The Cult Vault (188) -

In this episode, I chat with Barbara about her experiences growing up in Herbert W Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God. We discuss the difficulties in committing to the church as well as supporting family outside of the movement. We discuss the topic of cult-hopping and the tragedy of spiritual, financial and physical abuse along with ex-communication and family alienation. The choices Barbara and her family had to make throughout her experiences were impossible.
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[@earthalchemyholisticllc333]

I was raised in this cult all throughout the '80s in the early '90s. This brings back so many memories stuff I didn't even realize was going on. I guess this is why I'm a pagan.

[@jennifernewton9979]

My mom was considered a widow and this church financially took care of her until she was able to take care of herself and me and my sister. The fun i had! But when i grew up, i realized it was legalistic and a cult. I dont remember learning anything about Jesus. I just remember good things as a child. I was blessed it sounds like to have this experience...idk. im about to listen to this extremely long documentary.

[@tigg1972]

We must be the same age. I also grew up in the church and was 18 in 1990. I didn't leave until 1993, at that point they were In the middle of changing to a more traditional church. Too late for me tho. I don't trust any organized religion. WWCG has alot to do with that.

[@exposefrauds4524]

100 million a year at its height. Bilking up to 50% of congregants income every three years. I was a baptized member of the WWCG cult and then one of it's larger offshoots, the UCG, an equally warped cult. On a "3rd tithe year," a member may have contributed the 1st tithe, excess 2nd tithe after feast expenses, as well as the tithe of the tithe, for feast location expenses, holyday offerings, free will offerings, and the 3rd tithe! All based on gross income of course. This left members with nearly zero left in many cases. HWA put out a book about managing our money, that we should live modestly, simply, not buy houses, not go to college (accept the Church's if possible, Ambassador College) so that our resources were available to Headquarters if needed! Members were essentially just the financial support. The actual church, just like any other denomination, was headquarters, HWA or Tkach, and the ministry. HWA, Tkach, etc, and the ministry however did own homes, lived lavishly, purchased only the highest quality goods, etc, as since they represented God, they should be seen with the best quality! HWA was the consummate con man, with a money making business idea. A church! Just like one of his contemporaries, L. Ron Hubbard, who was another egomaniac, control freak, cult leader, who said that as an author, he made cents per word written, that if one wanted to become a millionaire, to start a church. That's what he said and did, and so did HWA! HWA once predicted the end was coming sometime around the Vietnam war. He encouraged members to sell their homes and send the proceeds to headquarters. Why, if the end was near? Did a returning Christ need the finaces to fund the return? When the end did not happen, members asked if their money could be returned. They were told no. That it belonged to the church! Yet another example of "the church" being the headquarters and the hire ups, not the membership! No different than any other denomination! When HWA died and his house gone through, he had a vault of priceless objects of various types! God given no doubt, right?! Then Tkach Sr, then his son, and others brought it all down to naught. The church campus is now demolished. The WWCG changed names and beliefs to essentially a catholic church. Tkach Jr, the leader, then announced all minister retirement funds were frozen, and he announced he was retiring. Coincidental timing? Or did he retire a wealthy man! Another "servant of God" retiring wealthy? I believe the group is either struggling to survive, or is now disbanded. What a legacy HWA left! Of God? No. Just another synagogue of Satan!

[@CultVaultPod]

Thank you for sharing. So much here for education and insight!

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Give us your money sucker's your better than everybody ha ha ha. Your privellgied that your called. And don't worry if the end doesn't happen we've lots of excuses at our disposal.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Wouldn't last in UK, USA yes Americans are more guillable than UK people.

[@apostababelindajames7461]

I loved hearing the epiphany of the World Wide Church of God, (WWCG) not celebrating standard holidays from a business viewpoint and how not taking part in them would most likely direct money that could have been spent on the holidays in the direction of the (WWCG). I myself being an Ex-JW, can totally relate and see that as being very likely. Another thing about the holidays is that it promotes socializing with family and friends. As a kid, having to be separated from the rest of the kid's from their classroom, like having to sit in the hall outside of the class room or being sent off to the School library, would make sure that (WWCG) children would not be able to socialize with their classmates as they made traditional artwork and decorations. Then later, not celebrating the holidays and or birthdays with the children in their own classroom. At home, by the (WWCG) members avoiding the holidays, this3333aaAa33333a333 334 re 3333333az also means avoiding socializing with one's biological family and long time friends who are not part of the (WWCG). It is during these times of the holidays, that socializing would be fun and enjoyable. When lasting and memorable bonds are likely to be made amongst family and friends. So this avoidance of celebrating these holidays can also be part of the isolation process of the (WWCG) members from the (Non-WWCG) members. So the (WWCG) members are encouraged by their (WWCG) leadership to invest their money and their only time for socializing to be only with other (WWCG) members.

[@CultVaultPod]

Thank you for sharing and for also drawing parallels between the 2 religious movements. These hallmarks are important to distinguish.

[@apostababelindajames7461]

@@CultVaultPod Thank you. I'm loving what you are doing with this podcast. I can tell that you definitely do your homework. Keep it Up Girl. The more education that is put out there the less likely people will be deceived into joining such groups.

[@CultVaultPod]

@@apostababelindajames7461 thank you so much. I don’t plan on slowing down! ❤️

[@jennifernewton9979]

Well, I understand what u are saying.....but at the same time we spent plenty of money during our own Holy Days. So...not sure thats how it went. We celebrated the Holy Days from the bible instead of the holidays.

[@divineSOULja]

​@@CultVaultPod Barbara & Casey....thank you SO, SO MUCH for posting this. I was born in WCG, grew up in it & was totally immersed for 20 years, ending in '96. This is THE DEFINITIVE DESCRIPTION of Life in WCG - to the very last word. Not an IOTA of HYPERBOLE. It is an unbiased, accurate, 100% truthful assessment of The Church. I do not need to add anything to it with this comment, because it is ALL COVERED. Rebecca, my gratitude for the clarity your interview is impossible to express - truly🙏🏾

[@kevinkelly1586]

WWCG literature was nearly everywhere in the mid-1970's to 1980 (as was Watchtower literature). Garner Ted Armstrong had a simple analysis of the ultimate cause of evil in the world; namely, the doctrine of the immortality of the soul. He claimed that when Satan said to Eve, "Ye shall not surely die," (Genesis 3:4) she sinned because she believed the "satanic lie" of an "immortal soul."

[@williamharrington4975]

I'm glad I didn't attend when Armstrong was alive

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Fleece the flock.

[@williamharrington4975]

I left in 97

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Im glad l never went near this church after hearing the horrific stories, l received the "plain truth" mag in the eighties and was invited to one of their meetings in the early eighties but never went. Failed proficies galore. Where l stay religion is basically dead. Its mostly American stories but there must be some uk horror stories somewhere.

[@ummmummm563]

*prophecies

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

Eri what does that mean you attended the feast. What does that mean in reality. Your brainwashed.

[@jennifernewton9979]

16 minutes and three commercials later.....this lady really only took one person's account?

[@kackygreen]

Fwiw, I also grew up in this cult and her account is very much like mine was, and we were in southern California and often went to the HQ

[@robertahonkanen9888]

Shut up troll

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

They don't seem to be very nice people l thought Christians were supposed to love everyone.

[@user-mh6ww5nt1p]

A bit dramatized don’t you think? A cult, for real?? I felt like this was a Hollywood version trying to make something out of just a “story”. I was too born into this church, Ambassador college in fact. Please! You poor thing, having to go to church all day on Saturday. I think you’re just upset you were just looked at as someone different. Would you have said the same thing if it was on a Sunday? Think about it. Your parents were trying to do the best that they could and unfortunately “crap” happens. And honestly, people follow a person/man and not what is in the scriptures. Everyone did have a choice, now going overboard was the individuals decision. Don’t put that on the church. Also, like everything else, times changes and either you like habit/structure and you stay in the same routine or you find a newer form of your beliefs.

[@jennifernewton9979]

Me too. I believe it was a cult though. But I have so many wonderful memories from my childhood. I would like to hear the truth. I haven't even listened to this documentary yet. I was 17 when I left home and this church had already started splitting then. Big Sandy TX.

[@jessicachristiansen764]

It was put on children that couldn’t understand from kindergarten till I gave up on God I hid under my cover afraid Satan would take me over. Not only that the Narcassitic parents that loved the control this fear of sin gave them over their kids. I was terrified we’d be going to a mud hut in Petra and Armstrong himself would say send that evil child out.

[@roberthacker4570]

It was, and still is, a demonic cult that destroyed many families and lives. Sad you still believe in it.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

There's a number of organisations and small groups that think their "all it" and superior to others but outside their nobody gives a monkey.

[@Mrz-sb1hw]

I received "the plain truth" magazine and l found it bizarre it was also glossy to keep the readers hypnotised l fink. But it meant nothing in the real world as far as l could see. They never asked for money but l sent some money, just to cover the cost. Where l stay in UK l showed people "the plain truth" and nobody believed it. One chap said it was just one old man's extremely biased view of the world. In conclusion all herby' s predictions didn't happen I now fink it was fun to see what nonsense they come up with next.