Saturday, September 8, 2018

Festival Jane Wonders About the Sabbath


"Festival Jane"*, a devout, dedicated, and extremely zealous 
new convert, had some questions about keeping the Sabbath properly. 
She turned to an article in the Good News for answers. 
 
This is "her" fictional, yet realistic diary entry concerning
William Dankenbring's reasoning
sent to the members of the Church.



Dear Diary,

I Guess I'm kind of new to keeping this Sabbath thing. But I'm a little confused!

I just got this Good News magazine, and the guy who wrote the article tried to tell me how it is that I should keep the Sabbath. I ended up more confused than ever!

I guess the good news is that I can sleep in a little – the services start at 10:30 in the morning. The article said I can have some personal prayer and study – that'll be nice to do, kind of relaxing after the hectic week I had. I can make a nice appetizing breakfast because I'm going to need the energy for church. My husband is the only one who can lead the Bible Study, I guess – and we're supposed to read The Bible Story – but to be honest, I'm just not into letting my kids see those awful, horrid pictures! But if I say anything about it to my minister, I think he'll tell me I have an attitude problem. I think we'll just talk together.

I was wondering what my children can and cannot do, and to be honest, I am more confused now than ever! They're allowed to read to keep busy – but only educational or profitable books. What's educational exactly? They aren't going to want to read their textbooks – they've been in school all week. And they say that encyclopedias are just boring! I really don't want them reading encyclopedias anyway. I know where they will be turning to, and they're too young for that. So what books are okay, and what books aren't?

The kids love to play games. But they are only allowed to play quiet games. What's a quiet game? When kids play games, they play games. Maybe tic tac toe? Are they not supposed to laugh? And another educational game? They've been in school all week! They just want to take a break and have a little time to unwind. But I don't want them to inadvertently break the Sabbath because I'm responsible if they do. So where do I draw the line? Where does okay and not okay meet? I'm trying to take this seriously, but it seems so vague!

We could just forget the games, and I could take the whole family on this amazing picnic. But even here, I could get this all wrong. We're not supposed to seek our own pleasures – or think our own thoughts. What am I expected to do at this picnic then? Just eat my food, listen to the birds – or music?

Oh yes, music. I could bring the radio with us to listen to music! But even here – it has to be the right music. Inspiring music. I guess country's out. Rock's always out anyway. Oh well, guess I'll pop in those Young Ambassadors singing zip-a-dee-doo-dah, because my kids just cannot stand classical operatic music, and they get enough choir at church. My, oh, my, what a wonderful day!

I could listen to the news, they said that's okay – but not too much news. If I have the news on constantly, that breaks the Sabbath. But how much news is too much news? Where's the line drawn? When have I offended God by breaking the Sabbath and when have I not? Are there any real answers here? Is this really just a guessing game of try your best and you're okay? After all, they said that how I keep the Sabbath could be vital to my salvation! So why is it that it seems so crazy relaxed, but with such serious consequences?

At least they told me I don't have to worry about using gas or electricity. That's the good news.

I can drive, too! Well, kind of. I asked them about that, about how the Jews could only drive less than a mile on the Sabbath, and they said that's true, but that was a Jewish custom, not from the Lord – so go ahead and drive to Church, you haven't broken the Sabbath.

I also thought I shouldn't buy anything on the Sabbath – but I guess I can. I can get gasoline, or I can pay to park my car – depending on the circumstances. How do I know what are the right circumstances? I really don't want to break the Sabbath, but do I really need to call my minister every time I have a doubt about it? Is it really all in my own judgement? They said if it's an emergency and I have to do it, it's alright. But I should have done it on Friday night before sunset. So I still feel guilty!
But they told me to come to church because it's more important to fellowship on the Sabbath than to stay home. But what if I did break the Sabbath – and they don't tell me I did, and I don't know I did? They said something about binding and loosing and the minister's authority and power – but it just does not sit right with me.

I wondered about the whole graduation thing down the road, and that got even more vague. It all depends on how long, how much work, being brief... I feel like I'm walking on pins and needles! The same with funerals, weddings.... as long as I don't miss church. If anything happens during church time, they say I have to go to church as the first priority. I can always go to church, but these things only happen once in a while. But if I don't go to church, they could kick me out and I could face the third resurrection. Again – why so vague? And if I DO get to go to a wedding or funeral, I'm not supposed to engage in worldly conversation or idle chatter. What am I supposed to do, sit in the corner and read a Bible while everyone else is enjoying the occasion?

And when it comes to chores. They said I can wash the dishes, but it should be done the night before. If I do wash the dishes, only when I have to – like a cleanliness or bug issue. Same thing with making the bed. I shouldn't go all out in making the bed, but I can pull the covers up a bit and I should “be okay”.

I wondered about when my neighbors come over to borrow something. I can't lend them tools, because I'd be enabling them to work, but I can give them sugar or bread – even though they might be using that to cook with. Why does everything have to be so complicated?

I guess I'm left with more answers than I started with. They told me don't be on either extreme of these questions. I can always go to the minister to decide on these issues if I have doubts about it. Maybe that's what they want me to do. To always rely on them for the right answers and the proper judgment. I guess that's what I have to do. Because they want me to believe the Sabbath is a delight and a feast day. But all I end up doing is wondering if what I am doing is right, or wrong, and end up disciplining the children, or okaying something that's not okay, or not okaying something that is okay.

I think after reading this letter, that they aren't taking the Sabbath as seriously as I do, because I read in the Bible how serious it was in those days. Oh well, if they aren't too worried about it, maybe I shouldn't be. But I do need to make sure I never miss a church service, or send in a tithe, or disobey a minister. That seems to be what they always take seriously! Maybe I'm just not converted enough to understand this. Yeah, that's it. I'm definitely not ready for baptism.

Until next entry - Forward to the Kingdom.....

-Festival Jane

Author: William F. Dankenbring
Date: September 9, 1964
Publication: Good News Magazine

submitted by SHT


Friday, September 7, 2018

Church Ministry Makes Fun of Effeminate Men, but Also Says They Knew of Abuse : Sept 1967 GN

clipping submitted by SHT


The Worldwide Church of God was actually no better than the Catholic church when it came to abuse of the youth in the church. While the physical abuse was more physical with beating children than it was sexual abuse, the physical abuse from spanking has had a lasting effect on those who grew up in the church as small children.

We had a minister in Cincinnati as I was growing up, who said from the pulpit, that children should be paddled with 20 swats.  20 swats laid on so hard on the child's bottom that it could be heard as the preacher was preaching.  He actually said that he wanted to hear the swats and the child cry. One little boy was so traumatized from previous beatings that as his daddy was carrying him out to be spanked kept saying, "No Daddy!  No!"  Church members thought this was so cute and totally acceptable!

The local Spokesman Club used to sell paddles for church members that were 1 inch thick with holes drilled in them to cut down wind resistance.  Scriptures were also engraved on them just so that parents could not forget the Bible approved of what they were doing.

Who can forget the spanking tents at the Feast sites? The church knew of the abuse that went on inside them so much so that in the Pocono's they actually told members to not be so abusive in case the public saw and heard what was happening in them.

When it came to pedophiles, the church covered up for them just as the Catholics have. Many COG's even employed them at the direction of the presiding leader.

Is it no wonder why the vast majority of youth who grew up in the church are no longer members?

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Australian Government Comes to Bat For GCI After Greens Party Falsely Accused It



It was reported a while back here and in various Australian news services that Grace Communion was actively promoting gay conversion therapy in its chaplaincy program.  Apparently a member of the Greens party in Australia did not get her facts straight and falsely accused the GCI.

This is sure to set off our delicate and very bitter persecuted prophet of Arroyo Grande.  This is a claim that Bob Thiel has been vomiting out for many years now that he will be persecuted for promoting anti-gay stances. This will be a bitter disappointment to delicate Bob.  It will add more fuel to his fire of hate filled grievances with GCI, LCG and other COG's.

-------------------------------------

Greens condemned on gay conversion claims
NATIONAL EDUCATION CORRESPONDENT
Follow@RurbsOz
The Greens have been criticised for linking school chaplains with the widely condemned practice of gay conversion, after Victorian education officials dismissed suggestions that one of the state’s providers had been the subject of complaints.

The Victorian Department of Education has confirmed that it has received no complaints about Christian ministry Grace Communion International, which is a National School Chaplaincy Program provider, since the scheme began in 2015. 
In its response to questions from Greens education spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young during a Senate estimates hearing in May, the department stressed there were stringent guidelines governing chaplains in Victorian schools, including adherence with anti-discrimination and human rights legislation. 
Senator Hanson-Young had singled out Grace Communion during the hearing, saying it was an “organisation that believes in gay conversion therapy”. “I’m quite concerned that some of the organisations providing these chaplain services are a dangerous risk to our kids,” she said. 
Ms Hanson-Young later issued a press release saying “questionable religious organisations using their fringe ideals to … push gay conversion therapy methods are being invited into schools under the government’s $247 million school chaplaincy program”. 
Federal Education Minster Dan Tehan, whose government recently extended the program to include an anti-bullying focus, said the senator “should get her facts right before she makes unsubstantiated allegations”. 
Grace Communion national co-ordinator John McLean said he was relieved he record had been set straight. 
“The reality is that we have one chaplain operating in Australia, in Victoria, and that actually grew organically out of an existing relationship between that individual’s congregation and the local school,” he said. 
“Certainly no one in our Australian organisation supports any attempts to convert LGBTI people. 
“And nothing like that has ever come up in our chaplaincy.”

See story here.

Herbal Detoxification – A Parable



Herbal Detoxification – A Metaphorical Story
Parable
guest writer: SHT



Eleven herbs and spices, so goes the popular catch-phrase for one of the most well-known Chicken-Centric eateries in the United States.

Those with a passion for poultry gobble down boxes and buckets of assortments of legs, thighs, and breasts of these herb-coated Great-American staples of Kentucky fame. What gives the distinctive, finger-licking, can't get enough taste to these unfortunate victims of the food chain is, of course, the special combination of the herbs and spices. In this instance, Herbs have added something to a dish that, so far as I know, no one has been completely successful at replicating. This is an example of a benefit of herbs (and spices).

And then there are those who really don't know how to use herbs and spices. If you are a novice at creating, shall we say, a casserole, or a stew – and you decide to flavor up your creation – but you really don't have any idea as to what herbs and spices to use, and simply grab some herbs here, and a few spices there – what you'll come up with will probably be not the greatest example of a Gordon Ramsey-worthy creation. I would probably dare you to show him what you would come up with. I'd challenge you to stay to hear his critique. More than likely, your novice dish would be a disaster – unless you got really lucky!

When it came to the recipe that Herbert Armstrong used in creating his theology, it can sometimes be just as challenging to attempt to reverse-engineer it as it is to figure out the Colonel's award-winning recipe for chicken. The urge to do so is just as challenging, for two very polarizing reasons. One of them just gave you good chicken. The other one just makes you want to hurl!

When the Colonel developed his Chicken, he knew exactly what to do. He knew how to USE herbs and spices, because he understood that when it comes to food, you just can't go “here a little, there a little”, and “cherry-pick” your way to success. You had to know what each herb and what spice does. You have to understand the right measurements and proportions. You need to know the temperature needed to thoroughly cook the chicken, to make sure there's nothing raw in there, or overcooked as well. You have to make sure it has just the right crunch – and just the right proportions of salt. In short, you have to understand everything about the herbs, the spices, and the chicken to really make a product that the public understands is nothing short of amazing.

In our analogy, Herbert decided that he was going to make a much better chicken product. His wife told him that the recipe was all wrong. He had to prove it wasn't correct. So Herbert decided to run down to the local library, and learn everything he could about creating the perfect chicken restaurant in six months. After reading a dozen or so books, Herbert became convinced that he, and he alone, made the perfect, most amazing, most delicate chicken he could ever create. The knowledge was a gift – given to him from the Chicken Masters Themselves!

Herbert then ripped pages out of these books. One from this recipe book, one from another recipe book. He ripped out a few pages on herbs, on spices, on the use of flour, and a few things about temperature and what have you. Then, using the time-practiced methods of others – he discovered he, and he alone was given the talent and ability to make – wouldn't you know it – the PERFECT chicken!

But THIS Chicken is special! You see, THIS chicken – this Chicken of Herbert – was the only TRUE Chicken you could ever eat. Every other chicken restaurant is not only horrible, it's rotten. It's putrid. It's tasteless. It's overcooked. Or it's raw. This chicken is absolutely the worst chicken you could ever look at! Why? Because you're the only one that has the knowledge of how chicken is done properly (I really had to work to avoid slogan infringement there!), and every other chicken restaurant out there is completely counterfeit.

But Herbert ran into a little problem with his new Chicken Empire. He was short of money. But he HAD to show the world just how great HIS Chicken was! So, he developed a way to fund his chicken empire. It was really simple. Herbert would form a club, let's call it “The Worldwide Clucking Chickens of Gobble”, claiming that his chickens had a special mix of herbs and spices that no one else had that had healing abilities. If you ate this chicken, you would feel better, be healed of all of your illnesses, be favored by the Worldwide Clucking Chickens of Gobble, spread the word of the Cluckers, and grow in the knowledge of the Power of Clucking Chickens. But there was, of course, a catch.

In order to grow his Clucking Chickens Club, he had to make sure he had the loyalty of his Chicken Cluckers. First, each member would need to pay their dues. It wouldn't be that much – just a small stipend of the salary they make – say, maybe ten percent of their earnings. Next, they would have to be told to never, ever go to another Chicken Restaurant, because their ingredients were toxic. That'll do it, because they would be scared if they ate their competitor's chickens, they'd suffer from horrible indigestion, worms, maggots, burns, and a horrible awful taste. Worse than this, it would be the most unloyal thing they'd ever do to forsake the Clucking Chickens Club to try something that was told to be so bad for them. They wouldn't even try it, because they believed Herbert simply understood Chickens better than the rest of them.

So those who believed Herbert knew best hung on to his every word.

Herbert developed countless articles on why HIS Chickens were SO great, and everyone else's Chickens were so horrible. Herbert looked at every possible thing that favored his methods, and promoted them to the ends of the earth. But if Herbert saw anything at all that disagreed with his techniques, they were putrid, rotten, and disgusting. They just didn't get it. They were the “Evil, Rotten Anti-Chickens, Clucking Their Way to Destruction”.

And Herbert's Group of Cluckers believed him. They became afraid. They looked at the other Chicken restaurants, scared to go in there for fear they'd get sick. They treated them as inferiors, because they really believed they had the better chicken. They marched into their restaurants, smug as could be, ordered their chickens, and praised Herbert to no end for being the recipient of the Chicken Once Delivered. Surely, within just three to five years, they'd see the healing power of the Chickens in their lives! They'd see that their way works. And all would understand this, once Herbert took over all the other Chicken Restaurants with his techniques, to rule the Empire of Chickendom forever.

Of course, the other Chicken restaurants around thrived. They knew that Herbert's Chicken restaurant was a little strange, and off the wall – but they simply went on with their lives. Of course, there really was nothing wrong with their chicken. They knew Herbert only knew “what he was doing” based on the techniques and principles of others he copied and learned from. In short, Herbert's Chicken Clucking Empire was a complete fraud. His empire grew on deceiving those whom he brought into his Chicken Club into believing he had the Only Real Chickens, and every other chicken restaurant would cause them great harm.

And so, for several years, his chicken empire grew. But in time, Herbert would pass on to the great land of Chicken Entrepreneurs. And those who ran the Chicken Cluckers decided that the best way to see if their chicken was really the best chicken – and if the others really were as bad as they were taught, was to take a taste test of the other Chicken Restaurants.

So they went over to their competitors, and were shocked at what they found out.

The other Chickens were different, yes, but tastier. They were seasoned differently, but tasty! Some were barbecue. Some were honey-roasted. Who would have thought of these variants? Some of them were nuggets. Others were fingers. Still, others were broasted. Variety! Herbert never taught variety with HIS Chicken! They'd been eating the same chicken for decades! Could it possibly be that there's more than one way to eat a chicken? Could it possibly be that they were not just wrong, but incredibly short-sighted and trapped in the box?

So the executives that took over the Chicken Cluckers realized their mistake. They then told the Chicken Cluckers that the other chicken places never actually harmed anyone. They didn't cause food poisoning, they didn't cause indigestion – none of these things were true. But if the Cluckers knew that, Herbert would lose their business, at his empire's financial expense.

As the Cluckers were angry at the deception, the empire fell, and separated into several different chains. Many were amazed at the variety of chickens out there. Others were scared, and stayed with Herbert's Cluckers. No one could understand the deception. But in spite of all the evidence, there was still a small core group that believed all the other chicken restaurants were death traps, full of evil and toxicity. And no one could convince them otherwise.

The world is full of entrepreneurs and business types who do anything to get a niche in their market. The moral of the story?

There's always more to the story than an ad-man will tell you to sell his product. Coke may say things about Pepsi. Pepsi may say things about Coke. But in the end? They're both tasty, carbonated beverages. No matter what one might say about the other. And if you're really, really thirsty – you'll take either one, and recognize the truth within the story.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Church 1955 - Pray and Pay. That is your Duty

graphic courtesy of SHT



So there you have it. This is your duty as a Church of God member.

You are expected to answer questions from others, but you were never allowed to ask the really hard questions. The "answers" you were expected to give were already thought out and told to you in sermons and booklets.  God forbid if you ever had an original thought of your own.

And...pay that money!  As a member, you were expected to pay your tithes and offerings while those above you in the ministry did not have to pay tithes since they were "spiritual Levites." And don't forget that Herbert Armstrong set the standard for you and tithed on his "income."  However, his income was 10 times what yours was, had a home mortgage free that was fully furnished with the finest art, gold and silver imaginable. While you struggled to feed your family and cloth your children, HWA had the church pay for and maintain the homes for himself of his daughters for many years, with no money out of his pocket.