Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Norbert Link: Is Bigfoot A Descendant of the Giants and Nephilim of the Bible?



Armstrongism has always had the deep seated need to have all the answers to everything.  WCG produced hundreds and hundreds of booklets and official letters on a myriad of topics.  Members were never expected to think for themselves or do their own research.  A more "educated" pseudo-theologian in Pasadena was supposed to determine the official stance on all topics. The various splinter personality cults of Armstrongism still do this to this day.  Most have done nothing more than plagiarized WCG authored material.

Global Church of God's very own man of all knowledge, Norbert Link,  has come out with a statement that there is a possibility that Bigfoot really exists and that it is a descendant of the giants of the Bible or maybe even the nephilim.


We need to note that the Bible does not say that ancient powerful giants—the “heroes of old,” as mentioned in Old Testament times—were totally extinct and that they all died out. We do read that they were “dispossessed’ from areas which they once inhabited, and that they appeared in subsequent times in other areas. Therefore, can we rule out that “giants,” as described in the Bible, could exist today?

Speculation abounds regarding encounters with tall hairy creatures around the world, which are referred to as Bigfoot, Sasquatch, the Russian “Abominable” Snowman or Yeti. Many consider these stories as mere fabrications and fairy tales, while others believe that not all of the many independent reports over many centuries (some of them highly reliable) could be simply made up.

Some who believe in the accuracy of at least some of the eye-witness accounts conclude  that they might be “demonic illusions”—but even though some “encounters” might very well be of demonic origin, this could not explain all witness accounts and findings (including unexplained huge footprints, hair samples etc.). Others see in them huge ape-like animals, which could be a distinct possibility. Still others view them as missing links between pre-historic men-like creatures and modern men—a totally wrong idea, as humans did not evolve, and therefore, such missing links did not and do not exist.

Still others view them as fully human—modern representatives of homo sapiens, albeit perhaps in a wild, savage and degenerated state. This is also a distinct possibility. Hunters who had alleged close encounters with Sasquatch reported that they were determined to shoot and kill “the beast,” but refrained from doing so, when they looked into its eyes which were perceived to be “distinctly” human.
 Then they bring in "hairy" Easu to get their biblical point of view across:

One might ask how “hairy” creatures could qualify as humans. Even though the Bible does not specifically say that the ancient GIANTS were hairy, it does include a few examples of “hairy” men. For instance, we read that Esau, when he was born, was “like a hairy garment all over” (Genesis 25:25).

The Pulpit Commentary remarks that literally, it says, “‘all of him as a cloak of hair’… the fur cloak, or hair mantle, forming one notion...  the child's body [was] covered with an unusual quantity of red hair…”

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible adds: “his body was all over full of hair, which stood as thick as a garment made of hair…”

Esau’s condition did not change when he grew up. In fact, it increased. He is referred to as a “hairy man” (Genesis 27:11). Gill's states that Esau “was covered all over with hair; as with a hairy garment; so he was born, and so he continued, and no doubt his hair increased.” This condition was so severe that his blind father, Isaac, was tricked in believing that Jacob was Esau, when “skins of the kids of the goats” were placed on Jacob’s hands and on the smooth part of his neck, so that Isaac did not recognize Jacob  (Genesis 27:16, 23).

Then he moves on to "werewolves."

In addition, cases are known of people with the so-called “werewolf syndrome” or “hypertrichosis,” who might even pass on their condition to the next generation. One website describes this condition as follows:

“Hypertrichosis is a rare genetic condition that results in extreme hairiness… There is some speculation that Esau, son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, may have had hypertrichosis. He was described in the Old Testament as born covered in red hair, and was referred to as a hairy man by his brother as an adult.”

Life Science reported on June 6, 2011, that “Scientists have discovered a genetic mutation responsible for a disorder that causes people to sprout thick hair on their faces and bodies. Hypertrichosis, sometimes called ‘werewolf syndrome,’ is a very rare condition, with fewer than 100 cases documented worldwide. But researchers knew the disorder runs in families, and in 1995 they traced the approximate location of the mutation to a section of the X chromosome (one of the two sex chromosomes) in a Mexican family affected by hypertrichosis.”
Next Norbert wraps it all up with Bigfoot and the ancient legends of the American Indians; whom we all know to be descendants that walked over the land bridge from Canaan and settled here. Or were they part of the lost 12 tribes?  Only Armstrongism feels they need to have the answer.

Based on all of the foregoing evidence, we cannot exclude the possibility that giants exist today. Some of them could even be hairy people. They could be, but would not have to be, descendants of ancient Canaanite giants as described in the Bible. If they were, this would mean that not all of those ancient giants were totally extinct, but that some might have survived and procreated over the centuries and millennia, and that remnants with a hairy genetic disorder —perhaps known as Bigfoot or Yeti— might still live today in remote wilderness areas and in secluded high mountain terrains.

It is interesting to consider that many sightings of Bigfoot or Sasquatch have been reported in North America (California, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho) and Canada (British Columbia), and that these reports include ancient “legends” told by American Indians. Although many American Indians descended from Tiras, a son of Japheth (one of the three sons of Noah), some historians feel that “Native American” tribes might also be, to an extent, descendants of ancient Canaanites who migrated to North America.

In light of the biblical and historical evidence of very tall people as well as hairy people with genetic disorders, including hypertrichosis, which seems to run in families and for which there is still no known cure, it is not totally unreasonable to assume that mighty and powerful human “giants” known as Bigfoot, Sasquatch or Yeti might exist today in fairly inaccessible terrains in different parts of the world.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Dennis Muses on: Important Closure



Just a short posting to bring some closure to a thread to be found at:


Sometimes we let the hurt, pain and experiences in our life run our life. I certainly have done that myself.   Emotions are the body's reaction to the thoughts of the mind.  For all our differences, we all share and process our experiences with WCG, here on Banned,  as minister, member, family , male, female, children and friends differently because each experience is unique and experienced in their own unique settings.  Reading this site and eventually being invited to help grow it has been very therapeutic for me personally and have been grateful for it.  It got me through some dark times and serious self doubt and pain.  Let's face it, if I can get through the " Former Ministurd" label,  and not take that personally, I can get through anything!  

  It's a journey and a story but we are not our story.  We have a story but it's not our identity.  It's easy, however, to confuse the story of our lives with who we are.  It is a deception but most never see it or journey out of it.  

I won't post the apology given nor my response here, but you can find it at the end of the thread at on the above posting .  It was both encouraging to me and gives me hope that all can progress and keep moving in positive ways along the path to wherever it really goes...  Sure beats getting stuck in the mud for the rest of one's life.

Dennis


Saturday, July 12, 2014

UCG Member Talks About Leaving The United Church of God




Troy Fitzgerald has another great story up from a former COG/UCG member talking about his exit from the cult mentality.  The UCG hierarchy for some reason decided to humiliate him in front of his parents by informing them that Jeff was not tithing to the church.

Jeff describes what it was like growing up in the WCG and watching his parents become very vocal in their opposition of the doctrinal changes in ’95, bolstered by the fact their pastor was also opposed to the changes. He talks about being home schooled and how that lead to his independent thinking and ultimate analysis of church doctrine, which he did secretly, as a young teenager.  He talks about the heartache of watching his teenage friends who had chosen to leave being shunned and ostracized by members in the church and how he relied on his friends for his sanity given his growing state of disbelief in the teachings of the church.

Jeff discusses how the church sent his tithing (donations) records to his parents prompting his mom to confront him about his not contributing for the previous year,  about his ultimate exit from the church and religion at the age of 21, and how his relationship with his family — all of whom still remain in the church — has evolved. He opens up about the emotional turmoil and heartbreak, years later, watching his mother succumb to cancer all the while resisting modern medical treatment and how the church practiced the avoidance of medical intervention (faith healing) despite the unspoken policy not being official doctrine. Finally, he offers his advice to others having doubts about their faith.

Listen to Jeff's interview here:    Coming Out of UCG

Have We Witnessed the Melt Down of Another COG Leader?


Over the last couple of years we have all had a front row seat to the mental break down of three narcissistic COG "leaders", Bob Thiel, David Pack and Eric King.  Thiel has come up with some of the most inventive excuses to legitimize his standing as the true end-time prophet.  David Pack is in hiding after his HUMILIATING prophetic failures in October of 2013 and April of this year.  King has also joined in this very visible melt down.

Eric King had been smothering the Internet for several years now with his prophecies, silly predictions and pseudo-biblical interpretations.  He claimed he was the TRUE end time leader of the remnant COG that held on tot he truth.

His web site and blog are now dark and no longer carry a witness to the nations or the Church of God.  His web site and blog was carrying the moniker of a different administrator once King came out as a beatnick.

The only thing left of his is his beatnik page where he plays guitar and sings.  Perhaps he has reached his true calling now and will give up the religious Armstrongite malarkey.

I doubt many COG leaders would have this on their page either:




Friday, July 11, 2014

Germany's Blitzkrieg of Brazil in World Cup A Foretaste of Germany's Blitzkrieg of US in WWIII



Leave it to a diehard Armstrongite to find a comparison in Germany's humiliating defeat of Brazil last week in the World Cup to wanting to see their desire that Germany will invade the U.S. and put citizens in concentration camps during their hoped for WWIII.

The author writes:
When I read about the four German goals in seven minutes against Brazil, I thought of the term blitzkrieg. Today, I put the word blitzkrieg into a Google search, and apparently many others shared my view.  Here are a few of the many headlines in the news this week about it:

World Cup 2014: Brazil versus Germany = Blitzkrieg

Soccer Blitzkrieg

He continues:
As far as blitzkrieg goes, consider the following biblical prophecy:
3 For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them (1 Thessalonians 5:3)
In WWIII, I expect that the Germans will lead a type of blitzkrieg against the USA, the UK, and other Anglo-Saxon descended nations.  It will be based upon technology, coordination, intelligence, and deception.  I believe that because of the espionage incidents with the USA, that the USA will feel that it will have to kowtow to German requests for military technologies, trade agreements, political arrangements, and espionage information, which will put Germany and much of the rest of Europe in a position that to rise up and become the successful military power that the Bible prophesies it will become in Revelation 13:1-4 and Daniel 11:39-43.
The author feels that Germany is a crafty manipulating country working behind the scenes to future domination of the world.

  He ends with this:
While beating Brazil in the World Cup is not particularly a prophetic matter, the strategy employed is consistent with German actions in the past and what is expected in the future.
Thanks to Bob Thiel for this idiotic display of Armstrongite fantasy.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

PCG's Wayne Turgeon: "I sat up for hours waiting for some noise from anybody, and it was dead quiet."



Words are not enough to describe PCG's Wayne Turgeon.  He was in Pasadena when I was there and was a complete asswipe at that time when he was only in his 20's.  Since his days learning to become a ministurd he has now moved into the roll as an "evangelist" in the Philadelphia Church of God.

The other day he was lecturing a group of young kids who were in Edmond to attend a summer camp on the cult compound.

He fondly remembers his highlight of being a camp counselor in Loch Lomand, Scotland in 1980.  It was shortly after the Mount St. Helen's eruption and the ash cloud was causing lots of rain in Europe.  At the Scottish summer camp it was a particularly hard rain with lots of thunder and lightning.  Kids were scared.  So what do the ever compassionate Turgeon do?

Can you share a story from sep?
We had a really wet, stormy camp [in Scotland]. It was after Mt. St. Helens had blown in May, so it was just raining throughout all of Europe. It was the wettest summer on record for many years. It was storming, with thunder and lightning. The guys were all, “Eeeee. Ooohhhh,” scared to death. I got down on the middle of the floor—I don’t know if I could do it now—and cranked out 100 pushups and said, “If I hear another peep, all of you are going to get down and do the same number.” I sat up for hours waiting for some noise from anybody, and it was dead quiet.
He brags that they sat there for HOURS and he did nothing, absolutely nothing.  He is quit proud of this!  He seems to think this is cute and appropriate on how to treat frightened kids.  What a pathetic moron.  Its no wonder that so many in the PCG hate his guts!

Dennis Leap On Disciplining Children In the Philadelphia Church of God



Dennis Leap is back once more advocating corporal punishment for the children of PCG.  He follows in a long tradition in Armstrongism of being an advocate for corporal punishment.  Note this is not just one little quick swat on the rear end.  It is numerous swats, and in many cases 20 swats is the recommended number to administer.  Herbert Armstrong, Garner Ted Armstrong and Rod Meredith were the ones that pushed the 20 swat rule.

Leap starts off with the COG favorite, blanket training. This meant that your child was forced to lay and play on a blanket incomplete silence for two hours at a time, both in your home and at church.  Leap is none to happy that some current PCG members are NOT blanket training their kiddies:

Today, some in God’s Church do not blanket train, which makes the teaching of self-discipline more difficult as children mature.

Blanket training is really simple. You should start blanket training as early as when your child can sit up by himself, but definitely by the time he can crawl. (This assumes that you have already been teaching your child not to make noise during services.)

Practice, each day, by spreading a blanket on the floor and have your child sit on it quietly for about an hour. My wife always did her Bible study at the same time. Be sure to sit on a chair next to the child. When your child attempts to move off the blanket or make noise, tell him no once. Move the child back onto the blanket, or give him a hand signal (forefinger against the lips) to be quiet. When your child moves off the blanket or makes noise a second time, you must discipline him. Continue the process until your child accepts the fact that he must remain on the blanket and be quiet. This is self-control in action.

Leap expects your child to learn to submit at an a early age so that when they are adults they will be submissive lemmings in the PCG.  If they submit early in life they will submit in adulthood.

My wife and I generally waited until our children were about 18 months before we began “come here” training. We set aside an evening to do this. We called them “Come Here Nights.” I’ll be honest—this is a tough one.

Once children are up and running on their own, they do not appreciate being interrupted from what they are doing. To command them to come to you requires them to give up what they want to do and do what you want them to do. Children want to be their own authority. To submit to your authority requires self-discipline.

This is another vital lesson that must be learned at an early age. Your children will find it difficult to submit to God’s authority if they do not learn to submit to yours. Their physical and spiritual safety depends on obedience to direct commands.

On “come here nights” I told my child to come here—once. I allowed her a brief amount of time to hear, think and respond. If there was no action, I disciplined her. I repeated the process until I received an immediate response. 

After you are through beating your child, or kicking them out on the street as Dennis Leap has told members to do to their daughters, your child should NOT have a bad attitude.  If they do not smile and have a good attitude when you disciplining them they continue doing it till they do respond positively.

When you discipline your child, make sure he responds with a good attitude and right behavior. Make it your goal to not finish a correction session unless your child demonstrates a good attitude and right behavior. This requires love, patience, strong teaching and time—a lot of time—on your part. It will be worth all your effort. As Paul says, there will be great rewards when you meet this goal. Your child will be more happy and on the road to real success. Remember, positive response to correction will help your child forever.
Given the horrendous track record that PCG has in parents abusing their children by severely punishing them, kicking them out of their homes and shunning them, it is even more appalling that parents stay in PCG and think this kind of abuse is normal.