Flurry on Fox

Fox television has screened a couple of brief items on PCG. Featured are Stephen Flurry and former members David Ben-Ariel and Dennis Fisher (among others.) The tone is pure Fox, which won't please the Flurry sect, but it certainly doesn't go into any depth either. Definitely worth watching - but be prepared to wait for the clips to load.

And surprise! Tithing in PCG is voluntary... well, whataya know! Gerry's little problem with the police does get a mention. Dumbest moment: a Fox reporter asking Stephen Flurry whether they're Branch Davidians.

Part 1 / Part 2

Fred "Bildberger" Coulter

Willie Dankenbring has a kindred spirit in Fred Coulter. Putting aside any pretense to objectivity or impartiality, in his November epistle Freddy opines:

For the first time in modern history, the people of the USA have elected a man who has the least experience of any former president. He is also a man about whom we know virtually nothing. His radical leftist beliefs were carefully hidden by the media—an Obama propagandist media. His radical leftist/Marxist associates—black racist ministers and criminal friends here and abroad—were completely ignored or dismissed as harmless. Moreover, why have all of Obama’s school records at Columbia University and Harvard Law School been sealed? What are they hiding?

Then Fred dives in the deep end:

[T]here are men in high places who are the actual "power brokers"—the ultra-elite of the establishment who are the behind-the-scenes rulers of the governments of this world. They are often referred to as a "shadow government"—as only a few know who they actually are. Most of them have no allegiance to the true God in heaven. Rather—knowingly or unknowingly—they are serving the god of this world, Satan the devil, who is using them to deceive the entire world. Their overall goal is a New World Order—a World Government with a new World Religion. They are the leaders in government, business, banking and religion around the world. They are known to belong to organizations such as the Illuminati, the Committee of 300; they are high ranking Masons and Knights of Columbus. They are members of the Council of Foreign Relations and similar organizations in various nations. They belong to the Tri-lateral Commission and the Bildbergers [sic]. These are the "power brokers" who actually select presidents and prime ministers of the leading nations of the world. This is why the world is headed toward a global government, a global central bank, a global currency and a global religion. Such is their goal—masterminded by Satan the devil as part of his final, great rebellion against God through the beast and the false prophet (Rev. 13).

Oh dear lord, not the Trilateral Commission! Has the guy completely lost it, and did he ever have it to begin with?

Then:

[T]he USA is currently facing gigantic economic troubles and a new Democratic federal government that will take us further down the road to socialism and fascist, totalitarian rule.

I'm not sure what reality Coulter lives in, certainly not one where democracy and political diversity are celebrated, and even tired, angry old men swallow their disappointment with grace, generosity of spirit and a commitment to the common good. Was John McCain's widely admired concession speech totally lost on Freddy? Did the guy even bother to get off his fat half-acre and vote? At least LCG's Michael Germano, to give credit where it's due, is willing to put his money where his mouth is.

If these are the voices of COGdom, then the movement is doomed. Where are the voices of a new generation, articulate up-and-comers who know better than to splash around in this mindless conspiratorial muck? Those who know better - and there are a few of them - keep a low profile while the embarrassing blow-hards hold the floor.

Freddy and Willie: the prognosticators who time passed by - circa 1972...

Illusion or Delusion

Dennis Diehl has a guest posting over at Corky's blog, including comments on the Weinland fiasco that continues to unwind before our eyes in slow motion. Well worth checking out.

Which reminds me, only fifteen days to go before Ron's Great Trib ("take 2"). My prediction is that a giant rotten omelette (probably metaphorical, but we can only pray for a literal fulfillment) will descend from the heavens and hit the End Time Witness squarely on the kisser.

Dr Thiel, please explain

Bob Thiel has the following things to say on his blog:

[T]here was an article in The Journal by Reginald Killingley promoting voting–which we in the Living Church of God do not do... the article neglected to state is that the only reference in the Bible to voting was when Saul (before he became Paul) voted to get Christians killed (Acts 26:9-10). Paul also specifically wrote that this present world is evil (Galatians 1:4) and recall that Jesus taught:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…” (John 18:36).

Furthermore, regarding the recent USA presidential election, both candidates endorsed evil... Christians should not endorse evil. Instead of voting in the election, I urged Christians to pray and fast...

Here's the thing; how do we balance Bob's statements with the actions of Living University's Dr Michael Germano? These comments were posted by an AW reader.
Notice this August 2008 campaign contribution by LCG elder and Living University President Dr. Michael Germano:

Contribution to John McCain by LCG elder Michael Germano

FEC Report Showing Germano Contribution

Under HWA, this would never have been allowed. Now, a minister and senior LCG leader can openly support and donate to a political candidate.

Yep, Doc Germano apparently pulled out his checkbook for McCain, and even identified himself as a LCG administrator!

One assumes that Doc also turned out to vote as well, being the lesser deed after handing over the shekels.

My question for Bob is, how come it's okay for Germano to indulge in partisan politics, but Reg gets clobbered for asking a few pertinent questions?

And who's in the wrong here over LCG dogma, Bob the naturopath or Mike the administrator? Let's remember that Mike is charged with educating the next generation of Philadelphian COG leaders (assuming there are LCG members who believe that there will be a "next generation.")

Should someone be hauled over the coals for this, fired or even disfellowshipped?

To be clear, I think Doc Germano has every right to throw greenbacks wherever he wants, including lost causes like the McCain campaign. Moreover, he has the right, and I'd argue the duty, to vote.

But Bob, drawing a cloak of unworldly righteousness about himself, says "we in the Living Church of God" do not do that.

So, I'm confused. Does Doc Germano represent a new wave of conservative enlightenment in LCG, or has he just been a very naughty boy?

Latest Journal

The August 31 Journal is coming off the presses. Among the features:

* The Big Sandy UCG congregation has turned over its facilities from local ownership to denominational control after a hastily convened meeting.

* A feature article on Harry Sneider, former AC faculty member, trainer and onetime mentor to chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer.

* Wise words from Reg Killingley who suggests that, if you root for a political candidate, you've "already voted for him in your heart" (him? a non-inclusive slip that surely needs de-gendering in light of the campaigns run by Hilary Clinton and Sarah Palin), and provides much needed balance on the recent election.

* Another blast from Dennis Diehl, whose writing style is unmistakably different from any other Journal contributor.

* Assorted FOT reports.

* A seemingly scholarly article by Ron Moseley, a graduate from Oxford Graduate School and a Fellow and Scholar of the Oxford Society of Scholars. Sounds impressive, but considering the blatantly apologetic quality of the writing I googled the guy and found that Oxford Graduate School isn't associated with Oxford University but is located in Dayton, Tennessee. Moseley now runs his own school which is, according to its website "accredited and in good standing with a religious accreditation commsion [sic]".

* Ken Westby warns about "the prophecy pit," and pushes Journal readers up the learning curve with references to Montanus the Phrygian prophet. I guess you could say, in terms of Journal essays, Ken has gone "the full Monty."

* AW gets a mention in the Notes & Quotes section for a couple of recent polls.

You'll also be relieved to know that Willie Dankenbring has issued a prophecy update complete with prophetic algorithms! Prepare to be stunned!










Cool, huh! But wait, there's more...








You'll find that it the Connections section. As they say on the MasterCard ads: priceless!

Check out the front and back pages online and free for all to access here.

COG'n on Facebook

Facebook is the social networking site that leads the pack, and wouldn't you know it, WCG/ex-WCG members are taking full advantage, not only as individual members, but creating groups of like-minded folks. Here - perhaps for the first time online - is a directory of COGger Facebook groups.

WWCG Survivors. 926 members.

Ambassador University Alumni. 910 members.

I Grew up in the WCG and I loved it. 909 members.

United Church of God. 1294 members.

WWCG Drop-outs. 206 members.

Worldwide Church of God Atheist/Agnostic survivors. Just launched by Russell of the I Survived Armstrongism blog.

Worldwide Church of God Australia. 97 members.

WCG SA (South Africa). 123 members.

Worldwide Church of God I Can't Wait For Sundown! And Other WWCG Musings. 14 members.

Church of God (Seventh Day). 172 members.

Living Church of God. 118 members.

SEP. 755 members.

SEP Australia. 72 members.

Got a group to add? Post the details in the comments or drop a private email. The list will be updated from time to time.

Facebook users tend to be in the younger demographic... but old fogies have definitely been known to hang out there too (I swear I saw Gary Harvey's long forgotten visage peering out from the WCG Australia page.)

Who'll Be King of the Hill?

From the LCG Weekly Update. The putative author is Meredith himself.

One of the issues we discussed that the Council and I felt we needed to review with everyone was the procedure that has been in place in case the Presiding Evangelist becomes incapacitated through some infirmity or death or becomes disqualified to serve in the office. We addressed this issue because of questions that we have received. If the Presiding Evangelist appoints a successor, he will inform the Council of his decision and no further action will be required. In the absence of an appointed successor, the Council of Elders will convene, and after prayer and fasting, will seek God’s guidance to discern who He wants to be the successor to the Presiding Evangelist—based on the fruits of God’s Spirit that are obvious in the life of the person designated to be the next Presiding Evangelist.

So Rod - in the style of North Korean presidents - can anoint his own successor, be it an "evangelist," or even one of his sons. But if he's brainless enough not to bother, the spiritual titans on the CoE will skip breakfast one morning, open a special meeting with appropriate platitudes, then the alpha males will call in their debts before clobbering each other till all but one are left standing... Did I understand that right?

Of course, I'm not being critical, oh heavens no! After all, the system Meredith outlines has a proven track record of success: the elevation of Joseph Tkach and then Joe Jr. to the leadership of the WCG for example.

Oh, hang on, wait... bad example.

Class Photo

Ah, the good old days. The year is 1966, and this fine bunch of young Imperial students have gathered to pose for their class photograph. Click to enlarge.

Can you spot a future Pastor General in the bunch? (I bet Mr. Stephens would never have predicted that!) And how about a church vice president? Look even harder and you might find UCG pastor Robin Webber.

Another Weinland Blog

It's called "Jack Said," and features this insightful portrait of Ronald. A nice contrast to the beanie portrait. Could this be the sartorial standard for VIPs (Very Important Prophets) in the Great Tribulation?

Actually, an image like this just cries out for a caption.

Jack notes that Ronnie "is going to be on ABC TV in Australia on Sunday the 23rd." Any AW reader in Oz who'd like to file a report on the program for AW, along with their impressions, is warmly invited to do so. The publicity blurb states:

"Are we facing the end of the world? American Pentecostal Pastor [sic] Ron Weinland believes he has been sent by God to announce the end of the world in 3 years time! In a provocative episode of Compass we meet this self-proclaimed prophet. He believes the end times are imminent, and he’s not alone. Climate change, acts of terrorism and natural disasters have fuelled the current epidemic of apocalyptic thinking. In this Compass program leading Australian commentators; sociologist Richard Eckersley, Biblical scholar Dr John Dickson, literary academic Greg Clarke and psychologist Susan Tanner, tackle the ultimate question."

Update: From Mike's Flavor Aid blog... "there is a promotion video available online to those outside of Australia. Be patient through the brief advertisement and the two talking heads." This is on the Sydney Morning Herald site, and is probably the only chance for those of us in non-cane toad infested countries to get a taste of the show. A couple of nice shots of Ronnie who, methinks, is going to be the butt of many jokes around Oz on Monday morning.

Angry Beavers

Reading the comments section on this blog is sometimes a bit like entering a war zone: beware the spitballs!

Genteel debate is more the style I had in mind way back when AW relaunched in this format, but I guess I didn't factor in the strength of the monochrome mindset that dominates among many disenchanted former devotees of Armstrongism. Yes, I'm talking about myself here too. Time, it seems, doesn't heal much. Express a contrary opinion and prepare to get both barrels. It's an online version of road rage. On the other hand, if some of the folk who erupt in graceless indignation here actually met their ideological opposites "in the flesh" I expect they'd be polite and politic in expressing their views, and even generous in their response. Don't we do just that with relatives and friends who have moved in a different direction? Go figure.

Do you believe in God? Uh, hang on a moment... define God. And what do you mean by believe... intellectual assent? So many of our "beliefs" are fashioned by our individual temperaments that I'm not too sure there's value in arguing the point over the finer points of theism vs. atheism, for example, let alone insulting those who don't see it with the precision and clarity we enjoy. As I've said here before, I'm not an atheist, but if you want to portray God as a Sky Father, well, I certainly don't believe that. Out race the literalists who protest that God is indeed a Big Man-shaped Bloke in the Sky (exhibit 1), while from the other side come equally strident voices protesting that the definitions are being changed on them in some kind of crafty sleight of hand to salvage the God Delusion.

We're living in a world where Christianity is being sucked out of Western society (except, it seems, in parts of the US.) The bulk of true believers are taking cover in reactionary or "feel good" churches, which is a ticket to nowhere ultimately. A minority are trying to future-proof their faith in a post-Enlightenment, post-modern world by re-envisioning God, the church and Jesus. One is a ghetto, the other is so elitist it makes precious little sense to anyone outside a certain liberal, educated demographic. Then there are those - including a lot of ex-WCG members - who have absolutely no interest in either option. Faced with the Gordian Knot, they simply whip out their vorpal blade and go snicker snack: problem solved!

One, two! One, two! And through and through

The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!

He left it dead, and with its head

He went galumphing back.

And hey, I feel their pain. And yes, I sometimes feel like doing the same thing.

Given that we are complex creatures who see the world variously, and that integrity necessarily takes on many shapes, it seems strange that folk who have been forced into such radical change and growth as we have through the shattering of the Armstrong idol, should end up screaming at each other and tossing insults like water bombs in a school playground.

What's the point, other than demonstrating that we're feeling a bit threatened? There are subtler options... maybe a pinch of humility, a cupful of well dried humor, and a splash of self deprecation?