Armstrongism is on the nutty fringes of the outer limits of human belief, some how made to seem perfectly reasonable until some objective analysis is done by societal standards and scientific observation. How is it that if you don’t agree with the daft rubbish that some how it’s your fault and you just don’t understand?
The Cult of Herbert Armstrong Mafia isn’t the only daft religion and the new series, Dig on the USA Network brings to light what happens when extreme religion goes to great lengths to insure the establishment of their view of the world:
The really scary thing is that the creators of the series did a lot of research and found that there is a basis for what they present: They may have dramatized, but there are groups out there plotting and scheming to do the things portrayed in the show, to bring about the apocalypse, Armageddon or something (we’ll know more as the series unfolds). Look at Dig – inside the Episode: Episode 1:
About midway, they bring to light the story of the red heifer. As they say, if you Google the “red heifer” you will see there are people who believe that this could happen. Do you have questions? You will be rewarded. Of course, you will end up with ever more questions. Be warned: These groups aren’t just messin’ around. They’re serious. This is life and death stuff to them. Dig deeper — to coin a phrase, trust no one.
The red heifer is being raised in Norway. The Rabbis inspect the newly birthed heifer to see if there are any stray hairs that are black, which would absolutely ruin the sacrifice — but thankfully, this particularly young cutie is perfect for sacrifice, and so we are off and running. Apparently, the red heifer sacrifice is really, really, really important to Jewish prophecy for some reason. It doesn’t make sense to me, but it sure does to them.
It turns out that there is a connection to Armstrongism. The USA Network TV series is about people of extreme faith and the lengths they will go to when they believe God is on their side. Of course, He isnāt, so you can be certain this will all end in tears. Nevertheless, one of the features of the series is the Jews seeking out the Perfect Red Heiferā¢ for some sort of funky sacrifice signifying theā¦ well.. itās not clear, but itās truly important to somebody to bring about the end of days, the coming of the Messiah or something.
I know The Perfect Red Heiferā¢ well. In the WCG, I knew a Jewish lady and her husband who certainly was in the center of things ā at least in her own mind. She was a prophecy buff, and the main reason she joined up with Armstrongism was the prophecy of the end times. Of course, you know that couldnāt have lasted, particularly with the advent of the Tkach era, so she and her husband hied off to the Messianic Jews in hopes to find more of what she wanted. I was in her home one Sabbath post-WCG and she nattered on and on about The Perfect Red Heiferā¢ rather obsessively. I told her about the Herbert Armstrong incest and she accepted it, saying that it did not surprise her.
Well, here it is over a decade later and Iām pretty sure sheās still looking for that Perfect Red Heiferā¢. She was certain over 10 years ago that the Jews already had one picked for sacrifice on the altar to bring the Messiah or some such. Iād say that the best use of the Perfect Red Heiferā¢ is stew meat by this time if the poor thing is still alive.
Itās just plain nuts.
And the Cult of Herbert Armstongism Mafia sects arenāt much different than this kooky Jewish lady looking for the coming of the Perfect Red Heiferā¢.
Holy cow!
It never ceases to amaze how extreme Armstrongists can be: Strongly held daft cult ideas which just has to be!
This is just one such example.
Kudos to USA Network.
Although… here’s hoping it doesn’t give anyone any ideas….