if most of them do not, they still will not leave. Each person has their own reasons. The evidence that their human idol is a false prophet, false apostle, and false teacher is overwhelming.

Part 580 – June 14, 2025
@ 1:24:50 And we're we're on the verge of world war. We're on the werge verge of the collapse of various societies, including Israel.

The “No Kings” protests in the United States on the same weekend as Israel’s assault on Iran only encouraged the RCG fear factory to maintain production.

@ 42:22 Now let me pause so you understand the gravity… It may be that real horror comes two or three days before Israel rises. …it’s nowhere near potentially where it will be when real-world hell breaks out, and I'm saying that on the day when there are 2,000 protests in American cities, and there's more war in the Middle East.

In a telling moment of David C. Pack’s character, he explained what should happen to the protesters. Notice the placement of his chuckle when it involves the deaths of others.

@ 21:01 What you should do [chuckles] the only way to have civil obedience is put them all to death. They have to. And that’s God’s law. And you know what? You’ll never have a prob–“That’s so harsh.” No, it isn’t. It means nobody would ever die because nobody’d do it. But they can’t put ‘em to death. They have rights. Even if they weren’t born here. Even if they don’t have citizenship. Even if they just crash the the the border and swam across the Rio Grand.

David C. Pack takes righteous indignation to a whole new level. His occasional chuckles at odd moments betray how he really feels, regardless of what he tries to present to his worshippers. As time goes on, David C. Pack’s words and behavior become increasingly disturbing.

He shows no fear of God when he flippantly blasphemes. He shows no empathy when he chuckles about mass death. It makes perfect sense that producing more fear to manipulate the brethren is easy for him.

Instead of being a church of clock-watchers and calendar enthusiasts, RCG members now have the vague “we must be close” fear to keep them in their seats. More effective than pinning a specific day, having a world crisis with a perceived biblical angle applies pressure for brethren to stay within the familiar borders of The Restored Church of God because worldwide prophetic events could “come as a thief” on an unsuspecting world any day now.

When David C. Pack says there will be war, watch for peace. When David C. Pack says there will be peace, watch for war. When he says he is comfortable, expect discomfort to blossom. When he says to fear, be not afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 18:22
When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken, but the prophet has spoken it presumptuously: you shall not be afraid of him.

The Headquarters Campus of The Restored Church of God is a fear factory, and they churn out product as fast as they can make it. Brethren, do not be afraid of David C. Pack’s words.

Marc Certain

See: Fear Factory

Agnosticism/Atheism Part II: “Why do people get so angry at atheists for not believing in God?”

 “Why do people get so angry at atheists for not believing in God?”

https://socialthoughtsblog.com/2024/11/02/why-atheists-enrage-theists/

• The existence of atheists threatens their theist-based perception of reality.

When theists have been conditioned to believe that they are on this planet because of a supreme being, they can’t handle an opposing view. Their theism affects everything else in their life:

• Reason for living
• Right vs wrong
• Social connections
• How to vote
• How to view death

Furthermore, indoctrination is not without the threat of eternal damnation for the act of doubting. 

Most believers genuinely believe in a severe supernatural punishment if they dare to question their religion. I wrote about the use of Satan for the sake of control back when I was a Pagan: “The Devil: Lucifer vs. Satan vs. Satanism”

The realization that it’s possible to live according to your own perception without the fear of punishment causes many theists to be confused and/or envious.

• Theists have denial and projection of doubt.

No one likes to be made a fool. Not all, but many people will not admit when they are wrong or even unsure.

 Our society has made it better to make up an excuse answer for a question than sit with uncertainty. This goes for religion and business alike — which makes sense because the church is very much a business. It sells you the idea that divinity and the supernatural exist, while never providing concrete proof for any of their claims. These types of theists would rather go to their graves telling atheists they’re wrong than admit that no one can actually prove that divinity exists.

• Theists don’t understand atheism.

Many of the angry theists make wild accusations about what atheism even means. Atheism answers one question: “Do you believe in god(s)?” If the answer is anything except for “Yes,” you’re an atheist.

These types of angry theists will instantly demand an explanation for how the universe began or they’ll tell you what they think you believe, as if it’s a fact: “You believe that something came from nothing!” What they don’t understand is that identifying as an atheist does not require that you answer this question or any other, in fact. They don’t understand that a perfectly rational, acceptable and the most honest response is “I don’t know, and neither do you.”

The Big Bang is the best scientific explanation for how the universe came to be; however, it does not account for the very first few seconds because no one was there to witness it. Science does not make up a story to explain what is unexplainable; religion does; hence creation myths like in Genesis I: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”

While plenty of theists prefer the “God of the gaps” argument, it fails as soon as it begins. If God is responsible for everything, then where did God come from?

The unfortunate reason why so many theists don’t understand atheism is because they were told what it is through the lens of religion. If religion doesn’t allow them to question, it won’t allow them to know the truth about the opposing views; instead, it invents its own untruthful version that paints atheists as “ignorant” and “arrogant” for not believing, while simultaneously demanding blind faith from its own followers.

• Theists think atheists hate God.

“Why do you hate God, if you don’t believe God exists” is a common question from theists to atheists. They don’t realize how illogical this question is. 

Do Christians believe in the Easter Bunny? Adults don’t usually believe. So, does this mean they hate the Easter Bunny? I doubt it. It’s quite a silly accusation; yet, replace “Easter Bunny” with “God” and you will understand how absurd this question/claim sounds to atheists.

Some theists will get especially angry if you don’t believe in their God. 

I find this particularly confusing. There are billions of people in the world. I can’t help but wonder how it’s possible to be so insecure about learning that another person doesn’t believe exactly as you do.

Even Christians argue amongst themselves. Christianity alone has thousands of denominations. Who has the correct interpretation of the Bible? Which version of the Bible is the true version? What makes someone a “true Christian?” In my multiple debates with Christians, a surprising amount don’t even seem to be aware there are multiple versions of the Bible. Where did they think the multiple churches came from?

I have heard that the Christians most eager to prove their God exists are the most insecure. This makes sense. The Christians who truly believe in their God need not convince anyone else. I think that goes for any theist.

Why Choose Atheism?

It has been a long journey from absolute belief to skepticism and non-belief. I find these reasons for my own personal and ultimate conclusions about it all to be the reasons and issues that pushed me along towards my own conclusions, to date, about life, death and the ever after. 

Your experiences may vary...

While many prefer agnosticism (without knowledge) to a-theism (without God), agnosticism is simply atheism light.

One, a-Gnosticism,  claims to not believe in a God but maybe, who knows?  And the other, a-theism, simply does not believe. No matter, not knowing if there is a God and not believing there is a God both are a-theism. Without theism or belief

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https://housely.com/reasons-people-choose-atheism/

Becoming an atheist is rarely a decision made lightly. It often stems from a combination of intellectual inquiry, personal experiences, and philosophical considerations.

Here are 30 reasons why people reject religious belief, exploring the thought processes, emotional journeys, and societal factors that lead to atheism.

Lack of Evidence

For many atheists, the lack of empirical evidence supporting the existence of a deity is a decisive factor. They argue that belief in a god should meet the same rigorous standards of evidence as scientific claims. Without verifiable data like tangible miracles or undeniable divine interventions—they find no logical reason to accept theistic claims.

The Problem of Evil

The existence of suffering, evil, and injustice in the world poses a challenge to the idea of an all-powerful, benevolent deity. Atheists argue that a loving God would not allow atrocities like wars, genocides, or illnesses. The disconnect between religious teachings of a just God and the harsh realities of life reinforces atheistic perspectives.

Contradictions in Religious Texts

Atheists also often scrutinize religious scriptures and find contradictions, such as conflicting accounts of creation or historical inaccuracies. They also question moral teachings that condone actions like slavery, war, or discrimination. These inconsistencies and ethically problematic passages lead many to view religious texts as human constructs rather than divine revelations.

Scientific Understanding

As science advances, it provides natural explanations for phenomena that were once attributed to gods. The Big Bang theory, evolution, and neuroscience explain the origins of the universe, life, and consciousness without invoking a deity. Atheists often see science as a more reliable, evidence-based framework for understanding the world than religion.

Cultural Relativity of Religion

Religions vary widely based on geography, with different cultures worshiping different gods. Atheists argue that this cultural relativity suggests religion is a human invention rather than a universal truth. If one’s faith depends largely on where they are born, they reason, it undermines claims of absolute truth.

Indoctrination and Fear Tactics

Religions often use indoctrination from a young age and fear-based tactics, such as the threat of eternal damnation, to enforce belief. Atheists reject this as psychological manipulation, arguing that a truly loving God would not rely on fear or coercion to gain followers, further supporting their disbelief.

Moral Independence

Many atheists reject the notion that morality requires religion. They argue that ethical behavior is rooted in empathy, social contracts, and evolutionary biology, not divine commandments. By rejecting religion, they embrace the freedom to create their own moral code, which they see as more adaptable and relevant to modern society.

Negative Personal Experiences

Personal experiences, such as hypocrisy, abuse, or exclusion within religious institutions, often lead to disillusionment. For example, someone hurt by judgmental or corrupt religious leaders may question the validity of the faith they represent. These experiences can spark a deeper investigation into the foundations of religion, culminating in atheism.

The Burden of Proof

Atheists argue that the burden of proof lies with those making extraordinary claims, such as the existence of a deity. Since believers have yet to provide convincing evidence for their claims, atheists see no reason to accept them. They adopt a position of disbelief until presented with sufficient evidence, much like a jury evaluates a case.

Occam’s Razor

Occam’s Razor suggests that the simplest explanation is often the best. For atheists, natural explanations for the universe and life are simpler and more plausible than invoking a supernatural being. They argue that adding the concept of a god complicates the equation without adding explanatory value.

Religious Wars and Conflicts

The long history of violence in the name of religion, such as the Crusades, witch hunts, and modern terrorism, leads many to reject faith. Atheists view religion as a divisive force that promotes intolerance and hostility, contradicting claims that it promotes peace and love.

Equality and Inclusion

Many atheists are troubled by the discriminatory practices and teachings found in some religions, particularly against women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups. They reject faiths that perpetuate inequality, finding atheism to be a more inclusive worldview that values human dignity over divine authority.

Freethinking Ideals

Atheists often value intellectual freedom and critical thinking above adherence to dogma. They see freethinking as the ability to question, challenge, and evaluate ideas without fear of divine retribution or societal condemnation. For many,religion imposes limitations on inquiry, particularly when it demands blind faith or unquestioning obedience to authority.

Disillusionment with Prayer

For many atheists, the perceived ineffectiveness of prayer plays a pivotal role in their rejection of religion. They notice that prayers often go unanswered or produce outcomes indistinguishable from chance. This leads to skepticism about the existence of a divine being who listens and responds. 

Naturalistic Worldview

Atheists who adopt a naturalistic worldview believe that everything in existence can be explained through natural laws and processes. They argue that invoking supernatural explanations for phenomena adds unnecessary complexity without providing tangible answers. 

Religious Hypocrisy

The gap between religious teachings and the actions of religious leaders and followers often leads to disillusionment. Scandals involving clergy, such as financial corruption, abuse, or moral failings, expose a contradiction between the principles preached and the behavior exhibited.

Desire for Autonomy

Atheists often reject religion because they value personal autonomy and freedom of thought. They resist the idea of external authorities dictating how they should live, think, or believe. Religious doctrines, which often prescribe specific moral codes, rituals, and life choices, can feel restrictive and incompatible with modern values of individualism.

Lack of Personal Revelation

While many religious believers cite personal experiences or revelations as the foundation of their faith, atheists often report an absence of such encounters. Without tangible or transformative experiences to affirm the existence of a deity, they find it difficult to maintain belief. 

Philosophical Materialism

Philosophical materialism—the belief that only physical matter exists—aligns closely with atheism. Atheists who adopt this view reject the supernatural entirely, including gods, spirits, and an afterlife. They argue that everything in the universe can be explained through material interactions and scientific principles. 

Disillusionment with Organized Religion

The perceived flaws of organized religion—such as political entanglement, commercialization, and authoritarianism—drive many toward atheism. Atheists often see religious institutions as more concerned with power and wealth than with genuine spiritual guidance. 

Exposure to Diverse Beliefs

Interacting with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds often leads to questions about the exclusivity of any one faith. Atheists may notice that every religion claims to be the ultimate truth, yet they offer contradictory narratives about the divine. 

A Scientific Mindset

Atheists with a scientific mindset often prioritize skepticism, evidence, and falsifiability. They apply these principles to religious claims and find them lacking in empirical support. Religious concepts such as miracles, creation stories, or divine intervention often fail to meet the rigorous standards of scientific inquiry, leading to their rejection. 

Lack of Coherence in Theology

Theological arguments often involve abstract concepts that atheists find incoherent or contradictory. For instance, the idea of an all-powerful, all-knowing God raises questions about free will and the nature of evil. Atheists also challenge the idea of infinite punishment for finite sins or the notion of divine omniscience coexisting with human autonomy. 

Religious Exclusivity

The exclusivity of many religions, which claim to be the sole path to truth or salvation, is a significant turn-off for atheists. They question how a just and loving God could condemn billions of people who follow other faiths or no faith at all. This exclusivity often appears arbitrary and unjust, leading atheists to reject the idea of a deity who demands unconditional loyalty to one specific doctrine.

Existential Freedom

Atheists often find freedom in the idea that life’s meaning is not dictated by an external deity but is something individuals create for themselves. This existential perspective allows them to live authentically, pursuing their passions and values without fear of divine judgment.

Cultural Modernization

As societies modernize, traditional religious beliefs and practices often become less relevant to people. Atheists see this secular shift as a natural progression toward reason and equality. In many developed nations, education, technological advancements, and social progress challenge old dogmas, paving the way for a more skeptical and humanistic worldview.

Rejection of Miracles

Atheists often view miracles as events that lack credible evidence or verifiable causes. For them, stories of divine intervention, such as miraculous healings or supernatural occurrences, can usually be explained through coincidence, psychological biases, or scientific phenomena. 

Psychological Insights

Psychological research shows that religious belief can originate from cognitive biases like pattern recognition or the need for agency. Atheists often reject faith after recognizing these psychological mechanisms at play. They argue that religion is a byproduct of human evolution and societal needs rather than evidence of divine existence, choosing to trust empirical findings over spiritual interpretations.

Focus on Humanity

Atheists often prioritize human welfare over divine worship, emphasizing compassion, empathy, and progress. They believe that addressing global challenges—such as poverty, climate change, and inequality—requires human action, not divine intervention. This focus on humanity aligns with their belief in self-reliance and collective responsibility rather than waiting for a higher power to intervene.

A Desire for Truth

Above all, many atheists are driven by a commitment to truth. They reject comforting illusions or unproven claims, choosing instead to base their worldview on observable, testable, and verifiable facts. For them, the pursuit of truth is intellectually fulfilling and a moral imperative, even if it leads to uncomfortable or unpopular conclusions.