Exit and Support Network has up an interesting letter from a person who points out the similarities between the Church of Scientology and the Philadelphia Church of God. The similarities are striking, not only with the actions going on in the Philadelphia Church of God but with Armstrongism as a whole. Mind you, this is not doctrinally, but with attitudes and leadership idolatry.
Having been a part of the church since the late 1950's, I have seen firsthand the worship of Herbert Armstrong over the decades. People back then would have died for him, without giving it a second thought. In the meantime, people dumped their money into the church coffers without hesitation as they were being called to a final push, even though the church reset the goalposts every six months or so with a new co-worker letter or some screaming sermon from Pasadena was sent out.
Sadly today in 2022, we have people in the COG movement in the PCG and the Restored Church of God who would be willing to die for their leader. That demonstrates how sick Armstrongism is at its very core.
PCG Similar to Scientology in Its Tactics:
April 4, 2022
In re-watching the documentary, “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” its similarity with the PCG is remarkable.
Let me first qualify that in terms of core belief (purpose and doctrine) there is no comparison and Scientology is totally cuckoo. But the tactics of governance and control are incredibly similar. For any ex-PCG members, I dare you to watch it and not immediately make the connection as though you were watching a documentary which could easily be made about the PCG.
To note some of the most obvious similarities:
• Never ending undulation and worship of a dead man. PCG is obsessed with HWA (died January 16, 1986). Scientology worships L. Ron Hubbard (LRH) (died January 24, 1986) as though he is still alive.
• Ecstatic claims made when they won their court battle. Scientology declared “the war is over” as they avoided a billion dollar tax bill. GRF claims divine intervention and prophetic fulfillment because they could print a version of MOA.
• Both have sunk millions in building an exclusive compound.
• PCG’s use of catchphrases like “disfellowship” and “marked” being their version of Scientology’s “suppressive person.”
• “Us versus the world” mentality and exclusivity for members only to be granted eternal positions of power.
• “No contact” rules of PCG being their version of Scientology’s “disconnect” when cutting off anyone who left, got kicked out, or disagrees.• Preventing members from having contact with the world, or reading anything that might criticize the church. Members seem ignorant to what’s going on around them. Questioning the church or its leaders is strictly prohibited for fear of being disfellowshipped. Members must have unwavering loyalty to a man.• Always saying that “time is almost up” and “last minute of the last hour,” to keep members loyal to a carrot on a stick.• Prolific writing where members simply cannot read or digest any other literature. Have a look at the massive list of PCG literature every member is required to read, re-read and memorize. That is added to HWA’s entire catalogue. LRH is credited with the Guinness World Record for most prolific writer because of his years writing science fiction.
• Always pushing for more and more income from its members. Leaders live in absolute luxury while no assistance is ever given to the poor. Just keep milking them.
• As one ex-Scientologist said, “we would have died for the old man [LRH].” This is exactly how most, if not all PCG members would think about GRF. This is what they are being conditioned to think when some crazy announcement is made.
• No matter how cruel a minister is, the finger of blame is always on yourself.• Claiming to have a great positive presence in the world when those who know you think you are a crazy little cult.
As I said earlier, there is no doctrinal comparison between the two, but the blend of worshiping a corpse (HWA vs. LRH) and mad hunger for power (Flurry vs. Miscavige) is remarkably similar. The devil’s tactics can be found everywhere. –B. A.