Internet Campaign To Force Flurry Off The Air In England Worked!

Some time back the Philadelphia Church of God boasted on how it was being granted access to CBS Reality in the United Kingdom in order to broadcast their Key of David program to the UK and Europe.  Of course God was the one responsible for this.

There has been a concerted effort recently by several Facebook groups and web sites in letting  CBS Broadcasting corporation in the United Kingdom know that they should not broadcast Gerald Flurry's cult program over its airwaves. Apparently it has worked.  Many  wrote to the company to let them know how the Philadelphia Church of God has broken up families, destroyed marriages and caused suicides. 

Two different pro-COG sites are reporting the story:

British CBS CBS Reality cancelled The Key of David shortly before it’s first broadcast, at 08.00  am on Sunday, 7th September. The program continued to  be listed for a while but has been dropped from the schedule. CBS has not published the reason for the cancellation, nor has there been any comment from PCG. James Malm

PCG announced that, “In mid-July, we received approval to begin airing in Britain. The Key of David will debut on CBS Reality a few weeks before the Feast of Trumpets .... With mounting tension in Britain and Europe, it looks like God’s timing is perfect for launching The Key of David to the general population. Pair with that the possibility of expanding Herbert W. Armstrong College into Britain, and we could muster a labor force ready to take calls, process requests and do other support work for the program.”

“God’s timing” proved not to be perfect, as CBS cancelled The Key of David shortly before its first broadcast was due, at 8.00am on Sunday, 7th September. The program continued being listed for a while (probably due to an appeal by the PCG), but has now been dropped from the schedule. CBS received complaints about the church, but has not published its reason for the cancellation, nor has there been any comment from PCG. Church of God News

Ten Warning Signs Regarding People Involved In/with A Potentially Unsafe Group/leader.

Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.

• Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.

• Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.

• Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".

• Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.

• Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.

• Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.

• A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.

• Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.

• Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.

• Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

Source:  Cult Education Network

Which Kind of Church of God Leader Are You Following?

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.

1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
   
2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
   
3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
   
4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
   
5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
   
6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
   
7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
   
8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
   
9. The group/leader is always right.
   
10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.         more in link at bottom.......

Ten Signs of a Safe Group/Leader

1) A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.

2) A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.

3) A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.

4) A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.

5) A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.

6) A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
 7) A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.

8) A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
 9) A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
 
10) A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

Source:   Cult Education Institute

Mark Armstrong Speaks About His Mother's Last Days

To all concerned,

I am sorry to report that my sweet Mother, Shirley Ann Armstrong died peacefully at 3:17 am this morning. The news apparently flew throughout the internet almost immediately, but I wanted to add some context to this terribly sad event.

Most of Mom’s immediate family was able to be at her side before the end came, and for that we are all very thankful.

The days leading up to October 16^th were some of the best she’d had in months. I was able to talk to her at least three times by phone while traveling, passing along the great news that Michael and Melody are expecting. She said, “Tell them congratulations for me.” She also spoke lucidly with them and with Sonja by phone, exchanging information about each other’s circumstances as you’d expect.. Wednesday the 15^th was a particularly good day for Mom. She was up for breakfast, lunch and dinner, feeding herself and expressing her gratitude to my brother David who was staying with her.

Mom never used a wheelchair or was confined to her bed. She got where she was going, on one of our arms, on her own two feet right up to the last day. Though she really never felt good or energetic for at least the last two years, she was never in any agonizing pain, and for that we are eternally grateful.

When I got word, pre-dawn in Lake Tahoe that Mom was in the midst of a life-ending emergency, I was able to secure an early morning flight and arrive at her side by about 8:30 pm last night. Matthew and his sons Andrew and Hunter had arrived and visited with her earlier. She was only in a semi-conscious state, but I’m sure she was aware of my presence and hope that was a comfort. She held on until my Son, Michael and his wife, Melody along with her only granddaughter, Sonja and her husband, Matt arrived shortly after 1:00 am. We all had the opportunity to speak and be close with her until her breathing became labored.

I was able to reach beneath the covers, take her hand in mine and say a prayer thanking God for her, for all she’s done for all of us and all she’s meant to so many; for the fine example of sterling character that defined her whole life; for being the rock and the glue that has held the Hammer and the Armstrong families together; and asked God to take good care of her. After saying “Amen” she yawned once or twice, and breathed no more.
She’s safe in God’s Hands, she didn’t suffer terribly as many do. Her time had come, as it must have been God’s will. Surely it is a time of great sadness and we’re all missing her already. But we also have a tremendous amount for which to be thankful and can rejoice in the life we were blessed to share with her. We loved her dearly, as did everyone who crossed her path. She took care of us, kept us all in line, and we’re going to try to stay that way. She was a wonderful wife and an inspiration to my Dad, Garner Ted Armstrong, and crucial to the Evangelistic Association and the ICG.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone for the prayers and well-wishes. We believe they were answered, according to His will. The funeral will be held at Croley Funeral Home at 401 N. Center, Gladewater, TX on Wednesday, October 21 with the time yet to be established.

Mark Armstrong