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I am a survivor of the WCG
system and endured 34 of my 37 years in the cult and believe my
experiences could greatly add to your survey.
Writing about your
WWCG-get-away-site on Internet. Some impressive file material, to be
sure. I'd be interested in knowing what your religious views or
denomination may be, today? I remember the interview between the Jewish
Mike Wallace and Stanley Rader on 60 MINUTES, of 25 years ago. A great
deal of evident venom and vile nature much evident in the interview on
the behalf of Rader--he could clearly see that the game was up.
Keep in mind that, today, I STILL like much of the Armstrong's old
precepts: keeping the Sabbath, the Holy Days, no Trinity, British-Israelism, etc. ...
I also am pleased with your analysis of Dr. Walter Martin and his phony
successor at the Christian Research Institute. On the Internet with
DejaNews there are a lot of
"fronts" [for different organizations and cults]--you name it. Nothing
is quite as transparent as it may seem.
Getting back to so-called "cult experts" such as the deceased
Dr. Walter Martin, another expert is the acclaimed author J. Gordon
Melton, "Professor, Santa Barbara." You will notice that, in
fact, Melton is NOT a professor at UC Santa Barbara at all. The User
Group messaging shows the good professor to be fronting for [a well
known cult].
Though I am not a member, I have no opinion on that religion
either.
I would like to request a copy
of Vol. FOUR of the Outsider's Inside Update. Is it possible to get
copies of volumes 1, 2 & 3? You are one of the few that seem to be
getting the truth out about Armstrong and his cronies. I just wish that
I had heard this 20+ years ago.
I was happy to see Church of
God Accountability Coalition (COGAC) info on the Internet. My husband
and I left the WCG in Feb 97 after 30+ years each in this destructive
organization. I am glad to see there is a lot of help for wrecked lives
-- emotionally, spiritually & physically. I had a lot of support
from ex members, going to a psychologist for several months, reading
numerous books on cults and just getting educated on truths that were
hidden from us. Now I am having to deal with the shockwaves that are
beginning to surface. I can't even begin to tell you what it has done to
my life and others I have known over the years. So many needless
suicides, child abuse, broken marriages & broken lives...
I came across your website the
other day and have been reading it for hours until there was nothing
left unread!
I grew up in the WCG, attended AC in Pasadena (working for AICF in the
Auditorium) and was a senior the year of the closing of Pasadena and
consolidation to Texas. Growing up I respected the church more than
anything...including my parents. However, once I got to Pasadena and was
involved with Headquarters, Ambassador and the Auditorium, my respect
for "God's" Church began to lessen each year I was there. I
watched as hundreds of thousands of dollars were spent in auditorium/AICF
events that had absolutely nothing to do with religion or spreading of a
gospel. From the looks of it, the church may not have known how to
manage themselves, but BOY THEY COULD REALLY THROW ONE HELL OF A
PARTY!!!
Once I got to Big Sandy I was very bitter about many things I witnessed
at headquarters. And the general thinking among many was that the
Pasadena campus closed to get the "curious, question-asking"
student away from the corruption before something was exposed. (i.e.,
many purchase orders having descriptions left blank which would be
filled in later and copies never to be seen...to name just one of many).
Upon graduation I was over the whole thing. It was amazing to me that I
grew up in total support of the WCG and was prepared to give my life
(literally) for what I believed, only to graduate and have such
animosity toward the church.
As Tkach marched forward, making the church (and himself) look
absolutely silly with double talk, I decided to get out while I could. I
was confused, hurt and exhausted. I literally came to a point where I
could just not find the energy to continue with the continual banter I
heard from the lectern each Sabbath.
I have been out of WCG (and not attended anywhere) for nearly four years
now. This past year I have been dedicating much of my free time to
researching the WCG and its history (biased, distorted, and sometimes
created as it is). I appreciate sources such as yourself, and others
that provide other sides of the story. For some reason I must prove to
myself that I made the right choice. You know, it is interesting how I
could have become so bitter over the WCG and have left over four years
ago and still have such horrible fears entrenched within my mind about
leaving the "one true church." All those "Lake of
Fire" sermons . . . what "fond" memories . . . memories
that just won't go away.
I am interested in your organization. I am trying to piece together
exactly who you are and what you do. If you have any information that
you could pass on to me, I would greatly appreciate it. There are so few
places to turn!
Thank you for your site. I am hoping to read more posts soon!
I'm a former member of the WCG
in the Hamburg congregation. My reasons for leaving the
"church" were lies, hypocrisy, abuse of authority,
manipulations etc. of the pastor of the congregation of Hamburg and the
leadership of the German-speaking area. I had to recognize that the
leaders were not willing to follow Jesus Christ and practice what they
themselves teach the members. I saw this couldn't be a church having the
spirit of God. In this "church" the spirit of God is getting
depressed. Yes, it's a cult filling new wine in old skins.
Therefore I'm glad to learn about your organization through friends. I
think many members and former members of the WCG in the German-speaking
area are in need of information about the "church." It's very
important. I know that you have in the Internet a Web Homepage. It would
be very helpful for many people to get more information about the WCG
cult. Germany
I just wonder if it (the ESN
Website) will open any more eyes of those still in WCG. I know that down
here in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico, those still in WCG
have no idea as to what is going on in Pasadena and Joe Jr's connections
with the NAE, among many other things. Some people act like nothing has
changed. Keep up the good work. Make sure your webpage is safe from the
WCG Gestapo <g>.
Just read the information you
posted on Billy Graham!! Yes, Ecumenicism is gaining ground. It's the
gospel of WORKS!!!! Have you read anything about Catholics &
Evangelicals together? Things are definitely moving to the "World
Tomorrow."
I want to thank you for all
your hard work and for the great Opus Magnum, which is the Outsiders
Inside Update Newsletter. I have already started to "wield it as a
sword" to open someone's eyes. Best Wishes from South Africa.
Thank you for this labor of
love you have provided. Tomorrow 9/13/97 will be my second week not
attending WCG. I had been a member since 1986. I am interested in any
correspondence pertaining to the WCG deception.
Attended WCG for 20+ years.
"Grew up" in WCG - parents started attending in early '70's.
Left in 1994. Please send me info you have on ex members. I would like
to be able to discuss what happened to me and my family with others who
understand. Thank you.
Hi guys. I'm just anxious to
see the next newsletter. Don't mean to be pushy, I know you've got to
live, but I'm curious as to what's happening with UCG now. Thanks for
all you've put out so far and .......hurry? with the next.
I would very much like to
connect to ex-members who are trying to put their lives back together.
Perhaps sharing experiences would help the healing process. Nobody could
possibly understand who has not come out of a cult what one goes
through. Most people I know who left WWCG float in and out of other
offshoots of the same old cult. It's just a rehash & they can't even
see it. The psychologist I counseled with said they just do not want to
face the pain. Anyway, keep up the good work. Hope to hear from you
soon.
I am a graduate student at
Kansas State University in industrial psychology and an ex-WCG
(teenager) and ex-CGI (adult). I am interested in helping to protect the
people in the various branches from abuse by the leadership.
If you have anything on financial corruption in United, please send it
to me when you get a chance (I know you have a lot going on so whenever
you get a chance). Thanks for your love and concern for the people in
the churches!!!!!!!
Thanks again for your efforts.
Two weeks ago I received a call at my place of business from CRI. I
listened to Hank's pitch for money. I told the caller to tell Hank to
get a real job. Do these people have a clue how offensive they are?
[CRI's
Telemarketing]
Congratulations ESN. Welcome to
the elite group of the strong, the few, the Gladiators. You are
recognized by your faith, your strong heart and your good deeds. May
truth continue to light your path in the darkness, and your faith act as
your shield against evil, and your strong heart continue to carry you
through the perilous journey of exposing those abusive tyrants over
God's people. You will at times come face to face with the wrath of
Satan, but the greater wrath of God will be on your side. This Gladiator
stands with you in your noble deeds. God bless you. Thank you
Came to Understand the New
Covenant:
Having been born and brought up
in a typical Christian "Bible believing" denomination with the
usual legalism, I was nicely set up to go into a more legalistic church
that is actually a full blown cult--the Worldwide Church of God. As a
sincere and devout "born-again" Christian I naturally wanted
to please God in every way possible. The WCG mandated that if one does
not obey all the moral law (the Ten Commandments) he is guilty of all.
By living under the law, I was commanded to be obedient to the law or
face the Lake of Fire. Obedience to Sabbath and Holy Day keeping was
essential to be counted as one of God's children. I went deeply into
bondage even to the point of going off of life saving medication. The
WCG preached against relying on doctors and medicine. I personally knew
people who died because they stopped using insulin or other medications
under the mandates of ministers who were, at the time, obtaining medical
help for their personal well being. I, like others, have suffered
greatly because of these hypocrites. I'm thankful God allowed me to
survive.
I remained a devout follower thinking I was in "God's True
Church" for about eighteen years. Then in 1978, I learned of some
of the awful corruption and wrong doctrine. At one of the last Holy Day
services I attended I heard Garner Ted Armstrong say that the New
Covenant will not be in effect until Christ returns. I knew immediately
that was a false statement because it went into effect the minute Christ
died. I left the WCG and attended several other churches and groups for
fifteen years. Then in the wonderful providence of God, I learned about
the true meaning of grace and the New Covenant. I now
realize that the WCG and SDA's are not the only ones that do not
understand the New Covenant, but the greater part of Christianity
doesn't discern it. Once we see how the Bible is often twisted to make false
doctrine sound like truth we begin to understand the Gospel of the New
Covenant.
[Note: ESN recommends Thru the
Bible Radio (on the radio since 1949), a ministry that gives a true understanding of grace
and the Person of Christ. They broadcast the 5 year thru the Bible
series by the late J. Vernon McGee (1904-1988).]
Transformed by what?????
I have just finished reading Transformed by Truth and I'm currently
documenting the distortions with the real facts. Practically every
sentence in the book is twisted and there are manifold lies and
omissions on every page. The worst thing beyond the lies is his obvious
lack of feeling for the abuse, suffering and trauma the members and
exiters have endured.
Almost all of the important dates for significant happenings, i.e., when
the WCG leaders met with evangelicals are cleverly omitted, and there is
also no index in the book to enable one to quickly compare statements.
In chapter 7, "What We Believed," Tkach uses the word,
"doctrine" in its various forms, twenty times, yet
"heretical" is only used three times. In chapter 11, "How
Could We Have Believed These Things?" he uses "heretical"
once and "doctrine" in its various forms, four times. Instead
of using the word, "heresies," for what HWA taught, he labels
these beliefs with such terms as, "unique teachings,"
"doctrinal distinctions," "esoteric doctrines,"
"unbiblical interpretations," "error,'
"misunderstanding," and the best one of all--"cognitive
dissonance," which was used twenty-four times in chapter 11 alone!
He used the word "denomination" in its various forms,
seventeen times throughout the book, the word "cult" in its
various forms, sixteen times, and the word "we" was used so
extensively as to be beyond counting.
Tkach is so cunning that he has studied thoroughly not only the
doctrines, but also the terminology, of the evangelicals today. He uses
words such as, "minister to," "a blessing to me,"
"came to know the Lord," "my personal testimony,"
"godly," "lordship," etc. The WCG members don't talk
like this unless they have been around other Christians for a long time;
therefore, this language will be completely foreign or uncomfortable to
them for quite awhile. Yet Tkach starts right off using these words like
he has no problem in the world doing so. In other words, he is now one
of them-or so he wants others to believe. He's also an expert at using a
lot of psychology words, which should be of no surprise, since he has a
degree in psychology-no doubt to use to his own advantage.
When Tkach tries to present his own--almost nostalgic view--of HWA, he
fails to quote the "miracles" from HWA's autobiography. You
know the ones--about HWA praying for and receiving ten cents for a
vitally needed bottle of milk for his baby (p.401-402 Vol. 1), about the
angel taking hold of his steering wheel and forcing him to go down the
street where he talked to the "Pentecostal" crippled man (p.
336 Vol. I), and many others. This surely would show those evangelicals
HWA was a "sincere Christian man," as Tkach describes HWA!!!
Lastly, Tkach tells the world that the WCG is "Trinitarian"
now, but his mention of the Holy Spirit in the book approaches zero.
Furthermore, when I talk with current WCG members about the Trinity,
they have this blank stare on their face like they don't know what I am
talking about. WOW! I'll send you the report when I complete it.
[Read the finished report:
Myths in Transformed by Truth]
An Internet opinion:
Several things about the WCG turn me off and have caused me to stop
attending in exasperation. First, the ministers simply don't know what
they are talking about. They did not learn Christian theology at
Ambassador College; they learned Armstrongism. Since they can't preach
Armstrongism any more, and they don't know anything about Christianity,
they really don't preach anything at all. Attendance at my WCG
congregation continues to drop, and most of those who have left tell me
that they will come back only if the sermons become more interesting.
Secondly, the WCG administration is trying to play both sides of the
fence. They will not address the abuses of the past because they don't
want to alienate the Armstrongists. There are too many people in the WCG
who still reverence his memory and have no idea what Armstrong wrongs he
committed as pastor general (e.g., using the third tithe fund to
purchase and operate his jet plane, permitting the use of make-up to
convince his second wife to marry him, prohibiting make-up when he
wanted to divorce her, taking advantage of the medical profession while
at the same time forbidding the membership to see doctors, paying
106,000 British pounds for a meeting with Prince Charles and Margaret
Thatcher, paying half a million dollars to meet with the leaders of
Communist China, paying $5 to passers-by in Manila to attend a lecture
he gave in the Philippines so that pictures of a packed meeting hall
could be printed in his magazines, his estrangement from his family,
including allegations of an incestuous relationship with his youngest
daughter, etc., etc., etc.).
All I would like to see is for the WCG leadership to be straightforward
about the past. Instead, you can't get a straight answer from them. Joe
Tkach can have all the friends he wants in the evangelical community,
but they are not going to tithe to his organization. They have their own
to worry about. Meanwhile, the neglected membership continues to shrink,
and he worries how the WCG is going pay its bills. In almost every
member-letter he sends out, he implies that the true Christians in his
organization send in lots of money while those who hold back really
don't love God. Shades of Armstrong. ~ M. M.
For recent emails to ESN, click here.
Stay tuned with the OIU for
details on:
- The latest attempts to unite
the COGs- just as they planned
- WCG 1997 ecumenical timeline
- The architects behind the cover-up
- The Church of the Foursquare Gospel and Pastor Helms
- The ecumenical charismatic Pentecostal men behind the WCG transition
- George Mather, Pasadena based Freemason apologetic and author of the
latest pro-WCG propaganda book, Discovering the Plain Truth: How
the Worldwide Church of God Embraced the Gospel of Grace
- The WCG's support and partnership with Promise Keepers
- The Promise Keeper deception
- The WCG's Masonic and political connections
- Hank Hanegraaff's support of the Roman Catholic Church
- The National Association of Churches and its push for the hyper-
charismatic Pentecostal mission
- The mission of United Religions
- WHO is behind the conspiracy?
newsflash!!
The United Church of God, an International Association is currently
faltering. With membership now at 13,000 and declining, the leadership
is falling apart. January 21, 1998, David Hulme suddenly steps down from
President of the UCG. The following was recently posted:
STATEMENT TO BE READ IN ALL CHURCHES
From the Council of Elders, Monrovia, CA. January 21, 1998
The Council of Elders of the United Church of God, an International
Association, announced on Tuesday, Jan. 20, that David Hulme will no
longer serve as President. Robert Dick, Chairman of the General
Conference of Elders and the Council, assumes that responsibility until
a new President is appointed.
In a meeting with the Home Office employees, Mr. Dick announced Mr.
Hulme's departure, and stated, "According to the governing
documents of the United Church of God, an International Association, I
will serve as President, until a new President is appointed by the
Council of Elders."
The OIU will explore the
reasons behind these events as we continue to piece together the real
story. Of course, the ESN is not surprised at these developments as
earlier OIUs indicated the UCG was keenly orchestrated for purposes
complementary to WCG goals. It has been our position that the UCG was
splintered and functioned as a holding pattern while the mother church
transformed into its new ecumenical image and re-transformed its
financial empire.
Garner Ted Armstrong
has
(reluctantly) resigned from the Church of God International and formed
an independent ministry as the Garner Ted Armstrong Evangelistic
Association. This latest development comes on the heels of Criminal
Charges filed against him by Sue Rae Robertson for sexual assault.
Attorney for the Plaintiff is filing a writ before the Texas Supreme
Court for another hearing, requesting that the Church of God
International remain on the lawsuit. More allegations of another
"affair" have induced another COG media frenzy. A plethora of
sordid details are attached to this latest development that most likely
have much to do with sparing the church assets from the Sue Rae
Robertson lawsuit. Brace yourself for the continuing saga with Garner
Ted Armstrong and the reasons behind the event. It was the ESN that
broke the Garner Ted Armstrong and the Masseuse report!
[Note: ESN obtained a copy of
the court report and other pertinent documents surrounding this story
with GTA.]
Other
important webpages to research:
(Dead links were removed in
2003 and some new links added.)
[Disclaimer: ESN does not
necessarily
endorse all material on these websites.]
Smoke,
Mirrors and Disinformation: The Compromised Ties of the Apologetics
Ministries
The
Lamp Ministry (Many articles exposing apostasy and error within
Christendom; includes ecumenism and Charismatic issues)
Chaos
at Ted Haggard's New Life Church (Ted Haggard is now
the new president of the National Association of Evangelicals [NAE]
which represents almost 50,000 churches in America.) Haggard is said to
exhibit "an elitist mindset and presides over his members using an
autonomous style of leadership" and is called a "cult
leader."
Ecumenism and the Council of
Trent (The hidden agenda with the Catholic Church)
The
Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability - Con Artists!
(Wolves in sheep's clothing; mentions several Christian ministries,
including BGEA & Samaritan's Purse)
Freemasonry Exposed
Consumer Fraud (Protecting
yourself against scam artists)
California
Attorney General Report on Charitable Solicitation ("Where Does
That Money Really Go?)
References used for OIU
SIX:
We recommend the following research pertaining to every topic discussed
in this issue. [Disclaimer: ESN does not
necessarily endorse all material on these websites.]
The Strange History of
Pentecostalism
Jack
Hayford--"Though I Speak in
Tongues"
United Religions Initiative
(Making Peace Between Religions)
Honey I Shrunk the
Church
(expose` article on WCG from New Times LA)
Promise Keepers research:
The Militias and Pentecostalism (Executive Intelligence Review)
The Promise Keepers Movement
(connections; Vineyard movement, etc.)
What's
Wrong With the Promise Keepers?
Organizations outwardly
connected to WCG:
Church of the Foursquare Gospel
Mission America
National Religious Broadcasters
Cut Ties With NAE
Fuller Theological Seminary
National Association of
Evangelicals board members (you will find "Dr." Joseph
Tkach listed on here)
Azusa Pacific University
Organizations indirectly
related to WCG:
World Council of Churches (WCC) General Assembly [NOTE: In
1985 the WCC changed, or questioned, some of the basic Christian beliefs
about Christ while promoting a one-world religion.]
The Lutheran World Federation (Department of Ecumenical Affairs)
National Council of Churches in
the USA
ADDITIONAL Reading and
Resources:
The following references carry research and investigative materials on
freemasonry, occult, Promise Keepers, ecumenical issues, Roman
Catholicism, Billy Graham,
deceptive/false groups and much more.
Christian Truth and Victory
Publishing
9088 Co. Rd. 11 N.W.
Alexandria, Minnesota 56308 USA
(320) 846-0835
(Extensive catalog carrying books on Christianity, history,
economics, politics and secret societies, freemasonry, Billy Graham,
ecumenical one world globalists, and so much more. Send $4.00 with
catalog request, which will be deducted from your first order.)
Ohio Bible Fellowship Visitor
3865 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43214-3797
(614) 262-9528
(They left the Independent Fundamental Churches of America because of
the IFCA's drift into new evangelicalism. Their magazine exposes
Ecumenicalism)
"Pagans of the World Unite"
(magazine article)
The New American
August 18, 1997
Vol. 13, No. 17, pp. 21-22.
BOOKS: (several of these
are available at the library)
Promise Keepers: Another Trojan Horse
(They really are breaking down the walls) by Phil Arms
The Occult Roots of Nazism: The Ariosophists of Austria and Germany
1890-1935 by Nicholos Goodrick-Clark
(The racist and nationalist fantasies of Guido Von List and Jorg LanzVon
Liebenfels and their influence on Nazi Ideology)
The Magic of Obelisks by Peter Tompkins
(Learn the meaning behind the crystal obelisks that Herbert Armstrong
gave to dignitaries on his international trips with Stanley R. Rader)
Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us,
by Dr. Robert D. Hare
The Secret History of
Alcoholism: The Story of Famous Alcoholics and Their Destructive Behavior
by James Graham
(Since Herbert Armstrong was known to be an alcoholic, this book is
relevant. The author asserts that alcoholism causes egomania,
displayed in such behaviors as denial, lying, overachievement,
grandiosity, etc.)
PROPAGANDA: Its Psychology and Technique
by Leonard W. Doob
(1935, out of print, check the libraries or used book stores)
In God's Name: An Investigation Into The Murder of Pope John Paul
I by David A. Yallop
If you are just learning about spiritual abuse,
mind control, cults,
post-traumatic stress, and related issues to the WCG experience, click
here to see ESN Booklist
Check it out:
The editor of the OIU's, was guest speaker on the World of Prophecy
radio program in November for two airings with Texe Marrs. The topic was
the Worldwide Church of God Cover-up. Part One and
Two.
The mission of the Outsiders' Inside Update is to provide the chronology
of historic events and current activities, involving the Worldwide
Church of God conglomeration. The OIU strives to provide vital and
factual information pertaining to the reasons behind the events. The
Exit & Support Network, along with the OIU, is a Christian service
ministry reaching out to victims and survivors of religious hypocrisy,
violation and exploitation. We strongly believe all religious leaders
must be held accountable for their negative behavior and undo influence
on the unsuspecting. Destructive behavior must be impugned. The OIU: 1)
is sympathetic toward Christians who have endured much spiritual abuse
and therefore will not, at anytime, degrade personal beliefs; 2)
opinions expressed in this research report are not intended to
substitute for readers own personal research and investigation
pertaining to matters stated. It is with hope, that those who have
succumbed to WCG (splinters groups included) spiritual corruption will
be freed from spiritual manipulation and psychological slavery through
their own education, research and investigation. Recovery is only
possible when we understand the cause of the affliction.
Romans 1 vs. 28-32:
"And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,
God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not
convenient: (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication,
wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate,
deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God,
despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to
parents, (31) Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural
affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God,
that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the
same, but have pleasure in them that do them."
To be continued…
With heartfelt thanks to all
ESN supporters and affiliates that made this OIU possible.
L. A. Stuhlman, Editor
Twenty-Five
Ways to Suppress the Truth: The Rules of Disinformation
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