Some Armstrongists believe that they can create a viable religion if only they take the very best of what Herbert Armstrong had to offer and dispense with all the rest. Apparently, they have not read the Gospels where Jesus is quoted as saying that a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit or the Epistle of James where it says, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” Continue reading “Poisoned Well”
When Prophecy Fails is a study of what happens to individuals when their belief system has been shown to be in error (disconfirmed).
A review by William E. Adams at Amazon.com says:
This work first saw print in 1956. It is the story of a UFO cult in a large city in the Midwest…how it developed, how the leaders recruited followers, how predictions about the coming end of the world started flowing from the psychic members who allegedly channeled messages from the spacemen/pilots. The cult members were told they would be saved, picked up by saucers on an appointed date. The members quit jobs, sold possessions, and gathered, only to be disappointed. Did they all quit in a huff? No way. The first failure only made them more determined they were right, more anxious to be ready for the next announced departure date. Then a second failure. A few members fell away, a few suffered doubts, a few challenged for leadership themselves. The point of this book is that it takes “three disconfirmations” to kill a movement of true believers, and even then, some still hang on to the discredited “theology” by grasping at excuses. I found this book by accident about 30 years ago, and have read it at least four times. I find it fascinating. In the 1970’s I knew two women in Albuquerque who were amateur psychics. They started bringing forth “space brethren messages” and eventually, although they failed to attract a following, they went up into the nearby mountains one night sure they would be lifted off before the coming unspecified disaster. They waited, but no ship appeared. I think people inclined toward UFO beliefs haven’t changed much since this book was published. The basic data shown in this study can apply to religious or political groups as well. I am sorry it is out of print, but if you have an interest in this field, get a used copy…the prices are reasonable and the book will not disappoint!
Hey everybody! Gather ’round! I’m here to give you anything you like!
You want to live like royalty forever?
You want unlimited wealth?
You want power over people who disagree with you?
Whatever you like!
You have come to the right place!
Why?
I’ll tell you why!
Who can take all your money with a twinkle in their eye and give it to another guy? The government [of God] can!
Who can tax you in the form of tithes? Who can tax the trees’ produce? Regulate all activities and collect up all the fees? The Government [of God] can!
And the government can ’cause it mixes it up with lies and makes it all ‘taste’ good!
The Government takes everything we make to pay for all their “solutions” — when Christ returns he’ll solve healthcare, climate change, pollution! He’ll do away with the Constitution!
Who can give a bailout? Tell us to behave? The ministers — the ministers of the Government of God!
The Government takes everything you make, they’re power hungry and malicious, their economics are fictitious — tithe and you’ll have to eat your dishes!
Who can be a failure in so many ways? Instead of getting fired, they give themselves a raise… the ministers… the Government [of God].
You feel so good, ’cause the ministers say you SHOULD!!!!
