UCG: People Who Have Crosses In Their Churches Or Homes Are Lazy

Church of God "logic" is never boring...

What does the Second Commandment forbid?

The Second Commandment forbids anyone from making or displaying visual images with the goal of incorporating them into their worship of God. Many Christian churches and homes display revered religious images, including crosses, crucifixes, statues and paintings that are supposed to be of Jesus or Mary or a “saint,” mystical symbols, steeples, special shapes, stained glass windows with religious designs, etc. Especially problematic is the practice of directing one’s prayers to God through Mary the mother of Jesus or some other “saint.”

Many religious people don’t understand the Second Commandment and the intent behind using images in their worship is sincere. They feel that the images inspire them and help them to feel closer to God. We can admire their good intentions, sincerity and zeal, but we must understand the problem with this practice.

Adding to the issue is the fact that many “Christian” images are in fact inherited from ancient pagan religions! For example, some pagan religions worshipped a “Madonna and child.”

Please understand that the Second Commandment does not forbid artwork showing people and animals or even artwork showing biblical scenes. God commanded intricate artwork to be engraved in God’s temple and elsewhere. But none of that artwork was regarded as representing God.

Why shouldn’t we use religious images?

It is human nature to desire to see, hear or touch God. That explains why people are naturally tempted to look at something they can see to represent God. Furthermore, human nature is lazy. It is mentally challenging to contemplate God as invisible and infinite. The human mind desires to bring God “down to earth” in some tangible form.

Such practices enormously diminish God in people’s minds. The Creator of all things cannot be equated with anything in His creation! To read how strongly God feels about this issue, see Deuteronomy 4:12, 15-19, 23-29; 7:5; 12:1-5!

By that "logic," the symbols of their "Passover" service are also lazy and diminish God.  The Church of God has always looked at the symbols of bread and wine as pointing to Christ and his sacrifice. Yet a person who has a cross in their home is a deceived, unclean pagan who secretly abhors God and is deliberately diminishing God. 

What about the Feast of Tabernacles, a "symbol" of the millennium to come?  Was it co-opted from the surrounding pagan harvest cultures the Israelites were next to because they were lazy and did not know how to relate to God?

These are all symbolizing God coming to earth in a tangible way.

In Armstrongism, the cross is the most despised symbol of Christianity that it holds in contempt. Who can forget Bob Thiel's OBSCENE display of vile insensitivity when he had a meltdown when Christians in Milwaukee erected memorial crosses for the Living Church of God members slaughtered during a church service.

Yet, the cross commemorates Jesus' death on the cross and thus the central event of the Christian faith. On the one hand, the cross represents the sacrificial death of Jesus, but at the same time, it symbolizes his resurrection from the dead and the reconciliation between humans and God. Christians do not worship the cross and never have, in spite of the lies of COG leaders claiming they do.

What about the Azazel goat that symbolized the sins of Israel being placed upon it which it carried out into the wilderness during Atonement? It is an important part of Armstrongism, yet Christians are lazy.

Then there is the fish symbol that early Christians used as a secret way of identifying themselves to other Christians. I guess they were too lazy to proudly proclaim they were Christians in the surrounding pagan Roman world. It would have meant an instant death sentence, but shame on them! They were too ashamed to talk bout Jesus, much like Herbert Armstrong was.

The rainbow, which is supposed to symbolize God's faithfulness after the flood, was a sign of the covenant between God and man. He made his promise to the people that he would always provide for them, for "as long as the earth endures, sowing and reaping, frost and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease". (Genesis 8:22).

Symbolism in Armstrongism has always been important. The Church of God has its own set of symbols, myths, and legends that make it who it is as a church today.

And while we are on symbols in Armstrongism, lets not forget Ambassador Auditorium! Hoo doggie! 

The auditorium has its worshippers facing Eastward to the rising sun for worship services. 

Or, the fact it was a Masonic cube that also had an interior room up in the ceiling that symbolized the 33rd degree. This was relayed to me by a construction worker who helped build the building when I gave him a tour years ago, He said the auditorium was filled with Masonic symbolism.

My two favorite symbols of the auditorium are its bridges in front symbolizing the female vagina opening with a phallic fountain erupting in all its glory in the center opening of it...

...and its majestic phallic columns exploding at the tips to the four corners of the earth like the gospel of Armstrongism was doing.

You may think I am making this all up, but these are actually things that people at HQ have said over the years. The best, though, was the man who actually convinced a few people in 1974 into believing that when it came time to flee to Petra, God would make the 5 egrets in the front fountain come alive, which would then pick up the auditorium and fly it to Petra with the 5th egret leading the way.

This is the legacy of Armstrongism.

 

Are Demonic Forces Trying To Destroy Living Church of God?

 

We Must Draw Closer to God: 

 

We live in an increasingly godless, dangerous, and materialistic age. The head of the United Nations recently warned that humanity has “unleashed a modern-day Pandora’s box of ills” and the world is facing “grave uncertainty.” The Bible reveals that as we approach the end of the age, Satan will be actively involved in fomenting discord and division in the world and among God’s people wherever he can (Revelation 12:12–17). Many of God’s people are facing serious trials and Satan will seek to plant doubts and discouragement and stir up strife. We are also dealing with demonic forces that want to disrupt and silence God’s Work on earth. We need to remember that we are not just dealing with physical problems but are in a battle with spiritual forces and must stay close to God and heed His admonitions to get through these trials (Ephesians 6:10–18). Moses wrote that in the latter days, when we are in tribulation, if we turn to God and obey Him, we will find Him—if we seek him with all our hearts (Deuteronomy 4:27–30; see also 2 Chronicles 15:1–4 and Jeremiah 29:13). We also have the example of Daniel, who sought God with prayers, supplications, and fasting in a humble, respectful, and repentant attitude (Daniel 9:3–5). Jesus said that if we beseech God with prayer and fasting, miraculous things can happen (Matthew 17:21). As we fast together to draw closer to God, let’s do this with all our heart so we can be more effective instruments in God’s hands.
Have a profitable Sabbath,
Douglas S. Winnail

LCG Declares Day Of Fasting

Apparently, things are not exactly rosy for many Living Church of god members right now. Trials continue to afflict the church due to all the sinning members.

This Sabbath is a voluntary day of fasting for the Living Church of God. We see a lot happening in our world—2025 is shaping up to be a critical year—and many members are experiencing serious personal trials. Several of us here in Charlotte, therefore, thought it would be good to call for a day of fasting and prayer, as we have not had one for some time. Please do spend extra time confessing your sins and earnestly asking God to show us what we need to do and to deliver those suffering severe trials. —Gerald Weston

Salvation and the Art of Not Wetting Your Pants

Abraham 

(By Urs, Fair Use)

Salvation and the Art of Not Wetting Your Pants 

By Scout

This morning, I went for a hike. I was high up on the side of a canyon with mountains off in the distance. I stopped to take a leak and momentarily ran into a problem – a problem specific to me. I am not circumcised. So sometimes, if I am not careful, my apparatus causes the stream to go in an unexpected direction. And I thought I had wet my pant leg but I did not. I did think how that most men don’t deal with this concern. It is a logistical burden and, ironically, I am a little part Jewish. I am your actual descendant of Abraham. I can’t tell you why my parents did not get me circumcised. Probably no good reason.

My son was circumcised on the eighth day. This made me realize that the only valid Mosaic circumcision is on the eighth day per scripture. If you were circumcised as the Torah said, you were part of an elite group that would inherit the promises made to Abraham. But circumcision also has a history in the Gentile community. Historians think that circumcision has been practiced for 10,000 years. The Egyptians in the Sixth Dynasty did it. It is an ancient surgical procedure – maybe the first one.

I am curious about what the Circumcision Party, that clashed with Paul, expected First Century Gentile Christians to do about circumcisions that did not happen on the eighth day. You can’t climb into a time machine and go back and re-do historical events. Do you get a special dispensation for the wrong day from the Jewish priests so your circumcision can be rendered valid? I think originally the Circumcision Party was not making an argument that Gentiles who wanted to convert to Christianity should simply undergo circumcision. They specifically asserted in Acts 15 that it was circumcision “after the manner of Moses.” Not just any circumcision but eighth-day circumcision. I think they were contending that uncircumcised or improperly circumcised Gentiles could not be saved - ever. It was a way of saying that the promises of Christianity were for devout eighth-day Jews only. Maybe after the Jerusalem Conference, the Circumcision Party softened up a little on this.

I am glad that circumcision now is not by hands in the flesh but of the heart. Had I lived in the time of Paul, I would be disturbed if a member of the Circumcision Party sidled up to me and said that if I wanted to be a Christian and be saved I would need to get circumcised. But I have had Armstrongists tell me that I could not eat pork (I don’t like it anyway. Smells funny.) Or tell me I had to unleaven my house. Some Armstrongist denominations have little Mosaic quirks that they elevate proudly to requirements for salvation – like observing New Moons, maybe. Or believing in this or that oddity said from the pulpit. It sets them apart. And it means that they are going to the Place of Safety and will receive a better salvation and everyone else can pound sand. Because the others do not have the special knowledge that they have about New Moons. Or maybe about not eating mushrooms. Or maybe about not eating jell-o. Or whatever it is that makes them the only ones in God’s inner circle.

The Circumcision Party wanted to contain salvation. They wanted to control it and limit access. They wanted only a very few admitted to the inner circle. The Jerusalem Council blew all that away but there are some who still cling to it after 2,000 years. They also want to contain salvation. The smaller and more exclusive their denomination, the better. This plainly goes against the spirit of Christ who wanted the Gospel of salvation in Christ to be spread far and wide. Even among the Gentiles. This containment view will probably be one of the last errors to die when Christ returns. But, let me tell you, I am seriously happy that the Bible unequivocally states that physical circumcision is not necessary for salvation, even though other physical Torahic activities are not so dramatically set aside in scripture. I shudder to think what the misguided zealots might have forced on me.

Gerald Flurry's Open Letter to the ACOGs

Flurry's Open Letter to the ACOGs

Gerald Flurry's Philadelphia Church of God gets my vote for most delusional of the ACOGs - and there isn't even a close second! In my humble opinion, Gerald's slavish devotion to the memory of Herbert Armstrong, along with his attempts to imitate all aspects of "the work" that Herbie founded (including the Worldwide Church of God, The Plain Truth Magazine, Ambassador College, Ambassador International Cultural Foundation, etc.) put him in the "bat sh-t crazy" category! For me, this opinion was recently reinforced by his An Open Letter to the Churches of God.

The letter's opening tells the story about what follows: 

"Herbert W. Armstrong was part of something great. He led the Worldwide Church of God, which was a work of miracles. Do you remember that glorious history? Too many of God’s people don’t. God challenges us to always keep the big picture." 

 

Hmmmm, I remember that history well, but I do NOT remember it being "glorious." Indeed, from my perspective, I remember a manipulative, corrupt, and authoritarian regime that peddled a plagiarized, heretical theology and squandered the contributions of members and coworkers. I remember a narcissistic old con man and his adulterous son with a tremendous gift for oratory. I remember an organization that immersed itself in the Old Testament and Headline Theology. That's what I remember!

Mr. Flurry remembers things very differently. According to him: "Over Mr. Armstrong’s 55 years in Jesus Christ’s ministry, the work blossomed. It started with nothing and grew into a huge, Spirit-led work that spread God’s beautiful truth across the world." In other words, Mr. Flurry measures success by numbers (income, circulation, influence, etc.). I don't know about you, but that sure sounds like prosperity theology to me! He continued: "Do you remember that history? God put our tithes and offerings to magnificent use, and we were happy to be part of such a noble cause." Indeed, Flurry still believes that things like private jets and Steuben Crystal are a "magnificent use" of church folk's tithes and offerings!

What about you? Do you remember that history? In the words of Gerald Flurry, "Do you remember that glorious history?" Was God responsible for all of that "success" or was it a warped and twisted old man and his minions? Was God responsible for 1972/1975 in Prophecy? Was God responsible for the thoroughly discredited and racist teaching of Anglo-Israelism? Was God responsible for Stanley Rader? Was God responsible for Gerald Waterhouse? Was God responsible for GTA's shenanigans or his catastrophic fall from grace? Was God responsible for the State of California's intervention in Church affairs or the Mike Wallace expose on 60 Minutes? Was God responsible for Joseph Tkach's rise to power and overhaul of doctrine? Was God responsible for the collapse and splintering of the Worldwide Church of God? Was God responsible for all of those ruined marriages, deaths from not seeking medical attention, and abused spouses and children? If not, what exactly should we attribute to Herbert Armstrong?

Flurry finished his "Open Letter" by recounting all of the great "accomplishments" of his own Philadelphia Church of God. He lists the Philadelphia Trumpet magazine, Key of David television program, Armstrong Auditorium ("with its Swarovski Strass® crystal-trimmed chandeliers, Baccarat crystal candelabra, Spanish marble, Azerbaijani onyx, and world-class acoustics, is one of the finest performing arts venues in the world."), Armstrong College, and Armstrong International Cultural Foundation as the key achievements of him and his church. Really? Nevertheless, Flurry considers his greatest contribution to the church the new "truth" which he has introduced through his own booklets and pamphlets. You know, I think he may be right. The same god who inspired Herbert Armstrong continues to work through Gerald Flurry in 2025! What do you think?

Camelot? or NOT?

Lonnie Hendrix/Miller Jones 

Dave Pack and the Hypotheticals of R * pe

Dave Pack is a disgusting human being. 

This is a perfect example of what extremist Armstrongism does to people.

Pack claims: 

If you are serving God and are r@ped, God will prevent you from having the baby so that you would not need to have an abortion. 

Talk about bullshit!

 

Dave Pack: 10 Years Of Wandering Aimlessly As A False Prophet

False Moses

David C. Pack’s failed prophecy Series has wandered aimlessly into its tenth year, dragging along the weary brethren of The Restored Church of God through the dismal swamp of his human steam-driven ego. Inaudibly charged with an uncertain assignment by a fickle god and surrounded by complacent enablers, the Pastor General sounds his own trumpet before his worshipers. At the same time, he beckons for sympathy for his self-inflicted burdens from the very people who pay him for his lies.

“The Greatest Story Never Told! (Part 1)” was given on November 14, 2015. The four-part sermon focused on how the Third Temple would be built and continued through Part 7. The Part 8 inset brushed Jesus Christ aside to make room for Dave to seize His role as That Prophet.

Excuse me, a correction. Elijah is That Prophet. Wink-wink.

As a natural-born quitter, David C. Pack has been specially trained inside his distorted reality bubble by bobble-headed Headquarters mollusks who always agree with this week’s flavor of malarkey.

Mmm… Prophetic Fraud and Blasphemy. It’s what’s for dinner.™

Despite Dave going it alone with no other faux apostles to consult with, rest assured that on the tenth anniversary on November 14, 2025, the most abysmally insufferable Series to ever plague a COG will continue “right on track” toward a promised land that he will never find.

 

Imagine David C. Pack as Moses leading the children of Israel to the Red Sea, but he cannot decide where to cross. Everyone is watching, eagerly anticipating the freedom they long for. While they expect him to make another bold declaration like he did back in Egypt when the sea was far away, Dave marches toward the shore but slows down as he approaches.

His heart races in panic because he is not sure where they should go. The evidence suggests maybe it is a half mile to the right. A list of proofs point to possibly being beyond those big rocks to the left. It is hard to know for sure based on all the “present truth” available.

Woe! The mind-breaking burden is agony.

Dave offers false assurances instead of confessing the truth and accuses his critics of being faithless. The scribes are labeled as “our enemies.” The trickster god Dave worships ghosted him again. What to do?

Surely, they cannot believe it is just a coincidence that they wanted to leave Egypt… and he came along to tell them he could lead them out of Egypt. The timing was just too perfect.

The crowd of Israelites watch their false Moses approach the water, but then he abruptly turns to the right. So, the zealous people follow him to the right. After two minutes of hesitant strolling, Dave turns around and heads in the opposite direction. The people follow him to the left.

Dave pauses to give a long-winded speech filled with stammering words until it becomes apparent he is stalling. He has no answer but drops flicks and hints to give the impression he does. They just are not ready for it yet.

Now that the false Moses is near the water, his gut feeling is no longer unwavering. He hides from the people how incredibly uncomfortable he really is.

The sea does not part. There is no still, small voice guiding him. His once “This is the hill I die on!” bravado bleeds away as his face goes pale.

Maybe he is getting sick. But only weak people hiding secret sins and practicing poor hygiene habits get ill. So, that cannot be it. Unless it is prophetic COVID again.

The only thing Dave is left to do is to walk back and forth, retreading his own footprints in the sand. The children of Israel reluctantly follow because they believe there are no other options. After all, they’ve come this far. It is too late to turn back now.

The brethren murmur when they see their divinely chosen leader's wavering.

“But his name means ‘Passover.’ That can’t just be a coincidence.”
"The proofs were impossible to misunderstand, but he somehow misunderstood.”
"This cannot be a ruse by God. That would make us all fools."
"He spoke in God's name, but nothing happened. Is that okay?”
"He said he would die before he changed his doctrine. But he still changed it.”
"His logic was impossible to argue with. Maybe I should have argued more."
"How come the laws and commandments apply to me but not to him?"
"He said God showed him this. Doesn't that make God a liar?"

At the first sign of the dust kicked up by the Egyptian army just over the hill, Bradford “Aaron” Schleifer and Edward “Miriam” Winkfield are the first to tuck tail and run to save their own skin because they knew they followed a false Moses but did not warn the people.

Ryan “Achan” Denee had already fled like a shaken leaf even when none pursued.

Though they professed with their tongues that Dave was God’s chosen leader and upheld his arms every time his sign or wonder failed, they did not hesitate to abandon the flock. As hirelings who care not for the sheep, they willfully lead them to the slaughter to preserve their own positions of authority, hold on to their private campus houses, and keep their harping wives quiet.

A troubling discomfort creeps over the people as they watch David “False Moses” Pack pace along the shore franticly pointing this way and that way, contradicting himself one moment to the next but assuring everyone they are “right on track” because he finally figured it out.

This is false apostle and inept prophet David C. Pack leading The Restored Church of God today. The water will never part. The RCG brethren will never cross the Red Sea. He will never lead them into the promised land.

Instead, they will rot in the salty sand because he was not sent by God, and he operates only on human steam.

Marc Cebrian

See: False Moses