Look for the Helpers, He Said....

There are plenty of buffoons out there who like to claim they alone are the mouthpiece of God. All it takes is a simple youtube search to find all of the buffoons who truly like to claim that their knowledge is God's knowledge. Some of them seem rather tame and benign, while others go full out in apostolic clothing with a beard that would make Santa himself jealous. What is it that makes a person go so hogwild with their interpretations? What makes a person so special that they feel they alone have been hand-picked by God to carry out their message?

It really doesn't matter if it's the pastor at the local corner church, or some lone ranger on a youtube channel. They all think they alone are right. They've established their little piece of the religious pie, and are intent on getting anyone they can to take a bite out of it. These range from the scholarly to the absolute ridiculous - harping about on the latest thing that catches their eye that no one's doing, but they feel everyone must do. Yet, in spite of all of this, there is one thing that they all nearly universally agree on - tithing.

From the weird to the wacko to the strange and the destitute to the socially awkward to the pulpit pounder, you will find they all agree that you must fund their life so they can get their message out. Yet, in this day and age of free youtube and live broadcasting - why do they need your money to do it? They already have cable internet, or you wouldn't be seeing the message in the first place. They have a computer or they wouldn't have a way to broadcast the message. What they are really asking for is that you - as a watcher, or even a follower - would recognize the "calling" they recognize and then give them your money as agreement that they are God's mouthpiece for whatever it is they are so zealous about. Once you agree, whether it's a youtube "preacher" or a full on church member, you're in "the system".

Now this isn't to say that there isn't good out there in the world of corporate Christianity. But the bottom line of corporate Christianity is very simple - it's the word "Corporate". The religious industry is big business. It's tax-free, supposedly charitable non-profit business which rakes in millions to even billions of dollars, often pastors amd denominations benefiting the most from the deal with some notable and worthy exceptions. Many not-so-worthy individuals would love to get into that system with intentions that are not so good. And many already have.

From the background and experience of my life growing up in an Armstrongism Cult, many of these individuals have risen from the muck. Not of their own power, but because the muck has drained and their sorry heads pop out looking for whatever and whoever they can devour with their own pithy propaganda, believing they and they alone are God's Mouthpiece for "this end time" generation, joining the thousands and thousands of others who believe the same thing of themselves. Instead of getting out there in the business of love and service, as the hands and the feet of Jesus, they exalt themselves as whatever figure they see themselves at and dupe the fragile in the process. And the cycle repeats itself, over and over again.

"Look for the helpers", Mr. Fred Rogers would often teach. Perhaps his lesson was the best lesson - to avoid the pitfalls and snares of Corporate Americanized Christianity with all of it's love of money - and rejoin what true Christianity is - the simple act of helping, of loving, of caring, of giving, of being a kind and good person. Because - to all those who think they are somebody and they really are not - it's not about you - it never has been about you - and it never will be. It's about how you show Jesus to others, and even the world in your life. It's not about buildings, or bank accounts, or trees, or calendars, or this thing, or that thing. It's not about what day you worship, it's about how you worship, in spirit and truth, or lies and deception. It's not about if you go to Church in a suit and tie, but if you're willing to be "a helper" when the need arises. It's about being a light. It's about being the one people look to not because you are yelling at them to look at you, but because you are one of the helpers - a good and bright example of Jesus.

In my background, we were taught not to be "helpers". We were taught to be inclusive. Introverted. Self-withdrawn. "Away from the world". The only ones we helped were ourselves. It is this introverted legacy that infiltrates cultic thinking and even corporate Christianity. There's much more to life than what's shallow. Living is being a helper. And you don't have to glorify yourself to be just that.

Opinion: If Your Shoe Fits, Wear it.

Oh, No, Ghastly, It's an ANKLE!!!!!!!!

Recently, an allegation has come forth concerning Dave Pack's Restored Church of God concerning dress attire. The allegation is that non-laced dress shoes are banned to be worn from services (such as penny-loafers). Apparently, in previous decades in Church of God general history, non-laced shoes such as penny loafers were considered indications that a person was living an alternative lifestyle considered sinful in Armstrongism.

This, of course, even absurd as it is, is just one of many aberrations of edicts that come from leadership of the Armstrong Movements concerning dress. Everything from skirt length, to sport jackets, to the color of one's dress shirt has been carefully monitored in most Church of God groups for decades. Ministers of all ranks - and deacons - would look a member up and down, looking for any sign of rebellion against an edict from "the Government of God". Any disloyalty would immediately be reported to the Pastor of the congregation - and such edict would, if necessary, be reported up the chain as far as it needed to go until disciplinary action came down from on high.

Approved Shoe.

It appears, however, that the level of control over dress - especially in the RCG - has reached appalling levels of autocracy. One has stated on a well-known forum that to walk into their headquarters is like taking a step into a GQ. The source claims that one of the highest orders of this particular group is on appearance - taken extremely seriously by the leader, followed precisely by the yes-men.

It becomes apparent that any and all aspects of individuality continues to be assaulted within the walls of many of the Churches of God. Expression of personal choice, and personal flavor is stomped down quick and hard - with a side of flaming condemnation to burn out any shreds of dignity. All must conform to the Approved Standard to be accepted within the clique. It certainly does seem that, at least within the Churches of God, resistance is futile.

Who is a person in the ACOG's? How can one know who a person really is? If everyone is dressed exactly the same, talks the same, walks the same, acts the same - how can you know an apple from an orange? The truth is, you can't. Because in the ACOG's, the message of conformity to the standards of it's leader - the definition of a personality cult - ranks high and above the growth of a person as a cherished and unique individual. The concept of military apparel has been changed from green camouflage and army boots to black blazers and laced dress shoes. And it's a shame against the simplest human rights a person can have - the freedom of dress that most people who have moved beyond the orders of their mom and dad in childhood freely enjoy.

Would THIS fly at Sabbath Services?

It can be understood if someone is practicing truly abhorred practices in the Church, and action needed to be taken, such as if a man and a woman were making out in the middle of a sermon. When members are micro-managed to insane levels - such as if this report about laced vs. non-laced shoes is true - then it has gone beyond the acceptable and clearly into the irrational.

Church of God members are people - just like everyone else. And all people deserve the most fundamental right a person should be given - respect. Respect to know that they can be an individual in how they dress. Whether it's wing-tip shoes, penny-loafers, or even dress boots - these are the reflections of personality that make a person who they are.

Of course, it would be claimed by any group that they have choices - they can follow the rule of law, or they can choose to disregard it and stop attending. It would be claimed that just like any "business", there is a dress code, and it is their choice if they follow it, or if they do not follow it. That if they choose not to follow it, they can simply choose to leave.

If the psychological conditioning wasn't piled on high and deep of the "consequences" of such a choice - namely, leaving God's Place, and Protection, and sacrificing one's crown and salvation - such a choice would be easy. But the psychological torture of such a choice is often so paralyzing that they seem trapped, under a powerful delusion of deception that such things are true - which they are not (if a prophecy fails, you can be certain nothing they say is truth.)

Okay, Okay. I'll wear the RIGHT shoe. NOW can I get in??? ;)

My opinion on the whole thing? I can't tell you with absolute certainty if this shoe fiasco is true or if it is not true. But what I can tell you is this. No person should allow themselves to be treated like a 5 year old child who is not able to dress themselves appropriately. Adults - which is who these people are - full grown, educated adults - should be given the freedom of respect and choice to at least be able to dress themselves the way they feel comfortable. If the shoe fits, you should wear it.

Perhaps even yet some of these fine people who have been smooth talked into appalling and horrid deception of asinine levels will come out of the coma of the cult, and take back their lives, knowing that God is not basing your salvation on the difference between penny-loafers and wing-tip shoes. Because it definitely has ZERO impact on your sole. I mean, soul.

A New Way to Stay Awake In Church!

These days in the Churches of Armstrongism, you will find all sorts of men out there claiming to be the special voice that one should be paying attention to with the commission of the present "truth" to whatever is left of Armstrong's legacy. Which is not much.

You have the skilled orators that gained true speaking skills from the glory days of Worldwide - who know how to speak convincingly and authoritatively,  regardless of how well ridiculous and false their message might be. Kind of like selling an "As Seen on TV" product in an infomercial. For anyone who has seen "Whose line Is it Anyway", it's the same principle as Wayne Brady and Ryan Stiles use to sell never-before seen items in comedy improv to their audience - and sometimes, just as funny!

And then you have the Malms, and the Thiels, and the one Shouty Guy from "Obedient" or whatever that group is. You'd wonder if they ever learned anything about public speaking from their years in the Church. How is it that you can endure it?

Here's a way!

Instead of you being a "congregant" - bored out of your mind, about to fall asleep - what if you were instead an evaluator? What if in your notes, you were not actually taking notes of the service - but evaluating his presentation and skill as a public speaker? 

How would you grade the Splinter leaders on public speaking skill?

Did the speaker use an attention-focusing/story-form Introduction?
Did the speaker inform the audience of the title of the lecture?
Did the speaker inform the audience of the expected goal and outcome of the lecture? 
Did the speaker use an appropriate intonation of voice for the subject?
Did the speaker use gestures appropriately and naturally?
Did the speaker use segues appropriately and naturally?
Did the speaker speak at an appropriate volume?
Did the speaker speak at an appropriate speed? 
Did the speaker speak clearly?
Did the speaker exhibit confidence?
Did the speaker use humor beneficially and naturally?
Did the speaker exhibit a cool and calm demeanor?
Did the speaker constantly refer to a script or use an outline?
Did the speaker engage the audience? 
Did the speaker limit unnecessary pauses/breaks/silence?  
Was the speaker unnecessarily repetitive?

Did the speaker use an appropriate subject material for the event? 
 Did the speaker outline the specific purpose of the message?
Did the speaker stick to the specific purpose of the message?
Did the speaker stay within 1 to 3 points per half hour for long lectures?
Did the speaker stay within 1 to 3 points total for short lectures?
Did the speaker explain each point clearly and purposefully?
Was the speaker persuasive and convincing?
Was the speaker creative?
Did the speaker seem educated on the subject material?
Did the speaker sell his message? 

Did the speaker summarize for clarity at the end of the message?
Did the speaker effectively maintain the attention of the audience throughout?
Did the speaker end on time?

AND FOR FUN.

Did the speaker pick his nose?
Was the speaker's fly open?
Did the speaker grab the podium like it was about to take off?
Was the speaker's tie crooked?
Did the speaker look like he was about to pee?
Did the speaker have a booger hanging?
Did the speaker drink water excessively?
Did the speaker have to clear his throat?
Did the speaker sniffle?
Did the speaker rock back and forth?
Did the speaker use these words too much?
 - Certainly, Incumbent, Behooves, Just, Abundantly, Clear, Notion, Let's, Turn With Me
Did the speaker use "In Conclusion" more than once?

 You'll be out of the boring service before you can say "Ghastly!"

Ephesians 3, Armstrongism Revised Version

For the Sake of Making a Point, I present to you what is NOT the Word of God, the fully edited Armstrongism Revised Version (written by me, it doesn't exist!) of Ephesians 3, to illustrate the point of how much the Church changed even one chapter of one book of the New Testament, to support their belief system.

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles establishing the Church —

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace Law that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ magnification of the Law, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel Obedience of the Law and the Sabbath and Holy Days the Gentiles are heirs together with British Isrealites are Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together The only true heirs in the promise in Christ Jesus.
⁷ I became a servant of this gospel the Magnification of the Law by the gift of God’s grace obedience to the Law given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles Church the boundless riches of Christ, need for obedience to the Government of God and His Law, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery the Government of God, the Kingdom, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things, and will still be hidden to virtually the whole world. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, Herbert Armstrong and his church ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he  will accomplished  accomplish in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Master Plan of redemption.¹² In him and through faith in him By obedience to the Law and our submission to the Government of God as members of the Church we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³ I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ you may may dwell in your hearts qualify  through faith obedience to the Law. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love the Law, ¹⁸ may have power under God's Government, together with all the Lord’s holy people members of the Church, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, important it is that you qualify and are obedient, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge obedience to God's Government —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, how much we support Herbert Armstrong, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus the Work throughout all generations this end time, for ever and ever! Until World War III! Amen.

State of the Church #1

There's a New Minister In This Here Town....

Minister simply didn't mean “Minister” in the church.

The name “Minister” - in the best way possible – meant “Sheriff”.

The fact that the minister was referred to as a “Sheriff” was mentioned many times from the pulpit in the church's later days. The church was repeatedly told that the church pastors needed to be shephards, not sheriffs. Many ministers took the position of a sheriff – acting as the gestapo, at the worst – or as a law enforcement officer, at the best. I'm not saying that they did anything inherently illegal – although some of their actions have caused some to committ illegal activities in Armstrongism in some few cases, it's been said. The ministry acted in harsh and in cruel manners to maintain the order and discipline of the church – even to teenagers.

I can remember reading a story of one particular teenager who was suspended in church for one reason or another, and decided to go back to her church before she was told, just to be harshly escorted out and berated for daring to come to church before she was supposed to. 

 

In short, ministers acted in the means of law enforcement and harsh discipline instead of acting in the manners of love. In every way, fear, discipline, and power was used as a tool for control instead of love, kindness, and mercy. Those elements of emotion were seen as “girly” or “pansy” compared to the power of the “rod of iron”, said symbolically.

While the lay member was forced in church-induced dung-piles of impoverished living, the minister enjoyed the best that life had to offer. Not only did ministers not have to pay second tithe out of their income, their car and housing were taken care of. For a time, even their utilities were covered and paid with their expense account. They lived the life of Riley while the members struggled with daily living. Of course, most ministers graduated from Ambassador College and were only trained for church ministry – so the fear that they might become disfellowshipped themselves made them subject to every command the church gave them – because they weren't good at (so they were told) anything else but ministry. If they left the church, they were told they might be “reduced” to mere manual labor – working with their hands – a type of work despised by Herbert Armstrong himself. That fear caused many ministers to become “yes-men” to their superiors, and dictators to their congregations. Their own job was on the line – along with all their perks and benefits – if he somehow messed up. 

 

The minister coming over to the house for visitation was always a dreadful thing – for if the minister came over, it was nearly certain that bad news was about to happpen. Perhaps he was told something by another member he wanted to talk over. Perhaps he saw something he didn't approve of. Perhaps he wanted to talk to you about your marriage, or your job. Maybe your child was out of line, and you were being told to take care of that better. Maybe you were being told not to talk to your extended unconverted family any more – or maybe you were told to shun your child who just left the church and became “worldly”.

Just make sure your house was perfect, and everything was in order. Make sure you hid any medicines you took in the medicine cabinet, because chances are if they went to the bathroom, they might just open up your medicine cabinet and check to see if you “had enough faith”. Make sure your magazines are put away – you wouldn't want them wondering why you subscribed to a more “worldly” type of magazine, like Fortune – you might be judged as being greedy. And hope to your God that they never came over unexpectedly – your entire perception might be changed by that one visit at not-so-good of a time.

Ministers were not ministers in the church – they were enforcement officers, and to me, appeared ready to condemn and to pounce. You did everything you could not to “tick them off” - because if you did, your chances of salvation were going downhill – and your chances of being thrown into that awful lake of fire in the future were much more “real” then you could have imagined. 

 

In fact, fear became a staple of the church. Fear of not only being disfellowshiped – but constant fear of the supernatural based on what we were taught. Fear of the devil and demons – fear of the other religions because we were taught 'every' other religion, of course besides ours, was steeped in paganism and demonism. Fear of being too close to “worldly people”. Fear of doing something wrong in the church that would “tick off” the minister. The entire concept of Armstrongism is based and rooted in control and in fear – and this was pounded on the head of mambers like a hydraulic wrecking ball hammers bricks in delapidated buildings. Coincidentally, many members, knowingly or not, became exactly that – delapidated – by the wrecking ball of the minister's ego and pride of being an all-powerful representative of the god that we served.

The one place most would never want to be in if he was angry.

Ego. Hubris. These men who were ministers really thought that they were the representatives of Jesus Christ on Earth. They weren't humble about it – they loved every second of it.

They always made sure they got the more comfortable chairs at the Feast. They always made sure that they were “roped off” from the general membership at church functions. As the general membership was set apart from the world, it seemed that the ministers viewed themselves as “set apart” from the congregation. At best, the higher in rank they were, the more unapproachable they became, it seemed.

At their college, they had their own separate faculty dining room, which, of course, was far more luxurious then the regular student dining rooms. At the Feast, they had their own ministerial luncheons – which regular members were never to attend with. Ministers were elite – and superior – and they had the massive egos to prove it. I'm not saying everyone didn't have egos – most everyone did. Yet, with a few exceptions – ministers were like an extra-strength version compared to a regular version of “Ego-nol.”

I'm not saying that there weren't a few good ministers in the group. There were. But that was the exception, and not the rule. A few were decent, and actually exemplified the role of minister. However, most were too concerned with their rule of law then they were of making lives better for their members – actually ministering to serve instead of ministering to be served, like many were accustomed to.

Truthfully, my opinion of the majority of them were ego-centered, hubris-filled, manipulative, self-absorbed jerks. That's what my opinion was – and that's how most of them acted.

The Lake of Fire

Nothing was scarier then the fear of “The Lake of Fire”.

Most kids in the “world”, as we called it, were scared of monsters under the bed, or shadows under the room. Make no mistake, I was afraid of these too, plus demons and demonic activity and scary things happening in the house that seemed paranormal. The Lake of Fire, though, for many of us kids in the church, met or exceeded these fears – because we knew these were “real”.

For years, this was the threat that was repeated over and over and over if you didn't give enough money when they needed it – you were a slacker, and you were in danger of the Lake of Fire if you didn't give more. Once, the Lake of Fire was threatened because buildings were needed for his campus of Ambassador College. Through hell or high water – literally – that college was going to be built – and we were the ones that were going to pay for it – again, literally.

The Lake of Fire – Gahenna Fire – as we called it – was the eternal fire mentioned in scripture that was prepared for the devil and “his angels”. It was a lake of burning sulfur, we were told – the final extermination of our sad and putrid lives – eternally – mainly threatened again, because we didn't listen to the minister – or because we didn't give enough money. It was used as a power tool that caused us to live in fear and petridation of not only the Lake of Fire itself – but of leaving the church, or any even remote measure of disobedience. It wasn't our body that was threatened to be burned alive – it was our soul, and it was our spirit that would be annihilated. I can't tell you enough – we were scared of it – and we were constantly, always, threatened with it as a manipulative tool. This was part of our church culture – fear of a burning, eternal lake of fire that would make us, as stated earlier, as if we never were. This is one reason why we were under the complete subjection of the ministry – we believed what they said. None of us wanted to even think about going through it – the abuse of the ministry was easier to handle to be in the Kingdom, instead of leaving the church just to go to our version of hell. 

 

The Cult View of Church

Church.

For most people, the imagery is fantastic and fascinating. Stately stone buildings with beautiful shades of colored glass. A tapering steeple extends to the heavens – containing the bell that called believers from around the city to come and worship. A cross – the symbol of the Ressurrection – topped the steeple, indicating this church believed in Jesus Christ – that he died on the cross for our sins – the only one worthy to do so because He was God – and lived a sinless life for us. 

We didn't look at the cross in that manner. We, in our church, a church steeped in Armstrongism, looked at the cross with disdain, and with disgust. We believed that the cross was not what Jesus died on. We interpreted it as a stake – a tree – anything but a cross – because a cross, in our belief, was pagan and was rooted in pagan origins. We believed that church bells were not devices that called people to worship – no, we believed that it stemmed from antiquity and actually represented, of all things, testicles. The steeple, we did not see as a tower that displayed the Cross as a symbol of recognition of the Christian faith. No, we interpreted that as phallic. And the hymns that blared in beautiful harmonies from the tower of the bells, declaring hymns of ages past declaring the wonders of the Christ? We interpreted them as nothing but lies – untruths steeped in the rituals of Babylon, the coldness of the great false church that had a stranglehold over Christianity – who taught and preached a great false gospel to the whole world for just about 1900 years. 

People in our programmed way of thinking saw this image as pagan.

We saw the normal church – whether Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Mormon, Pentecostal, you name the denomination – as a church caught in the midst of mass chaos and utter confusion – and we saw them as ruled in deception and cloaked in a shroud of evil. We viewed those that went to these churches as workers of evil, deceived and not knowing what they do. We looked at them as rebellious sinners, unknowingly worshipping the god of this world – people who did not understand nor could accept what we called and believed was “the Truth”. We would not enter them, nor would we pray over them. For we believed that if God wanted them to come to what we believed was “his true church” - that is, the “One True Church” that my family was called by God, so we believed, to attend, God would draw them to himself. Until then, we saw them as a bad influence, distant, cold, and inferior to us – the ones, we believed, were the few called and chosen to be set apart from the world in God's one and only true church.

As we passed each business, car, person, and home on our way to the facility we would meet in privately, you couldn't help but think about how special you were. God had, after all, given you the greatest blessing you could ever conceive or think of. You were special. You were somebody. You had knowledge of a Gospel that everyone else in the world seemed to be blind to. You understood the purpose of life. You understood the plan of God. You knew your destiny – that someday, you would be God as God is God. You were, after all, in just a few years – maybe three, maybe four, maybe even ten – going to be changed, in a twinkling of an eye, to spirit – and were going to be one of the few of this world with the other church members to usher in the Wonderful World Tomorrow. This was your destiny, this was your calling – and if you did well, and if you did right – you might just be able to attain it and you might just make it and be worthy of your calling – maybe. 

Our version of "Church" in a building like this.

 

God Had Something To Say About the Worldwide Church of God.

This is as close to I could come for a description of the "suggested" model of Tithing in the Worldwide Church of God under Herbert Armstrong - and even some of the splinters of that church that continue to exist today. If someone was to have followed the letter of the law precisely - and avoid being labeled a "slacker" or an "unenthusiastic, unconverted" do-nothing of a member - this is what likely faced you each and every day and week and month and year.

The method was nothing short of extortion, in my opinion. You were constantly, weekly, bi-weekly - monthly - and at every sermon - harangued, badgered, bugged, pleaded - and threatened of your very eternal life - to give wholeheartedly and enthusiastically to every demand of the church. But it never started that way.

When most came into "The Work", the most they felt they had to give was one tithe. But it wasn't long that they learned there was much more to the story than what they were initially told. The free magazine was too good to be true.

Soon, you learned that there was a second tithe to attend a convention you had to go to. Yes, you had to foot the bill for a mandatory conference that pictured something that was promised that never came when they said it would. Then, once you were baptized, you had to give ANOTHER 10 percent of your income every three years for funds that supposedly (but did not always) went for a benevolence fund for widows and orphans and the poor.

But that wasn't even all. Every seven holy days every year, you had to give a substantial voluntary offering which also went to headquarters!

But wait! There's more!

You also had to pay for the events and the activities of your local church activity fund. The kids' YOU outfits, meets, balls, square dances - all were on the local church's dime you were expected to help out with. You would spend your time in fundraisers, garage sales, baskets - whatever it took to raise the additional money so you and your church could try to have some kind of a life, since birthdays and festive times were already out of the picture.

But wait! There's more!

When the church was having their huge building fund, you were ALSO threatened with the loss of eternal life if you did not contribute to the building fund for the expansion of their college and to help pay for the loans that would eventually solidify their crown gem, Ambassador College.

And, where did your funds go. What did they accomplish.

The Lord has words for these kind of acts. And they're all in the Old Covenant that Armstrongism claims is in force. 

*****

and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. Zech 7:10

Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Or crush the afflicted at the gate; For the LORD will plead their case. Proverbs 22:22-23

"For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the alien, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor walk after other gods to your own ruin, then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever. Jer 7:5-7

"Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?" He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, He who rejects unjust gain Isaiah 33:14

May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor.  Psalm 72:4

Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, So as to deprive the needy of justice And rob the poor of My people of their rights, So that widows may be their spoil And that they may plunder the orphans. Now what will you do in the day of punishment, And in the devastation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your wealth?Isaiah 10: 1-3

Therefore because you impose heavy rent on the poor And exact a tribute of grain from them, Though you have built houses of well-hewn stone, Yet you will not live in them; You have planted pleasant vineyards, yet you will not drink their wine. Amos 5:11

Woe to those who scheme iniquity, Who work out evil on their beds! When morning comes, they do it, For it is in the power of their hands. They covet fields and then seize them, And houses, and take them away They rob a man and his house, A man and his inheritance. Therefore thus says the LORD, "Behold, I am planning against this family a calamity From which you cannot remove your necks; And you will not walk haughtily, For it will be an evil time. Micah 2: 1-3

Yes, this is exactly what happened with the Worldwide Church of God. 

Every detail. Every scripture. 

Every word. 

Did not they exact heavy rent on the poor? 

Did not they covet fields and seize them? 

And houses? And take them away? 

Did they not purchase poor people's houses for their own gain? 

Diod they not rob the poor of the people their rights? 

Did they not constantly record unjust decisions?

Did they not walk after other Gods to their own ruin? 

Were not the widows their spoil? 

And did not God bring against the Church a calamity from which they could not remove their necks, and in which they could not walk haughtily any longer? 

All they built was taken away, sold, distributed, and collapsed. 

It all happened exactly as God's Word said it would. 

After all, those who live by the Law are judged by the Law. 

Treasure photos courtesy Banned by HWA.

 

 

The Unwritten Tenets of Armstrongism

Tithing, Hubris, Inward Behavior, Expression of Appearance, Loyalty.


These are what I believe are the Five Unwritten Tenets of Armstrongism that define it's movement more than anything else. Let's break them down one by one.

1. Tithing.

No doctrine was more tightly monitored and enforced than the three tiered tithing system.

Where else does 10% of your income go directly to one place - national headquarters. Where else does the other 10% have to be saved so you could attend their annual convention. And where else on the third year of your baptism does the additional 10% supposedly go to a benevolence fund?  And on top of that, your offerings, your building fund offerings, local church activity funds, money for district meets and other activities - after government taxes and religious taxes (your tithes), you were lucky to have half your income met. That is, if you followed the letter of the Armstrongism law. Many were rebels. But if you had half a mind of wanting any type of ordination, your paycheck lived for the Church, and only the Church. They were first, and you trusted God for the rest.

Headquarters constantly checked up on members who did not tithe with their state of the art computer systems. This, in combination with the lies and destructive tactics that extorted money for their building programs, was what led to the Ambassador Auditorium and the sprawling campus properties and real estate developments of the Church - and the "highest paid ministers in the world", according to Armstrong. 

2. Hubris.

Pride.

Pride of being specially called people. Ministerial pride of prestige. Pride in the belief of kingly inheritance. Pride of being spiritual "Israel". Pride of having the most beautiful college campus in the world. Pride of having the magnificent gold and mammon Auditorium. Pride of hosting the most worldly celebrities and meeting the most worldly heads of state (Armstrong, that is). Pride of being the only ones in the whole world who were properly keeping the Law (don't get me started on that one.) Pride of biblical knowledge (without spiritual application and context). Pride of attending the largest worldwide convention on the face of the Earth. Pride of being the "One True Church". Pride of being God's elect. Pride of being "protected". Pride of "becoming God as God is God". Pride, pride, pride. Of course, if you didn't tithe, then your pride's busted, because you were a slacker headed for the Lake of Fire, so said Armstrong. 

3. Inward Behavior. 

Set Apart and called out from the World God was never trying to save. Friends that were only in the Church, ignorant of the evil of friendships and relationships, family or otherwise, outside of the church. Where anything resembling ancient paganism was the manifestation of evil (except for the things that headquarters deemed OK.) Where birthdays were equated with evil and satanism. Where members hid in the bathroom with their lights off on Halloween instead of letting their lights shine. Where congregations met secretly and silently in bingo halls and gymnasiums. Where the public knowing of their church was shunned for many years. Where The Church was just an "extension program" of Ambassador College. Inward behavior, a defining measurement of nearly all cults, was predominant of Armstrongism and still is. Inward behavior is a major unwritten tenet of Armstrongism. 

4. Expression of Appearance.

Appearance was, and is, paramount within Armstrongism. How you dressed, how you behaved, how you represented Herbert Armstrong was paramount. How clean your house was for ministers when they visited. How manicured and perfect the grounds of the Headquarters were. How cultured you were, how masculine of how feminine you were. This all played into the culture as one of the five unwritten tenets of armstrongism. 

5. Loyalty

Last, but certainly not least, Loyalty. How loyal were you to the Church? How loyal were you as a minister to Headquarters? How loyal were you to Herbert Armstrong's teachings? Were you loyal even if things seemed to appear wrong? Or were not working out as to how you thought? Or to how they thought? Would you remain loyal regardless of how things appear - and have the faith to remain, and be loyal, even if things seemed wrong - believing they would work out in the end? Because in the Church, if you weren't loyal, you would end up in the Lake of Fire. Loyalty to the Church was a chain of bondage that would not let you out and gripped tighter if you tried to escape.

The only way out of the bondage of the Tenets of Armstrongism was for Someone else to turn the key and release you. Yes, Bondage to T.H.I.E.L - Tithing, Hubris, Inward Behavior, Expression of Appearance, and Loyalty - the five Unwritten Tenets of Armstrongism - can only be released by the freedom available in Christ.

And what is the opposite of T.H.I.E.L?

J.O.Y. 

Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last. For J.O.Y. is diametrically opposite to T.H.I.E.L.

Something to always remember. 

Why I Don't Attend A Church. (I'm Bracing For The Judgers!)

I do not attend or am a member of an organized Christian Church.

But this does not mean that I am not a Christian.

I am fully aware that many organized Christians (Those that go to and are members of an established Church, Armstrongist, Protestant, or otherwise) would flatly disagree with me. There are many who still believe that Church attendance is mandatory for a Christian. They will quote scriptures (as one did to me recently) like "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together". They will think or say that I have a spirit of rebellion or am not submissive. Well, they have the right to their opinion.

Everyone actually has the right to their opinion. It's part of what makes our society work the way it does. Thoughts matter. And it's something that I have learned to respect - the process of opinion, which is developed and bred because of the complexities of an individual's life experience. Opinion makes the world what it is, no matter what side of the fence you are on religiously, socially, politically, or otherwise. But.

Yes, there's a but. (There always seems to be, doesn't there?) When it comes to religion, things can quickly change. Especially in corporate religion. Because in corporate religion, your opinion suddenly is not just an opinion worthy of a form of respect. Your opinion is either black or white. Totally true, or totally false. Godly, or satanic. And that opinion is judged not on its merit or worthiness as a person - but how much in line it is with the pastor's interpretation of how in line that opinion is with God's word.

Notice how carefully I worded that. Because in organized Christianity - regardless of the type of organized Christianity it is - each church conforms to the personality of it's pastor - the chosen leader of the Church - and each church conforms to the doctrinal interpretation of the pastor - the chosen leader of the Church. Most church members are programmed (I used the "P' word) to accept - based on the pastor's educational background, preaching, and personal counseling - without reservation and wholly and undoubtedly the pastor's word as absolutely authoritative and binding as instruction from God.

I cannot do that.

And it is not because I am rebellious. It is not because I am obstinate. And it is not because I am unduly critical or have a "bad" spirit or what have you. It is because I have been burned and scarred by pastors and leaders - in both Armstrongism and in mainstream Christianity - who have spoken as if they had God's anointing, blessing, and favor - but have turned out to be charlatans, untruthful, prideful, self-absorbed, or worse. And this is not a biased opinion - it's what formed the opinion in the first place. In short - I cannot trust them.

Coming directly from a sordid history of the cult of Armstrongism, you learn something about religious corporations. First and foremost, what they are. They are a business - rooted and established in the business and corporate philosophies of the world, where the world dictates the church in many ways most don't even know about - especially in the realm of finance and business operations. In many cases, a church will want to judge biblically - but insurance reasons may mandate a non-biblical judgement. (This happened in a mainstream church a long time ago, where reimbursement of money won over a Christian decision in a legal case against a book keeper.) Money always wins in a business - religion or otherwise.

I also cannot stomach the absolute hypocrisy that infests mainstream churches - where appearance (like in Armstrongism) is paramount above all. It is truly sad to say - but you can never, ever judge a person's behavior for how they appear to be at Church. Many times, the minute they step out of that church and back into "the mission field" or "the real world", they can stop the facade and go back to being who they really are. No, this isn't everybody - there are genuine people - I acknowledge that. There were genuine people in Armstrongism. It's true, however, that whenever you get a good group of people together, you're going to get every personality type possible - including the frauds and the suckups, the hypocrites,  the cold, the loving, the merciful, the businessperson, the shy - but to figure out who's genuine or not? That's a whole new ballgame. And sadly - many times, they only go to church to "do their duty" as a Christian for 1 to 2 hours a week - if you're a mainstream religion or a part of a fringe cult.

But those are just the side reasons that come with the main reason I cannot attend church.

The main reason I cannot attend church - as was alluded to earlier - is because I do not trust those who assume the position of Pastor in a church. Yes, this is something that is a direct result of my personal experiences with pastors. It is a direct result of how I have come to view spiritual "authorities". And I would by lying if I admitted otherwise. No, I do not trust those who assume a pastoral position. I have witnessed too many of them obsessed with the love of mammon, the idolatry of material wealth, the lust and love of power and authority, and the provably false interpretation of the doctrine of tithing in the New Testament that most carry over from the Old to literally guilt (I've seen this over and over again) members or lie to members (using Old Covenant Scriptures) that they're cursed if they don't tithe to their church (an absolute contradiction of the words of Christ).

Those who read this might be quick to judge my words as haughty, arrogant, prideful, wrong, obstinate, or many other choice words. And that is exactly why I cannot go to a mainstream church.

Because if I walked in there, and tried to explain to someone exactly how I felt and the experiences that I went through to come to those conclusions - many would immediately come to exactly those conclusions. I would be branded unteachable - and maybe even a "danger" spiritually, to the flock - for stating to certain people what I feel. The pastor may see me as challenging his "authority" or trying to "harm" the flock spiritually, because I am not blending in with the sheep. Am I surmising? Yes. Is it possible that this is not the way it would be every time? Of course. Is it a risk I am willing to take? No.

But this does not mean that I am not a Christian. My relationship is between Jesus Christ, and myself. Jesus understands my unique situation as one who was raised in an abusive, manipulative, lying cult. Jesus sent His Holy Spirit - the counselor - for just such reasons. Because my trust - my hope, and my life - lies only in Jesus Christ, the Son of God - who knows me for me - and does not answer to a Church Board - but is One with the Father. Who deals with me personally, one on one - Brother to brother. Who gives me only what I can handle, day by day. My belief in Jesus Christ and all He accomplished on the Cross is secure. It's what makes me continue day to day, despite everything I have been through and go through in life. Because Jesus is the way, and the truth and the life.

Does this mean that this may not someday change? No, it doesn't. There may be a time that God may direct me someplace, sometime, and if He does, He will tell me, and I will know it, and I will answer and respond as He directs. As for now, though, that time has not come yet.

The time, right now, is recovery, from the abuse and the brainwashing that I went through in life and in the cult of Armstrongism - and this blog is the outlet on which I do just that (as well as any other jabberings or talk, no matter how ridiculous or crazy the babblings might be).

I don't claim, nor will I ever claim that these writings as "inspired", or "pastoral", or "authoritative",  or "total truth", or "My way is the right way", even when I give opinions on scriptures or the Bible or religion. In my view, Only Jesus is truth. The only claim I will have in my writings is this:

It will always be honest. No matter how "right" or "wrong" or "religious" it is - it'll be honest. And to be honest, that's all anyone can really expect from an author. Honesty. And sincerity.

And truthfully - that's really all you really could ever ask from anyone. Especially pastors, churches, Christians, and people going about their every day lives. And if I ever find a church like that - I'd probably go in there and at least give it a try.

The Inside Story of Song Leading

Congregational Singing - Cleveland Baptist Church - WCG Style!

The opportunity of being a regular song leader in services was an amazing experience - one that started with having the opportunity of leading songs for the entire camp at SEP in front of Bernie Schnippert, Greg Albrecht (I think), and other evangelists and ministers of the Church when I was 16 years old. A few years later, the Local Preaching Elder placed me on the permanent list of song leaders for Sabbath Services. There was a lot more to it than it looks. Or so it seemed. 

You were required to coordinate with the local pastor as to the songs you had chosen. The intention was for the songs to match the message material - both with the Sermonette and with the Sermon. Therefore, a call to the Local Pastor was required a few days before to get things coordinated. But it was never as easy as it seemed. 

Sometimes, the Sermonette Speaker had not completed what they were going to speak on as of yet. Other times, even the Pastor hadn't yet completed the message. At times it was Friday night when everything finally came together. 

Then, you had to know exactly who the Piano Player was, and give them a call. If you had a novice pianist that week, and you picked a song they could not play, you could embarrass the Pianist big-time that morning. Then, you have to switch out the song - AND get approval from the Pastor that you switched the song out. Doing so could be hairy - you never know exactly what you might be interrupting tapping the Pastor on the shoulder to explain the situation. Also. If you did not contact the Pianist, for whatever reason, you will have to get there super early to ensure that everything is in order. In a perfect world, everything should have been in order a few days before the service. 

Then there's the song choices. There was an unwritten rule in song leading: Avoid the "Bad Songs". Now, the bad songs were the ones that just were never sung. Songs like "The Wicked Man" - rarely ever sung - well, at least in our congregation. Some of them were best for opening hymns like "O Come And Let Us Worship Him." Others were good for the middle songs, such as "He shall Reign Forevermore" or "Bless the Lord Eternal Oh My Soul". And then there were the classics for the closing hymn like "Go Ye Therefore Into All The World". 

There was even formalities to simple things - like when to walk up - or get ready to walk up. Paying attention was critical. You did not want to get caught with a briefcase, bible, notebook, and a pen in hand if the pastor abruptly ended the service. You learned the cues, and as soon as he started walking away from the Lectern, you'd better be ready to walk on up and get the song service started pronto. 

Then, there was choosing the opening and closing prayer people. You'd think it would be really easy to pick a person. Truthfully though - some really didn't want to do it! But you always knew who would. You just couldn't pick them too often. Those on the list were to be rotated evenly. And that could sometimes be a challenge. 

The actual song-leading itself was an art. There were 3/4 time songs with its associated pattern. (wide out, in up, then down). There were 4/4 songs (in, wide out, up and in, down). Then there were 6/8 songs (same as 3/4 but fast.) When you got good enough, it was fun to add in "flairs" to the song-leading. You could do it with one hand only, then back to two hands, stop singing for a stanza, and so on and so forth. 

Conducting the audience was also expected. On 4-verse songs, it would be expected to alternate between men and women, or loud vs. soft. Some songs had a built in hold at the end - just make sure you don't have them hold too long. (Some did). Also, encouraging full participation was expected. 

Before the service began, about 2 or 4 minutes or so, go up to the lectern, and stand there for about 30 seconds. Then, say the following scripted message:

"May I have your attention please. Services will begin in about three minutes. Please begin finding your seats." Or, mix it up. "May I have your attention please. Please begin finding your seats, services will begin in about three minutes." 

At that time, stand there for about 30 seconds. Make sure your papers are in order, and you have your little song-leader's song card printed from Headquarters. Then go over and chat a bit with the pianist. Watch for the cue of the Pastor that you should begin. Then, go back to the lectern, and just get into it. 

"Good morning everyone, welcome to services on God's Sabbath Services, certainly wonderful weather out today, and a great day to come together as God's People to sing songs of praise."

Then the standard:

"Would you all please take up your hymnals (Take your hands in an upsweep) and rise, (everyone would rise or find their seats or both), turn in your hymnals to page ___, ____." Then, a polite nod to the Pianist, who would instantly begin the introduction to the song. When that's over, you're off and running for the first three songs. 

You did have to be careful though, not to pay too much attention to one particular person. You might see a friend or a buddy out there who might wish to make you crack a smile or two. You did not want that to happen. Cracking up leading songs could throw you off the list for good. Pick a spot to stare at in the back wall if you get the crack-ups. 

Introducing the speakers was always the same too. Sometimes you had to be creative when introducing the first speaker or the annoucements guy, or the Sermon speaker. Usually, though, it was the same: 

"Thank you for that beautiful singing. Please be seated. And now for the sermonette this morning, a (compliment the person and give title) of the (city name) church, Mr. (name). Then pick up your hymnal and shake the hand of the speaker (you didn't have to do this) and leave the lectern and find your seat. 

In a perfect world, this would be how it went. But not always. 

Sometimes the sound system would not cooperate. Feedback would interfere. The pianist would go too fast or too slow. Or off rhythym. Or completely and totally hit the wrong keys. Maintaining the service was the challenge in the problems that arose. And yes, they did arise. Also, always check to make sure YOUR FLY IS UP WHEN YOU GO UP THERE. And that your shirt is tucked in. 

When the service is all over, then you stand up there, talk with the closing prayer guy, grab your hymnal and papers, and walk off the stage. It's over for another rotation. 

I chose the above video because it is a near perfect example of what our song service and song leading was like. It's nearly haunting listening to it. And to this day, when I hear such songs as "Onward Christian Soldiers", it's easy to raise your hands and just lead songs to nobody in your own seclusion in your own house. 

Just keep your curtains closed. Anyone looking in - They might think you're having a weird seizure or something, especially on a fast song! ;) Or simply flapping away trying to fly.