Church of God Network Podcast On Former Restored Church of God Member

I have mixed emotions about this podcast, but it does illustrate how the old boy's network that runs so many of the Churches of God is irrelevant in their actions and completely out of touch with the younger members of the church. It takes the younger members of the church to start making a difference.

The podcast starts off by making a point that the Restored Church of God, Philadelphia Church of God, and Church of God Preaching the Kingdom are NOT representative of the broader Church of God community and they do not include them in the COG Network links and materials.

Her take on Dave Pack's new sermon series and failed prophecies is interesting in how he confuses everyone. This is also what started her down the path of leaving the cult.

Carisa's story is fascinating to hear.

I am interested in what your take is on this.

We Would Have Died For The Old Man

 

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.

When Parents Regret The Impact Armstrongism Has Had On Their Children

Sent in from a reader:

I come across many parents who have left religion or currently in the throes of their deconstruction. Many of them feel regret about religion's impact on their children and are struggling to know how to encourage a more sound and healthy spirituality in their kids.

Most of us feel like we are falling short as parents. We all wish we had more time, more money, more (fill in the blank) to give our children. But the greatest gift we can give our kids is love. None of us does it perfectly, of course. But our love is what will shape our sons and daughters more than anything else we do as parents. What follows are several ways you can love your kids by helping them develop healthy independence and self-confidence.

Teach your kids it’s okay if they don’t adopt all your beliefs, values, views and opinions. Express confidence in their ability to work out their own ideas and points of view. Let them know they can question what they hear. Stress the importance of being open-minded and teach them the skill of critical thinking. Let your kids know that their deepest thoughts and feelings are worthy to be expressed, heard and understood.

Create a safe space for your kids to be authentic and real. Don’t judge them based on what they “should” be thinking, feeling, and experiencing; get interested in what they actually are thinking, feeling, and experiencing. Don’t think you know everything. Be willing to see and understand the world through their eyes and experiences. The world is no longer what it was when you were growing up; it’s time to truly understand their world.

Instill in your children timeless virtues such as wisdom, justice, integrity, hard work, compassion, and the inherent and equal worth of every human being. Teach them to respect others, and not to demean those who are different. Encourage them to avoid labels, generalizations and stereotypes, and to press deeper than the surface to touch the humanity in others. Let your kids know that being “good” doesn’t automatically mean being obliging, docile, meek, inhibited, compliant, and restrained but could also mean being passionate, original, heroic, and nonconformist.

Let your kids know that there is no higher aim than to live life well, and that the greatest joys of life are naturally available along the everyday paths of life. Help them understand that happiness is not something you "find" or suddenly appears, but a reality you cultivate through daily choices. Help your kids appreciate the value of simplicity and to understand that more isn't necessarily better. Let them know that fame and fortune are not reliable paths for well-being and happiness. Teach them there is no substitute for dignity, self-respect and living honorably.

Tell your kids every day that you love them unconditionally. Find them doing things that are right and good. Be liberal in your affirmation. Let them know they don’t have to be perfect and it’s okay to make mistakes. Admit your own mistakes. Tell them they are beautiful inside and out and be specific about what you see that is good and beautiful about them. Let them see your own passion for life, love for yourself and others, and your example of goodness, wisdom and virtue.

Jim Palmer