David Barrett and Fortean Times On: Coping Strategies For Failed Prophets

A reader here sent me this link to a recent series of articles in Fortean Magazine that collects some of the worlds strangest news stories and strange phenomenon.  This issue contains articles on the failure of false doomsday prophets.  The article discusses the Worldwide Church of God under Herbert W. Armstrong with all of his failed prophecies and Ron Weinland with his latest epic failures.

The article is Apocalypse NOT on page 35.

A few of David Barrett's comments are as follows:

"There is a long tradition of Christan groups being disappointed by the non-arrival of Jesus on the date they foretold.  William Miller in 1843 and 1844 ("the Great Disappointment"), the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1874, 1914, 1925 and 1975 and the Worldwide Church of God in 1975 are perhaps better known.  Worldwide founder Herbert W. Armstrong's booklet 1975 in Prophecy, first published in 1956, oddly became unavailable from the mid-Seventies!  More recently, we had Harold Camping offering first May 21 and then October 21, 2011 as the End of Days, and Ron Weinland, leader of a small offshoot from the Worldwide Church, who set the date of 27 May 2012."

----------

"Both the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Worldwide Church of God lost some members, who were disappointed by Jesus's non-arrival and disillusioned by the fallibility )or worse, the falsehoods) of their Churches' leaders.  But, in fact, comparatively few left either religion, because, as Gordon Melton argues, "within religious groups, prophecy seldom fails."  Over the centuries, religious groups have developed a number of coping techniques to deal with the disconfirmation of their deeply held beliefs (see table below).  One of the simplest and most common is: "We miscalculated; come back next year" - which is broadly what William Miller's followers said in 19843 and Harold Camping said in 2011.  More subtle coping strategies are: "It occurred, but on an invisible plane" (which adds another layer of belief but has the twin advantages that believers can still claim it was right, and that they can't be proven wrong); "The Lord was merciful and stayed his hand" (which emphasises God's love and restraint and the niceness of the prophet who must have persuaded God); and "Your faith wasn't strong enough" (which shifts the blame to the religion's members).  Two others are a flat denial: "We never claimed that anyway" (millennial religions have a long history of rewriting history) and, very occasionally, an honest "We were mistaken" or "Our enthusiasm got the better of us" - which is what the Jehovah's Witnesses eventually said

David Barret then goes into a case study of Ron Weinland.

"The failure of any of his specific prophecies for 2008 to occur didn't faze him, despite his having written: "If the things written in the book do not shortly come to pass, then what is written here is false, and I am false".  Instead, he castigates those who criticise him: "Foolishly there are those whoa re more quick to find fault by saying we are wrong or that I am a false prophet since physical destruction did not come at a time I had previously stated." Weinland used versions of two of the common coping strategies for failed prophets."

David goes on to name a few of Ron's epic failures and then wryly notes how the judge who sentenced Ron to prison "did his homework" when he sentenced Ron to a prophetic 3 1/2 years in prison.

Other articles are : 

If at First Your Doomsday Fails - Try, Try Again... by Kevin Whitesides
Don't Get Fooled Again by Peter Brookesmith
Downwind of the Apocalypse  by Richard Stanley

Rod Meredith: Brethren, Its Still All Rainbows, Cotton Candy and Lolipops Here in Charlotte!

Rod Meredith has taken a swipe at James Malm's blog, the Shining Light, in a letter to the ministry justifying the recent disfellowshipment and marking of Tom Baca.  You know things are getting desperate at LCG HQ when they have to publicly pick at blogs and web sites that are a thorn in their side.

Meredith also lashes out at Tom Baca in the letter.  I don't know the full reasons behind Baca's public marking, but I do know from several sources that this is certainly a power play meant  to silence anyone who disagrees with some of LCG's methods of operations.

Armstrongism has always been obsessed with power.  That power structure is firmly in place with the top down leadership of the COG's.  When leaders place God and Jesus at the top of the power structure, then it makes any questioning, doubt, or dissent into rebellion against God.  Just because a person questions or holds the upper echelon accountable for something, does not imply dissension.

What is happening with Baca right now is a power play and a visible threat to anyone else in the church to not do the same thing.

Meredith wants everyone to know that it is still all rainbows and lollipops in Charlotte.  The church has never been more unified, members love Jim Meredith more than they ever have, and the telecast are better than ever after kicking out Baca.  The sticky sweet syrup is running down my computer screen right now.

Doesn't Meredith realize how stupid he looks when he writes this stuff?

Overall, the brethren here at Headquarters seem to be positive and happy and unified. We have had a few problems come up but they are certainly being taken care of and will be taken care of. But God is certainly blessing the Work—our income the last few days has been up, the responses to the telecasts have been great, and the growth in the Internet and our impact on the Internet is certainly proceeding. I just had a long meeting with some of our leading ministers here this morning, and I am very grateful for their advice and support. 

We truly are unified, fellow ministers, and some of the “weird” comments from people calling themselves “Shining Light” and others trying to imply there is some kind of big “power struggle” going on is frankly ridiculous. Mr. Ames, Dr. Winnail and I deeply love and respect each other and are working together very closely as well as Dexter Wakefield, Wyatt Ciesielka, Rod McNair, Bob League, Jim Meredith and others.

You will be hearing about the growth in the Work in the next few weeks, and specific statistics, but I just wanted to send this cover memo with the very much needed “marking” of Tom Baca. Many of you have heard or seen his comments on Facebook and elsewhere, and will understand the need to deal with this individual. Please read this “marking” notice to all the brethren in your area so that they can understand the need to avoid this individual and his attacks on the Church.

 As we obey God and do all we can to move the Work forward, protect the brethren from wolves, and truly concentrate on getting out Christ’s message with greater power, I know that God will certainly be with us. So let’s keep at it, try not to listen to often wildly speculative gossip, and help the brethren grow “unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Apostle Malm: His "god" Thinks You Are Such Blithering Imbeciles That It Has To Keep Testing You Over and Over and Over

According to apostle Malm God is deliberately testing you over and over. The god that Malm follows sure is a masochistic god.  It seems to take great pleasure in torturing its small remnant.

The Father and Christ have TESTED and TESTED their called out in every generation to judge their loyalty and fitness to become a part of the chosen bride.

Brethren, the apostles did NOT FAIL their TEST!  Although doubtless many others did fail.  It was this situation, in which much of the first century apostasy began to creep into the fellowship, frustrating Paul and the other apostles and leaders.

It was about this ti9me that the Book of Revelation was written and the apostles and leaders began to canonize the New Testament scriptures at Pella.

Brethren, we are now at the end of the age and the tribulation is fast approaching, yet we are still being TESTED as to our LOYSLTY to Christ, as opposed to loyalty to false traditions and the idolizing of men and organizations.

God’s called out will be TSTED many times and in many ways to determine if their loyalty and faithfulness to Christ is absolute, uncompromising and unchanging!

Remember the kind of bride that Christ wants, and always seek him with all your hearts in passionate love for all that he is and does!  Run to him like a deer runs upon the mountains; cleave to him with your whole heart, allowing NO willful compromise or sin to defile us; allowing  NOTHING to separate us from our Beloved!!!

Who in the hell would want to run to Malm's god and cleave to it with your whole heart?  Malm's god is constantly pissed at something.  No one is ever good enough.

Ron Weinland: Your Failure To Follow Me is A Personal Issue Between You and God

The imprisoned Church of God felon, Ron Wienland is blaming members and ministers that have  left his personality cult recently involves a personal issue with ones relationship with God and not him (Ron Weinland).  These people have left his cult because Ron's April 4th prophecy did not come true.

A Personal Relationship with God:
So “what if” someone were to leave God’s Church over something so trivial as what did or did not happen on April 4th? If something so small were to lead to a reason to leave, then there is nothing you can do to change that, for it is a choice God allows because He does not seek to control anyone’s life. It is a spiritual matter, completely involving a personal issue of one’s own relationship with God. No one controls that relationship, but ourselves alone within our own life. Something God helped me to learn a long time ago is that each person’s spiritual life is in his or her own hands and in no one else’s. People can easily influence others (especially those closest to them) to doubt, be suspicious and questioning of others, to have wrong thinking, and so many other hurtful things in life because that is just the natural tendency of selfish human reasoning and of natural pulls.

According to Weinerdude, anyone who causes his personality cult members to doubt, question or be suspicious of his teachings is because the person causing it is full of selfish human reasoning.

The imprisoned felon had predicted that the "second trumpet" would blow on April 4th.  As you all well know, it did not.  Nada!  Zippo!  Never fear though, there just might be something different in the works!

But “what if” the Second Trumpet did blow on or near April 4th? Do you “know” that it didn’t? I don’t! Perhaps it did blow and something is in the works that began at that time in order to accomplish what that trumpet defines. Are you watching (physically and spiritually), staying on guard in battle, and sobered by your belief of this end-time? As one minister who is watching and keeping alert mentioned, even the 9th could be a pivotal day, since it is 40 days to Pentecost, which is still “near” 3 pm. Such observations are a matter of spiritual alertness and wisdom for aiding one in keeping on their toes mentally, with soberness of mind. That does not mean we will see anything on the 9th or that anything of significance will occur, but it is part of being ready and living soberly.

Did you know that every single one of you reading this are mindless imbeciles if you do not acknowledge that a great spiritual war is going on?  Apparently Ron's imprisonment is meant to be spiritual warfare against the church.

Every one of you is without excuse if you do not recognize that a great spiritual war is now being waged. Your ability and realistic degree to which you can see this is one of the measures of your true spiritual state and relationship with God. Have the battles and trials around you increased or decreased over the past few months compared to previous years? Are battles around the Body of Christ less today than a year or two ago? Jesus Christ likened the difficulty that will be experienced in life prior to his arrival with that of a woman in birthing labor. That labor and pain does not diminish as birth nears, but it increases.

Ron is getting ready to cover his ass when his prophecy that Jesus is retuning on May 19th fails to happen.  He writes:

If it were only another observance of Pentecost and nothing more were to happen on May 19th, would the Church of God cease to exist? Would it go some place else or is it already somewhere else? Would the truths of God cease to exist or do you believe that we even have them? Do you know? Do you have doubt about such things? If so, why? Only you and you alone can answer such questions before God.

I do not believe in a “what if” concerning May 19th, but suffice it to say, if it did happen, as with May 27th, then I would deal with it in exactly the same manner. You see, I know that the Church would still be here and moving forward, waiting on God and Christ’s guidance into greater and stronger truth. The “present truth” and our understanding would shift somewhat as it always does when God reveals more and it would be clarified more so we could be in ever-growing and increasing unity with God   as it always has been. We fight a spiritual war and we continue to advance forward. God’s people are “God’s” people, and there is NO fear in any of that, but only growth in spiritual strength, boldness, peace, and confidence in God leading His people, His way, and in His perfect timing. Our lives do not revolve around “what ifs,” but in “what is” as a way of life to be lived in truth and in spirit before our great and loving Father.

I can make a 100% accurate prophecy here. Jesus will NOT return on May 19th.  Ron Weinland will still be in prison as a contemptuous, abusive lying felon.  That his equally nutty wife will NOT be a "second witness" and his money laundering daughter will still be misusing members tithe money to pay for her personal expenses.  100% guarantee it!

Ron Weinland: FEAR is Coming!

Ron Weinland, the imprisoned Church of God felon/ false prophet has written another missive from jail.  As usual it is filled with fear based nonsense.  Though this time more than usual.  This article is all about "fear".

The Weinerdude writes: 

It is wise to stop and ponder what is now directly in front of us. Fear is coming! It will strike every person. It is time to deeply consider that reality and seek to be better prepared for when that hour arrives, for it is coming quickly.

Fear has always been the biggest weapon of the Church of God.  Fear of the "world."  Fear of unconverted relatives and family members.  Fear of doctors. Fear of medicine.  Fear of psychiatrists.  Fear of Germans.  Fear of the Lake of Fire.  Fear of not qualifying.  Fear of pork products in your food.

Fear made people send in huge amounts of money. Fear makes members submit to abusive and tyrannical leaders.  Fear separates family members from family members and friends. Fear causes members to send in 40% of their income and more. Fear causes them to mortgage their homes and businesses to give to the church.

The fear monger continues with:

Fear Is Fast Approaching:
Yes, fear is about to strike mankind in a massive worldwide manner and on a scale that has never before been remotely close to what is coming. Not even the flood in Noah’s day struck such fear. That is why you need to seek God’s help now to be as prepared as humanly possible for what is about to become a reality. No one will escape! Even God’s people will initially be struck by great fear. Yet we are not to live in fear, but instead we are to conquer it through faith and understanding of God’s plan and calling. Though we know and believe what is coming, it will still be a very trying experience, but it is not to be feared.

Apart from God’s Church, the worldwide confusion that is deeply embedded in every religious, governmental, and economic system   spiritual Babylon   is now struggling to stay alive. Satan doesn’t want his system to end and is fighting to keep it alive, but it is now imploding on itself. The very thing Satan worked to create (spiritual Babylon) is the very thing that is rapidly moving toward a complete state of self-destruction. The ways of mankind do not work as they are based upon the ways of Satan, which do not work.

Is the Weinerdude implying that confusion is NOT found in the Church of God?  If anything is struggling to stay alive right now it is the Churches of God.  Hundreds and hundreds of splinter groups, all claiming that they are the only  holders of the "faith once delivered."  Underground groups are active in COGWA, LCG and UCG right now which will cause further pustules to develop over the next year or tow.   New foolish prophets continue to arise like Thiel, Pack and Weinland, Flurry and E.W. King.

We are now at a stage in this final time for mankind where some of the greatest deceit and pride-filled lying is being promoted in order to move masses of people into a false confidence and security about economic governmental stability. This is being fostered most by those nations who are exercising the greatest pride and arrogance over others.

Weinerdude is right that we are now in the age of the greatest deceit ever in the Church of God.  Pride-filled liars and fools promote themselves to the masses as the enlightened ones who are the only ones to offer them a real chance at salvation and escape to Petra. Truth only resides in them and not in the groups they broke off of.  Other pride-filled fools are building mini-me campuses to impress the world as they use struggling members tithe money to fund their utopian nightmares.

Fear is what keeps the Churches of God going.