Condolences - Passing Away of Sydney Hull

Long time church members will probably already have heard this, but I was equally surprised to read on the Living Armstrongism blog of the passing away of Sydney Hull on March 13^th 2011. He had served as Regional Director of South Africa in the Living Church of God run by Roderick C Meredith, a.k.a. Spanky.

Although we strongly disagree with ministers of Armstrongism, it is no doubt a very sad time for his wife, Dot Hull, who lost her husband - and I do send my sincere condolences on her loss.

Spanky Again Dreams of Petra

Roderick C Meredith, a.k.a. Spanky, is once again running his wild scenario creation about how the Arab world is going into the great "awful" alliance - and how the ultimate outcome is fleeing into the Armstrongite dream utopia of Petra awaiting the return of big papa-idol...

Revelation 12:12-17 is growing quite worn by all the speculation. :-D

In his February 15th letter he even prepares his followers by using the following words - obviously, with an offering envelope included for the "big work":

For your sake, for your very survival - I pray that many thousands of you dear co-workers will open your mind to study and prove what God is telling you right now and that some will be willing to act on the Truth of God while you have the opportunity. For the more you sincerely "seek God," the more you pray for and get involved in this very end-time Work which Jesus Christ is now accomplishing, the more you will be able to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-21).

Gone are the days when christians were supposed to be willing to die rather than compromise. Matthew 16:25 clearly says: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Matthew 16:26 continues: "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

But when Spanky, the big Dr. of theology from non-accredited Ambassador College tells you that when he writes, even God is talking... Can you really SEE just how mind-controlling, weird and off-base this man really is?

I hope so, because Spanky really has gone over the bend - and many would say he did so long ago. :-)

Spanky seeking new markets?

Have you ever wondered what Spanky would want to do with swahili, russian, hindi, hebrew, chinese and arabic versions of his website?

Don't just believe me - believe their footer on their website.



The funny part is that it seems much of it has been machine translated. "Our annual meeting of worship" should have read Feast of Tabernacles - and if they had contacted Victor Kubik from the United Church of God, he could probably have advised them of a better translator.

This is rather funny, actually, because much of the history of the Armstrongite movement has been centered around people being members (through baptism by immersion) before they could perform translations... One has to wonder what swahili and indian members they would have to perform that task.

But, anyway, Spanky is looking for new markets for his brand of Armstrongism. One has to wonder why they hide it at the bottom of their website instead of having flags as they have with the other main languages in the left hand menu... :-)

Spanky Rekindles the Pale vs. Cross Debate

According to the article "Why the COGs Deny Jesus Died on a Cross" with a link to the article from the Living Church of God site, Spanky and his ministry is rekindling the debate of whether this Jesus was postified - palified or crucified...

Douglas Winnail has written the July 8th update you can read right here: http://cogl.org/cgi-bin/cogl/weeklyupdates/cogl-wkupdates.cgi?category=WeeklyUpdate1&item=1278806423.

These copycats should really read my article "How to Start Your Own Religion" because it seems anything is useful in their quest for members.

The more unpopular an idea is, the more it seems to attract the ministers of Armstrongism.

There is nothing noble in turning people off, but apparently the "counting the cost" principle in Luke 14:33 has all the implied ideas of denying medicine, questioning crucifixion/postification/palification, and many other tenets we know were taken from the Jehovahs Witnesses...

Armstrongism continues...

After the Terry Ratzmann Tragedy...

I found a very interesting video on YouTube that focused on the Terry Ratzmann tragedy, and here is the description on YouTube

A must see for those who are in an alternative religion such as the "Living Church of God" spin off! Was this "worse" mass murder in Wisconsin's history due to the LIVING CHURCH OF GOD'S doctrines? Or was it the results of one sick mans loneliness? Alone and isolated from the love of a women not yet found, Terry expresses his frustrations.... AN EXERCISE IN MURDER!

The leadership in the WCG have long held strange beliefs about fellow human beings. Some of the statements you will find in the Manpower documents will truly bear testimony to the fact that these ministers don't know the first thing about either decency or helping others.

Read them for yourselves over at: http://www.hwarmstrong.com/ar/Manpower.html

Case Study: Living Church of God - Roderick Meredith

The next casestudy among the major splinters from the WCG is the Living Church of God, presided over by Evangelist Roderick C Meredith.

Roderick C Meredith in the beginning insisted upon being called Dr. - and wrote this in numerous articles until this was pointed out on Ambassador Watch (and other sources). It is however still used on their website in the "About Us" page.

In this connection it must be remembered that in the world of Armstrongism, it is traditional to always adress any of their ministers with "Mr. Lastname." No first names - even in personal conversations or during counseling.

In the world of coaching it has long ago been established that the best forms of coaching happen in a power-free environment. Much like when you go to a therapist to get some form of advice. You pay for a service, but the therapist has no authority over you. He (or she) can give all forms of advice without insisting that you do as you were advised to do.

In the world of cults, there is a clear line of authority - and the Living Church of God is NO exception.

Richard Ames has been appointed as the future leader in the event Roderick Meredith passes away.

As was the case with the original WCG much emphasis is put on "passing on the baton" as Herbert Armstrong did with Joseph Tkach - and Roderick Meredith wants to assure a trouble-free transition since statistically he doesn't have much time left.

There is widespread speculation about a potential power struggle if Richard Ames passes away shortly after Roderick Meredith, a.k.a. "Spanky".

Shootings and suicide are among the skeletons in the LCG-closet. Terry Ratzmann is one example, and when the ministers say you can know a tree by its fruits, it's safe to say the LCG-tree isn't nearly as healthy as some would like to believe.