Note: The first edition of this article was originally completed in 1990, based on the author's personal experiences with the Worldwide Church of God from 1978 to 1984. While many changes have occurred in this church since that time, it is the author's personal contention that doctrinal changes are completely irrelevant to the core of the Worldwide Church of God's destructiveness, that is, the cruel psychological manipulation of its membership.This treatment of its members is common to many harmful groups, and understanding how people are led into this situation is more generally useful than details of one small, nearly-defunct church group.

9. Corrupt Fruit

If a tree is known by its fruits, then the Worldwide Church of God is among the many corrupt trees. That much of what they preach and broadcast may be factual simply makes them the more dangerous. It also makes them guilty of a kind of blasphemy, as they use the truth to promote a lie, and so entrap and control even the wary and the diligent, slandering and dishonouring God by their practice.

      This kind of false religion has always been the target of the most vehement biblical denunciations. To those whose fear religion would consign all those who oppose them to the "Lake of Fire," I leave one last thought:

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
"And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22,23, KJV)

      Ultimately, your own religion or philosophy is the sacred birthright of your humanity, which no man can ever take from you.

[Copyright, 1990, Jesse Ancona]