AR12 June 30, 1980Dear Friends:
During the last three months there have been a number of important developments in the State of California versus Worldwide Church of God (WCG) legal battle. But the most important WCG-related events have been transpiring in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
COURT ORDER DELAYS ROBINSON BOOK
In our last newsletter we reported that former WCG minister David Robinson had written and would soon publish a book about Herbert W. Armstrong. After numerous delays, the book finally went to press with the title Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web.
Robinson hoped all advance orders would be mailed out by the end of the first week in June. But just after the copies were bound and boxed, Robinson was served with a temporary restraining order, issued by Tulsa District Judge William W. Means, prohibiting distribution of the book. The order came after two members of the WCG - minister Sherwin McMichael and Rader associate Henry Cornwall (just recently baptized) - filed a $2 million suit against Robinson, John Hadden Publishers, and printer Interstate Book Manufacturing Company of Missouri.
Their suit, filed June 2, contends that the book, Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web, contains "certain allegations concerning intimate details of the personal lives of plaintiffs and, in particular, plaintiffs' religious practices within the church and vis-a-vis the church's founder, Herbert W. Armstrong. Both the allegations which are true and those which are totally false were intended to, and did, intrude - in a manner highly offensive to a reasonable person - on the private affairs and religious beliefs of plaintiffs.... Said allegations were intended to, and did, seriously jeopardize the free exercise of religion by plaintiffs, by Herbert W. Armstrong, and by other church ministers and members. Said allegations are not of legitimate concern to the public."
Robinson told the Report, "I'm absolutely convinced Stanley Rader is behind the suit. This is one book the current WCG leadership would do almost anything to stop. I also know, for a fact, that Ralph Helge has been in close contact with Keith Ellison, the Tulsa lawyer representing Cornwall and McMichael."
Stan Rader told the Pasadena Star-News (June 10, 1980, p. 3) that he had "nothing to do with it at all." Yet, lawyer Ellison would not deny that he had been in contact with Ralph Helge, the WCG lawyer and Rader associate. Rader, when asked if the church was financing the suit against Robinson, said "not to my knowledge." But when Helge was asked the same question, he refused to deny the charge, saying, "I don't want to comment on that."
It is ironic that while Rader has, for over a year, attacked the California attorney general and Judge Jerry Pacht for initiating the state's lawsuit through an ex parte motion without notice, the temporary restraining order against Robinson was obtained in exactly the same way. Robinson told us, "They obtained this order through an ex parte hearing without notice. There was no good reason in this case for such an action. It is clearly unconstitutional prior restraint and tramples my rights to freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Furthermore, the order hurts others besides me. Many in Worldwide would not be giving their money to Herbert Armstrong and following him down the broad path to destruction if they had access to the information in my book."
Author David R. Robinson.
The evidence the plaintiffs provided in obtaining the temporary restraining order consisted of an advertisement letter Robinson had sent out (see p. 3) and a copy of rough drafts for two chapters of the book (originally numbered chapters 16 and 21), which Robinson had distributed to friends. Based on this limited material, the plaintiffs were able to obtain the order prohibiting the defendants "from publishing or causing to be published any of the previously published material in chapters 16 and 21 of Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web or any heretofore unpublished material from said book" (emphasis ours).
Robinson, more than a little upset over the order, told us that "Judge Means has put the courts in an incredible position. The order, in effect, says I cannot write or publish anything about a wide variety of subjects - many theological - because my book, which neither he nor the plaintiffs have yet seen, may somehow possibly interfere with Cornwall, McMichael, or Herbert Armstrong practicing their religion! I can hardly believe something like this can even occur in the United States."
Many legal experts agree.
William Hinkle, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union told the Tulsa Tribune (June 14) that the ACLU was coming to Robinson's assistance "because we have a special interest in the First Amendment and because this is a totally unprecedented case of a suppression of a book. All this complaint alleges is that it talks about their religion."
Another attorney who has joined in Robinson's defense is former University of Tulsa law school dean Bruce Peterson who called the restraining order "tragic." He told the Tulsa Tribune (June 14, p. 1): "What happened was this. Jim Kincaid, who is from a law firm with a prestigious name in town, goes over there to District Court and gets Means to sign it. It's too bad that in state courts - I say this of Means and all the others over there at District Court - that they issue temporary restraining orders all the time that are overly broad and too general. I can cite you numerous cases like this. They [church leaders] are pouring money into this thing like you wouldn't believe. That law firm over there has five people working full-time generating motions .... I don't care if what is in this book is true or not true or libelous or not libelous - that is another issue. I don't believe in prior restraint. Damn it, he [Robinson] has a right to write his book!"
The legal actions against Robinson have especially infuriated many who have ordered the Robinson book and are waiting patiently to receive their copies. Some have told us that they have written letters or are intending to write letters of protest to the WCG's lawyers in Tulsa and the judge presiding over the case. Some have stated they plan to phone and protest personally. The judge who will preside over the case is The Honorable Richard Comfort, District Court of Tulsa County, 500 South Denver, Tulsa, OK 74103. The law firm representing the WCG's side is Conner, Winters, Ballaine, Barry and McGowen; 2400 First National Tower, Tulsa, OK 74103 (tel. 918-586-5683). Copies of such letters can also be submitted to the "letters to the editor" section of an appropriate newspaper such as the Tulsa Tribune, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102.
Some who have ordered Robinson's book have also written letters of protest to Interstate Book Manufacturing Co., 3416 E. 23rd St., Kansas City, MO 64127 (tel. 816-483-5524 and 913-764-5600). Although this firm is located outside the jurisdiction of the Tulsa court, since the initiation of the suit they have cooperated with the plaintiffs and are refusing to release Robinson's shipment of books. Five thousand completed copies are sitting boxed in their warehouse while hundreds of people who have ordered the books are kept waiting.
Robinson told the Report, "I've been very moved by the many individuals who have encouraged me in the battle. I'm especially appreciative of the patience of those who've ordered the book. I don't intend to let them down. And I'm still taking orders for the book. Once it is out, the church will probably find some new way of blocking it again. They have the resources to keep this in the courts for years. But as for those who have ordered the book and are ordering it now, I know God will see to it that they get their copies somehow."
Robinson refused to elaborate, saying only "the court of God will prevail over the courts of man. The truth cannot be stopped." Robinson's battle with the WCG has inspired one newspaper to liken the situation to David versus Goliath. Indeed, one (not totally unexpected) benefit of the suit is a great deal of free publicity. Many news organizations have taken an active interest in this unusual case and in Robinson's book.
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Below: Part of the "evidence" submitted in the Robinson lawsuit - an advertising letter signed by the author.
David Robinson
5006 So. Hudson
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135Dear Friend,
I have been heavily involved with the Worldwide Church of God since 1949. My first fifteen years were spent as a layman and the next fifteen as a minister, administrator, counselor, lecturer, security chief and co-ordinator. Those duties brought me into close contact with the men who held the organization together, most of whom are either excommunicated or relegated to positions of dishonor within that church.
The realization that something was seriously wrong within the church came to me gradually, over a period of some years. Until rather recently I thought Mr. Armstrong would correct matters when he became fully aware of the seriousness of the problems. I suppose, in retrospect, that was a very naive position to take. But unfortunately it is the position still taken by thousands to this very day. I finally had to face the fact that things began to go wrong about the time Loma Armstrong died. Her influence was in alignment with the Law of God. With her passing another influence moved into the ascendancy which pandered to Mr. Armstrong's innate worldliness.
My approach, when I began to understand what was happening, was to do what I could within the organization in the hope that the organization itself could be saved. I believed that God would use it in a special way after cleaning it up. The result was excommunication by the one who calls himself an apostle!
When that happened I began to write of those experiences. Those papers were read by friends who encouraged me to continue until I had a whole book. While I have no professional writing experience I do find that straightforward presentation of truth (the plain truth) has a power all its own! This is so even when truth is stranger than fiction! So I began what has proven a rather difficult task.
First, I had not wanted to write such a book as I considered there were several others better qualified than I and that one of them should proceed with the necessary task. But while most recognized the need, not one of them would do it now. Several spoke of a later book. But it seemed imperative that it be done soon. Time was of the essence.
Secondly, I was in that difficult transition period between jobs. I found myself at nearly sixty years of age without employment, and without medical insurance for either myself or my wife as we had relied on the church. There was no paycheck, and no help from the institution which I had served for three decades. There was none of the termination pay most Americans have come to expect even from the coporations of "this world." There was the added realization that the church's refusal to pay social security for its employees was now a major drawback at my age. So, there wasn't much time to write. I had to sandwich this work in between other duties.
I firmly believe, based on long experience, that Herbert Armstrong is interested only in sex, money, and power, has nothing but contempt for his followers, and is leading astray those who put their trust in him.
My book, Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web, explains why. It shows the real Herbert Armstrong - the one few WCG members have been allowed to see. It shows why the WCG is in its present crisis, why doctrines are being changed. It shows the incredible influence Stanley Rader has over Herbert Armstrong and why no man has been able to stop his rise to power. It also reveals incredible secrets known by virtually all the WCG's ministry which, until now, have been kept hidden from the church's membership.
If you or members of your family belong to the WCG, this book will prove invaluable in helping you make important decisions about the church. Those who have read advance copies of the book have commented how they found it not only interesting, but at times, absolutely shocking. Others have stated that the book has given them a completely new and profound insight into the WCG and the turmoil now surrounding it. I am sure you will find it to be worth many times it price.
To order your copy, send $10.00 (check or money order) for each book to:
JOHN HADDEN PUBLISHERS
P.O. Box 35981
Tulsa, OK 74135Orders will be mailed out in a few weeks. Only a limited number are now being printed. So to be sure of getting your copy, order now.
Sincerely,
[signed] David RobinsonP.S. All orders will be handled confidentially.
When it is released, the Robinson book will undoubtedly cause more controversy about the WCG than ever before. The book contains 268 pages plus appendixes and has these chapter titles: (1) Idealism Versus Reality, (2) Until the Return of Christ, (3) The Cover-up, (4) Religious Hypocrisy - a Special Vice, (5) Control - the Name of the Game, (6) Sex and the Single Apostle, (7) HWA's Marriage and Illness, (8) Garner Ted's Ouster, (9) HWA Adopts the Primacy of Peter Heresy, (10) The Little Big Man, (11) HWA's Embarrassment With Christ, (12) The Jewish Connection and the Rise of Stanley Rader, (13) Conversations and Confrontations With Stanley Rader, (14) Conspiracy and Chaos, (15) Stabbed in the Back, (16) Roderick Meredith - the Broken Reed, (17) Raymond McNair - Loyal Buffie, (18) Gerald Waterhouse - the Longwinded Prophet of Petra, (19) Face to Face With HWA, and (20) Incest!
According to the Pasadena Star-News (June 10, 1980), lawyer Ellison, referring to the possible effect the book could have on Armstrong and plaintiffs, said, "The book quite well could destroy their reputations as contributing members of society...." Considering the WCG's vast powers of communication via the print and electronic media, we wonder how a few hundred, or even a few thousand, copies of a book could accomplish this if the contents were not true. Lawyer Ellison claims the Robinson book contains both true and false allegations. We at the Report certainly hope that during the course of the trial he will clarify which statements are false and which statements are true. Because contrary to one.assertion in his suit, the public does want to know.
As for the accuracy of the claims in his book, Robinson told the Report, "I knew, when I decided to write the book, that by doing so I would be in some danger. Many told me that if I tried to get the book out even my life would be in danger. I didn't expect the Rader organization's influence to extend to the Oklahoma courts. But they are pouring a lot of money into this case. Before it's all over they may even try to shut me up by putting me in jail. That may be the price I'll have to pay for speaking the truth. But that's the point. This book is 100% true.
"Herbert Armstrong is claiming it is not. But there's an easy way to find out who is telling the truth and who is lying. I challenge both Herbert Armstrong and Stanley Rader to come forth and submit to a polygraph test as to the veracity of my statements in the book. I'll agree to do the same and to have the results published. It would be an easy way to find out who's telling the truth and who is lying!"
U. S. SUPREME COURT AGAIN DENIES WCG'S PLEAS
As you may have heard, on June 2 the U. S. Supreme Court decided to let California state officials proceed with their investigations of the WCG. Without comment, the court refused the WCG's pleas that it study whether the state attorney general violated the church's First Amendment rights. Not one member of the court voted in favor of the church. It was the third time the church had asked the court to intervene in the case and the third time the court had refused.
George Deukmejian, attorney general of California.
Representing the WCG before the Supreme Court was Harvard University law professor Laurence H. Tribe. In papers filed with the court he contended that the state action would "seriously erode the constitutional protection of all citizens." A number of organizations sided with the WCG and filed friend-of-the-court briefs with the court. These groups included: the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U. S., the Synagogue Council of America, the Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church, the Lutheran Church in America, and others. Lawyers for the attorney general, however, contended that the lawsuit against the WCG was merely intended to correct "alleged fraudulent diversion of assets" by church leaders.
The court's action removed the last hope the WCG had of legally blocking a broad series of legal discovery orders requiring the church's leaders to turn over a wealth of information about the church organization and its finances, as well as submit to despositions.
California Deputy Attorney General James Cordi said that the order the court had permitted to be enforced would provide "most of the information we need to try the case."
In a brief to the court, state attorney general George Deukmejian argued that normally, directors or trustees of a charitable trust can go to court to seek remedies for a suspected fraud. But in this case the directors and trustees are "the very persons accused of wrongdoing." He wrote that to allow church officials to use freedom of religion arguments to stop the state's investigation would, in effect, "legitimize fraud in the name of religion."
After the Supreme Court decision, Deukmejian said the court's decision underscored the propriety of the state's case. He pointed out that the church has been denied relief in 16 different petitions to the California Court of Appeals and 11 separate petitions to the California Supreme Court. He said, "It is obvious that these courts, which represent virtually the entire court system in the United States, believe that the issues raised by this litigation are issues in which the public, through the attorney general, has a legitimate public interest." He went on to attack Rader for what he termed refusal to deal with the real issues and for "raising the spectre of government interference in religion. The issues in this litigation are not religious.... Self-dealing and fraud are the issues," he said. (Star-News, June 3, 1980.)
DEPOSITION TIMETABLES SET BY JUDGE
On June 4, two days after the Supreme Court decision, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert Weil announced a timetable within which WCG leaders would be required to appear for depositions. Herbert W. Armstrong must appear for questioning in Tucson on November 6. Attorney Laurence Tribe claimed that Armstrong health, age, and schedule prohibited him from appearing before December 3. But Judge Weil, referring to Armstrong's planned trip to England, Egypt, and Poland this summer declared, "If his age permits him to make these long and arduous journeys, he should be able to sit for a deposition. Mr. Armstrong's deposition has been pending for the last year and a half; it is not a shot from out of the blue!"
Judge Weil also set the dates for the following depositions: Wayne Cole, Oct. 6; David Antion, Oct. 14; Robert Kuhn, Oct. 21; Henry Cornwall, Nov. 5; and Ralph Helge, Nov. 12.
Earlier this year, Helge had attempted to have his name removed as a defendant in the case by producing a series of affidavits from numerous church members and ministers attesting that he had no knowledge of or part in any alleged wrongdoing. But on April 25 Judge Weil refused the request. In arguing against the Helge request, Lauren Brainard disputed Helge's claim that he was not a bonafide officer of the church, college, and foundation.
Brainard said, "An accounting is needed from the charitable corporations and individual defendants because they have been, and are, siphoning off and diverting to their own use and benefit assets of the church, college and foundation on a massive scale. All acts were done with the knowledge and complicity of all individual defendants, and each individual defendant is liable for the breaches of his co-trustees" (Star-News, April 29, 1980).
Judge Weil's June 4 order also included deadlines for the handing over to the attorney general of documents presently held by some of the defendants.
Apparently, based on the April 18 Pastor General's Report (p. 4), those documents include the minutes of church board meetings going back 20 to 30 years. Those minutes should prove very interesting. One former board member told us that over the years there were numerous minutes written up for board meetings that never occurred. Once the board members have given their depositions, it will be revealing for their testimony to be compared with the written record of the official minutes.
POLITICIANS MAY SAVE WCG
While the WCG has lost fight after fight in the courts, it may succeed in stopping the California attorney general's investigation through the state legislature. On May 15, the California State Senate passed the Petris Bill (SP 1493) by a vote of 21 to 1. The bill states: "Except as the attorney general is empowered to act in the enforcement of the criminal laws of this state... [he]... shall have no powers with respect to religious corporations." Had this proposed law been in force 18 months ago, it would have been impossible for the California attorney general to have taken action against the WCG as it did in January 1979.
Although the bill still has to pass the State Assembly and be signed by Governor Jerry Brown before it becomes law, its chances for passage are very good. The bill, authored by state Senator Nicholas Petris (Democrat, Oakland), would not go into effect until June 1981 even if passed. However, some observers believe passage of the bill could deal a serious blow to the state attorney general's suit against the WCG.
A June 17 Los Angeles Times article by Russell Chandler and Lois Timnick stated, "If it becomes law, the bill could have a negative impact on pending cases [such as the State of California versus Worldwide] even before it goes into effect. That would happen if the courts interpret it to mean that the Legislature's intent is to bar the attorney general from authority in religious areas. None of the major investigations of church groups by the state attorney general, however, was launched under the law the Petris bill seeks to alter." (The three groups being investigated are Gene Scott's Faith Center Church, the Synanon Foundation, and the WCG.)
As one would suspect, the WCG is lobbying for passage of the bill. Ralph Helge has been in Sacramento talking to politicians. WCG minister Joe Kotora has led a demonstration of WCG members at the State Capitol. (Other religious groups also participated, and the WCG members passed out copies of the church's "State vs. Church" reprint.) Harvard lawyer Laurence Tribe, who represents the WCG, has addressed the California Assembly's Judiciary Committee. Others backing the bill include Catholic, Protestant, and cult groups.
Opposition to the bill is coming mainly from Jewish groups, cult fighters, and deputy attorneys general. Legal experts opposed to the bill say the bill, if passed, will severely limit the powers of the state attorney general in investigations of any organizations claiming to be religious. And it will prohibit the attorney general from seeking corrective actions - such as the return of monies misappropriated - in civil fraud cases involving religious organizations.
Those opposed to the Petris bill should voice their opinion by writing to Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, or by calling his office at 916-445-2841.
THE CORPORATION SOLE
On April 25 employees of the WCG received an important memorandum from "The Executive Office." It informed them: "Your employment with the Worldwide Church of God, a California corporation, is hereby terminated effective today. The paycheck you will receive on May 1, 1980, represents payment in full through today of all wages and salary due you from Worldwide Church of God, a California corporation .... We wish to thank you for your past service and wish you every success in the future."
But along with the above memorandum came a letter signed by Herbert W. Armstrong. The letter was, in effect, an offer of employment by a new organization called "Herbert W. Armstrong, The Apostle of the Worldwide Church of God and his successors, a corporation sole." In order to obtain employment with this new organization, the offeree was required to sign a statement agreeing to a list of employment requirements. Some of these include:
*A provision giving the corporation sole "the right in its discretion to assign you at any time to different duties."
*A provision allowing for termination without notice with two weeks' pay.
*A termination clause which says, "If your employment with the corporation sole is terminated, with or without cause, whether voluntary or involuntary, for any reason, you will not be entitled to severance pay, pension, annuity, or other termination benefits of any kind."
*"Your ongoing employment is strictly conditioned on your loyalty and continuing adherence to all rules and regulations of the corporation sole and conduct consistent with and in accordance with the doctrines, teachings, and beliefs of the church."
*"Your employment is full-time, so you shall devote your entire productive time, ability, and attention to the business of the corporation sole and shall not directly or indirectly render your services to any other person or organization, for compensation or otherwise, without written consent."
*"You shall hold in the strictest confidence any trade secret or other information relating to the affairs of the corporation sole or the church, especially (but not limited to) membership lists and corporation books and records. Upon termination you shall return all such information to the corporation sole, along with any copies or duplicates thereof, as well as all other property of the corporation sole in your possession or control."
*"To dispel any uncertainty arising because of the difficulty in determining at this time what rights if any accrue to you as a result of your termination by Worldwide Church of God, a California corporation, and your employment by the corporation sole, the corporation sole requires as a condition to your employment that you look solely to the corporation sole and its written policies as described herein and as defined in its employee handbook for your rights upon your illness, disability, death, termination (whether voluntary or involuntary), or upon the occurrence of other conditions or events specified in the handbook. Therefore, in consideration for the offer of employment to you by the corporation sole, you agree, by your signed acceptance below, that you release and discharge Worldwide Church of God, a California corporation, from any claims or causes of action you now have or may have in the future, or that any person claiming through you may have, created by or arising out of your employment or termination of employment with Worldwide ...."
The agreement requires the signature, not only of the employee, but of the employee's spouse.
The given address of the new organization is P.O. Box 431, Tucson, Arizona 85702. But according to a Los Angeles Times article by Russell Chandler (May 7, 1980), the new organization is a Colorado corporation. That article stated:
"The new entity, qualified to do business in California, is a corporation sole. That means, according to a lawyer familiar with the Worldwide Church lawsuits pending in state and federal courts, that church patriarch-founder Herbert W. Armstrong, 87, 'is the total authority.'
"'He embodies all the assets of the corporation,' the lawyer said. According to corporation law, a corporation sole (often used as the incorporating means for Roman Catholic dioceses) need not have directors or trustees nor take votes before acting....
"Jack Kessler, an attorney spokesman for the Worldwide Church, said Armstrong had been considering moving the church corporation out of California since state prosecutors began investigating church finances in early 1979.
"Other states, Kessler said, have 'more favorable trust laws.'"
Not all WCG employees are going along with the new agreement. Five members of the WCG television studio have refused to sign the new contract saying it was "too restrictive."
Some recently fired WCG employees are saying they're now glad they were let go when they were. They were able to get more in severance pay, annuity pay, etc., than those who've stayed on.
A NEW DOCTRINE
Herbert Armstrong's name is the central part of his new organization's title. Yet many long-time WCG members will recall how HWA once strongly condemned numerous church groups for including in their legal names the names of their founders.
Herbert Armstrong insisted that the name of the true church is "Church of God" and that this name is one of the proofs or signs associated with the true church of Jesus Christ. He often pointed out that the designation "Worldwide," like "Radio" in earlier years, was only added to the church's proper biblical name as a legal requirement, the name "Church of God" already having been legally claimed by another corporation. (See reprint letter #953, Good News Sept. 1963, p. 5, etc.)
But now it appears that this doctrine, like others before, is being changed. On the George Putnam KIEV radio talkshow of June 12, 1980, Stan Rader made these comments:
"...at all times since 31 A.D. there have been members of the Worldwide Church of God some place on the surface of this earth.
"Worldwide Church of God is a spiritual body. It's a spiritual organism, whereas the Worldwide Church of God, Incorporated, is a California corporation carrying on some of the temporal affairs of the church."
ANOTHER NEW DOCTRINE
Many Ambassador graduates can recall a time when Herbert Armstrong taught that the churches of this world are "of Satan" and that God's church should have nothing to do with them. Yet now we see the WCG cooperating with other church groups in fighting the attorney general of California, even demonstrating with other groups against chat HWA formerly referred to as "constituted authority."
In the April 18, 1980, Pastor's Report there appeared this statement: "This morning, Mr. Rader accompanied Mayor Kolleck [of Jerusalem] on a courtesy call to the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox church" (emphasis ours).
On June 25, Stanley Rader appeared on Dr. Gene Scott's "Festival of Faith" television program. It wasn't the first time Rader has appeared on that preacher's program (see our June 1, 1979 issue). But this time, some WCG listeners were shocked to hear that WCG funds would be used to help promote the Scott program in return for a WCG documentary being aired on Scott's stations.
Obviously, Herbert Armstrong's admonition to avoid the churches of "this world" either no longer applies or has been greatly modified.
AND ANOTHER...
For almost fifty years Herbert Armstrong taught that it was wrong for a Christian to vote and take part in politics. In his article "How Would Jesus Vote for President?"- published every four years in The Plain Truth from Oct. 1948 through Oct. 1964 and distributed as reprint #232 - Herbert wrote that the great Mother Church (he called the Catholic church the Great Whore of Revelation 17) and her daughter churches (the Protestant churches, he claimed) "formed an illicit union with the governments of this world - entered into this world's politics - took an active part in its affairs! Thus she [the Catholic church] committed spiritual 'fornication' - illicit union prior to marriage.... The popular churches of Christendom nearly all take part in this world's affairs and its politics.... They are deceived: They do not even know they are doing wrong!"
And what does Herbert claim Jesus would do? "He would be too busy proclaiming the good news of His own coming world-ruling kingdom, and the way of salvation, to take part whatsoever in the politics of this present evil world...." But now Herbert, evangelist Rader, and WCG ministers and members are actively lobbying the California legislature and demonstrating in Sacramento. They have even enlisted the aid of the Catholic church - Herbert called it the "great counterfeit church" - and its Protestant "harlot daughters" in their fight. Does Herbert now believe God is so weak that he (Herbert) must solicit help from organizations he has long branded as Satan's churches? Or has he completely lost faith in God? Whatever his reasoning, Herbert has obviously altered one of his church's oldest doctrines.
WHERE WILL IT ALL LEAD?
At this juncture it is difficult to predict what will transpire in the WCG in the next few months. The following quote from page 11 of the April 18 Pastor's Report is, however, very enlightening:
"Mr. Helge cautioned that we've also got to have something else in mind.... Hebrews 11... also tells us that when we're persecuted in one city to go to another. Is that time here now?
"Mr. Helge then admonished us to not lose faith in our leaders, or the Church because of this lawsuit. Nor should we lose faith in God if arrests and indictments should come forth. He stressed that he was not saying that this was going to happen, but if it does, we should not be too good to experience the same treatment the apostle Paul endured.
"...I'm telling you it's going to take a miracle from God to have it end peaceable. We're going to be peaceable but... [ellipsis theirs] this really is the first opponent....
".there's a bill now in the state legislature that hopefully is going to take away his [the attorney general of California] civil power to persecute [sic] churches (our lawsuit is a civil one),' Mr. Helge reminded the audience. But he may simply take his charges and categorize them as 'criminal' as he has already done in other cases."
The above seems to indicate that the WCG, or at least its leaders, plan to flee California or even the U.S. if the state should file criminal charges or if the civil suit progresses beyond a certain point.
In his book Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web David Robinson devotes a chapter to WCG evangelist Gerald Waterhouse and the WCG's latest pronouncements on Petra. Robinson says Waterhouse has resurrected the old Petra theory and has been on tour preaching it to WCG audiences. Robinson points out that many WCG members believe the "time to flee" is near and they will be encouraged to sell all they own to support the church's "great escape." He sees such a possible exodus as inevitably leading to tragic consequences.
Stanley Rader has denied that the church's Petra doctrine can be compared to the Jim Jones Guyana tragedy. But on George Putnam's June 12 radio broadcast Rader said:
"We do believe that when you're persecuted in one place you flee to another - because the Bible tells you that. And we also know that if the Constitution of the United States should be declared a nullity as a result of this action by the state of California, then in order to continue our work of fulfilling the great commission we're going to have to do so from a place where we are free to do so.... So naturally if we are unable to operate here freely in order to spread the gospel, we'll go elsewhere. But also we have a belief which comes right from the Bible - it's all laid out for anyone that wants to read it, in the Book of Revelation which is a much disregarded book of the Bible unfortunately - that in the end time those chosen few will be saved from what otherwise would be worldwide destruction. So we have contemplated over a long period of time, and speculated.... We just believe that when that end time comes we will be saved. And rather than going someplace for a James Jones Guyana ending it will be to be saved while everyone else, unfortunately, will be destroyed."
Herbert Armstrong, too, is preaching the "place of safety" doctrine. The lead article in the June 16 Worldwide News had an HWA article with this headline, "Completion of Work Near???" That article contained this statement:
"...our great commission will be virtually completed. Quickly the Laodicean church will rise up. It will go through the GREAT TRIBULATION. We shall be taken (by flight) to a place of protection for 3= years, till the coming of Christ.
"I have rechecked Revelation 3:10 again and from the original Greek it definitely refers to our being taken to a place of safety from the Great Tribulation."
David Robinson points out that within the last year, Gerald Waterhouse has preached that the WCG would purchase a fleet of DC-10s to fly the WCG to the Middle East. (Apparently, God will provide "11-inch angels to cover the 10-inch cracks.") Now, however, one top WCG minister is privately saying the "place of safety" may not be in Jordan, afterall, but a place in Argentina.
Herbert Armstrong's article is all the more interesting considering its immediate proximity to another article with his by-line. Immediately beneath the June 16 Worldwide News lead article was one entitled "Satan Intensifies Persecution." While not mentioning Robinson by name, the article craftily attempts to head off charges brought by Robinson's book:
"Actually Satan tried this in the attempt to have the state political government take over running of the church. Both Mr. Stanley Rader and I were falsely accused (but not in the lawsuit) of siphoning off (stealing) millions of dollars every year. We did not need to dignify those monstrous lies with even a denial. [huh?]
"But now Satan is coming at us in a more subtile and even more outrageous and scurrilous accusation, implying personal immorality and sins.
"Neither shall we dignify these infamous accusations and rumors with a denial.
"Adolph Hitler is reported to have said that if you tell a little lie it may not be believed, but if you tell an outrageously enormous and impossible lie it will be believed."
HWA's reference to Adolph Hitler and his "big lie" concept is most remarkable. In Herbert Armstrong's Tangled Web, author Robinson, quoting Armstrong family members, claims that Herbert Armstrong has been an avid student of Hitler's Mein Kampf.
HWA has claimed that men are always guilty of that which they accuse others of. Obviously, that theory is not universally true. However, perhaps that supposition was developed by HWA out of personal introspection.
ARCH-CRIMINALS OF THE CENTURY?
On the George Putman radio program referred to above, Stan Rader made light of some of the accusations levied against him. We found one Rader statement particularly amusing:
"ABC, on national television, accused me and Mr. Armstrong of stealing $70 million and maybe more. We've been accused in court of having siphoned and pilfered up to $45 million and maybe more.... And that would make Mr. Armstrong and me two of the arch-criminals of this century. There have not been any financial scandals [before] where anyone has been accused of stealing $70 million or $45 million."
"SIXTY MINUTES'' DOES IT TO RADER AGAIN
On June 8, "Sixty Minutes," the nation's number one television program, reran the "God and Mammon" segment it did on the WCG. We hope those of you who missed it when it aired on April 15, 1979, were able to see it this time.
The rerun did not prove very popular with the WCG's leadership. Just a few days after it aired, the WCG took out fullpage ads in leading U.S. newspapers to present an open letter to Mike Wallace, denegrating his journalistic ethics. (A full-page ad in the New York Times, one of the newspapers the church ran ads in, costs over $16,000.) The ad was signed Herbert W. Armstrong, but its somewhat amateurish style has prompted some to wonder if the former ad man was really its author.
For instance, its headline read "Why, Mike Wallace, on 60 Minutes did you not tell the plain truth?" The ad continued addressing Wallace in the second person until the end where, oddly, the author(s?) ask Mike Wallace, "If you want more information, write to us: The Worldwide Church of God...."
Another oddity was the blunt use of religious phraseology. For instance, "...our primary motivation, which is SPIRITUAL, proclaiming the TRUE Gospel message of Jesus Christ to the world and to our baptized members... this present nearly half-century-old succession of the true church of God was raised up and has grown on living faith in God and in Jesus Christ our Savior...." Very religious language for a man who avoids the name Jesus Christ when dealing with the world's leaders and who has often boasted of his skill in appearing "worldly" when dealing with "the world." But then again, maybe it is not so strange considering Herbert Armstrong's multi-personalitied nature.
Many WCG watchers are convinced this anti-like Wallace ad was inspired by Stan Rader, toward whom the "God and Mammon" documentary was most unflattering (did the camera lie?). Many believe the real reason for Rader's running battle with Wallace stems from the fact that Wallace's annual salary is more than two-and-a-half times that of Rader's. Of course, such jealousy is not possible, because Mr. Rader is now "converted."
Incidentally, we at the Report couldn't help but chuckle when we read: "You made us look wealthy by saying our financial income is greater than that of Billy Graham or Oral Roberts combined. Whether true or false, I respectfully point out that we are a CHURCH. They are merely evangelistic and broadcasting crusades - though the latter also operates a minor university. [Editor - this "minor" university in Tulsa has a respected law school, dental school, medical school, huge hospital, championship basketball team, and is accredited.]
"Why did you not tell the No. 1 TV-watching audience in America that we are a CHURCH of long [sic] standing? That the No. 1 allocation on our annual budget is the ministerial payroll ...."
Longtime observers of the WCG will probably notice that this important clarification of the WCG's size and status was first presented in Ambassador Report's March 24, 1980, issue (see pp. 3 & 4, especially p. 4, para. 4). After thirty years, Herbert Armstrong, who used to boast about the sun never setting on his work, about being bigger than Billy and Oral, etc.- finally realizes his truly small size and status, as we pointed out a few weeks earlier in the Report.
The coincidence gave us a chuckle.
THE ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN
The full-page ads attacking Mike Wallace have not been the WCGs only recent newspaper foray. During the last few months the WCG has had a major ad campaign going which has utilized numerous full-page ads in many of the nation's largest and most prestigious newspapers. The headlines have included:
"Churches outlawed in U.S.S.R. Don't say it can't happen here!! 80 million Americans fight back:"
In this ad Herbert Armstrong tries to imply that the WCG is a group of dedicated patriots fighting off the encrouchment of fanatical communists in our midst.
"8.3 million Americans versus California's Attorney General-Who do you think is right?"
Of course, there are no 83 million Americans versus the California attorney general. Other than $150-an-hour attorneys hired to defend the WCG, the Rader organization would have difficulty finding even one million knuckleheads who are convinced the Attorney General has acted improperly.
Representatives of church organizations labeled "Satan's churches" by Herbert Armstrong have come to the WCG's defense. And these organizations do together, perhaps, have a total of 83 million people on their church rolls. But to assume all of these 83 million people are backing the WCG's position is to reduce the aggregate intelligence quotients of these groups to that of the WCG's membership - a very unreasonable assumption. A more rational analysis would conclude that many upstanding, religious Americans contribute to organizations headed by pseudo-politicians out of step with the good sense and Christian ideals of their constituents.
"Corruption in government did not end with Watergate."
The headline of this ad, signed by Stanley Rader (a signature sure to intrigue graphologists everywhere), has a particularly odd ring to it considering (1) Rader's close ties with the Nixon Administration and (2) the fact that since 1975 A1 Carrozzo has likened the WCGs coverups to Watergate, and, (3) more recently, David Robinson has drawn attention to significant parallels between the WCG's scandals and the Watergate tragedy.
"The First Amendment ...Fair Prey for Ambitious Politicians???"
This ad contained the following:
"What about you? What matters to you? Your religion? Your politics? Your sex? Your sexual preference?..."
We won't comment any further on this one.
All of these ads are remarkable. They constitute an odd blend of fallacy and hyperbole. But for sheer outlandishness none tops the one we saw in the June 23 Los Angeles Times. The headline read:
"The Worldwide Church of God offers $100,000 REWARD!"
Space does not permit us to quote all of this wacky ad. Those who wish to obtain a full copy can probably do so by writing to "God's headquarters" in Pasadena. But the thrust of this ad's offer is that the WCG will pay $100,000 to persons providing the WCG with "evidence" that, in essence, shows that the California Attorney General initiated his lawsuit based on "false or misleading information."
But the ad says, "All these allegations [against the WCG] have been either disproved or refuted by positive evidence. The attorney general has furnished no evidence to the contrary, leading to the conclusion that he therefore acted either on the basis of no information whatever or on the basis of false information." But if that is the case, then what need is there for more "evidence"?
That is only one self-contradiction found in the ad.
The self-contradictory hodgepodge ad has been interpreted by many as an attempt by the WCG leadership to bribe takers into "creating" evidence to be used against the attorney general. (Of course, this is not the case as Herbert Armstrong, Stanley Rader, and associates are all converted men, and Mr. Rader is also an upstanding attorney.)
Some who read the ad asked: If a conscientious citizen really had such information, would he not already have come forward without the incentive of monetary gain? And if a man only came forward for the $100,000, would he not be a dishonorable man? And therefore would his testimony not be worthless? These people seem to believe that the reward offer is only another attempt at delaying the trial. Of course, HWA and Stanley would not stoop to such tactics. After all, they are converted men. But then, what is the real purpose behind their $100,000 offer?
DOCUMENTARY PUTS EGG ON TV STATION'S FACE
As if the WCG's newspaper ads were not bad enough, the WCG has also produced a one-hour documentary (if that is the correct word) about its running battle with the California attorney general. The program aired in southern California over KCOP-TV on January 16 of this year. But then after receiving letters from Judge Jerry Pacht, Deputy Attorney General Lawrence Tapper, Hillel and Raphael Chodos, and ex-judge Stephen Weisman, that station found itself in the embarrassing position of having to air a five-minute retraction a minimum of 12 times in as many days. The retration stated:
"In January 1979 the Worldwide Church of God was named in a suit brought by the state of California charging its leaders with siphoning off millions of dollars for their benefit. The action demanded an accounting and brought the appointment of a receiver for the temporary protection of the church property and records.
"On Wednesday, January 16, 1980, channel 13 broadcast a program produced by and presenting the views of the Worldwide Church of God titled 'The First Amendment: Church v. State.' In that program certain statements were made regarding actions and motives of Attorney General George Deukmejian, Deputy Attorney General Lawrence R. Tapper, and Los Angeles attorneys Hillel Chodos and Raphael Chodos in connection with their prosecution of the lawsuit.
"The broadcast also questioned the propriety of the appointment of a receiver by Los Angeles Superior Judge Jerry Pacht in a proceeding conducted without prior notice to the church.
"Because of the serious nature of some of the statements and characterizations made in that broadcast, KCOP has undertaken an investigation of the events discussed in the program. We have reviewed numerous documents, met with the attorneys and a representative of the church and the advertising agency for the church in order to obtain documentary support for those charges. Although we're not equipped to determine the merits of the case, this investigation has lead us to the following conclusions:
"This station is convinced that the lawsuit against the Worldwide Church of God is not a sham and that it has not been conducted for improper purposes. We similarly conclude that the January 2, 1979, hearing in Judge Pacht's chambers which resulted in the Judge's appointing a temporary receiver to administer the church's financial affairs was proper. Although prior notice of a hearing is usually required, California law permits a judge to hear a motion for temporary relief without notice to the defendants in emergency situations.
"It was also suggested in the church's broadcast that Judge Pacht appointed the receiver at the hearing without having paid sufficient attention to the crucial documents submitted at the hearing. The court transcript of the hearing shows that Judge Pacht indicated that he had read the complaint, the written legal arguments, the sworn declarations of the individuals who initiated the suit, and some of the supporting financial data before appointing former Judge Weisman to take possession of church assets.
"It is noteworthy that the California Commission on Judicial Performance, a body charged with overseeing the conduct of judges, determined unequivocally that Judge Pacht conducted the hearing properly. The proceedings in the judge's chambers were recorded by a certified court reporter and a transcript of these proceedings has been available to the public since very shortly after the hearing concluded. We know of no evidence that supports the church's assertion that the judge or any other person suppressed the transcript.
"Channel 13 is further convinced that attorneys Hillel Chodos and Raphael Chodos, Deputy Attorney General Lawrence Tapper, and the court-appointed receiver, former Judge Stephen Weisman, were not motivated to and had no intention to take over the property of the church for their own gain as was suggested in the church program.
"None of these gentlemen performed any action that was illegal or unethical or inconsistent with the apparently lawful order of Judge Pacht appointing a receiver.
"The statements in the church's program to the effect that the state had no evidence on which to base a lawsuit and that it never expected to uncover any are not well founded. We have not attempted to determine which party is correct about the ultimate merits of the case. As happens in most lawsuits each side disputes the credibility and the motives of the other; however, the correctness of the appointment of the receiver has been the subject of several appeals to higher courts, including the United States Supreme Court, and none of these courts has reversed any of the orders imposing or confirming the receivership. The courts have, apparently, decided that there is indeed evidence to support the actions taken on behalf of the state.
"We have also found no reason to believe that the attorney general of California or the state's attorneys acted with questionable motives or bad faith, lied to the public or to the church, or improperly came into possession of church documents as was suggested in the church program.
"We have found no evidence, and none has been presented us, that impunes the integrity of these individuals. In conclusion we want to acknowledge that the issues in the lawsuit are quite involved and important. Understandably emotions are high. However, we are satisfied that there is no reason to question or suspect the motives, integrity or good faith of the attorneys who have brought the case, or of the court officers who have participated in the proceedings.
"Channel 13 played no part in the production of the program and the views expressed in it were exclusively those of the Worldwide Church of God. We extend our sincere apology to George Deukmejian, Hillel Chodos, Raphael Chodos, Lawrence Tapper, Judge Jerry Pacht, and Stephen Weisman and regret any harm that the broadcast may have caused them. Thank you."
Anyone who watched the WCC-produced documentary should have immediately realized they were being subjected to pure propaganda. The background music alone indicated that. Almost every time church officials appeared, they were accompanied by orchestral strains transporting the viewer to Shangri-la. But when state officials were shown, the viewer was musically dragged off to the emperor's dungeons of ancient Rome or to Dr. Frankenstein's lab. One wondered what horror flick some of the latter music was lifted from. The informational content of the one-hour "documentary" was likewise no less one-sided and inaccurate. Nevertheless, the inflamatory "documentary" was produced very professionally, and one can only speculate as to how many people were influenced by its content.
NEW CHURCHES
In our last issue we mentioned a number of new churches, including The Church of God, Kelowna. Soon after that issue was published, we received a very cordial phone call from the head of that group, Mr. Hans Norel, a successful Canadian businessman and former WCG member. Mr. Norel told us, "Many people who become aware of the problems in Worldwide wind up very discouraged and confused. We try to encourage people not to throw out the baby with the bath water. We try to help people spiritually through Christian fellowship and in some cases, even physically. If any of your readers are in need of encouragement or assistance we'd like to help. They can write to us at P.O. Box 2362, Staticn R, Kelowna, HC, Canada, VIX GA5 or call us at 604-765-6638."
Since our last issue, we've been made aware of a number of other church groups that have ministers or significant numbers of members from the WCG. For those who are interested, here they are:
Church of God, Sonoma
(Paul Royer)
2163 Meadowbrook St.
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
Tel: 707-542-7777Fountain of Life Fellowship
(James L. Porter)
Valley Center, KS 67147
Tel: 316-755-0576Great Lakes Society for Biblical Research
(John Cheetam)
P.O. Box 63
Jenison, MI 47428
Tel: 616-669-1271Baltimore Church of God
(Dan Porter)
1129 Saffell Road
Rt. 2, Box 25C
Reisterstown, ND 21136
Tel: 301-833-8860Association for Christian Development
formerly the Associated Churches of God
(Ken Westby & George Kemnitz)
Box 10903
Winslow, WA 98110
The above groups are listed for your information. Please recall that we do not give endorsements to any groups.LETTERS
Your recent comments about Liberty Ministries International were appreciated, even though some people thought you were being sarcastic and cutting toward us. I have learned one very important lesson in life, and that is to respect the right of others to disagree with me. I feel no personal need to have others agree with my viewpoints, neither do I feel any pressure to agree with their beliefs.
The very core of Liberty Ministries is "individualism" and the "dignity of difference." It is our sincere goal in life to help each individual to realize more of his or her own abilities and talents. Far too many people and their organizations use peer pressure or emotional black-mail in an attempt to force conformity. We have made and are making a dedicated effort to help each individual feel proud about his different, unique philosophies in life.
Another point I would like to make about your article is that we did not build Liberty Ministries art a "spinoff" from the Worldwide Church of God. In fact, less than two percent of our members were ever associated with Worldwide. We have not built on someone else's foundation. We have not established doctrines or a church government which even remotely resemble the WCG.
Furthermore, I harbor no animosity or hard feelings about any aspect of my association with Worldwide. I feel it was a fabulous opportunity - it just wasn't the total answer. I appreciate the Bible knowledge I received, the speech training, the privilege to make good and fasting friends, the opportunity to learn to live at ease with all people everywhere, and on and on. Sure, the organization had shortcomings, but don't they all? Frankly, if most of the members of Worldwide hadn't been there, they would have been in some worse cult, and there are plenty of them around!
In closing, again, I thank you for mentioning LMI and your offer to publish out response. We are a team of dedicated individuals, seeking Godly solutions to the problems of the world. We are trying to help people identify that itch they have been unable to scratch. The first year of LMI saw fabulous success, and a change in many lives. I wish you and your whole staff God's richest blessings. May you use your tremendous talents to build, not just tear down. Remember, it's growth and positive results that count.
-Thomas K. Williams
Liberty Ministries International
P.O. Box 11105
Richmond. VA 23230
Tel: 804-747-6030I took forward to reading the Report whenever it comes into my home. After reading the latest issue, I feel compelled to write and comment on some of the things brought out in it.
It is unfortunate that so many feel they must go out and begin churches of their own. You repotred on several who had done this. It seems to me that they may be making the same mistake that HWA made many years ago. He had a disagreement with those around him so his answer was to form his own group. Now we are witnesses to the tragedy which has unfolded as a result of that decision. Of course, others may have different motives for starting up their own organization, and I sincerely hope they do indeed have good motives in so doing.
Many of us, myself included, have run around trying to find "truth" - trying to seek out those who preached the most "truth." We had to be certain that Scripture was being taught correctly. I recall that the Pharisees took this point of view also. They knew Scripture so well that they missed what it was trying to tell them. John 5:39-40, "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life." (NIV)
We can be so concerned with "working out our own salvation" that we miss what it's really all about - building a personal relationship with Jesus Christ - becoming a disciple of his rather than a follower of some theological idea or interpretation.
I would be the first to admit that the churches dotting our country are not perfect. There is not a church that I have visited that I couldn't "disagree" with about something. But that's not the point. Could that church strengthen my relationship with Jesus Christ? Could it show me how I could be move dike Him? That is what counts, the way I see it. There are many churches around to which the answers to the above would be "yes."
Let us be honest and ask ourselves: Who are we really following?
-Richard Forkun
Ontario, CanadaI received your AR today. It is like turning on a light after being in the dark with The Worldwide News. Thanks so much to the person who sent in my name. Things fit together now. I had heard of you but was afraid to request it for myself as I had been told it was all lies and Satan's last effort to destroy the church. But I've been told the truth by you. Thank you for your efforts. I've found much help from the Church of God, 7th Day. Their address is: Bible Advocate Press, P.O. Box 33677, Denver, CO 80233.
For a church ,that, according to HWA, was near death, they have so many teachings that we thought only HWA knew. They are wonderfully helpful, Christian people with a sincere love and desire to serve instead of get. They will send a series of documents on request showing how HWA was a members of their church. It is very enlightening.
-Kansas
Keep yours garbage to yourselves. I'm tired of carrying your trash to the dump (which isn't a low enough place for the filth you axe spreading).
Why don't you do yourselves a favor and close your mouths and still yours fingers. You'll have less to repent of that way!
As to your comment that if the ministers left in God's work were to preach what they know to be true, they'd be fired - it's preposterous. We know what is going on and are 100% behind Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. What he is doing is right and positive and what you are doing is wrong and totally negative.
-Glen Doig
WCG Minister
Anchorage, AlaskaTo date I have had you mail the Report to 32 people in our local church. One sabbath out minister announced that many people were receiving it, and that someone was trying to "break up the church!" He does not know that Mr. Armstrong has already done that.
Keep up yours good work to warn people.
-WCG member
"...I feel certain the whole thing will fall apart sooner or later, and I am tithing quite a bit to Mr. Raymond Cole as he still believes in Monday Pentecost as I do too. I did not worship with the brethren on Sunday last year nor do I plan to this year. But don't tell HWA or Rader. My minister excused me and I appreciate it.
-WCG member
Editor: Mr. Raymond Cole is the pastor of The Church of God, The Eternal, P.O. Box 775, Eugene, OR 97401.
Since leaving the WCG a year ago, I have been affiliated with GTA. However, when I head in your last Report that Al Portune (my main reason for supporting GTA) had been denied a place on the Board and had left, I felt this was too much. And when I head Jack Martin was fired and Wayne Cole had resigned - that was definitely too much.
Apparently GTA isn't too willing to let his members know that these men are out, because in their literature or communiques, which I still receive, not a word has been mentioned. Thanks for reporting on this.
-Canada
I can believe what yours reports say - I've been a coworker with HWA for 15 years, and I've come to realize he is no longer the man I thought he was. I want to keep informed.
-Ohio
A short time ago I lost my darling husband. But thank God for people like you who are striving to get the truth to so many. Because of you and others like you I have gotten through the past months so much better. Thank you.
-Tennessee
For years I thought you were our enemies, but the light finally shown through and we discovered who our real enemies are. We thank God for this revelation.
-California
We regularly receive letters from individuals who critize the Report as being very negative. These individuals have a point. (Of course, some complain that the Bible too is negative, exposing too many of the sins of its central figures.) Much, if not most, of what we report on is very negative. Frankly, we wish that were not so. We really do wish that we could report some really good news, for once, about Herbert Armstrong, the WCG, and Ambassador College. But unfortunately, today there just isn't much positive to report regarding the Armstrong organization.
We certainly hope none of our readers make the Report the central part of their life. There are so many positive, beautiful, and uplifting things to be enjoyed in life. We certainly hope all of you are living, or at least approaching, the kind of good life all of us really want.
On the other hand, there is an appropriate time, reason for, and balanced way to study the negative or less inspiring side of life. And there is an appropriate place for expose journalism and advocacy. We receive many letters from individuals who've been greatly helped by our efforts. We appreciate their kind words and want all who've supported our efforts to know our united efforts have really helped thousands of people.
Sincerely yours,
The Publishers
Ambassador Report is published quarterly as finances allow. Publishers are: Robert Gerringer, Bill Hughes, Mary E. Jones, John Trechak, Leonard Zola and Margaret Zola. Editor: John Trechak.
