tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post5685798595240024590..comments2023-11-05T20:19:44.812+13:00Comments on Ambassador Watch: An ex-LCG convert speaks outGavinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03060097218905523899noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-83994670593282859842009-02-16T10:02:00.000+13:002009-02-16T10:02:00.000+13:00Okay, I'm trying to follow this lady's "logic"...s...Okay, I'm trying to follow this lady's "logic"...she hears rumors that HWA was a pedophile and she gives ear to other rumors regarding decisions made that don't affect her, so she leaves LCG and goes to the Catholic church..a church steeped in pedophilia (documented in court, not rumored) and historical lies. Yeah, that makes total sense!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-25344236543523580022009-01-28T11:50:00.000+13:002009-01-28T11:50:00.000+13:00Mel, I think Spanky could have been waiting for a ...Mel, I think Spanky could have been waiting for a number of things to be settled. Then he could leave the WCG with no baggage, just a swag of members.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-55454070377803693802009-01-28T05:33:00.000+13:002009-01-28T05:33:00.000+13:00Anon, (Sat Jan 24, 01:06:00 PM NZDT) wrote:"Spanky...Anon, (Sat Jan 24, 01:06:00 PM NZDT) wrote:<BR/><BR/><BR/>"Spanky was waiting until he could get 10,000 members to follow him if he left."<BR/><BR/>Am I thinking of a different herbivore, or was it it Spanky who waited till a lawsuit (the McNair one) was settled before leaving?<BR/><BR/>Spanky is a tricky person, imo.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-53168336263332562232009-01-26T12:48:00.000+13:002009-01-26T12:48:00.000+13:00Purp - re: Stan & HerbAs I said, the source wa...<I>Purp</I> - re: Stan & Herb<BR/><BR/>As I said, the source was not a reliable one...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-89446273061530303592009-01-26T10:46:00.000+13:002009-01-26T10:46:00.000+13:00Purple Hymnal - My uncle was Jewish, extremely gen...Purple Hymnal - My uncle was Jewish, extremely generous, civic minded, and a 33rd degree Freemason. Jewishness is no deterrent to advancement in the Scottish rite.<BR/><BR/>Anon 18:00 quotes Mal 3:10 - "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."<BR/><BR/>Anon, this was written to the House of Israel, living in the land from which alone tithes were required to support a Levitical priesthood while the Temple yet stood. It has nothing to do with money, but with livestock and fungible produce, in exchange for the educational and priestly duties of the House of Levi, who had no land of their own. (Tithing is a land-of-Israel-based responsibility.)<BR/><BR/>Some Jews still give to charity from their discretionary funds, not because it is required in exile, but because they want to come as close as possible to Torah observance, even outside the land.<BR/><BR/>Lost to English readers is the Hebrew verb, to rob, which is formed on a root related to "Jacob." God makes a pun on Jacob's name, recalling Jacob's chicanery with Eisav, when he deceitfully robbed Eisav of his blessings. God asks the people, Israel, why they think they'll get away with pulling a Jacob on Him.<BR/><BR/>God is not speaking to Christian churches, but to Israelites living on the Holy Land, enjoying its benefits but ignoring their local Levites -- who depended on them for their sustenance.<BR/><BR/>In this writer's opinion, tithing is a good principle, and before it became a law in Israel, Jacob volunteered a tenth to God in exchange for His benefits. Personally, I see nothing wrong with Christian churches using this example to encourage their congregations to support the churches they depend on for spiritual guidance. It helps congregants to be an important part of something noble and bigger than themselves. If Armstrong Christianity took this to disgraceful extremes, then so be it -- but I have heard good things about Armstrongites from people who had no connection with them other than by reputation.SmilinJackSprathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03946857548277008936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-26187089067119865792009-01-26T06:18:00.000+13:002009-01-26T06:18:00.000+13:00"It's all a matter of opinion, and of whose opinio..."It's all a matter of opinion, and of whose opinion counts. It has been noted that one may argue and disagree with God without fear of harm -- but ignores Him to his peril."<BR/><BR/>You are absolutely right!!!<BR/><BR/>But if mere men wrote those words then both Christianity and Judaism have a real problem.<BR/><BR/>They follow long dead fallible men and not God. <BR/><BR/>I've "proved" that mere men wrote the Bible, not God. These guys put words in God's mouth. Some things these guys write about may come from God... but much is there own spin.<BR/><BR/>Mal 3:10 "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and <B> prove me now herewith </B>, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."<BR/><BR/>God didn't write this and much of the rest of the OT. Greedy controlling priests wrote this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-69649561212913088482009-01-26T05:40:00.000+13:002009-01-26T05:40:00.000+13:00"It has been noted that one may argue and disagree...<EM>"It has been noted that one may argue and disagree with God without fear of harm -- but ignores Him to his peril."</EM><BR/><BR/>"Men create gods. That is the way it is in the world. Men create gods, and worship their creations. It would be more fitting for the gods to worship men!" <EM>Gospel of Philip</EM>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-4782659661517388822009-01-26T05:38:00.000+13:002009-01-26T05:38:00.000+13:00"I've heard - but not from a source I know as reli...<EM>"I've heard - but not from a source I know as reliable - that Stan Rader was a Mason."</EM><BR/><BR/>Are you kidding me? Rader was Jewish! They would have sooner let BI-tastic Herbie in, in those days, than they would have let in Stan the man......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-77066189114521594132009-01-26T05:35:00.000+13:002009-01-26T05:35:00.000+13:00"In fact, it is conceivable that even God's one tr...<EM>"In fact, it is conceivable that even God's one true church would be welcome in Freemasonry."</EM><BR/><BR/>At least one member of same, clearly was not. As for the ideals and lofty tenets of Freemasonry, anon, you are leaving out the unfortunate fact that reality, as it often does, pales in comparison to the ideal.<BR/><BR/>All the Freemasons I have ever been so unfortunate to have known or been involved with in real life, have been glad-handing, back-stabbing, politicking good ol' boys that would sooner con a "profane" out of their last dollar, then "give to the poor". <BR/><BR/>Don't even get me started on the misappropriation of funds that the Shriners Hospitals have a looooooong history of (and that the Grand Lodges have only recently started trying to investigate). <BR/><BR/>Nor the terrible crime inherent in trying to cosmetically "fix" the disabled, so they may be "normative" by society's standards --- never mind the unnecessary pain and suffering that this inflicts on helpless children. While those fundraising events "for the children" are <A HREF="http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/01/26/mb_shriners012601.html" REL="nofollow">more like this</A>.<BR/><BR/>Oh, yes, Freemasonry is an organization that claims to be welcoming of all religions. That does not, however, make it as much of the shining beacon in the night that you would like others here to believe it is, anon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-4319636467681517562009-01-25T21:27:00.000+13:002009-01-25T21:27:00.000+13:00Well, isn't that Special says:"There are no cities...Well, isn't that Special says:<BR/><BR/>"There are no cities or people that any God is in more than any other. Think! The universe is fathomless...Do you think a God resides or gives a rats ass about a physical location in a small insignificant country, on an insignificant hill talking to insignificant humans?"<BR/><BR/>Anon 8:31 says: "Jerusalem is NOT the Holy City ... Jerusalem was and is special to the priests, i.e. the ministry... it is NOT special to God."<BR/><BR/>Zechariah says "Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it," declares the LORD, "and I will be its glory within." ... "for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye. ... Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you," declares the LORD. "The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem."<BR/><BR/>It's all a matter of opinion, and of whose opinion counts. It has been noted that one may argue and disagree with God without fear of harm -- but ignores Him to his peril.SmilinJackSprathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03946857548277008936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-28092399723449349392009-01-25T19:37:00.000+13:002009-01-25T19:37:00.000+13:00"There are no cities or people that any God is in ..."There are no cities or people that any God is in more than any other. Think! The universe is fathomless...Do you think a God resides or gives a rats ass about a physical location in a small insignificant country, on an insiginicant hill talking to insignificant humans?"<BR/><BR/>There are places on this earth that are dark, where dark spirits reside, many such places. <BR/><BR/>And there are places where you can experience the divine, there are seemingly fewer of these then there are dark places... <BR/><BR/>And then there are places that are quite neutral.<BR/><BR/>The world has more evil then good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-68711633616429417142009-01-25T17:55:00.000+13:002009-01-25T17:55:00.000+13:00Anon 4:58 -I've heard - but not from a source I kn...Anon 4:58 -<BR/><BR/>I've heard - but not from a source I know as reliable - that Stan Rader was a Mason. To get him through some of the <I>open doors</I> Stan got Herb into the Masons as well.<BR/><BR/>Of course the old WCG members are accustomed to meeting in Masonic Temples...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-9896469251204150602009-01-25T16:58:00.000+13:002009-01-25T16:58:00.000+13:00To this wacky world of "my religion is the only tr...To this wacky world of "my religion is the only true...", I would recommend Freemasonry. The Masons find a way to respect all religions, and teach high morality and ethics in an increasingly challenging ladder of achievement. They are of course vilified by religions that feel threatened by the Masonic approach, but they do tangible, measurable good in this world.<BR/><BR/>They believe in one God, and that all religions worship Him, regardless of what they call Him. They honor the moral and ethical foundations of all religions, because at that level, all the great religions essentially agree.<BR/><BR/>The contributions of Freemasonry to the American Constitution, to the Prime Ministers of England and the presidents of the United States have been virtually immeasurable. I am at this moment looking at a reproduction of the famous painting of George Washington, in his Masonic regalia, laying the foundation stone of the United States Capitol. Christians, Muslims and Jews are all welcome in this remarkable fellowship; and while conspiracy theorists see sinister doings behind every mention of the brotherhood, the Freemasons continue doing good, fortifying freedom, lifting the heads and hearts of people everywhere. In fact, it is conceivable that even God's one true church would be welcome in Freemasonry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-45739712166153638642009-01-25T14:57:00.000+13:002009-01-25T14:57:00.000+13:00"Corky's statement about "real people" was made in...<EM>"Corky's statement about "real people" was made in the following specific context that he took the trouble to spell out: "Believer or non-believer, is that really important? I mean, in everyday life, is it?" And I really believe that this is a pithy and accurate observation."</EM><BR/><BR/>I am 100% agreed with you on this Graham.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-62480183600114027792009-01-25T14:56:00.000+13:002009-01-25T14:56:00.000+13:00"So my observation is that the Churches of God hav...<EM>"So my observation is that the Churches of God have the wrong God. They honor Satan, not the Redeemer."</EM><BR/><BR/>Excellent observation. Unfortunately, the Demiurge that Armstrongists worship is still a version (albeit a more wrathful one) of the protestant Demiurge.<BR/><BR/>"Men create gods. That is the way it is in the world. Men create gods, and worship their creation. It would be more fitting for the gods to worship men!" (The Gospel of Philip)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-12386946520464865272009-01-25T13:36:00.000+13:002009-01-25T13:36:00.000+13:00Twas said:"God cares about "Shiloh" and other sacr...Twas said:<BR/><BR/>"God cares about "Shiloh" and other sacred places as much or more then God cares about Jerusalem.<BR/><BR/>Originally the Lord was in Shiloh not Jerusalem. The redactors of the scriptures, the priest of the Southern Kingdom, tried to down play the importance of "Shiloh" and the other sacred places."<BR/><BR/>There are no cities or people that any God is in more than any other. Think! The universe is fathomless...Do you think a God resides or gives a rats ass about a physical location in a small insignificant country, on an insiginicant hill talking to insignificant humans? <BR/><BR/>God doesn't care any more about Shiloh than he does Hoboken. It's all made up by the locals to give themselves impressive pedigrees. It gives insignificant people significance in their own sight. <BR/><BR/>There are no chose people. Just people. There are no Holy lands, just land. It's all made up. The Holy Land is no more holy than the Badlands are Bad. Actually they are beautiful and only since the coming of the White man, have the badlands been labeled as such. <BR/><BR/>Devil's canyon is not of the Devil and Satan's roost has never been roosted on by any Satan. <BR/><BR/>We, as humans, have to get over this idea, as written down, that there are special humans, nations and places where God is or isn't. It's nuts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-36465545814484611002009-01-25T08:31:00.000+13:002009-01-25T08:31:00.000+13:00Jerusalem is NOT the holy city. Jerusalem was simp...Jerusalem is NOT the holy city. <BR/><BR/>Jerusalem was simply the place where the Southern Kingdom set its capital. <BR/><BR/>The original capital of Israel was "Shiloh". Shiloh was just one of the centers of worship in the Northern Kingdom. There were many centers of worship in the North and in the South. <BR/><BR/>There were many centers of worship in Israel, not just one. When the Northern Kingdom was destroyed the priest usurped the authority of the clans in the North and centralized power and worship in Jerusalem.<BR/><BR/>Jerusalem was and is special to the priests, i.e. the ministry... it is NOT special to God. <BR/><BR/>Most of the prophesies about Jerusalem were written and contrived by priests who believed the stuff in their sacred texts and wanted to make Jerusalem special.<BR/><BR/>So all of this fuss over Jerusalem is misdirected. God cares for all people in all cities, God doesn't care for Jerusalem in some special way.<BR/><BR/>God cares about "Shiloh" and other sacred places as much or more then God cares about Jerusalem.<BR/><BR/>Originally the Lord was in Shiloh not Jerusalem. The redactors of the scriptures, the priest of the Southern Kingdom, tried to down play the importance of "Shiloh" and the other sacred places.<BR/><BR/>Josh 18:8 Then the men arose and went, and Joshua commanded those who went to describe the land, saying, "Go and walk through the land and describe it, and return to me; then I will cast lots for you here before the LORD in Shiloh."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-15673789622026693542009-01-25T07:30:00.000+13:002009-01-25T07:30:00.000+13:00A cult is just a religion smaller than the one you...A cult is just a religion smaller than the one you believe in. AMERICAN KABUKIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11064036099785125749noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-66163528086820542322009-01-25T07:22:00.000+13:002009-01-25T07:22:00.000+13:00Byker Bob said... Corky, I can see people agreeing...Byker Bob said... <BR/><I>Corky, <BR/><BR/>I can see people agreeing with you, and even giving you kudos for your ecumenism. Unfortunately, Jesus had a couple of parables which just might disrupt the serenity of your views. Lazarus and the Rich Man, along with the one about the wheat and the tares might just tend to agitate the two opposing groups!</I><BR/><BR/>I rather like the parable that ends with,<BR/><BR/>Luk 19:27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.<BR/><BR/>Now there, right there, is your <I>real</I> "loving" Jesus.<BR/><BR/>The Lazarus and the Rich Man parable is an oldy but a goody used in the fear tactic game but unfortunately it doesn't mean what most people think it does.<BR/><BR/>Another good parable is the one where Jesus tells his disciples to force people to come in (Luke 14:23).<BR/><BR/>Yep. Luke is covered up in good parables that the other gospel writers missed or forgot about.<BR/><BR/>Nope, the writer of Luke was not an eyewitness and Luke was not there to hear any of those parables - so how did he know them verbatim like that? Especially the long and complicated "Lazarus and the Rich Man"?<BR/><BR/>Possibly because the writer of Luke (whoever he was) made them up himself?<BR/><BR/>Tell us what you think the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man means.Corkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15894537940881776504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-25036014182352259582009-01-25T04:52:00.000+13:002009-01-25T04:52:00.000+13:00Herbie was so wrong on so much it is with disgust ...Herbie was so wrong on so much it is with disgust to admit I belonged to that dysfunctional and heretic cult.<BR/><BR/>Now Herb prayed and fasted for God to lead him to pick an successor. Herb picks Tkach.<BR/> <BR/>Tkach leads the cult into a protestant direction.<BR/> <BR/>Either God was not directing Herb to His will for a successor, (therefore marking Herb as an enemy,) or God was leading Herb to pick Tkach because He knew Herb was too stubborn and heretical as a self proclaimed false prophet (an enemy of God) to do the will of God!<BR/><BR/>So which is it? God wanted the cult to go protestant or God never had a hand in Herbie's church cult? <BR/><BR/>Maybe God wanted the church to split up into fighting, competing factions. <BR/><BR/>We all know God is a God of love and unity, for the bible tells us so. So my observation is that the Churches of God have the wrong God. They honor Satan, not the Redeemer. <BR/><BR/>It all makes sense.....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-47351754947024228462009-01-25T03:03:00.000+13:002009-01-25T03:03:00.000+13:00To expand a little on my earlier comment, Corky's...To expand a little on my earlier comment, Corky's statement about "real people" was made in the following specific context that he took the trouble to spell out: <I>"Believer or non-believer, is that really important? I mean, <B>in everyday life</B>, is it?"</I> And I really believe that this is a pithy and accurate observation.<BR/> <BR/>In everyday life, I "couldn't really care less" if my barber sincerely believes, as a philosophy, that the universe (including me) is an illusion being projected inside his head. I care about him as a person, though, and if the opportunity arose socially to try to get a better idea of where he is coming from, I'd welcome that. Who knows? I might even learn something. But if not, everyday life goes on regardless. Who cares?<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, if my barber sincerely believes he has a duty to ensure that I personally leave his shop one particular day with a pair of his scissors projecting from my own head, I think I would care a little bit more about what he believes. Unfortunately, even if he tried to share his belief with me in advance, I'd probably think he was joking. But I'm pretty sure that wasn't the kind of "everyday life" (or "belief") that Corky had in mind, and obviously this doesn't in any way detract from the validity of his observation. <BR/><BR/>Real people care about other real people who are important to them. And often the feeling is mutual. Isn't that part of the reason why so many of us keep showing up here at AW? People's beliefs can change; or maybe they'll stay the same (whatever that means, if you stop to think about). People are important. Beliefs are secondary. And, besides, I need a haircut.The Third Witnesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07215930025342828429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-42999667830598740992009-01-24T23:13:00.000+13:002009-01-24T23:13:00.000+13:001967 -- Israel had to take Jerusalem to build the ...1967 -- Israel had to take Jerusalem to build the temple, but Jordan had to keep Jerusalem since HWA had a contract to use Jerusalem Radio.<BR/><BR/>Cognitive dissonance, or a bet each way?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-84102723242058091032009-01-24T23:06:00.000+13:002009-01-24T23:06:00.000+13:00Interesting that the Presiding Evangelist - as wel...Interesting that the Presiding Evangelist - as well as the Apostle, <I>that</I> Prophet, and other COG leaders - while claiming rightful succession to HWA were not chosen by him to lead the WCG.<BR/><BR/>Oh, of course, Herb had to unknowingly pick Joe, to fulfill the <I>falling away</I> and usher in the <I>Laodicea</I> era.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-89221200003393704752009-01-24T22:51:00.000+13:002009-01-24T22:51:00.000+13:00Charlie said... “Questeruk,Herbie was wrong about ...Charlie said... <BR/>“Questeruk,<BR/>Herbie was wrong about so many things that to even suggest getting in the ballpark on something makes him the genuine article is full fledged denial of reality.”<BR/><BR/><BR/>Chalie, I suggest you read what I actually said, without adding in your personal filters of what you think I said.<BR/><BR/>E.G. I’ll give you a hint – the current year is 2009, and it sort of looks like Jesus Christ didn’t actually return 34 years ago.Questerukhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659962107808147107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28426681.post-31584449385895639432009-01-24T16:49:00.000+13:002009-01-24T16:49:00.000+13:00Questeruk saith . . .So yes, HWA was accurate as t...Questeruk saith . . .<BR/><BR/><I>So yes, HWA was accurate as to Israel taking over Jerusalem, but not taking over all of Jordon. Where he was wrong was on the timing of rebuilding the temple.</I><BR/><BR/>So, that's where HWA was wrong? I can think of several more.<BR/><BR/>One of them is that even if a God existed and a temple was re-re-rebuilt, it wouldn't matter. Why? Because the temple of God is the body (members) of Christ. <BR/><BR/>That's according to Jesus & Paul and the New Testament - not according to Corky, who doesn't believe one goofy word of that tome.<BR/><BR/>Israel won't be building a temple anyway until God instructs them to do so through their still future Messiah. <BR/><BR/>That's also why all the Jews have not flocked back to Israel - God has not instructed them to do so.<BR/><BR/>Read your Bible about this necessary instruction from God to the Jews before they are even permitted to return.<BR/><BR/>There has been a return of the Jews - in a way (a zionist way) but not in the OT biblical way.<BR/><BR/>Just like the 2,000 year deferred return of Jesus - it ain't gonna happen, no matter how much you want it.Corkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15894537940881776504noreply@blogger.com