The “Ultimate Guide”? Hardly

Sorry for the late post, but I have been thrown quite a few technical issues at the same time that I’m reinstalling my laptop.  It isn’t the best of timing.

Well, I came across another blog called “Armstrongism – The Ultimate Guide”.  You can probably tell by the title that it isn’t exactly pro-COG.  Generally speaking, there are those anti-COG links I have reference time to time because they sometimes have valid criticisms.  So, we are left with 2 questions: “Is it at least written objectively enough to pay attention to?” and “Does it live up to its rather pretentious name (‘Ultimate’)?”  The answer, IMO, to both questions is, “No.”

First and foremost, if someone has a valid criticism, it is better that it be aired.  It could be that an organization can change for the better.  However, that demands accuracy.  If the statements continually miss the mark, then it is at best misleading and not helpful.

For example, the author, Henrick Blunck, tells us, “The antisemitism shown by their preaching is a sad proof of their misguided zeal”.  Yet, as in so many cases, he gives no evidence for anti-Semitism.  In fact, COG theology is as a whole much more amiable to Jews than others might otherwise be.  The recognition that we have a common ancestry works against anti-Semitism.  In fact, my experience has been more along the lines of entire sermons extolling the virtues of the state of Israel in modern times and how God must be protecting them (The Six Day War was a prime example in many such messages).

To put it another way, we keep what others refer to as “Jewish days”.  We keep much of what is considered the “Law of Moses”.  We keep what is close to kosher food laws.  I really have to scratch my head how that can sit side by side with anti-Semitism.

That isn’t the only inaccuracy, though.  He also writes, “The history of the United Church of God, originally established by David Hulme…”  Although the emphasis is his, it points out how bad his research is.  UCG was founded by a group of ministers in 1995 because many found themselves without a church at the same time.  This is well documented.  Saying David Hulme “originally established” UCG is like saying Thomas Jefferson “originally established” the United States.

I’m all for dialog.  I’m all for listening to others.  However, I expect some degree of accuracy before a meaningful conversation can even occur.  Otherwise, it is a grand waste of time.