Security Blanket

Did you ever notice the similarity between the Linus security blanket and Herbie's agenda the splinter groups still espouse to keep the "brethren" enrapt and bankrupt? Especially during the holy days and the money-bleeding, feeding -frenzy feast days. During which time oft repeated warmed over sermons were given. Warning of God's soon coming wrath and the vengeance that was to be reeked upon Satan's world.

Remember how we used to clutch our blankets tighter and press them closer against our cheeks and suck harder on our thumbs? Seeking solace and comfort in the hopeful words of those dickhead pastors who assured we, "The Chosen" The Faithful and True, would inherit the Kingdom of God? That we were destined to be crowned with honor and glory? All to which I reply, in Herbie Caps, B U L L S H I T ! !

Remember that tired old clich,, "The Best Feast Ever!"? That hoary chestnut was repeated year after year. But it had a double meaning for the leeches who preached it. Although we were permitted to have "whatever our soul desireth," (if our strained budget could stand it), Herbie's suckbutts lived higher on the hog and the beef. They got the best hotels. For the rest of us, headquarters chose the hotels and motels that gave the biggest kick backs. But apparently some may have refused or balked. For quite a few years our feast site was the O Hara Arena in Dayton Ohio. We always enjoyed staying at the Rodeway Inn, conveniently located near O'Hara and nice restaurants close by. Rodeway served a continental breakfast, and had an excellent staff that gave good service. One year they were not on Worldwide Church of God's list. We wondered why. We were given the excuse that those particular dates were reserved for a pilots convention that had reserved all the rooms. We really had to scramble to find an approved lodging, as most everything was taken. We finally did locate a hotel. After services one day, we visited Rodeway out of curiosity. We expected a beehive of activity. Instead, the lobby was strangely quiet. I asked the clerk if Rodeway had reserved all its rooms for a pilots convention. "No," she said, "half of our rooms are empty." She also said that Worldwide Church of God had not contacted them that year. Go figure..

And when it came time for the offerings, it was "Payday at the Hocking!" Let the fleecing begin! On those particular days, offerings were prefaced by sermon references to scriptures: God comes first. Would a man rob God? God loves a cheerful giver. Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.

Herbie contributed to the financial drain with his own created tithe of the tithe. We were exhorted and urged to give generously to God's work. Even the youths were given envelopes. Children were encouraged to give pocket change. It's a wonder we weren't asked to sell our blood. All money not spent at the feast was to be turned in to the church. Money set aside for the feast was to be used strictly for that purpose. No new tires for those long trips. No tune-ups. So a lot of us who were driving clunkers at the time, were arriving at feast sites on a wing and a prayer, to use an old army airforce phrase. There were also a lot of break-downs enroute.

So God's work took in a big shit-pot full of money. But sadly it all wound up in Herbie's coffers. The preying (intentional) pastors, realizing their pay depended upon Herbie's take, applied the hard sell. We became threatened and guilt-ridden. We gave until it hurt. We gave all glory to god and all of our dough to that goddam pervert.

It's been quite some time since we left the cult. It took a while to get over the sabbath, holy days, feast days, dietary laws, etc, and return to normal reality. But I must confess, at first a guilt complex set in. I had a strong urge to grab my spiritual security blanket and once again poke my thumb in my mouth. Then, logic, reason and unsuppressed know -ledge took over and chased out all doubt. Plus the fact our standard of living has risen amazingly since our exit from the cult. We are enjoying and appreciating the life that was denied us for over 27 years. We are thinking on our own, making decisions on our own, and as far as I am concerned, all religions are full of crap. And another thing: if there is a god, how much more can he condemn me than the perverted apostle who screwed his own daughter for 12 years and screwed so many of us for a whole lot longer? This is one advantage of being a free thinker. Your mind is unshackled and you are much more inclined to arrive at reasonable conclusions. In his book, "Why I Am Not a Christian" Bertrand Russell has many comments about the subject. Here is a short quote; "----It is true that Christianity is less robust, but that is not thanks to Christianity; it is thanks to the generations of free thinkers, who, from the Renaissance to the present day, have made Christians ashamed of their traditional beliefs."

So now I thumb my nose at all those COGs and my Linus blanket has become an oil rag.

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