The Journal Ends Publication After 21 Years

The Journal brought news about the various COGs globally. Many found inspiration in that newspaper, and I am also quite sure that both the obituaries and news about births at the back of the magazine gave people a unique chance to follow activities among former friends that were scattered as a result of the breakup of the many organizations.

Philadelphia Trumpet Is Getting Stranger Every Day

The PCG Philadelphia Trumpet is getting stranger for every issue published. It was rather interesting to see the article published over on Living Armstrongism entitled Overview of the August 2018 Issue of PCG's Philadelphia Trumpet. I made the comment you can see at the beginning of this article.

What Can We Say That Hasn't Already Been Said About Armstrongism?

At this time of the year, it's a good idea to do a status check on every blog. On the morning of December 3rd 2016, I was considering what I could possibly say - or write - that hasn't already been said - or written - on the subject of Armstrongism. This article is updated on May 22nd 2018 to keep the blog alive, just so you weren't wondering whether it was dead… :-)

The Passing of Roderick C Meredith on May 18th 2017

Today, I read on two blogs that Roderick C Meredith passed away late thursday, May 28th 2017 after suffering from terminal cancer.

About PCG: Is God Republican?

We could discuss for hours what some define as 'God'. Many mix politics and religion, and imagine that an all-powerful creator would somehow have their specific political opinion. Failing to realize that politics is a joke - regardless of which side you join...

Mixing Politics and Religion - A Dangerous Cocktail

It is rather ironic to watch a magazine such as The Philadelphia Trumpet published by Gerald Flurry, because in that magazine you can see some of the most Republican statements. You could quickly get the impression that God was somehow right-wing when you read articles from the so-called Philadelphia Church of God. "Prove all things" (1. Thess 5:21) is only encouraged until the time you become a member of any of the offshoots of Armstrongism. Once in, you can be sure their ministers (read: minions) will come up with loads of right-wing propaganda.

What is Truth? The Answer to the Age-Old Question

Historical and Philosophical Perspective
In the Christian scriptures, the roman ruler Pilate is quoted as asking the age-old question "What is truth?" in John 18:38. Through the years, many have claimed they have "the only truth". I want to caution you to beware of people who claim there is only one truth - and especially to be aware of the human tendency to believe you are always right.

Confusion Among Date-Setters

We are all more than familiar with date-setting in Armstrongite circles. We all experienced wild fantasies about timelines that could confuse anyone when you added and subtracted various numbers based on lots of fun with prophecy - something Ronald D Kelly was scolded for pointing our when he gave his famous sermon with that exact title: Fun With Prophecy.

3 Decades Ago That Herbert Armstrong Died

Former Armstrong-believers will immediately recognize that three decades have passed since Herbert Armstrong died. 16^th January 1986. Much discussion has been going on amongst former ministers. Some feeling apostasy set in around 1987, others that it happened in 1989 - and others moving into the 90s...

Chief among all of the splinter groups has been the scattering of ideas and thinking. Ironically, precisely what Herbie predicted about founders dying in the church pamphlet about 7 laws of success. :-)

I think all of us who have come out of Armstrongism can agree that it has been very good to come out of confusion. Friends still trapped in this ideology are missed, but we have all found new friends, and reached new levels of self-awareness that is in sharp contrast with the self-degrading (nearing masochist) mindset involved in Armstrongism.

Happy weekend everyone. :-)

Gerald Six-Pack Flurry - Political Involvement?

You will no doubt want to read Redfox's article Reading PCG's Booklet, Lawless: Why America Is Losing Its Rule of Law.

It does contain some interesting perspectives on Gerald Six-Pack Flurry's political views. He may be following the traditional perspective of supporting the Republican wing, but there is a rather interesting perspective in all of this. Traditionally, Armstrongism - like the Jehovah's Witnesses - discouraged participation in politics, even discouraging that its members voted at elections.

The inserted words Flurry uses seems to indicate that he is getting politically involved, and not nearly as faithful towards the principles of respecting 'the powers that be'.... Quite informative indeed, and a very good analysis of the PCG-booklet.