From: emc@doe.carleton.ca (Eli Chiprout)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: ARMSTRONGISM
Date: 22 Jan 93 08:40:40 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Electronics, Carleton University

In <Jan.19.01.25.17.1993.2382@farside.rutgers.edu> BRUNS@LSTC2VM.stortek.com (Terry Bruns) writes:

>I would be happy to provide Sandra and the other subscribers to this
>newsgroup with information about the Worldwide Church of God. 
[comments follow]

The editor remarked
>[The Worldwide Church of God came out of the Adventist tradition.  As
>you'll note from the statement above, one of its distinguishing marks
>is continued observance of Jewish feasts.  When Armstrong was still
>alive, it was characterized by British Israelitism, apostolic claims
>for Armstrong, and predictions of some sort of eschatological event in
>1972.  I don't see any signs of these things in the statements above,
>and copies I've seen of "Plain Truth" haven't seemed any more off the
>wall than some other conservative Christian groups.  Does anyone have
>evidence that there's more going on than meets the eye?  --clh]

Yes there is evidence.
There have always been several "layers" of information that the WCG has
presented to the outside.  The first layer is the Plain Truth and the
TV program.  One learns little about the church from these media.
The WCG used to teach several non-orthodox doctrines and
I am interested in any changes that have occured.  
Perhaps Terry can comment.

The WCG used to teach the following
-Prophecy would be fulfilled in Europe uniting, in the Pope
 leading most of the world astray together with a powerful European
 leader called "the Beast".
-All the Church membership would flee to a "place of safety"
 during that time, forsaking most/all their houses and belongings.
-The "three" races on earth came from the the three sons
 of Noah, and that all interacial mariage/dating was forbidden.
 If a person was of "mixed" race, they would have to get counselling
 as to which race he/she was to date.
-One must give 10% of one income to the Church, 10% to
 spend at the yearly festival and 10% every third year also
 to give to the Church to be given to the poor.
-Women should never be in the ministry.  No exceptions.
-No makeup is allowed on women's faces.  
-Homosexuality is forbidden and that it is a sin and nothing
 to do with biological makeup.
-Many psychological problems are caused by demon possession and
 that demons take over some people, influence others, and must be
 cast out by ministers of the Church.
-Church authority is completely hierarchical. There is no voting.
 Decisions are made authoritatively according to a ladder structure
 of church government.  People are oppointed to a position from above,
 never voted in from below.  This is especially true of the Pastor
 General who can never be voted out of office but appointed by the
 previous Pastor General. (Armstrong, the first Pastor General claimed
 to have been appointed by God).
-The politics of "this world" do no concern the Church.  All members are
 to abstain completely from voting or participating in political activities.
-Birthdays are not to be celebrated, nor Christmas.
-No pork products, shellfish, or other "unclean" meats are to be eaten
 according to the Levitical laws.  This includes products with lard.
-Circumcision is healthy though not required.
-All the Bible is completely inspired word-for-word.  While it is not
 a "book of history" all historical acounts are completely accurate,
 while it is not a "book of science" all accounts do not contradict
 modern scientific findings in any way.
-Macro evolution has not taken place.  Man was created 
 approx. 6000 years ago.
-The Sabbath, based on the six days of creation in Genesis was holy.
 No money-making work was to be done that day.
-The seven Holy days represented the plan of God for all humanity and
 will be observed by all in the Millenium.  That means the Passover
 where the church eats only unleavened bread, Pentecost, Atonement
 (Yom Kippur) where the church fasts all day, and Tabernacles (Sukkoth)
 where the members take a week off work to congregate in one of several
 worldwide locations and spend 10% of their income on food and hotels
 and helping others in the church during that week.



 



--
Eli Chiprout                 
Dept. of Electronics, 
Carleton University, Canada
emc@doe.carleton.ca