Comments on Ambassador Watch: University in a Broom Closet

Now that L. McCulluough and C. Kilouh were seen lo...

2007-03-02T15:39:00.000+13:00

Now that L. McCulluough and C. Kilouh were seen looking at land in Dallas to buy for a new headquarters and college for the United Church, their members in Texas will likely be excited to have the United HQ in their state.

I found that actually Brigham Young University is ...

2007-02-26T17:02:00.000+13:00

I found that actually Brigham Young University is the home of the original(?) Young Ambassadors, another LDS influence on HWA.

Might be a copyright problem because Big Beak wear...

2007-02-26T13:16:00.000+13:00

Might be a copyright problem because Big Beak wears "Ronald McDonald" socks....

Well HWA college has the Young Ambassadors, so tha...

2007-02-20T19:30:00.000+13:00

Well HWA college has the Young Ambassadors, so that leaves LU with
Big Beak for the feast film

Yeah, I wondered how Gavin got his cat to tolerate...

2007-02-20T19:02:00.000+13:00

Yeah, I wondered how Gavin got his cat to tolerate a cap! My cat would shake the dratted thing off immediately, and look indignantly at me for attempting to get him to pose for a picture in the first place. At least that's what he did with one of my bandannas!

Now, a dog, the officially approved pet for Armstrongites, would probably comply without a whimper, and even lick your hand while you were positioning him.

BB

Gavin, that must be one smart kitty!We are cat lov...

2007-02-20T16:28:00.000+13:00

Gavin, that must be one smart kitty!
We are cat lovers, and thanks to modern medicine our 18 year old kitty is doing pretty well.
I have yet to ask her what she thinks about Herbert's teachings or the Bible in general, but she has taught us alot, here.
For all I know, YHVH sent her to us. And BTW, if she's then considered a minister, she came before that gal in the WCG.

Aw, heck, not that there should be any kind of competition going on.

Love,
Mel & Brianna

It's all about power, prestige and privilege.We al...

2007-02-20T10:59:00.000+13:00

It's all about power, prestige and privilege.

We all need to know our place: As doormats for those who have achieved prominence -- we are all serfs destined to be on the bottom rungs, providing the resources for the royals.

The only prominence achieved was being big ducks in a teeny-tiny pond.

Legends in their own mind.

and so it goes......quack, quack

It's all about power, prestige and privilege.We al...

2007-02-20T10:05:00.000+13:00

The BJU kid who said, I just believe what they tel...

2007-02-20T04:52:00.000+13:00

The BJU kid who said, I just believe what they tell me."

That pretty much sums up everyone I have encountered in WCG, LCG and UCG.

Steve K

"And will he be swept under the carpet?"On would h...

2007-02-20T03:44:00.000+13:00

"And will he be swept under the carpet?"

On would have to actually be visible on the floor to be swept under the carpet... I suspect the need to draw or keep more young people is a motive for this online need to "teach" the why's and wherefores of the Bible to others. Charlotte must have a thousand small church related "Bible Schools" based on this concept.

I make a complete sweep around the Bob Jones campus on my morning walk I feel like I'm on the AC grounds. Perfectly polite kids doing all the right things and listening to their teachers tell them how it all is. Of course, it is a set up for a mid life crisis of faith and perspective. AC was never as strict or compliance demanding as Bob Jones still is. But is is very familiar in the feel of it all.

When I left AC, just as these kids leave BJ, I knew where everything was in the Bible, who said what, who was who and how to find anything. I was a great Bible reader. That's what AC was all about and BJ is about. If you can read it, you can know it. Sorry to say, that is far from the truth,but that's what onine and on campus Bible schools do best. They teach you what's in the book. The rest, as you grow up, you learn is a crap shoot of meanings, counter meanings, arguments, apologetics, personalities and church politics.
WCG was not unique in what it did and the personalities that did it. It goes on at thousands of churhes every day and scores of Bible schools. That is a very oft told tale in fundamentalist, evangelical, prophecy and God haunted literalism of Bible readers gone amuck.

I found it all best summed up when I asked a BJU kid about what they taught about human origins and the findings of science. Of course it was all the Geneisis story literally true and a 6-10,ooo year old earth depending. I brought up a few examples of archaeological finds etc and the final answer was, "I just believe what they tell me." Whew...but not uncommon until they grow down the road, if they ever do. Those that don't become Republicans.

Nothing new under the sun again I suppose.

Universitymeans an institution of higher learning ...

2007-02-19T15:31:00.000+13:00

University
means an institution of higher learning with teaching and research facilities consisting of at least one graduate school and professional schools that award master’s degrees and doctoral degrees as well as an undergraduate division that awards bachelor’s degrees.

LCG 's online 'university'
seems much ado about nothing.

and so it goes...........

Oops, sorry, wrong again, this time about folie à ...

2007-02-19T14:05:00.000+13:00

Oops, sorry, wrong again, this time about folie à deux:

http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic3352.htm

Apparently, the idea that it will subside by separation from the primary inducer of the psychosis is not correct:

"Separation by itself is insufficient. Effective treatment of the secondary requires neuroleptics and separation from the primary." Specifically:

"The new standard of treatment for shared psychotic disorders includes the use of 3 agents. The atypical newer neuroleptics are the accepted mode of treatment for the spectrum of these disorders. Newer-generation anticonvulsants are also highly effective. Olanzapine/fluoxetine (Symbyax), aripiprazole (Abilify), and quetiapine (Seroquel) are extremely effective in these cases."

Technically, the induced psychosis of the nutty beliefs of the church of gods can be considered folie à plusieurs -- the madness of many or, as in the case of the continuing belief that failed prophecies such as 1975 in Prophecy will come to pass when it is clear that they won't, mass hysteria.

It is exceptionally bad news that the induced psychosis won't go away on its own merely by leaving the source of the delusions, which, if you think about it, certainly explains about blogs on the topic. It is not clear just what additional medical treatments are really needed in this case, but certainly whatever they may be, won't be particularly convenient for purpose of recovery.

Will Rod's university get the brush-off from ortho...

2007-02-19T13:54:00.000+13:00

Will Rod's university get the brush-off from orthodox academia?

And will he be swept under the carpet?

jorgheinz

http://philadelphiaremnant.com/As Charlie Brown sa...

2007-02-19T13:45:00.000+13:00

http://philadelphiaremnant.com/

As Charlie Brown says in Peanuts, "Good Grief!". Yet another offering from the crazy church of gods! This time from Don Billingsley, the man who drove the death vehicle for Richard David Armstrong. Unfortunately, he has not asked the question, "Do we really need yet another nutty sect of a crazy religion -- especially one founded by me?". He offers the "Philadelphia Remnant Magazine" of which he says, "This New Magazine is intended to be a combined version of both the original Plain Truth and Good News Magazines as we formerly knew them."

Based on his having combined the worst of the old Good News Magazine and the Plain Truth for no overtly good reason, and given the fact that United actually produces the Good News Magazine which you can't actually tell from the version of 25 years ago, I hereby dub Billingsley unnecessary venture into the Church Corporate publishing venue as "The Philadelphian Redundant Magazine".

This is utterly stupid.

But wait, there's more: "Beginning this past Passover season through a series of miracles, Jesus Christ paved the way for all of the recorded works of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong to be RESTORED to our mother website www.cog-ff.com." More wasted effort. It isn't so much a miracle as just blind happenstance accompanied by supreme effort and lots of money. There are undoubtedly many different interpretation of the "-ff" part of the website, many of which are not acceptable to communicate in this blog, even if it is considered "an adult" website, although "False Faith" springs to mind. Note that there is a booklet, "Who or What is the Prophetic Beast" by Herbert Armstrong, which could all sort of be combined into: "Who or What is the Prophetic Beast: Herbert Armstrong" given his penchant for delivering less than viable pulpit prophecies. Maybe the best consideration is, "What will you be doing in the next life?": Whatever it is, it won't be this. "True Womanhood -- Is it a lost cause?" written by a man, no less. Better title: "True Sanity -- Is it a Lost Cause?". The answer is, of course, dependent upon whether you are sucked in by the folie a deux of the church of gods. Give it awhile. The DSM IV assures us that we will recover. But not if you go back to the cause of the psychosis.

I'd say, "get a life", but what with it being so late in the game of Billingsley's fading twilight years, I'd conclude that it is a useless endeavor to suggest it: It won't be long now -- he'll be dead and his little mini mart work will close with the windows boarded up and graffiti on the sides.

http://philadelphiaremnant.com/

2007-02-19T13:04:00.000+13:00

http://philadelphiaremnant.com/

Since Dr. Germano was born in 1937, though my math...

2007-02-19T10:12:00.000+13:00

Since Dr. Germano was born in 1937, though my math skills aren't that great, it would suggest that he is nearly 70 years old. That being the case, one would assume that he would be retiring from Haywood Community College and would be free to follow his own interests, if he has not done so already.

To pursue a "career" at LCG for setting up a University is a curious one at his age -- rivaling the age of Roderick Meredith himself. It might make sense as a hobby, and something to do, but it makes no logical sense otherwise, in the absence of any other information relevant to such a life decision.

By the way, the pictures of the Young Mickey mention the GOP, as in "'VOTE STRAIGHT GOP,' SAYS MICKEY". The only other requirement is that he be a dog owner.

Here's Germano's resume, online:http://www.ourfami...

2007-02-19T09:48:00.000+13:00

Here's Germano's resume, online:

http://www.ourfamilyties.net/History/MPG-RES.pdf

Here's some personal biographical color from his family site:

http://www.ourfamilyties.net/Genealogy/Germano/Germano-Michael-P.htm

http://www.ourfamilyties.net/Genealogy/Germano/Germano-Michael&Brenda.htm

Here's a newspaper article from 2000, on his site, in which he says he belongs to an "Evangelical" church:

http://www.ourfamilyties.net/Documents/Articles/NEWS-MPG-TEC.htm

Years later, when I personally asked Luker about t...

2007-02-19T09:22:00.000+13:00

Years later, when I personally asked Luker about this, he acted somewhat embarrassed about these sections , and said "I was a lot younger then and I have learned things".

Yes, that the demons are real and that they take over ministers? Especially easily influenced, the ones who write theses?

Dennis Luker's advice for preparing for the Sabbath by making certain the fleet auto was washed and looking spiffy is interesting, particularly since he has inherited a Regional Pastorship where doing so is irrelevant because of all the rain.

The part about liking Star Wars is easily expainable: Many of the ministers suffer from terrible bouts of depression and positive fantasies help alleviate the symptoms temporarily, much like Saul being relieved with music. It should be pointed out that this is at best a temporary solution to a deeper problem which requires the intervention of mental health professionals, we think: It could be demons. To the credit of some of the ministers, a few actually have had mental health professionals who are church members help them, which may explain the frequent travels to such places as Oregon and Alaska. One should consider carefully if one really wants to engage such men as spiritual advisers.

Way, way, way out there.

I read Luker's thesis and many of the others in th...

2007-02-19T08:47:00.000+13:00

I read Luker's thesis and many of the others in the college library. I used to go up on my vacations and read all of the secular COG writings that the library had. I actually have read every publication every published historically by the Radio/WCG including every booklet, PT, member letter etc.

I did this so as to really understand the evolution of thought and doctrine of the WCG.

Luker's thesis about pastoral administration was peppered liberally throughout with warnings about encountering individuals that had demons or demonic influence. This was often listed as the number one warning to ministers in the field.

Years later, when I personally asked Luker about this, he acted somewhat embarrassed about these sections , and said "I was a lot younger then and I have learned things".

lusssenheide

Becker I think you are on to something with..........

2007-02-19T08:40:00.000+13:00

Becker I think you are on to something with.........

"....the idea that the church of gods are actually the product of extraterrestrial aliens messing with our minds to manipulate us for a takeover, a la the X-Files........
Watch the skies.
The truth is out there.
Way, way out there."

Many of the ministers I knew talked a lot about Star Trek and Star Wars.

Maybe they were homesick??

Now if anyone reads them, you can see why they cou...

2007-02-19T08:24:00.000+13:00

Now if anyone reads them, you can see why they could just use those Diplomas for T.P.

I can see that I am wrong again. These men don't need Diplomas for T.P. They can use their theses. There's quite a lot more and it would last much longer, although, it is clear, they should have used the thesis before they submitted it for their doctorate, particularly "Compendium of World History Part 2" and "Plain Truth about the Protestant Reformation". Read the first. Skipped the second.

In 1985 I had the opportunity to read a number of thesis right there in the AC library. The most interesting to me was the thesis of Dennis Luker for his Master's concerning Church Administration. It was an amazing work and certainly gave insight into personalities and inner workings of the ministry in the field. For reasons I won't go into here at this time, I find the memories of it strong and vivid. Dr. C. Paul Meredith's "Satan's Great Deception", not so much.

Hoeh's and Meredith's thesis's for their Doctorate...

2007-02-19T08:01:00.000+13:00

Hoeh's and Meredith's thesis's for their Doctorate's were for "Compendium of World History Part 2" and "Plain Truth about the Protestant Reformation" , if memory serves me correctly. Now if anyone reads them, you can see why they could just use those Diplomas for T.P.
Rod 2

ed Bull is caffeine not alcohol..!I admit it -- I ...

2007-02-19T07:51:00.000+13:00

ed Bull is caffeine not alcohol..!

I admit it -- I was wrong -- and not a first, either. But then, since I never drink Red Bull either....

The advantage of caffeine for men, as I understand it, is that if you consume enough of it, it will stimulate hair growth! 'Course, it may create other difficulties, as has already been pointed out. And maybe the cultmeisters have consumed entirely too much Red Bull. Or maybe just Bull. They are certainly generating quite a lot of it. To our benefit though, it makes our discussions much more fertile.

"Dennis, never confuse acting crazy with being cra...

2007-02-19T07:32:00.000+13:00

"Dennis, never confuse acting crazy with being crazy. It will reduce the fun you can have."

Exactly, if I went by that, they would have hauled me off long ago!

Red Bull is caffeine not alcohol..!

Dankenbring says Germano didn't think Meredith's d...

2007-02-19T07:26:00.000+13:00

Dankenbring says Germano didn't think Meredith's doctorate was legitimate. To his credit, at least Germano didn't grant one to Dankenbring.

AC should have upgraded everyone's degree to a doctorate just before it closed. It was empowered by the state to render such meaningless certificates. At least you could have used them in a pinch for toilet paper.

More interesting is the perspective that some have found that there are those who issue a certificate of Apostleship. It should be a worthy goal of all of us to go and get one so that the field is populated with thousands of legitimate [ha! ha!] apostles. This would have the benefit of reducing false prophets like Meredith to being just another mere apostle, thus diluting claims of authority.

One sent forth, indeed. Some Yahoos should only be sent forth after the mental institution has certified them stable enough to be released back into society to the extent that they are no longer a danger to themselves or others.