Child Abuse In Armstrongism Continues!

As regular readers will remember, I offered a review of Benjamin Grant Mitchell's book The Last Great Day where vivid child abuse was described in shocking detail.

Now, the Philadelphia Church of God continues the advocacy of corporal punishment - three pages devoted to the subject in the January 2015 issue of The Philadelphia Trumpet. Dennis Leap nowhere refers to the book, or to the actual point that parents who can't keep their calm while disciplining are unfaithful to their so-called calling.

It is so sickening to read about this double-standard that keeps growing in the churches of Armstrongism. All the talking about love and teaching is pointless when the subject of authority is so clearly evident for anyone who knows what is actually being written.

We are nearing the 28^th 'anniversary' of the death of the founder, Herbert W Armstrong, and NOTHING has been learned! Even WHEN obvious abuse takes place, everyone is silent. It is mind control above what is otherwise known and evident...

Truly sad that so few speak out on this subject - and even more sad that so many stay in a cult that is based on a lie, the lie that everyone 'outside' is evil, and a belief that the 'few' are chosen...

David Hulme's Disfellowship of Steve Andrews

Many old-timers will remember David Hulme from the World Tomorrow telecasts that WCG sponsored on numerous TV-stations. It recently came to my attention that David Hulme disfellowshipped Steve Andrews - source: http://www.thejournal.org/issues/issue157/david-hulme-disfellowships-andrews-cgic-problems.html.

There are a few excerpts I would like to quote for those who haven't read the article, as they are interesting from a historical perspective:

There's something about David?
Mr. Andrews continued: "Too often, those in authority in the Church adopt the premise that there is something about them that actually qualifies them to govern others...
"When it becomes clear that they are no better at governing than any other human before them, they selectively misuse scripture in an effort to excuse their failings. This has been manifest in many, if not most, Church leaders in our age.
"Once in power, leaders seek to protect that power. Not surprisingly, by asserting their authority, based on their position, to do so. This kind of circular reasoning has been true even of Church leaders.
"What makes it worse when Church leaders behave in such a manner is that they misuse scripture to justify their acquisition, possession and retention of authority. That is precisely what you did in your sermon on government, gospel and godliness."
Mr. Andrews said the story of Adam and Eve and the two trees revealed mankind's inability to govern itself.
"Simply stated, Adam and Eve found themselves outside the garden because," he wrote, "they proved incapable of self-governance."

This has certainly been evident in virtually all offshoots from the WCG. People in authority ALWAYS claimed you were either in rebellion, demon-influenced or not converted if you failed to accept responses to serious questions at face value of the minister.

Here's another quote from the article:

Blessing of children
Then Mr. Andrews challenged Mr. Hulme:
"So please explain how your view of, and the actual exercise of, authority on your part is different than the abusive authority to which the Father's children have been subjected in the past."
Mr. Andrews addressed other concerns in his letter.
He mentioned an incident in which Mr. Hulme supported an elder who refused to bless a child at a CGIC service, because the family did not regularly attend the CGIC.

If you are suddenly reminded of double-standards stolen directly from Protestantism, it's no surprise. The blessing of children was a tradition which at least portrayed just a bit of empathy - if you disregard the fact that it was done to try to ensure that members' kids would stay in the claws of Armstrongism...

David Hulme seems a nice guy, but there's more to him than meets the eye - as close friends have apparently discovered in more ways than they could ever have anticipated. Best of luck to Steve in whatever he wants to do in the future.

His ability to think COULD drive him far - and far away from Armstrongism... :-)

Is the Government Reading Your E-mail?

The title above is the title of the most recent issue of the Philly Trumpet where contributing editor Robert Morley is trying to speak authoritatively on the issue of surveillance by the US. What has failed their attention is that Echelon is old news. In fact, two journalists [Bo Elkjær and Kenan Seeberg] wrote a book entitled "Gåden om Echelon (in Danish, obviously) over a decade ago, in 2002.

Don't misunderstand. It is, certainly, a serious issue. But indeed a loser's game. What about focusing on all the prisoners in Quantanamo? They were specifically promised by then Senator Barack Obama that they could come in front of a judge and jury once he was elected.

THAT was a lie - it never happened, and that is a much more obvious lie in front of the public...

The government can register anything they want. I never write things I can't face once again, so I am not in the least bit worried. Even though numerous movies have also played on this subject.

It was long ago that history taught me people would be willing to compromise their freedoms for anything. The moment they feel threatened by an external factor [such as 'terrorism'?], they will compromise anyway.

Even if you had a political party that was started in an effort to restore decency, it would not survive. People are unwilling to face the music and put their vote where their mouth is. The sooner you face it, the sooner you will also understand why some people are still caught up in cults...

That was, of course, a lesson Gerrys minions won't tell you... :-)

Funny Coincidence...

As many former members of Armstrongism will remember, there was a tradition of unleavening your homes leading up to Easter (or Passover). A tradition many were proud of, and in the antisemitic attitude they often belittled Jews for 'selling' their leavened products instead of physically removing them from their homes.

This year, I had a new kitchen installed in my flat, and funnily enough, dust was EVERYWHERE. So I actually had to do some spring cleaning - this time solely for the purpose of actually getting rid of dust from drilling holes in the walls... :-)

The reason I thought this was a bit funny was that spring cleaning IS good, but this time it actually coincided with the actual season.

Have a nice mini-vacation everyone. I hope you will enjoy the weather, and some family fun now that you don't have to spend countless hours listing to the same cacaphony of noise you have heard at nauseum.

Flurry Keeps Dreaming...

Flurry-minion Joel Hilliker is the lead author in the latest edition of the Philly trumpet, and asks "What Happens After a Superpower Dies?"... In yet another effort to rekindle what Roderick Meredith also tried back in the 1990's, they want their readers to believe the US is on the way down and out.

Where is their patriotism?

Where is their optimism?

It has been buried, just as these ministers deposited their brains when they began living off religious illiterates who only see Armstrong's writings as their last hope.

How UTTERLY depressing to consider that people have given up their lives, and now their ONLY hope is the total smashdown of everything...

Guess what? The doom and gloom they want quite simply won't happen in that way.

Tough words, I know. But look at the evidence. The idea of a negative Germany coupled with a conspiracy based upon the Vatican is so silly it doesn't really deserve an answer. You owe it to yourselves to start examining things freely without having to be guided by MEN in what to believe...