Armstrongism: Beware of False Prophets: Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

Mormon Splinter Group Investigated

Perhaps you have seen the footage recently on the news of 400+ women and young girls dressed in 19th century clothes being evacuated from a 'religious compound' in Texas. Apparently a teenager in the cult informed the authorities that underage girls were being molested and forced into marriage, prompting the US government to get involved. The cult in question (Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day) is a polygamous splinter of Mormonism, which broke off 100 years ago. The cult leader, Warren Jeffs, was previously charged with rape and forcing a 14 year old girl to marry him, so I feel that the allegations about this cult are probably founded.

I think it is also important to note that this 'church' is listed as a hate group, for its teachings against interracial marriage. Does this mean that the Worldwide Church of God and its splinters are/were listed as hate groups for teaching the same belief?

About the Author

I am 3rd generation Worldwide Church of God; grand-daughter of a Decon. My parents stopped going to 'the church' not long after 'the changes' (in doctrine, 1995). I was left with a pretty severe anxiety disorder, and a total inability to make friends with 'the people of the world.'

After contemplating suicide, I became a teenage run-away. I faced homelessness and starvation; hitch-hiking from one coast of the USA to the other. Now, I live a happy life. I am healing, but even years after leaving 'the church,' I'm haunted with insecurities that were implanted into me at a young age.

I still have re-occuring dreams of the Apocalypse. I've had to quit more than one job due to panic attacks, and often times I cannot leave the house due to agoraphobia. I have met many other former members of the Worldwide Church of God who suffer from the same problems. Many of us still fear the end of the world, even though we have discarded the beliefs of 'the church.'

I write to heal myself, and to find others who share my experiences.

* Footnote

The word 'cult' is painful for me to use and read. It was over a decade after leaving 'the church' that I finally was able to accept that Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God was in fact a cult. In order to accept this, I had to learn the true, detailed definition of 'Bible-Based Cult'.

It is as follows:

CULT (Bible-Based);

1. A 'chuch' who's leader may
claim a to be an apostle,
prophet; or may claim to
speak with God.

2. Members believe they are
in the 'only true church.'

3. The leader and his
ministers use intimidation
to keep members loyal to
their ranks; such as
teaching that those who
leave 'the church' will
not have an eternal soul;
or if members leave
they will die during the
apocalypse. Also members
who leave may be shunned
by their family and
friends in 'the church'.

4. All cults require members
to give a large percent of
income as tithe. This is
compulsory tithing (which
is checked); those who are
not faithful to the tithe
will be disfellowshiped.

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

Mormon Splinter Group Investigated

About the Author

* Footnote

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