How to Trick the Public Into Giving Money to Your Cult

These days, because of the increasing cost of media, it is ever more difficult for the Church to fund its warning message. In order to reach all nations it is absolutely necessary to boost resources, considering that contributions from members and co-workers seem to have leveled off.

The good news is that it is possible, with creative presentation and promotion skills, to funnel contributions from outsiders who do not actually intend to donate to the Church. One such method that has proven effective is to conduct a charity 5K run which offers prizes, fun and an outlet for those members of the uncalled public to satisfy their desires to contribute to a “charity.” This is where zealous members can secure not only their excellent standing with the Church, but certainly a higher position in the Kingdom.  And eventually the individuals who contribute will someday see that their money was given to the greatest cause on Earth!

In order to conduct a charitable 5K run which will maximize income for the Church, there are some general principles and guidelines which are important to follow:

·         Remember that the audience consists primarily of carnal human beings who are not being called and who really do not wish to support God’s Work. Keeping this principle constantly in mind will help you craft marketing material that points away from any direct mention of the Church and any of its resources such as websites and literature. Remember – this fund raising effort is targeted at those who would not otherwise directly donate to the Church. Such an audience would actually tend to be less interested in the activity if they felt that you were pushing the Church on them. So, it’s best to leave the evangelistic efforts to the ordained ministry, and let your light shine through your example.

·         While disclosure regulations require that you mention to which “charity” proceeds will be donated, it is not necessary to mention the parent organization. This means that you can simply mention one of the Church’s programs, such as a youth program, or a performance arts program. Historically, the youth program approach has been the most profitable because even uncalled people like to feel that they are doing something to help children.

·         Focus on the “get.” Even though it is necessary to have a “charity” which the participants of the event will be supporting, the real draw should be the fun, food and prizes. This means that the disclosure about the “charity” should be minimal and tucked away deep inside the information pages of your marketing material. What you are trying to do is appeal to the participants’ vanity, appetites, and desire to win, while at the same time making them feel good about themselves for supporting the “charity.” In reality, all it takes to make them feel good like this is to simply mention that they are supporting a good cause like children, or arts. Of course if anyone wants to know about who they are supporting you must have the disclosure located somewhere in your material, but the vast majority of participants will not bother with digging any deeper than the material you provide. REMEMBER: Maximize the get!

·         Always avoid any mention or hint that the “charity” only supports the members and efforts of the Church, especially when it comes to children. Again, all that is needed to make the public feel good about donating is to mention the name of the Church’s youth program (without mentioning the Church’s name). The vast majority of the public will not even think to ask if the youth program only benefits a small exclusive segment of children – they will assume all children are welcome, especially disadvantaged children. Eventually when these people are raised in the Great White Throne Judgment, they will at that time realize that they were actually being used as tools to help bring joy to the godly offspring of the elect!

·         When dealing with the unconverted, it is okay to present material in a way that could be mis-characterized as deceptive. Jesus set the precedent for this by speaking in parables that were intended to deflect understanding of the truth from the minds of the unconverted. "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that `Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.' (Luke 8:10)

·         To present the appearance of a valid charitable cause, consider having a separate 5K run that benefits a real charity. This way you can mention the charity more predominantly for that run, which will boost your credibility and reduce questions for the 5K that benefits the church.

Here is a wonderful real-world example:

http://dontmeltaway5k.com/

You’ll notice right away how appealing the visuals are on this website. There is not only food, but ICE CREAM! And there are a multitude of prize categories, again appealing to the vanity of your participants. When you find the page Race Info, you can scroll to the bottom and read the well-done “charity” disclosure. Here it is:

Charity

“Out of the proceeds, Stinky Feet Running Company will make a donation to benefit Living Youth Programs. Living Youth Programs, its affiliated youth camps for teens and preteens, and other activities form a part of its effort to provide great opportunities to create lasting friendships and unforgettable memories. The camps consist of classes and programs designed to expose teens and preteens to activities they may not normally experience and empower them to grow to lead responsible and healthy lives.

Right away you will notice that the above disclosure has all the great wording that is needed to deflect attention away from the fact that the money will be given to the Church! There is no need to mention that Living Youth Programs is merely an office of the Living Church of God. Also notice how it appears that “Living Youth Programs” seems like a name of an entire organization  while not actually stating so. The statement also wisely and carefully plays up the wonderful benefits to “youth,” “preteens,” and “teens.” These statements are technically accurate, and it is not your fault if the public ASSUMES that the children in the world are excluded, and the only beneficiaries of the youth programs are children of Church members.

The members who coordinate the above 5K run have very wisely coordinated another 5K run that benefits a real charity. Here it is:

http://rockthesocks5k.com/

And here is the disclosure for the charity for this race found on their race info page:

Charity

“A portion of the proceeds will benefit Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) research through the KU Endowment. PWS is a rare disease that affects an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people worldwide. Click here for a fact sheet about this condition. Click here to directly give for this cause.”

A key difference here is that there are no problems with letting people know they can donate directly to the charitable cause if they want – a link is even provided. Of course, this must not be done when the primary “charity” is the Church, as you will notice there is no link in the first disclosure for the Church or even any encouragement to donate directly to is as this could unnecessarily detract from participation.

Above all, show them that you care! In our world, intentions are everything. This is why wearing colored ribbons and bumper stickers are so popular. The more you care the less people will ask difficult questions. Here is a great example from a member in very good standing, of letting everyone know they care.

by Assistant Coffee Maker  5/13/14

Bitter Bob Thiel Lashes Out At Rod Meredith AGAIN Saying He Is In Error And That His Church Is An "Improperly Named" Church of God

Bob Thiel just cannot get over the fact that Rod Meredith has IGNORED his messages and words of "wisdom" over the last decade or so.  For many years Thiel thought he was in the god graces of Meredith and crew.  He met with Meredith and others many times in formal meetings and in private dinners.  Theil claims that Meredith was always in agreement with the things he had to tell him.

That swiftly came to an end a year or so ago when Thiel appointed himself as a leader of a new splinter personality cult.  He was not ordained into the COG nor was any "mantle" passed on to him.  Thiel misinterpreted a prayer by Gaylyn Bonjour and then set himself up as the self appointed prophet of the Church of God.  When Thiel did this Rod Meredith quickly swung into action and wrote a letter to the LCG members ship about Thiel telling them to ignore the man.  Ever since then Thiel has been filed with bitterness towards Meredith.

He has lashed out numerous times and did so again today.

Nearly all who are part of the improperly named Philadelphia Church of God (PCG) and Living Church of God (LCG) believe that their leaders understand end time prophecy.

Yet, the reality is that on many prophetic points the teachings of those groups are in error.  Some of their errors have to do with Daniel 11.

So Flurry and Meredith are wrong but guess who is right.......Thiel himself.  As the greatest living COG prophet to ever live he is the end all authority on all things Mayan, Catholic and prophetic.  Truth be told, he is just another blithering idiot in the history of the COG. Thousands have come and gone over the decades.  Bob Thiel is just one more of that long line of liars and frauds.  He is in good company though, Pack, Weinland and Flurry are right beside him.  Idiots all!

Notice that LCG teaches that after Daniel 11:40-43 is fulfilled, that Daniel 11:31 will be fulfilled.  This is a major problem because Daniel 11:31 is the sign that Jesus pointed to to warn that it would be time to flee and that the Great Tribulation was about to begin:

15 “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), 16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.  17 Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house.  18 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.  19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!  20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.  21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.  (Matthew 24:15-21)

For years I tried to work with LCG on this point as they had a publication written by John Ogwyn that agreed with the sequence that I have taught–that the King of the North invades the USA and Anglo-Saxon nations prior to the invasion of the King of the South.
LCG also has the Great Tribulation beginning when the King of the North invades the King of the South. Here is what its Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs teachings:

The Bible speaks of a time of great catastrophe, called the “Great Tribulation” (Matthew 24:21-22; Daniel 11:40-45; 12:1; Luke 21:19-36) (viewed 05/14/14)

LCG is teaching that Daniel 11:40 is the first item in the sequence in Daniel 11 to start the Great Tribulation.  And this is a FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF, which is in error.

Poor guy, he just cannot  get Meridith to listen to him!  Later in his latest screed he lashes out again at Meredith:

I tried to work with LCG on this for many years, and although they seem to have agreed (and at least once it was agreed in a meeting by one of their leaders that WCG had changed its view to the position I held by the 1970s; see also December 2011 Proposed changes to LCG’s Official Statement of Fundamental Beliefs), they never changed their publications to reflect this.

Even though LCG has ignored Thiel he is hoping they will fall in line and listen to him this time.

Since I was unable to get LCG to change while I was with it, despite agreements by its leaders to fix LCG’s errors on this point, hopefully pointed this error out again will assist them to correct it.  Otherwise, this will be another area where those in LCG will misunderstand prophecy.

Thiel is also wanting Gerald Flurry to listen to him and change their teachings. They too have a history of ignoring Thiel.  Theil says that the ignoring of his message is "...to their peril."  As if PCG gives a rats ass about Thiel.  They probably line the bird cages of PCG members in the PCG compound.

I would make a similar appeal to PCG, but as they improperly believe that Gerald Flurry is a prophet, nor have they ever agreed that I was correct on this, they seem less likely than LCG to consider this–but they ignore what the Bible teaches to their peril.  Sadly this likely means, then, that they will not know when the Great Tribulation will begin, and that would then indicated they will not be protected from it.

Everyone is doomed to be put in a German, Chinese, Muslim, German concentration camp because of their rebellion while Bobby and family jet off to Jordan where he becomes one of the two witless witnesses.  What is Thiel going to do when he shows up in Petra and finds Flurry, Pack, and Weinland are already there and have all the caves reserved?  It is not going to be a pretty scene! 

Especially when he says this:

Unless they change their positions, NEITHER PCG NOR LCG WILL REALIZE WHEN THE GREAT TRIBULATION WILL BEGIN AND THEIR SUPPORTERS WILL NOT FLEE TO BE PROTECTED IN A PLACE OF SAFETY IN THE WILDERNESS (Revelation 12:14-16).

I can hear it now: "Don't you know WHO I am??????????????????"  " I had a double blessing of the Holy Spirit and you did not!"  "I am a prophet who knows everything about the Mayans, Catholics and prophecy, YOU do not!"  "Get out of that cave and give it to ME, Its MINE, I deserve it!  Its all about ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

RIP Harry Sneider

from Harry's wife:

Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! It is with much sadness that I must tell you about the recent passing of Harry Sneider surrounded by all his family. Words cannot describe our loss. He was always God-fearing, positive, caring, selfless, a motivator and an inspiration. He touched the lives of many people in a very positive way, an amazing man admired and loved by many around the world. So thankful for the 45 plus years we've had together, the decades we worked side by side in the fitness field, and the last six months almost 24/7 during his health challenges. He packed a lot into 73 years including coach and trainer of Olympic champions and trainer and 35 year friend of world chess champion Bobby Fischer, recently completing a manuscript to be published. He was a world champion powerlifter, bench pressing 451 lbs at age 61. But even more he was a champion person! So thankful he will live on in our children and grandchildren. He fought the fight, kept the faith, and there is a crown laid up for him. I look forward to seeing him again and spending eternity with him!

More on Harry Sneider and his family :

Sneider's Family Fitness
Former Ambassador faculty member recalls how a disability led to a career of a lifetime. 
Secrets of longevity revealed by Elsa Sneider at age 99 
Arcadia Trainers Remember Jack La Lanne
“Fitness is Ageless” for Pasadena Weekly’s Health Supplement, “At Your Best”

I have the address for cards if you are interested.  Contact me privately.

 

UCG on Turkey Bacon Or "Ignore the dork and eat pork"

The Facebook page that has this on it is descibes this guy perfectly:

This dork goes to UCG, my parents church. Try not to be too embarrassed for him.

Team Ephraim Whips Manasseh's Ass!

Oh those fun loving folk at the Philadelphia Church of God compound! I feel so left out not be able to witness these miraculous events.

A new soccer "Cup" was formed in Edmond to be a feminine counterpart to the masculine and manly Joseph Cup.  The new feminized soccer "Cup" is called the Asenath Cup.

The contest is named after the mother of biblical brothers Ephraim and Manasseh and serves as a feminine counterpart to the Joseph Cup.

Then one of God's greatest MEN segregated the women according to nationality.

Team Ephraim consisted of students and members from Britain and its Commonwealth nations, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. Two American wives of local Ephraimite members also laced up for the foreign side. Women from seven American states played for Manasseh.

British Israelism crap involved in a soccer game.  Only in Armstrongism!

Just as the United States is now suffering from corrupt government, team Manasseh had a hard day too.

The remainder of the half contained more of the same for the Manassites, who just couldn’t convert on ambitious shot attempts and dangerous crosses. The crowd groaned in agony several times as chance after chance came up empty.

What did it feel like to whip Manasseh's ass?

“I’m elated,” Haddad said. “It’s great. I waited three years for this moment.”

UCG Has No Ethical Issues To Report......................

UCG has no ethical issues to report, according to its latest COE meeting.  The questions that need to be asked of these men are:

Where were the ethical standards for these men as they plotted and schemed, while still in the employ of the Worldwide Church of God, to form their new splinter group?

Where were the ethics when most of these men were trumpeting the changes and disfellowshipping people who disagreed with the changes while they pretended to agree with Tkach Sr's changes?

Armstrongism has a distinct reputation of being unethical across the board.  How and why are we expected to believe that the current UCG has no issues with ethical values right now?


There are many more questions that can be asked.  Add them in the comments below

Ethics: Members: Mark Mickelson, Roc Corbett, Carmelo Anastasi, Mario Seiglie (chairman)

Mr. Seiglie reviewed the scope of the Committee’s work, as directed by the Council of Elders. The committee’s work extends to all matters of ethics and ethical conduct within the church organization.

SPECIFIC TASKS

• The Ethics Committee recommends policy that defines conduct standards for all members serving on the Council of Elders of the Church.

• Recommends policies that define standards of conduct for the elders and employees of the Church.

• Monitors and recommends revisions of the policies and procedures concerning ethics and standards of conduct within the Church.

• Oversees and administers, as directed by the Council, policies and procedures dealing with alleged unethical behavior within the Church.

• Develops procedures for dealing with unethical behavior in the Church.

• Recommends and monitors ongoing education programs for the maintaining of ethical standards throughout the Church.

• Other tasks consistent with the scope and responsibilities set out in the overview and as directed by the Council.

Presently, no new tasks have been remanded to the Committee.

PCG Canonizes St. John Amos

John Amos Field House

The idolatry in the Philadelphia Church of God continues on unabated.  The PCG has an article out on its website today about John Amos, Why You Must Remember John Amos, who has apparently attained "...the greatest success attainable on Earth" when he died.   Attaining sainthood in the PCG is par for the course for the PCG elite.  It has grandiose monuments and dirty old rocks proclaiming the deification of Herbert Armstrong.  It has placed Gerald Flurry even higher that HWA in the deification process. HWA apparently did not have the super knowledge that Flurry does because Flurry has had to add to and delete things that HWA said in books, booklets and articles.

Now it is time for the canonization of John Amos.   Flurry hack, Gareth Fraser writes:

For one, he was the second Philadelphia Trumpet writer. In that first edition, John Amos contributed an informative article and thereafter served as a contributor and executive editor.

His career experience as a broadcast enthusiast, student of Hollywood High, World War ii radio operator, radio show host and voice-over specialist in the dominant Southern California market, coupled with his service under Herbert W. Armstrong’s direction in media sales for The World Tomorrow, headquartered from Pasadena, and role as longtime minister of the Worldwide Church of God, well positioned him for any contribution he would make to the genesis of the Trumpet magazine’s sponsor.

Amos was one of the early members who apostatized from the WCG to start a church for Flurry.  Amos stands in the long line of men who worked behind the scenes to create a church so its divinely appointed leader could move right in and claim he did not start the splinter church but was asked to lead.  This is exactly what Meredith did three times, UCG ministers did, COGWA ministers did, and many of the others.

“John Amos and I were disfellowshiped in late 1989 for seriously questioning the wcg leaders’ doctrinal changes away from what Mr. Armstrong taught, and for believing what was later printed as Malachi’s Message,” Mr. Flurry went on to detail.

Flurry claims he and Amos had to "staunchly defend" HWA's book Mystery of the Ages, because the administration of the WCG was wisely taking it out of circulation.

That historic night of Dec. 7, 1989, saw the pair staunchly defend the contents of Mr. Armstrong’s final book, Mystery of the Ages.

If it was such a "historic night" set aside for defending the divinely inspired book by HWA, then what has Flurry deleted, changed and added to MOA since he had to pay millions of dollars for rights to the book after losing the court case against WCG?

Fraser continues writing what Flurry dictated to him about the veneration of Amos:

A pinnacle spiritual lesson for us to learn from this venerated Trumpet writer was pinpointed in our hope-filled booklet Isaiah’s End-Time Vision. “John Amos followed [God's] government from the beginning. We were two nobodies in the ministry, and yet he never argued over who was in charge. He was one nobody submitting to another nobody! That is to his eternal credit, and it demonstrates that we had the government of God right at the start.”

Technically Amos was in rebellion against government when he conspired to break away from WCG to form a new splinter cult. That is, if you believe the COG malarkey on "proper government."

Notice how Flurry attempts to bring in prophetic significance to the number of the first PCG attendees:  12.

On the first Sabbath of the Philadelphia Church of God in December 1989, Mr. Amos, his wife, son and daughter made up four of the original 12 members.

Fraser married Amos daughter and talks about what a magnificent man he was:

...since his death, in our hallway at home hangs his picture and that Philadelphia News article honoring his memory as a perpetual reminder to me, my wife and our children of his loyalty, sacrifice, service and death.

To God Mr. Amos’s death was precious. There is now another son ready to be born into God’s Family. This means so very much to our spiritual Father! He is in the business of building a family.

John Amos is now waiting to marry Jesus as only those in the COG are qualified to do.

“During such a sobering time we urgently need God’s perspective. A great man has just died in Israel. He has now qualified for the most exalted job in God’s Family–the Bride of Christ. Very soon, we shall all be reunited to serve together for all eternity.”