THE LESSON FROM THE RAPE CASE OF BRO ELI SORIANO

Cis,

You presented a good point to consider: A young man like Ptuo (Daniel Veridiano) could easily physically prevent the rape attempted by an asthmatic man Eli Soriano who was 54 years old in 2001, the year the alleged rape was committed. But there are other powers that can neutralize any physical resistance such as superior mental power of a boss (see Appendix A) or the power to change the mind of the would-be victim through bribery such as done to countless of poor women, men and children throughout history who laid down their initial resistance upon hearing an offer and succumbed to the temptation, that is, submitted themselves willingly, putting aside their initial opposition, for the sake of some offered advantage the victim came to realize.

So it was either with consent or initially tesisted but eventually Soriano’s superior authority overcome the physical strenght and initial moral resistance of Mr. Veridiano. So in this case, an old man sick of asthma can ‘rape’ a stronger young man which no longer can be considered rape once the resistance is removed.

Anyway, that is not my main point here. I have other more important point that every member of whatever religion must come to know, namely: sin, including homosexuality, when kept hidden, covered but not nipped in the bud and overcome, would find such protection a healthy soil to germinate like a seed, become a tree and bear fruits and seeds and then create other similar trees until it becomes a forest, that is, from one seed or tree into a forest, which in this sense, the sin of one person has developed into a culture because it has corrupted other persons around and have also made them homosexuals or participants and practitioners to homosexual traits and acts. So what used to be a suppressed homosexual tendencies or feelings has found freedom and rich ground to express itself in its perverted manners so that its many types of expressions in gestures, eyes, words and actions become acceptable and accepted and not just accepted but a;so even appreciated and preferred to normal traits because usually it is fun, etc.

This is not new among the Catholic circles especially where a priest is present. In the case of the ADD headquarers, the spirit of homosexuality spread from Soriano to Veridiano who then spread it to or committed it to around 14 others in the form of raping or having sexual acts with them who are fellow male workers of Ang Dating Daan.

I have gone ahead of the story so let’s go back to the narratives and details and there mine the evidences to support my just mentioned conclusion that Soriano’s kept but not overcome weakness of homosexuality had gone out from its hiding place and gone viral for the lack of proper action to uproot it by the roots instead of mere cover-up which instead gave the virus a conducive environment to grow and spread... then we will proceed in this way until we reach again to that same point and conclusion.

THE DETAILS AND THE STORY

I have read the court paper available in the internet, also the comments, also the video by Veridiano where he swore he would never leave ADD and the good Soriano who supported his medication...and that he knew all hell would get loose if he would transfer to INC.

So he knew full well the risk.

But why did the goodness of ADD and Soriano and the known risk and wickedness of INC against ADD members failed to stop Mr. Veridiano to eventually transfer to ADD?

My answer: the inviolable law of you will reap what you sow (cause and effect or what the Lord refers to as the fruits will tell what kind of tree or cause it is), which can be applied to all parties involved in this formerly simple and single case into a very complicated case, is at work.

Here is what I see and mean:

1. By his defense recorded in the court document, Soriano admitted indirectly that he is a homosexual and that he did intercourse with Veridiano at least two times

To quote the court document:

"REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Supreme Court

Manila

THIRD DIVISION

NOTICE

Sirs/Mesdames:

Please take notice that the Court, Third Division, issued a Resolution

dated October 1, 2014, which reads as follows:

"G.R. No. 204839 (Eliseo F. Soriano v. People of the Philippines

and Daniel Veridiano) - Eliseo Soriano is known as the supreme head of

the Church of God International or Ang Dating Daan. One of his followers,

Daniel Veridiano, who worked as the assistant general-secretary of said

church, filed two criminal cases for Rape against him docketed as Criminal

Case Nos. 06-3898(M) and 06-3899(M). However, on the date of the

scheduled arraignment, Soriano did not appear.

On June 2, 2009, the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Macabebe,

Pampanga issued an Order for the cancellation and forfeiture of the cash

bonds which Soriano posted, and for the issuance of a warrant for his arrest.

Thereafter, Soriano moved to quash the two Informations on the grounds

that: 1) the crime of anal intercourse, without consent, does not constitute

the crime of Rape under Article 266-A of the Revised Penal Code (RPC);"

End of quote.

Notice that he did not deny he did the anal intercourse. What Mr. Soriano refused to admit is that it constituted the crime of rape which is the one punishable in the Philippines.

So, to escape punishment and shame, he argued that rape only applies to girls or women, not to men.

That is what is being implied and pointed out in his answer to the court.

This justification and argument worked for a while and prevented his arrest.

But as we know the court who was motivated by an additional force, namely: the hatred of INC against ADD, did not stop although it did realize the weakness of the current Philippine law... so that we later saw was an attempt of the court to insist that "No, raping a man is similar to raping a woman!"

That is where the wrestling of both power and money centered during the next years in the court battle.

Now let us not allow that to lose what God really is wanting us to learn here, namely: What you sow, you shall reap.

For that is more important than Soriano's physical imprisonment, were he still alive now.

Our focus should be in the most important part, namely: CHRIST'S TEACHING ON DIVINE LOVE SHOULD BE LIVED AND EXEMPLIFIED, NOT JUST PREACHED. THE TALK SHOULD BE THE WALK.

Question: Did Bro Eli do that? Or did he not allow his own weakness undermine his strengths? God used his strengths effectively but did he not also allow his Achiles' heel (homosexuality) to destroy him and the work he has done for God?

From the point of view we are now in, I see that preaching-wise, Bro Eli was excellent, but in terms of living the teaching, he failed miserably because he allowed the spirit of homosexuality to dominate his office or surrounding or environment by practicing it, and by letting fellow homosexuals to work in his office, like this one Daniel Veridiano who admitted assaulting sexually fellow males mostly younger than him.

But wait a minute: Here is another powerful Word of God that is at work here, namely: the stern and strong warning against those in authority, in this case, Eli Soriano, never to abuse a poor innocent one, because the consequences will surely be terrible.

To quote Matthew 18:

Causing to Stumble

6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!"

Sexual abuse against a younger person, especially a young child, weaker in mind or poor in finances or inferior in mental power, is called pedophilia.

Since Mr. Veridiano is no longer that young, Mr Soriano may technically escape from being tagged as a pedophile.

But that is beside the point made by the Lord in Matthew 18 which applies to abuse by taking advantage of any type of weakness of a fellowman, including the naivety or innocence of most poor people, and not just children. The victim could be spiritual or mental children, not just physical children.

So, from himself, Soriano let loose the spirit of homosexuality instead of overcoming it by himself in himself. He instead let another homosexual weaken the environment further... That is, if Mr. Veridiano was already a homosexual when he entered ADD!...which, my dear friends, I greatly doubt looking at the poor picture of his during his early years in ADD where he looked like a common coconut harvester who works by processing coconuts into copra!

Do you get my point?

My point is this: IT SEEMS THE WARNING OF THE LORD IN MATTHEW 18 NOT TO ABUSE AN INNOCENT ONE OR ELSE TERRIBLE THINGS WILL HAPPEN... and what are these terrible things for example? We have millions of similar cases in the Catholic Church among male students for priesthood in their Seminary schools and with the priests themselves in their parokya: what they sexually abused become emotionally imbalanced, spiritually lost, don't know what to do or where to go after the one they trusted as the highest authority broke their trust, in short: became morally corrupt and their crimes and abuses will then be without limit.

What shabu does to the drug addict (mentally destroy the drug addict and also destroy his character converting him into heinous criminal) is also what happens with abusing and breaking the trust of an innocent one. Millions of cases involving Catholic priests worldwide throughout history show that the victim also becomes lost, loose and very harmful to his surroundings.

To the Ang Dating Daan group, this may be an isolated case, but very dangerous as it is being committed by the highest position, by Eli Soriano himself and if we believe the statement of Mr. Veridiano, he is nto the only one raped by Soriano but many! Is this true?

We do not need to worry because as the Lord said, everything hidden will be told or exposed.

So, here is my calculated reading based on the stories of all sides presented in the different articles in the internet:

GRANTED DANIEL VERIDIANO HAD ALREADY A GAY TENDENCY, MR. SORIANO BY RAPING OR HAVING AN ANAL INTERCOURSE WITH HIM, WITHOUT HIS FULL CONSENT, FURTHER CORRUPTED MR. VERIDIANO SPIRITUALLY SO THAT THE EFFECT WAS HIS OVER-SPENDING OF THE CREDIT CARD MR. SORIANO ENTRUSTED TO HIIM, WHICH I SEE AS A KIND OF FAVOR OR REWARD TO KEEP HIM HAPPY, HIS CONSCIENCE PACIFIED OR TO BRIBE HIM NOT TO LEAK THE IMMORAL ACT THEY WERE DOING OR HE WAS DOING, WITHOUT MR. VERIDIANO'S CONSENT OR FINALLY WITH HIS CONSENT AFTER HE WAS FINANCIALLY REWARDED VIA THE CREDIT CARD.

THE LOSS OF SPIRITUAL RESTRAINT IN THE PERSON OF MR.VERIDIANO WHICH MANIFEST IN HIS SUCCESSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULTS OR RAPES OF 14 (?) YOUNGER STAFF MEMBERS OR ADD WORKERS -- THIS ALSO I SEE AS PART OF THE TERRIBLE EFFECTS OF ABUSING AN INNOCENT PERSON WHO TRUSTED YOU FULLY BUT WHOSE TRUST YOU BROKE WITH THE ABUSE.

This again is another reminder of how important it is for us to never take for granted even the smallest of God's word...for it has still some heavy consequences. The lesson is: We must give equal high regard and value to all of God's word, nothing must be seen as lesser or greater. All are valuable. To select from God’s words which to focus or obey will not do.

This is why the Lord said, Matthew 5:

18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

So the tactic or practice or weakness of most ministers, namely: selective in their use of God's Word, will have harmful consequences. Each law or word of God should be given equal or enough importance. None shall be neglected.

So?

I see that the root cause or culprit is Mr Soriano's sin of sodomy or homosexuality and the effects are:

1. corruption of character of Mr. Veridiano

2. his taking advantage of the resulting lavish goodness of Mr. Soriano towards him like what normal person in love would do to his/her loved one;

3. his losing moral moorings and getting loose sexually, himself becoming sexually abusive, aka homosexual towards his junior workers or subordinates;

4. he tried to assure everyone in an interview recorded in YouTube never to trade in ADD's advantages and benefits in favor of INC risks;

5. the falling house made of card and his losing the confidence of ADD eventually forced him to transfer to INC;

6. agreed to charge Bro Eli with rape, even though it was given later consented after Mr. Soriano lavished him with gifts and privileges;

7. Mr Veridiano became an instrument of INC, the enemy of Mr. Soriano in their dog-eat-dog religious war, devouring each other.

8. This case only became a contribution to the older and long-running war between Mr Soriano and his ADD versus Mr. Manalo and his INC.

Therefore, the focus of the members of both sides, ADD and INC, should be to direct their hearts and mind past the present quandary to God and Christ bearing in mind that THE TIME IS COMING AS PART OF THE PLAN, THAT ALL HUMAN SHEPHERDS SHALL BE NO LONGER NEEDED AND IT WILL BE ONLY "ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD".

John 10:

ERA OF HUMAN SHEPHERDS

1 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

INCOMING ERA: ONE SHEPHERD. HUMAN SHEPHERDS OBSOLETE.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—

15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.

MEMBERS OF ALL CHURCHES SHALL EVENTUALLY BE CALLED TO ONE FLOCK.

So what do we do now?

My advice: For those who are still hungering and thirsting for the waters and bread that satisfy, here is the voice of the Lord in written form, which He is using to call all sheep in different sheep pen, this written voice, in addition to his direct voice to one's heart, bears the title "The Great Gospel of John" which after reading you will find it is actually "thru John" because John is used only as a scribe to write down the direct dictation of the Lord... and that this book should be more accurately titled "The Great Gospel according to Jesus Christ thru John". Search and download it from the internet and find it yourself.

And the prophecy in John will get fulfilled: And they shall be taught (personally and directly) by God.

John 6:45:

"It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me."

And no human neighbor or pastor will act as our teacher anymore.

Jeremiah 31:34

"And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more."

Let us skip the controversies, hand to God the issues, and focus ourselves to becoming a direct disciple of the Lord via the Comforter.

In simple word, each of us shall study His Great Gospel and other revelations direct from Him, alone, personally, without assistance of a human being!

APPENDIX A – WHEN THE POWER OF A SUPERIOR OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE AND EVEN CONSCIENCE OF A SUBORDINATE

Adultery with Garner Ted Armstrong, son of Worldwide Church of God (WCG) founder and pastor general Herbert W.Armstrong.

In Sex and Sex CrimesTags Christian adultery, Garner Ted Armstrong, Sex with coeds, sexual immorality

April 2, 2017

“I know of about five or six or eight or ten [Worldwide Church of God ministers] who have committed adultery and who upon repentance have been allowed back. You want some leveling done here today? I am not the FIRST CASE!”

-GARNER TED ARMSTRONG

***

Garner Ted Armstrong, once the next in rank to his father, before his falling away with him and eventual secession to establish his own church, Church of God International, admitted to have committed sexual intercourse with the wives of 200 church ministers and 38 Ambassador college students.

***

“The Confrontation. On January 30, 1972, he and a few select men went over to Ted's home. Around 10:30 p.m., Garner Ted came home from a Los Angeles Laker basketball game and was stunned to find his father, most of the headquarters leadership, and Stan Rader waiting in his living room. Upon learning the purpose of their visit, he flew into a reactionary rage during which he openly admitted he had had illicit sexual relations with some 200 women-and that was his "conservative estimate"-during his two decades of association with his father's church. Among his consorts were literally dozens of youthful, wide-eyed coeds, plus several who became executive or ministerial wives. On this occasion Ted was given an official letter of disfellowship.

Upon disclosure of the shocking magnitude of Ted's adulterous activities, top personnel at Ambassador College rushed home to interrogate their spouses. Many a disillusionment yet lingers with them to this day.

This drastic action by Herbert Armstrong came after Ted had been forgiven on several occasions. But it seemed that every time Ted repented, he repeated his immoral activities until they were again uncovered. Actually this repent-repeat-reprimand cycle had been going on for years.”

-- The Profligate Son – Garner Ted Armstrong, by Al Carrozzo, evangelist, Worldwide Church of God

***

On March 4, 1974, at Big Sandy, Texas, evangelist Garner Ted Armstrong met with approximately 70 ministers of the Worldwide Church of God. It was during this meeting that Garner Ted admitted:

“A man in the ministry committed adultery… I talked to him in great sympathy… and he was totally repentant… I know of about five or six or eight or ten who have committed adultery and who upon repentance have been allowed back. You want some leveling done here today? I am not the first case!” (Big Sandy ministerial meeting, March 4, 1974, tape 5, side 1, ref. #082).

Later in that same meeting (tape 5, side 2, ref. #052), a WCG minister, Robert McKibben, respectfully asked Garner Ted the following questions:

MC KIBBEN: “Well, let me ask you Mr. Armstrong point blank. Have there been young girls that you have…”

GARNER TED: [Interrupting] “Absolutely not!”

MC KIBBEN: “When I say young girls, I’m talking about college students.”

GARNER TED: “No!”

MC KIBBEN: “Employees?”

GARNER TED: “No, no one else of any size, shape, race, color, creed, religion, or age!”

MC KIBBEN: “So you’re saying, then, that you have not committed adultery?”

GARNER TED: “That’s right. I have been accused of things like that behind my back that have come to me from other sources that are just incredulous….”

MC KIBBEN: “Well, the information that I had was that you had committed adultery.”

GARNER TED: “Way back before I was out, but in a completely different way than you think, or anybody else thinks… I was beside myself. I had already in my own mind convinced myself I wasn’t even bound to my wife Shirley. I was in my mind divorcing her. I left with a trailer full of clothing and a stupid little girl….”

During the Big Sandy meeting, Ted attempted to create the impression that if it could be interpreted that he had committed adultery, it had only happened once with “a stupid little girl” when he was in a disturbed frame of mind. This, of course, was outright deception. The following interview, in conjunction with the articles “Garner Ted Armstrong-Son of the Legend” and “The Profligate Son,” proves conclusively that Ted, indeed, committed adultery, and that it was not just once with just one silly little girl.

“In Bed with Garner Ted” is an interview with one of the women who had an affair with Garner Ted Armstrong. Her story is not the only one told to us, but is probably the most graphic in detailing Ted’s techniques of seduction. She and her husband consented to relate the story with the hope that it might help people to realize the kind of man Garner Ted Armstrong is. Her identity has been withheld to preserve the integrity and harmony enjoyed by her family.

AMBASSADOR REPORT: How did you first personally come into contact with Ted Armstrong?

RESPONDENT: I was told by the student body president that I had to see Garner Ted Armstrong. It was almost as if the student body president had a list of certain girls who wouldn’t be allowed to be baptized without counseling with Garner Ted. He didn’t tell me why, just that I had to see Ted first. So I made the appointment and went into his office. I remember him sitting there looking among the papers. He didn’t even look up, as if to say, “I know who you are. You’re nothing.” I just stood there waiting and finally he said, “Oh, yes, there you are,” so he started telling me, “I hear you want to be baptized,” and I said, “Yes.” From that point forward, I didn’t say anything. He started telling me how I was one of those vain freshman girls and how I probably had everything I wanted and he knew that I had been “Miss This” and “Miss That” in high school and things weren’t that way at Ambassador College. We all had to repent of our past lives and humble ourselves. Otherwise, if we hadn’t repented, they [the ministry] wouldn’t baptize us at all.

He said I had a horrible walk-that I probably had seen some movie star walk that way and so I had spent a lot of time working on it… and I had to stop that. By this time, I think I started crying, and it gradually got worse. I wasn’t crying out loud, just sobbing, and then at the end, he said, “Is there anything you want to say?” But I couldn’t say anything because I was too scared and upset and really disgusted with myself because I believed him-I believed everything he said. So, I just shook my head “No,” and he said, “Well, when you feel like you have repented and you feel like counseling about these problems or faults, then you can call for another appointment.”

***************

I called for another appointment and Ted’s secretary said to meet him in the library on Saturday morning. He was completely different this time-all happy and smiles…. He asked me if I had repented and if I felt I was ready for baptism, and I said, “Yes,” I felt like it, but I didn’t know for sure. I was really depending on him to tell me if I was ready or not. And he said, “Okay, you can be baptized this afternoon in a group…. I don’t think he ever mentioned the Bible or scriptures either time. I know he didn’t have a Bible with him.

REPORT: After your baptism into the Worldwide Church of God what was your next encounter with Ted?

RESPONDENT: I really had very rare contact with him. I baby-sat once [for him] when I was a junior or senior. Then he drove me home, but that was about it, other than just seeing him in church and saying a few words here and there.

“…we headed toward my girlfriend’s bed:”

REPORT: During that period of time did he ever indicate to you that you were in any way special to him?

RESPONDENT: No, not during college.

REPORT: What about later on?

RESPONDENT: Let’s see. It was pretty soon after graduation…. After graduation, I went to work full time at the Letter Answering Dept., and I was working as a typist with the stenorette machine answering letters…. We were all under Dr. Zimmerman at the time.

One day Dr. Zimmerman called me in and said that Garner Ted wanted to know if I wanted to be transferred to Imperial [Schools]. I could tell that he [Dr. Zimmerman] really didn’t want me to go. I said that if that’s where I was needed most, I would be happy to go, although I was happy there. He said, “Well, just say the word, and you can stay.” I didn’t feel like I should stay. I really, you know, felt like I might be doing more there (at the WCG’s Imperial Schools), so anyway, I was transferred.

A few months later, I noticed that every time Ted would call, I felt that he was very businesslike, and I would get his call right through to whomever it was he was wanting to talk to. But then time went by and he would spend a little more time just passing the time of day and teasing me about Texas or saying something…the way Texans talk.

At the school banquet at the end of the year, I started getting the feeling that he was sort of singling me out. I thought this over in my mind. One night in particular, I was going along with another couple of teachers and his [Ted’s] wife and everyone was having a real great time. We were telling a lot of jokes. Everyone was real happy, and I felt that Ted kept looking at me. I thought maybe he wondered if I was happy or not because all the ministers were sort of concerned about the other girls who were single. Each minister sort of had his own little pet girl. And I wasn’t anyone’s pet, I felt, at the time.

But anyway, after the banquet, we were going to the car and Ted asked this teacher that I was with if he and his wife were going right home or if they were going somewhere, and he said, “No, they didn’t have any plans,” so Ted said, “Why don’t you come on out with us to this restaurant.” I never even heard him say so, but I got the feeling that Ted definitely wanted me to come, so the teacher said, “Yes, how about going over there with the other group?” I said okay.

We were sitting around sort of a round bar, and I was sitting by (names deleted) on the one side. There were some more teachers, the Lochners, and Ted and Shirley [Garner Ted’s wife] on the other side.

I think in all these little get-togethers, Ted was always, naturally, the leader. He would do all the singing, and we would sort of chime in with him.

At that stage that was the first time it really hit me that there was definitely something there. I don’t remember him looking at anyone else, and he was always saying, “Would you like another drink?” and sort of looking out for me. So after going home that night, I was still wondering, and I thought it was really funny that he was looking at me, because he had everything, and it’s just really fun for him, but it wasn’t too much fun for me thinking, “Is he serious or not?”

***************

Another place I came to know him much better was around the basketball court because it was all very homey and buddy-buddy…. Ted started the basketball program. Some of the faculty members were really quite good at it, but Ted wasn’t. He really wanted to be, so the faculty members really went out of their way to accept him in the group because they respected him tremendously, and they felt if they could help him, I’m sure, they felt there would be ways he could help them also.

Every Friday afternoon there would be basketball. All the girls would go out, and sometimes they would be cheerleading. Since I was Dr. Lochner’s secretary, I kept the score book and the clock and everything. And every time Ted would do something like make a goal or whatever, you could tell he just really wanted everyone to know. The girls would always let him know they thought he was really great, and he would come over and say, “How did I do?” I would tell him how many points he made, and he would say, “Wow, I’m getting better, aren’t I?” or “I played a lousy game today,” or whatever. So you know everyone never disagreed or said, “You are a lousy player,” or “What are you doing out there?” No one would consider saying that.

He never really got that good, but you began to look at him more like a human. It’s like someone who is a friend. I think that is sort of how it (our relationship) started. He was a friend, and if you needed something, you felt a little more apt to go to him and he would listen to you instead of looking down on you and your problem.

After the game, they would have me go and get beer, and they would have the beer afterward or go over to the office and have the beer. Occasionally he would say, “Boy, I wish I had a secretary like you,” and I thought, “Well, I’d love to be [your secretary], you know, get a better job, or be moved up,” but I never did say anything.

***************

At times he would be gone out of town for a few weeks, and then he would come back and call up and start all over again, talking or telling me about his trip or something. So finally one day he called. This was just a week before graduation….

I had been out of college 2 years at this time. He called late in the afternoon when I was usually through for the day. Normally everyone went home early on Friday, but that particular Friday, a lot of parents came in. I had a lot of people and students to take care of, and I was really busy and he wanted to talk. It was very rare of him to try to keep me on the line because there were phones all over the office where you can push a button and hear what was going on. But he never really talked that long. This day I could tell he wanted to talk, and I said, “I really can’t because I’ve got a lot of people here.” He said, “Okay, I’ll call back in a few minutes. Maybe everything will be cleared up because I want to talk to you about something.”

“He wanted my promise that I would never tell Father.”

I always had the guilt feeling of what have I done, you know, I’m really going to be corrected! So he called back, and I was still busy, but he said, “Go in the back room” because he was familiar with the whole building. “Go in the back room and we can talk back there,” he said. All the teachers had gone home. There wasn’t anyone around who might listen in, but I am not sure if he knew that or not, but he might have guessed it.

So I went back, and I was all set for something really bad, and then he said, “I just want to talk awhile and see what you think of me as a man, as a person, and how I”-I think he said-“how I compare with the other men” because he asked me who I felt was really the type of man I knew there that I really respected. I said, “Well, I really respect Mr. Lochner. I really think he has a lot of character, he is fair, and I haven’t seen anything wrong with him, as far as his doing anything wrong. I also think a lot of Mike…. I mentioned those two to him as the two all-around men who I could respect. Then he was sort of silent, just kind of waiting, and I said, “You know, I think that you are probably better than they are because you have so much going for you, ability”-but I don’t remember if that is exactly what I said. But he replied, “Oh, you do?” just like he was waiting for that. And then he said, “You know, that really makes me feel good. I don’t know if you should tell me that or not because it really does something to me.” I said, “Well, you asked me so I told you,” and he said, “Well, that is what I wanted to hear.” I said, “Well, I guess I’d better get back. There are still a lot of people here.”

I felt that is what he wanted me to say. That was the end of it so I went back up front. That was Friday. When I was told this, it made me feel like everything was tying together…. I was sure that he was interested in me as a person because my sister and I had invited [names deleted] over for dinner that night and… [one of them] mentioned how when Ted had driven by while going home that he was wondering how far I had to walk, indicating he was concerned about me. I thought if he is telling other people about me or mentioning me to someone else in his family, that must really mean something-but it really doesn’t mean a thing, looking back on it.

On Sunday, I went to the office. I went to the office almost every Sunday, I believe, just to do this and that because my desk was usually a mess. It’s such a mad house during the week. I straightened it up or graded papers or something like that. My girlfriend would usually go with me, but this weekend, she was out of town visiting her parents because she was a teacher. And so this Sunday I was grading papers, and there were a few teachers there-a few of the men. We would usually have coffee or tea with each other, and they would be going back and forth from the classroom on their various projects. I remember hearing the phone ringing. I answered it and it was Garner Ted. He said, “You’re working today, huh?” I said, “Well, not really. There are a few things I need to get done that I can’t do during the week.” And he said, “You shouldn’t be working today.” And I said, “Well, I usually do on Sunday.”

Later, he called again, but this time he said, “How would you like to come up for a drink?” I said, “Oh, I don’t think I should.” And he said, “Well, it will probably do you good. There is nothing wrong with it. Just come on up.” Ted said it like it was ridiculous to think anything otherwise, like it was maybe an invitation that wouldn’t be extended again. Possibly that is what he wanted to convey. I don’t know for sure, but I decided it wouldn’t hurt anything; so I went up. I didn’t feel comfortable….

But I went up and I remember I was sort of shaky because I thought anytime you do something extracurricular with a married man, even letting him take you to the store, there is always that something that might go wrong, you know. There might be something there that would come up, and you would have to decide if you want to go right or left. And I think I knew then, down deep, although I couldn’t really say it at the time, but I must have because… I have always been the type that would feel rather guilty when doing something that was wrong, even before [becoming a member of the] Worldwide [Church of God]. I think I was that type…. I went in and I was surprised-very surprised at the way he was dressed, because I had never seen him dress sloppy my whole life except one time when I was a freshman…. I had never seen him anything but neat before except one time years ago. And I got the feeling that he didn’t care so much how he looked, and that it smelled… like he had been drinking. I don’t know how heavily, but I know definitely that his breath was very alcoholic. His breath was sort of a mixture with I don’t know what else. I don’t think it was cigarette smoke, but it was almost like it was, that and alcohol….

That should have sent me running, but anyway, he was sitting behind the desk, and he had a real sort of far-away gaze in his eyes. He didn’t look alert like he usually did. When I came in, he just looked at me for awhile, and then he pulled out the drawer and started getting out two glasses and a bottle of something.

At that time, I never drank anything but beer. Beer was even new for me when I came into the Worldwide Church. And I said I didn’t care for anything. It was really awkward, really, because I didn’t want to drink and so he didn’t say anything. There was no light conversation like there had been over the phone all those other times and he wasn’t bubbly, but he came around the desk and… he came over and put his arms around me. I was sort of by the door frame, and he sort of held me there, not forcefully, but just, anyway, then he started kissing me and that’s when I got this breath. He hadn’t shaved, I guess, since the day before Church, the previous day which was Saturday, and his beard was scratchy. My mind couldn’t focus on a thing, and I thought, “Let me out of here.” It was like he was a little bit drunk or something. Cause if he had been drinking it was probably that, and yet, I was sort of in a “trance” because of the newness or whatever. He stayed there five or ten minutes. Then he maneuvered me over to the couch (I wouldn’t say pushed, but encouraged me) and then he kept on kissing me, but I wasn’t ready to give in to him, so I pushed him off and went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror at myself.

I remember looking and sort of getting second thoughts and naturally, he was… so he got the glasses of whatever it was and brought one. At that time, I guess I felt the need of it because I took a swallow of it, and it was very strong. Then he stood behind me and I think he was trying to reassure me and possibly trying to influence me not to turn away. All this time, there wasn’t much conversation. It was mainly, I guess, two minds, one mind against the other. So I kept thinking. I was trying to get something going conversational-wise, and I said, “Oh, you’d better get going to the basketball game. The men are already down on the court,” because they were warming up when I came by. And he said, “Oh, that’s right,” and that did get his mind back on a talking plane. Then he said, “I guess I’d better change and go down pretty soon, and I guess I’d better shave.”… Anyway, then he followed me out to the elevator with more kissing. I got in and went down to the office and around to the basketball court, not on the court itself, but on the bench, away from the court, and just sat there and watched the men.

“Delicious! Delicious!” – G.T.A

All this time, I was trying to think. Yet my mind wouldn’t cooperate, and I couldn’t get myself really on a path. I wanted to follow a definite path because I knew that there was a right way to go and a wrong way. And I remember thinking-wanting God to lead me-and yet I knew there was no way He was going to come down and do it for me.

So I went back to my car and back to the apartment and sat there and thought. Then I was in a “trance,” and there were many things I should have been doing, but I didn’t. I just sat there for a long time until the phone rang and it was him.

It was about four in the afternoon…. He mentioned, “I guess you are surprised that I know your phone number.” I said, “No, I’m not really.” Then he said, “What are you doing?” and he was much more like he had been previously on the phone. It was like he was over whatever he was going through there in the office. He was very personable over the phone. He mentioned that he would really like to see me and talk to me and that he guessed he couldn’t.

I said, “Well, my girlfriend is out of town.” Then I thought, “Well, there goes my out. I told him she’s gone.” He said, “Oh, well maybe I could come over.” I was going to be there and, like I said, like a fool, I told him the address and everything and how I was upstairs and made it very easy for him.

He said he would probably be there that night around 7:30 or 8 he thought. Eight o’clock came and he didn’t show up, so I really thought he wasn’t coming. Then he called and said he was in a restaurant, the service was very slow, and he would be late in getting there but for me to go down to the corner and get a beer and do something until he could get there.

This shows how people will do things. I didn’t want a beer. I didn’t want to walk down there. It was a very muggy night. It was foggy and misty and, in fact, I think I took an umbrella and a raincoat. It was rather wet, not the type of night you want to be walking alone…. But that late at night, I walked down to the corner and bought a beer or two, and I don’t think I even drank one, but anyway, I had been back to the apartment about only 30 minutes when he came.

Over the phone he was very warm, but these two times I was with him the conversation wasn’t what you would call normal. I can’t remember saying, “Well, you are finally here.” I’m not the type to say that anyway, but I can’t remember him saying anything like “Well, I am finally here” either.

It was almost like in one swoop, one entrance, one motion that he was over with his arms around me and unzipping my dress. It all seems very cold and hard-hearted now to think about it, like he was thinking, “Well, we only have so much time. I have to get in and get out.”

But anyway, I was still under his spell so I know he put his arms around me, and he kissed me a few times, but it was while he was unzipping my dress. Then he turned me around, oh, I don’t know, but anyway, we went into the bedroom.

It was a very small apartment but the bedroom was fairly good size. Anyway, we headed toward… my girlfriend’s bed. We sat down there and he started taking my dress off. When he got my dress off, I said, “This is my girlfriend’s bed, and that is my bed over there.” And it was really like the conversation was almost stifled. He started undressing, and I finished undressing myself. He started it and I finished it.

Then he… pulled out-I guess there are a lot of words for it-a prophylactic, and I said, “Oh, no, I don’t want you to use that.” And he said, “It is the safest. It is the only thing that really works. It is the only way.” And I said, “Yes, but I would like to have a baby.” He said, “Oh, no! You think you do, but you really don’t. It would be much worse for you to have a baby than not to.”

I thought at the time this was goofing my life up so much I couldn’t recover later. It was almost as if everyone would know what I had done, because I knew what I was doing, and what I would have done after it was over. And I guess I would be living my life alone and it would be so much better to have a baby even if it was better to not have anything. And yet, he was definitely not going to let me do that, so I gave up and so…. And at various times, he would say, “Delicious, delicious! ” and I thought at the time, “Well, I guess it is good that he feels that way even though…. You know it’s funny. A woman needs so much more than that, and you would have thought he would have known. Oh, at that point, after intercourse, he went right to the bathroom to clean up and wash it down and all. He was in there several minutes, and I just felt drained…. so I didn’t even dress, but he came right back into the bedroom…. He knew exactly what he was going to do and that was getting dressed to prepare to leave.

REPORT: Did Garner Ted say he loved you or express any affection?

RESPONDENT: No, in fact he dressed, he was completely dressed, and I thought, “Well, I guess I ought to get my clothes back on.” Then after he got through putting on his tie and everything, he sat on my roommate’s bed. I was still sitting on my bed, and I thought, “Now is when we can have our little conference.”

Then he said, “Now the first thing I want to say is that I don’t ever want you to tell your father about this.” I said, “Well, I don’t plan to.” I wouldn’t have told him in a million years. I mean now I might if he were still alive…. The first thing that he wanted to really get my promise on was that I would not ever tell my father. That’s why I think it’s possible maybe at this stage he had had dealings with fathers and he knew his biggest problem might be with the father of an unmarried girl. And then after this, he said, “You know, I can’t leave my boys,” so evidently he had already thought that I was thinking that maybe he thought my next statement was going to be “Can we leave,” you know, “Can you leave your family and come with me?” which I hadn’t even bothered to consider. And I said, “Well, I’m not even thinking of such a thing.”

“Hey, how about taking a shower together?” – G.T.A.

I really expected him to mention not to go to his father and not go to his wife or not to go to some person, but no other person was even brought into the picture, just my dad, and that he [Ted] couldn’t leave his boys…. [Later] he said, “Now it’s sort of scary-this other minister was shot just a few days or weeks ago because he was in a motel room with a girl who wasn’t his wife.” I said, “Yeah, it is.”…

Well, that was the only conversation. I think he felt he got his point across and got my promise not to tell my father…. I did say something. He probably knew I had one request. The only thing I said was, “Can we go somewhere together and have a drink or something?” In other words, it seemed so abrupt for him to leave. I wanted him to stay, I guess, because it would make me feel better-cleaner or something, I don’t know, and he said, “Oh, no, there are so many people who know us… that I just couldn’t take a chance.” I don’t know if he said “I’d better be going” or what, but we had gone to the living room, I remember, and when he got ready to go, I know I must have been looking very downcast because that is what I was feeling, and he just reached over and got hold of my hand and sort of shook it like “everything is going to be okay.” Then he went out the door… and he flew.

The next few days were some of the most miserable of my whole life. I felt so alone. I thought that at least he would call me and encourage me not to go to pieces and tell me to get my life back together even though we had made a mistake. I just expected that sort of thing, but he didn’t call and I didn’t call anybody.

I feel pretty positive it was on a Wednesday that I decided to stay after school and write a letter. I wrote a long letter. I guess it was very emotional, and I went over to his car… and just dropped it in on the front seat and went on home.

The next morning about ten he called and said, “Why did you do such a stupid thing to write that letter?”

I said, “To me it wasn’t stupid!” He said, “I want to see you right away. Come on up to my office.” And I said, “Oh, okay.” I was feeling a little bit on the belligerent side toward him by this time because I felt if he didn’t care about me then I really shouldn’t care about him. Yet I was sort of warning him, if I remember correctly, in that letter that if I didn’t hear from him, I was going to have to talk to somebody. When I came up to his office, I don’t remember having to wait. I just walked on in and said, “Hi” and went on by. At first he was very, very disgusted with me-oh, very, and sort of treated me as if I had done a very foolish thing.

He said, “It was very dangerous and foolish for you to leave that letter there because Al Portune could have walked by and seen the letter, and he reads my mail and he feels free to read things.” Anyway, [he said it as if]…one of the most horrible things that could happen to him would be for Al Portune to read that and find out what had been going on. So I said, “Okay, I won’t write any more letters, but I just felt like I had to talk to someone, and I still feel that way.” He said, “Well, you can talk to me anytime. I am right here. I want you to call me, but don’t talk to anyone else, just call me.”

And there was still kind of a disgusted tone in his voice. I didn’t argue or say anything, just sort of waited, and then he looked at me and said, “You know, I really have wondered if you aren’t demon possessed.” And I said, “Well, I can assure you, I am not!” I knew I wasn’t and I think he could see I wasn’t even going to budge. I wasn’t going to doubt myself along that line, and he said, “No, I guess you are not.”

And then, looking back, this was his next approach and the one that worked. He said, “You know, after reading that letter, I drove down to the Rose Bowl and read every word and tore it up into little tiny pieces so that no one could ever put it together again, and my boys were all in the back seat.” It was like I was really dragging them down too, because I wrote the letter and Ted had to go through all that with them. He continued, “You know, after reading that letter, in one way it did me good because it really hit me what I had done-and I went into my bathroom and I got on my hands and knees and repented. I even vomited, I was so sick of myself.”… He kept saying he was sick of himself that he could do such a thing.

And I thought, “Well, that’s great, because I ought to repent too of doing it and, hopefully, I won’t ever do that again.” That really got through to me because I really believed him then and that that was the course to take too…. I felt that Ted was being truthful. [I thought] he had really repented and if God forgave him, who was I, and I knew that I needed forgiveness too. I guess that’s one thing that everybody feels. You know what you have done in the past, and you know how it feels in your heart when you can forgive. Well, he-was so convincing….

That was pretty much the end of that interview, and he just encouraged me if I had anything on my mind or a problem to call him, which I never did because I was just used to him calling me, not me calling him. I didn’t like to go through secretaries and that kind of stuff. I don’t think he ever gave me a private number, no he never did. So I was on my own again….

***************

I was around him quite a bit the following summer [working for the WCG’s Summer Education Program]. I felt some responsibility to not get into a situation where that [sexual relations with Ted] would ever happen again and to stay far enough away from him that “he” would be safe. It sounds crazy, but that’s the way I was…. There was a bathroom and shower and all that stuff [at the Summer Education Program], and there was an outer office that the secretary would use. I worked there and Ted would just be casually in the office…. I don’t think he really did anything there, but he was in there one day. He had ridden a horse to the back door and left it outside and came on in and had done a few things, and I went in. He asked me if I was enjoying everything and how it was going and just things about the summer program. I don’t think he worked up to it especially, but he suddenly said, “Hey, how about taking a shower together?” Looking back, it was like he had the liberty to ask me that because of what we had done.

I said, “No, I don’t think so. I’d better not do anything like that.” He just looked like “I guess you don’t want to do something like that,” so I just turned around and left the office. I didn’t stay around any longer….

From Ambassador Report “In Bed with Garner Ted”

***

Arnulfo Yu Laniba

April 27, 2021 at 12:49 pm - Reply

I think the poison of power, fame, money and privilege would kill everything that is true divine love which is a concern for the other person, who would end up in the disadvantage if you abuse your power.

King David was among the first to lose both fear of God and love for the poor who would be crushed if he gave in to the temptation to abuse his power. And who was that poor guy that was crushed when David pushed through to abuse his power, seize a beautiful woman that he knew he could not have legally or morally before God? It was Uriah, his very loyal servant.

Absolute power, corrupt absolutely.

It was true with King David, it did come true to Ted as well or to anyone of us who would allow love of self exceed love for the fellowman.

This system which gave wealth, power, fame and privilege to the few must come down!

THE PROFLIGATE SON

"Al, let's get one thing straight! I'm a no good, fornicating, adulterating son of a bitch!" These highly emotional words initiated a private conversation between Garner Ted Armstrong and me at 10:05 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 1973, in the seclusion of his television studio office. This was not the first or the only time Ted ever admitted that he was an adulterer. In spite of repeated public denials, Ted has privately admitted that he has been guilty of flagrant, continuous adultery and fornication for almost a quarter of a century-as a church member, an executive, and an evangelist!

I first learned of Ted's licentious activities in 1965. At that time it came to light that a Worldwide Church of God minister was committing adultery with two coeds who worked with him. Upon being discovered, he claimed that if Garner Ted could commit adultery and get away with it, then he could too. Herbert Armstrong didn't buy that excuse for one minute and promptly fired the minister, disfellowshipping and publicly marking him. Quickly, the whole sordid affair was swept under the rug, while Ted came out lily-white.

By this time I was becoming suspicious of Ted's activities. Upon further investigation, I found that Ted was supposedly involved with a girl who was "out to get him." Ted had simply weakened under pressure, I was assured, and finally succumbed to her aggressive advances. This time it was again easy for me to give him the benefit of the doubt, so I rationalized that he had slipped once, under great duress. Reasoning that he was in reality human, I tried to dismiss and forget the whole distasteful situation.

Ted's Problem Surfaces Again. In 1967, when the upset husband of one of Ted's victims informed me that his wife had had sexual relations with the handsome radio evangelist, I listened incredulously. I thought it had to be sour grapes or perhaps professional jealousy that motivated this allegation. But when the husband heatedly insisted that his complaint was true, I began looking further into the matter and finally went to Ted and talked to him personally. Ted openly and readily admitted to me that he had conducted an affair with this girl, but he exclaimed that the girl had repeatedly pursued him by showing off her shapely legs, flaunting her exciting body suggestively, and giving him the overt "come on" until in desperation and weakness he gave in. Ted expressed that he hoped his father (Herbert Armstrong) didn't have to be advised of this because this knowledge would "break his heart." (Little did I know then that his father had been aware of his son's adulterous affairs since the early 1950s, but his father had chosen to ignore that side of Ted's character. In fact, Herbert often refers to Ted before church audiences and remarks, "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.")

Ted then elaborated to me in his defense that he felt he was specially "called" to preach his father's gospel. He declared that he must preach against adultery in others, even though he, himself, was personally guilty. "Put me behind bars, slip my food to me, keep me in solitary confinement," he said dramatically, "but put a microphone in front of me because I must preach this message to the whole world!" Once again I wrongly concluded that Ted had slipped under "emotional pressure." Sadly I walked away and tried to forget it.

Later it dawned on me that Ted is a sterling actor, a powerful persuader-one who can make you feel guilty for even approaching a delicate subject. One Worldwide Church evangelist summed it up succinctly: "Ted can charm the rattle off a snake." Unfortunately, he charms people too. Glib as an orator and possessing awesome mental dexterity, Ted can change black into white, turn silk into wool, and refine sin into baseless allegations and rumor.

It wasn't until a few years later that I learned of his continuous sexual exploits over more than 20 years, both on and off Ambassador College's Pasadena campus.

The Plot Thickens. Ted's problem surfaced again in mid-1971 when Al Portune Sr., then vice-president of financial affairs for the church and college, regretfully informed me of a serious problem in the "Work." He exclaimed that this problem "could destroy the Work!" This was the beginning of the unfolding of an almost unbelievable series of events. It is indeed a telling commentary that the Armstrongs were able to keep this problem hidden so long from the eyes of the public.

By July 1971 Herbert Armstrong could no longer contain Ted's promiscuity nor hide it from certain top administrators. It was then that Herbert decided to send Ted on a leave of absence. When Ted returned in about two months, Herbert was evidently not satisfied with Ted's repentance, so he once again exiled his son. Members of the church, however, were led to believe that Ted had been removed for health reasons. Notice how cleverly Herbert words the letter announcing Ted's dismissal:

"My son, Garner Ted, has been doing the jobs of five or six high-executive-caliber men. He does a half-hour radio broadcast daily-seven days a week, a half-hour telecast every week, besides meeting many speaking engagements... traveling over much of the world for important radio and television interviews... writing articles, doing an immense amount of study, research... and lately he has been taking about 95% of my executive duties as President of the colleges and the Church.

"He is forced to go at high tension-drive!-drive!-drive! Some three or four weeks ago, he said to one of our Deputy Chancellors that if he had the audacity, temerity, or nerve, he would ask me if he might take a leave of absence for a few weeks, for complete relaxation..." (member letter, Sept. 26, 1971, pp. 1-2).

"And you know the one thing Christ couldn't abide was a hypocrite" (GTA, sermon. November 6, 1976).

Herbert prepared the church members for Ted's imminent absence while distorting or overlooking the real reasons for Ted's exile. The letter continued (page 2):

"Plans had been made for him [Ted] to speak at every U.S. and Canada Feast site again this year. I decided it was just too much high pressure, and we cancelled out these engagements. I want him to take possibly a couple months of complete relaxation from such high-paced and strenuous activities...."

The reader should note that "pressure" was given as the cause for relieving Ted of his strenuous duties, when, in fact, the ministerial uproar over Ted's whoremongering and arrogant life-style was responsible.

Shortly after the letter had been mailed out, Ted convinced his father to allow him to speak at the Worldwide Church of God's (WCG) Feast of Tabernacles after all. Ted then proceeded to preach to the church members gathered at Big Sandy, Mt. Pocono, and Jekyll Island and then flew over to Squaw Valley where I was preaching.

What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love. I sat enraptured with thousands of other church members in the Squaw Valley arena as Ted preached a very persuasive sermon entitled "What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love." He was indeed preaching his "commissioned" gospel. Little did all of us realize that this powerful orator would spend the entirety of that very night with an Ambassador College stewardess in a Tahoe cabin loaned by a WCG member.

Garner Ted was "found out" and his father was notified. Herbert and a few fellow ministers immediately flew to Penticton-Ted's next stop-and there intercepted Ted, forbidding him to continue his festival preaching circuit. On October 9, 1971, Herbert relieved Ted of his executive duties and responsibilities at Ambassador College and in the Worldwide Church of God. In the hopes of covering up Ted's problem, Herbert again informed the gullible church membership in an October 14, 1971, letter that the young Armstrong was overworked and needed relaxation:

"A short time ago I sent a general letter to the Church membership explaining the serious need for Garner Ted Armstrong to be allowed a leave of absence by reason of ill health-not physical, but frayed nerves and excessive high tension which has built up over a period of years due to the heavy and crushing responsibilities of his office.

"After starting his leave of absence, he felt he would be up to making the circuit of the Festival sites. He felt the imperative duty to speak at these sites. I agreed. But after Squaw Valley, his fourth site, tensions had built up until his nerves were at razor-edge, and he could not continue."

Herbert's last statement is especially deceptive. Informed sources have pointed out that he knew perfectly well why he was forced to intercept Ted at Penticton. His purpose was to prevent Ted's continuing his circuit of preaching at the Feast sites. Yet he writes that Ted's "nerves were at razor-edge, and he could not continue." This was a deliberate lie!

Ted and the Masseuse. Shortly thereafter Ted was sent to Hawaii with his wife and two close friends. The male friend was instructed to watch Ted every single second. He did pretty much, only losing the defrocked profligate son for a couple of hours. That was all Ted needed to become "involved" again. While Ted was still in Hawaii, the Ambassador College mail receiving department in Pasadena received a letter from a woman who managed a massage parlor in Hawaii. The letter explained that there was a young masseuse in her employ who had been trying to come out of a life of sin because of watching Garner Ted on TV. This madam related that the young masseuse had been horrified into nightmarish disillusionment when she recognized Ted in the massage parlor. Now, the madam wrote, the masseuse was extremely distraught from witnessing the suave religionist there, especially upon learning of his whole purpose for being there.

I heard about this incriminating letter from Rod Meredith, a WCG evangelist, and tried to gain access to a copy, but evidently Herbert had it intercepted and continued the cover-up. Pressure began to mount, however, and Herbert was finally forced to send Ted into indefinite exile in Colorado. In another two months or so, Ted was again brought back. But once again, Ted's adulterous affairs were discovered, and again Herbert Armstrong was forced to take action.

The Confrontation. On January 30, 1972, he and a few select men went over to Ted's home. Around 10:30 p.m., Garner Ted came home from a Los Angeles Laker basketball game and was stunned to find his father, most of the headquarters leadership, and Stan Rader waiting in his living room. Upon learning the purpose of their visit, he flew into a reactionary rage during which he openly admitted he had had illicit sexual relations with some 200 women-and that was his "conservative estimate"-during his two decades of association with his father's church. Among his consorts were literally dozens of youthful, wide-eyed coeds, plus several who became executive or ministerial wives. On this occasion Ted was given an official letter of disfellowship.

During the January 30, 1972, confrontation with his father and the leading ministers, Ted also confessed to having an intimate sexual relationship with an Ambassador College stewardess. His relationship with her allegedly began in the summer of 1970. In a private conversation I had with Ted on May 16, 1973, Ted admitted to me that his affair with this girl had begun in Jerusalem, but he denied that it was merely a "look, lust, and grab" affair. (He did admit he had had numerous affairs that were of the "look, lust, and grab" variety.) He asserted that with this girl it was different. He stated that she became very special because he was experiencing emotional "lows" during this time. One day, he explained, when he stood sobbing at the memorial to the 6 million victims of Nazi persecution, she put her hand on his shoulder to "comfort" him. And that was the start of their relationship. Their clandestine, adulterous affair continued until the problem was brought to the attention of Herbert Armstrong in the summer of 1971. Instead of removing Ted from the ministry for good-as he had done with other ministers guilty of adultery-he precipitated a vast cover-up, much like former President Nixon attempted. There is one major difference though: Herbert had been covering up Ted's sexual looseness since the early 1950s.

It was in the early 1950s that Garner Ted earned his reputation as a lady's man while in the U.S. Navy based in San Diego. He confided his conquests to several others in the WCG ministry, including myself. On the Ambassador College campus, Ted, no doubt, found a change of pace from his previous duties, but as for his character makeup, only the uniform seemed to change.

I was stunned to learn the gross extensiveness of Ted's sexual looseness, but, as a result of the events on January 30, 1972, when Herbert Armstrong disfellowshipped his son, I honestly felt Herbert was "dealing with the problem." Rather than being discouraged, I was somehow reassured that Herbert hadn't spared even his own son, but had dealt strongly with adultery within the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Ted in Exile. During Ted's exile at the Colorado A-frame, Dave Antion, a WCG evangelist, was commissioned by Herbert Armstrong to write a paper about the qualifications for Christ's ministry. Antion's thoroughly researched paper left no doubt that, in accordance with numerous biblical injunctions, Garner Ted Armstrong had irrefutably and permanently disqualified himself from ever again assuming the position of minister of Jesus Christ.

At the time, the leading ministers and I all thought Herbert really wanted to know about Ted's qualifications, but later we found out he was trying to learn all the main arguments against his son's return so he could persuasively refute them. Herbert forwarded Antion's paper to Ted, who promptly dismissed it, claiming the biblical arguments didn't apply to him because he had been "called to preach the gospel from his mother's womb." This defense, then, turned out to be Herbert's argument in favor of Ted's return to full status and authority, in spite of Herbert's earlier pronouncement that Ted, even if returned, would not occupy ministerial office.

Garner Ted Reinstated. In late May 1972, Herbert met with his son privately for 7 hours, and on June 7, Herbert Armstrong, Al Portune Sr., Dave Antion, Ron Dart, and Stan Rader flew to Ted's Colorado retreat to see if Ted seemed to be repentant enough to be allowed to resume his duties. Ted put on a convincing emotional display of typical Ted Armstrong repentance. Besides, most of those present were convinced that Garner Ted had to return. Too much time had already elapsed, causing the organization's income to plummet by the millions. Ted's hands had been dutifully slapped, and ministerial outrage had begun to show signs of assuaging.

So on June 8, Herbert's "womb-sanctified" son was reinstated in the WCG, restored to an elevated position (in spite of an earlier promise from Herbert Armstrong that this would never happen). Once again, Ted was allowed the make radio and television broadcasts purporting to be a minister of Jesus Christ. Just 42 days later, on July 20, 1972, Ted was totally reinstated to his full evangelist rank in the ministry, he was placed back on both college and church boards, and he was named executive vice-president of the Worldwide Church of God. This was done in spite of ministerial disapproval among a few high-ranking holdouts and without any public announcement at all.

Herbert's quick reinstatement of Ted after 20 years of adultery was in marked contrast to his handling of a former WCG minister in 1968. This man's sin? He committed a single act of adultery! For this sin he was fired from his job, removed from the ministry, disfellowshipped from the WCG, and his sin of adultery was detailed in a special assembly for all employees and students at Ambassador College.

Year of Revelation. During this time I maintained a wait-and-see attitude. It was difficult to make myself believe that the two men I respected most-Garner Ted and Herbert Armstrong-were total frauds! It was even more difficult for me to believe that Herbert was less than 100% sincere and honest. However, on May 22, 1973, at 1 p.m., Ted left me with no doubts as to his father's real motivation, intentions, and modus operandi. In a private, three-hour meeting in his office, Ted told me he specifically disagreed with his father on many issues, including doctrine. He explained that his dad desperately wanted to be accepted by the world, and that was the reason he was traveling around the world continuously, seeking the favor and audience of world leaders.

Ted admitted that he had seen his father "stone drunk" on dozens of occasions. He stated that his father had told him that he (Herbert) would do anything to keep the "Work" afloat-including lying, stealing, and bribery. I was shocked, of course, but later I personally saw Herbert "stoned" on several occasions and caught him in numerous lies. I began to see those lies in his member and co-worker letters, and these lies have continued to this very day.

The year 1973 was one of revelation for me. I learned of Ted's profound and long-enduring sexual activities, Herbert's total cover-up, corruption at the highest level in the WCG, Herbert's pleasure blasts around the world under the guise of preaching the true gospel, squandering of vast sums of money on extravagant art treasures, exploitation of gullible and hard-pressed people, gross doctrinal error, and suppression of human beings-mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Yes 1973 proved to me that dishonesty was a way of life with Ted and his father, and that way of life hasn't changed to this very day.

Garner Ted's "Repentance." Has Garner Ted changed? Did he really repent'? One thing is sure: Ted "repented" many, many times. He has been called "the professional repenter." He can cry on cue.

Upon returning in mid-1972, Ted was supposed to state publicly that he had sinned against God and his wife. He promised to make it plain just what his sin involved. He had agreed at the meeting with his father and several ministers in the little A-frame in Colorado on June 7, 1972, that he would return and "come clean." It just never happened. On June 14, 1972, I wrote in my diary: "GTA returned to Pasadena, today, for the first time since January 31. NO immediate signs of repentance." On June 26, I wrote that I had just talked to Robert Kuhn on the phone and that he had stated that an evangelist's wife told him one of Ted's assistants was "fronting" for Ted at Brookside Winery. "She knows because Ted came out of a back room with a girl on his arm."

Since then, Ted has been seen in Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, and Reno gambling and drinking. He continues his playboy life-style on his frequent plane trips. His sarcastic harangues and doctrinal duplicity are invariably followed up with administrative tyranny. The crush-all-rumor approach, merciless terminations, and condemning diatribes have become administrative trademarks of Garner Ted Armstrong. His emotional overreactions, impetuous responses, and "shoot from the hip" modus operandi are all blunt testimonials of his continued lack of any real repentance.

When I resigned from the Worldwide Church of God ministry in 1973, it was my sincere desire-and it still is-that Garner Ted Armstrong would repent. When questioned by the press then, I even refused to divulge the full extent of Ted's immorality in hopes that he would repent. I now know, however, that unless these sins are exposed thousands will continue to put their trust, not in God, but in Herbert Armstrong and his profligate son.

-Al Carrozzo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Al Carrozzo became a baptized member of the Worldwide Church of God in 1956 and was soon ordained as a deacon. In 1961 he sold his profitable plumbing contracting business and came to Ambassador College in Pasadena. He was ordained to the ministry and was eventually elevated to the rank of pastor. Later he was appointed regional director over the western half of the WCG's U.S. ministry and churches. At the same time he was director of the counseling and guidance office in Pasadena, district superintendent of the headquarters district, and director of the housing office. He also served as an instructor at Ambassador College, teaching the epistles of Paul. On Nov. 13, 1973, after giving over $60,000 to the WCG, he severed his relationship with Ambassador College and the WCG, declaring: "I cannot compromise with the Word of God!" Al Carrozzo will soon write a book on the Armstrong church. If you would like more information on this book or other related subjects, you may write to him at P.O. Box 129, Vacaville, CA 95688.

Garner Ted Armstrong -- Son of the Legend

Garner Ted Armstrong, bigger-than-life TV and radio evangelist, offers absolute answers to a world full of confusing and difficult questions. He offers free advice, free literature and assurance that his way of life is Christ's way of life. His Madison Avenue approach to religion has made him one of the most successful in the business of mail-order salvation.

But while being one of the most successful, Ted Armstrong is also one of the most controversial. In early 1972, Herbert W. Armstrong (Ted's legendary father; founder, pastor general and self-proclaimed apostle of God's "only true church ") was forced to put Ted out of his church and wrote that Ted was "in the bonds of Satan." However, during all this Ted's "problem" was never specifically defined, and all rumors regarding his alleged sexual impropriety and excessive life-style were staunchly denied. For six long months Ted's golden voice was not heard on the church's radio broadcast, and no new television programs were filmed. Although old broadcasts of HWA were aired across the country the church's income plummeted. The old legend did not have the drawing power of his son. Shortly thereafter, a fully "repentant" GTA was reinstated into his father's church with all of his former rights and privileges.

Most adherents to the religious teachings of HWA and GTA dismiss the allegations of GTA's sexual misconduct as vicious rumors spawned by Satan in an attempt to thwart the work of God. Others find it interesting and even sensational, but might ask why should anyone delve into a man's personal life and expose what he does in private. Still others will take the attitude of "What does it prove, anyway?"

Perhaps in different circumstances these arguments might be valid, but because Garner Ted Armstrong has presented himself as a shining light, a messenger of truth, and a preacher of purity, it is important to know if he is truly what he says or merely a Master showman. Does he practice what he preaches? Does he apply the same standards in his own life that he (as a self-styled representative of God) requires from others?

This article intends to profile Ted Armstrong and will give an insight into the man and how he operates. It is not intended to be a bitter diatribe against him, but rather an examination of the facts to determine if he, in the flesh, is equal to the illusion created by his media image.

Garner Ted Armstrong was born on February 9, 1930, in Portland, Oregon - the fourth and youngest child of Herbert and Loma Armstrong. According to his father, "Ted... was born as a result of an almost incredible miracle of healing only three weeks before his birth!" (The Autobiography of Herbert W. Armstrong, p. 377, 1967 edition). The miracle? Loma had been "healed" of her anemic condition which had been aggravated by the family's poor diet. Her healing or recovery was helped by a few nourishing meals provided by Herbert's parents (Ibid., p. 374). Herbert attributed this to "an almost incredible miracle" and dedicated his newborn son to God "for Him to use as He had need" (Ibid., p. 377).

The years 1930-33 were lean ones for the Armstrongs. Herbert began his public ministry in late 1930 but preached only occasionally. He continued doing odd jobs to support his family until early 1933.

During this time HWA's work had taken him to Astoria, Oregon, but his wife and children remained in Salem. Early in July 1932, Ted became seriously ill with pneumonia, and Herbert rushed home to anoint the child. Not only did Ted have pneumonia but "...he had been, to that time [he was all of 2 years and 5 months], dumb-unable to talk... He would point to whatever he wanted... grunting 'Ugh! Ugh!'" (Ibid., p. 449). Sometime between the age of six months and a year, Ted had fallen out of his crib and had landed on his head. Herbert and Loma had attributed his inability to speak to this fall. When Herbert anointed Ted, he not only asked God to heal his son's pneumonia, but also asked God to restore Ted's power of speech. Supposedly Ted recovered immediately and began to say a few words by the next day. Again Herbert claimed a great miracle and commented about it in his autobiography.

"Words have been pouring like a torrent out of his mouth ever since.... God gave him his voice by an unusual divine miracle" (p. 450).

According to HWA, had it not been for this miracle, we could never hear Garner Ted's voice today.

In late February 1933 (Ted had just turned three), Herbert became the minister of a small group known as the Church of God, Oregon Conference. From this time on HWA launched himself into his ministry with fervor. Not only was he ministering to the small church in Salem, but in October 1933, he made his first radio broadcast. Several months later, in early 1934, the first Plain Truth magazine (at that time a simple mimeographed paper) was published.

So Ted's formative years were spent in the fledgling years of his father's evangelical work. Both of his parents were extremely busy and had very little time to spend with their children.

Still, Herbert expected strict obedience to his authority and often punished his children severely if he caught them disobeying one of his directives. At a very early age Ted developed an inordinate fear of his father which he carried with him most of his life. Evidently, Herbert didn't realize this until late 1971, as he explained to a group of ministers in Pasadena.

"But Ted and I had the most frank talk we have ever had about... a month or five weeks ago over in Big Sandy [Texas]. It took up most of the morning. And Ted began clear back to the time he was a little boy. He said, 'Dad, all my life I've been afraid of you, and I've tried to avoid you.'

"'Why Ted, I didn't know that,' [I replied]. It hadn't been apparent.... And Ted, from the time he was a little boy, got to thinking I was unfair and cruel, and he learned... not to fear me in the way he should-the way we should fear God but to be actually frightened-physical fear. And I never knew that until four or five weeks ago" (Herbert Armstrong, Ministerial Conference, January 1972).

Ted graduated from high school in Eugene, Oregon, in 1947. This same year Herbert decided to move his religious headquarters to Pasadena, California, to take advantage of the broadcasting facilities available in the area. Ted moved to California with the rest of his family.

Eventually the fear of his father and the embarrassment of his religion turned to loathing. In a fit of rebellion, Ted left home and joined the U.S. Navy in May of 1948, to escape his father's authority. He enlisted for three years, but a compulsory wartime extension lengthened his hitch an extra year. In early 1952, he received an honorable discharge and returned to Pasadena.

Although Ted did not immediately accept his father's religious philosophies, he was not adverse to working in his father's mail processing office. Before long he was elevated to the position of office manager. In the fall of 1952, he enrolled at Ambassador College.

In December of that same year Ted accompanied his parents to Gladewater, Texas. While HWA was finalizing a land transaction with Roy Hammer, Ted was busy "courting" Hammer's daughter, Shirley. After the land deal had been finalized, the Armstrongs returned to Pasadena. Shortly thereafter, the Armstrongs made a hasty trip back to Texas to arrange Ted and Shirley's marriage. They were married on March 8, 1953. In September of that same year, Herbert announced in church that God had performed another great miracle. Ted and Shirley were the proud parents of a healthy, "premature" baby boy. (Several ministers who were around at the time have related the embarrassment they felt concerning this especially in light of the fact that this six month "premie" was a 7 lb. fully-developed baby.)

Ted continued his studies at AC. Before the end of the spring, 1953, term he underwent a "spiritual conversion" and was baptized as a member of his father's church. He continued as office manager during his college career and began to carve his niche in the microcosm of his father's religious organization. In January 1955, Ted was ordained to the ministry.

Ted quickly started climbing to the top of his father's organization. He began writing articles for the Good News and Plain Truth magazines. He also shared the "World Tomorrow" microphone with his father, his brother Richard and two other ministers-Roderick C. Meredith and Herman Hoeh. Before long his golden voice and glib manner of speech forced the other speakers to devote their energies elsewhere. No one could match Ted's charisma and media appeal.

Although Ted had his own style, his message was the same as those who had come before him. And often especially in regard to prophecy-his conclusions and analysis were either falacious or inaccurate. For example, he preached for years that according to Bible prophecy Great Britain would never be allowed into the European Common Market. His written prophecies were no more accurate. Notice:

"Two years ago, Mr. Herman Hoeh showed in this magazine how God's word prophesied disease epidemics would strike the United States in two short years! Those epidemics are beginning now! And they will grow much worse! God prophesies that finally, within the next fifteen years, fully one third of our whole population will die of disease and famine!" (The Plain Truth, Dec. 1957, p. 23.)

About a year later, in an article entitled "Nationwide Epidemics Are Spreading," he placed great prophetic significance on a story about a child who had died from an attack by fire ants.

"No light 'interesting' news item, this-but a real, down to earth PLAGUE that is growing WORSE AND WORSE!... Jesus said certain specific things HAD TO HAPPEN prior to the 'end of the age'" (The Plain Truth, Nov. 1958, p. 4).

But like the prediction that the WCG would "flee to a place of safety" in 1972 and many other inaccurate and false prophecies, these worldwide plagues and epidemics also failed to materialize as Garner Ted said they would.

Garner Ted - in early '50's.

By January 1958, Ted was being recognized as a leader in the organization. His father appointed him vice-president of both the college and the church. In late summer 1958 after his brother Richard died as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic auto accident-Ted was given more responsibility. But much of Ted's new authority was in name only. He still lived in the shadow of his father and several others who held responsible positions. His inability to operate independently from his father and others in command continued to plague him for years.

For approximately ten years this power structure (HWA as president and GTA as vice-president) remained fairly constant. As well as his executive duties, Ted taught a few college courses, carried on as one of the two voices of the "World Tomorrow" broadcast, wrote numerous articles and booklets and acquired his M.A. and Ph.D. from Ambassador College. By the late 1960s the organization had begun to expand its media coverage, and Ted took on the added responsibility of making a weekly television show.

Then in 1968, HWA drastically altered the organization's hierarchy by appointing seven additional vice-presidents. At the same time he made Ted executive vice-president. Ted, however, had no real authority over the other vice-presidents because Herbert had given them direct access to his office-they could by-pass Ted whenever they deemed it necessary (which was often). Still, at least on the surface, the status quo was maintained until the summer of 1971.

Ted's Problem. By this time, word of Ted's sexual improprieties had begun to filter through the ministry. For at least a year, Ted had been having an affair with his stewardess. Of course, this was not his first affair-Ted had had numerous adulterous relationships with many other women-but this relationship was different. Herbert could not dismiss it as another one of Ted's passing flirtations. Ted was ready to leave his wife.

"I went in to my father and went 'blah' and had a great big written thing and told him I was getting a divorce and that I was leaving and that this was going to happen. And when I left, I left with a trailer full of my goods and never intended to come back..." (GTA Pasadena ministerial meeting. March 7, 1974, tape 2, side 2, ref. 6454).

Herbert Armstrong could not afford to ignore this attitude, especially in light of the church's doctrines on divorce (see the article "Home-Breaking-Armstrong Style"). Ted had determined that he was no longer bound to his wife and was free to marry another.

"...I had already in my own mind convinced myself I wasn't even bound to my wife... I was in my mind divorcing her. I left with a trailer full of clothing and a stupid little girl..." (GTA, Big Sandy ministerial meeting, March 4, 1974, tape 5, side 2, ref. #052).

In July of 1971, Herbert was forced to relieve Ted of his duties and send him on a leave of absence, ostensibly for "health reasons" (see article "Profligate Son"). In a letter dated September 26, 1971, Herbert informed the church membership that Ted would not be speaking during the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. However, Ted prevailed upon his father to let him speak. According to schedule, Ted spoke to members gathered at feast sites in Big Sandy, Mt. Pocono, Jekyll Island and Squaw Valley.

During Ted's stay in Squaw Valley, his "problem" reared its head again. After preaching a stirring sermon, Ted took off to spend the night with his stewardess. The next day he flew to his next stop in Penticton, but word had already gotten out to his father and the other executives. They intercepted him there. Ted was again relieved of his executive duties. In a letter to the church, Herbert covered up Ted's adultery once again, and stated that he had sent Ted on a much needed vacation.

This charade continued for several months. Ted did take an extended vacation, but by January 1972, he had returned to Pasadena and participated in a ministerial conference. His return was short lived.

On the night of January 30, 1972, HWA, Stan Rader (legal counsel for the organization), and several leading evangelists confronted Ted in his home about his affairs with his stewardess and others. On that night, it became painfully obvious to those present that Garner Ted had been using his natural glibness for a lot more than just sermons and broadcasts. On that night, Garner Ted Armstrong acknowledged that he was involved in extensive, extra-marital sexual conquests. Finally HWA was forced to disfellowship his son and send him into exile.

At this time, Herbert forced Ted to end his longstanding relationship with the woman who had been his stewardess. Ted and Shirley were sent to Ted's A-frame in Colorado in an effort to get them to put their lives back together. Ted's stewardess was transferred, under an assumed name, to work in the WCG's New Zealand office.

Again Herbert Armstrong was forced to offer an explanation to the church. In a letter to the ministry which was read to all church members-Herbert stated that Ted had a "personal emotional problem" and was in the "bonds of Satan." Herbert stated that he had been forced to put Ted out of the church, and that he had taken away his ministerial authority. Ted could be allowed back into the church but never as a minister. No word was said about his adultery.

Qualifications. Shortly after this, Herbert Armstrong commissioned David L. Antion (WCG evangelist and GTA's brother-in-law) to research and write a paper regarding the biblical qualifications of a minister. In a nine-page memo dated April 24, 1972, Antion argued the question of whether or not a man can "sin as to disqualify himself from the ministry even though he might repent and be reinstated in the Church as a member" (Antion Qualifications Memorandum, p. 1). Antion then listed the character requirements of a minister of the Church of God.

"Timothy 3:1-7....'A bishop must be blameless.' The word 'blameless' means 'irreproachable' or 'above reproach. The Amplified Version says, 'Must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach.' The Phillips translation says, 'Must be of blameless reputation.'

"Here is what the Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words has to say about this word. It literally means 'that he cannot be laid hold of, hence, not open to censure, irreproachable.'

"There is an entirely different Greek word used in Titus 1:67. It is also translated 'blameless' but it has a slightly different meaning. It 'signifies that which cannot be called to account, i.e., with nothing laid to one's charge (as a result of public investigation). It implies not merely acquittal, but the absence of even a charge or accusation against a person. This is to be the case with elders.' (Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, p. 131.)

"Hence a minister must give no cause-nor can a reason for accusation be found in his conduct.

"The reason for this qualification is important. A minister represents the Church. If his conduct can be attacked-if his life and character are liable to investigation and accusation through misconduct-the whole Church of God can be accused!"

On page three he also stated:

"Though a minister does not get his authority from the people-he still must have a good report of the people. And it should be as much a good report from the outside as it is within the church when it comes to his sincerity, integrity, and moral life....

"It is made clear that there is an active devil. He is waiting for the Church to appoint a man to the office of the ministry whose reputation is questionable.... The only defense here is that a man be chosen who is ABOVE REPROACH-one with a good report from without-honest, moral, faithful, etc .

"These qualifications are not some lofty set of standards.... they are the minimal character requirements for God's ministers.... it is insistent and imperative that God's ministers have these as the minimum requirements." [The report then cited and expounded over 20 scriptural references.]

Antion concluded his paper, touching briefly on the case of King David, and showed that the issue was qualifications, not whether or not a man repented and was forgiven.

"David did commit adultery. Though God winked at his taking a number of wives which he married and to whom he performed all the functions of a husband-support, children. conjugal dues-his greatest sin was the taking of the wife of Uriah and the murder of not only Uriah but of several men along with him. In the light of this colossal sin many of us ask, 'How can David be a man of God-a man after God's own heart?'

"But here is what we know from the scriptures. First, David did repent bitterly of this sin - i.e., he never did it again! Second, he repented permanently the first time it was brought to his attention by a true servant of God. He did not argue or excuse himself in anyway or justify his sin by new doctrine or any other excuse....

"God's servants are His human leaders of the people. Their example of leadership, their character, their lives should be of the highest qualifications. If the leaders fall below what is expected even of their followers then disrespect ensues-loss of confidence occurs-people look for other more sterling leadership.

"To date in the Church of God-no minister has ever been restored to office who has disqualified himself and was once removed from it. This list includes [ministers' names deleted]....

"The same basic principle has applied generally to deacons....

"Again, the question is not one of repentance and forgiveness. It is a question of qualification and what the word of God says about returning to the highest office of all-the ministry of Jesus Christ" (Ibid.. pp. 8 and 9).

Crisis Management. Of course, Herbert decided to ignore the evidence presented by David Antion because that was not what he wanted to hear. He needed a way to solve the crisis in "the Work." 1972 had not started off well, and it was progressively getting worse. When the church didn't "flee" to a place of safety many members lost their apocalyptic zeal. Then Ted was banished soon after, leaving many in a state of confusion and low morale. Also, because Ted was "out of the church," he was no longer making broadcasts. All this added up to a significant drop in income. Herbert needed Ted back in order to get "the Work" back on its financial feet.

In late May 1972 (only one month after David Antion had submitted his paper on qualifications), Herbert met with Ted. Several days later (June 7, 1972) Albert Portune, Sr., David Antion, Ron Dart and Stan Rader accompanied Herbert back to the A-frame in Colorado and discussed the situation with Ted. The men returned to Pasadena, and the board voted to reinstate Ted in the church and allowed him to make broadcasts once again. Soon after this meeting, he was awarded full reinstatement to the ministry, and he returned to his former executive duties.

After all the problems, how did they manage to ignore the issue of Ted's qualifications? Easy-Herbert asserted that his son was above the pronouncements of scripture. Albert Portune explained the situation at a meeting in Kansas City several years later.

"But let me tell you what the answer is to that and what Mr. Herbert Armstrong has legislated.... Ted is above the scripture. These are his [HWA's] words. I sat there and lived through them. Ted was divinely called. He [HWA] proves that by the fact that Ted could not speak for two years and was given a voice... that Ted has these gifts and all of these other factors... therefore Ted is above the scripture. We can't judge Ted like we judge any other minister. We can't judge Ted by Timothy and Titus. You have to judge Ted only by divine calling. Then he has vague references to vague scriptures back to Hosea..." (Kansas City meeting, Sept. 22, 1974, tape 3, side I, ref. #066).

So, Ted was reinstated to his former positions with all the rights and privileges thereof. For several months it appeared that everything was back to normal.

Cat's Out of the Bag. The cover-up, however, had not been complete. By the fall of 1973, many field ministers were aware of Ted's adulterous behavior. Although most remained silent on the matter, a few considered it a matter of conscience to tell their congregations. John Mitchell, minister of the Shreveport, Louisiana church, started the ball rolling over the Thanksgiving weekend in late November 1973. That situation was momentarily smoothed over, but by early 1974, practically the whole ministry was in an uproar.

Not only were there questions regarding Ted's qualifications, but other doctrinal issues were coming to the fore. Among these were divorce and remarriage, healing, tithing, binding and loosing and some administrative problems. Suddenly the ministry wanted immediate answers from headquarters. Most were unhappy about the lack of communication coming from Pasadena, and were concerned about the extent of Ted's problem and the ensuing cover-up.

The Meeting in Richmond. In February 1974, Albert Portune, Sr. and David Antion flew to Richmond, Virginia to meet with many of the ministers in the eastern United States. After a brief discussion about their feelings on the matter, Antion and Portune spent several hours laboriously answering ministers' questions. At this meeting most wanted the rumors about Ted verified or denied. They were not vindictive. They just wanted to know.

One minister asked that Antion and Portune discuss the personal problems Ted was having.

"Not because as a human being I think it's important but because, unfortunately for him, his personal problems have caused a lot of other people personal problems... Now it has been rumored that he committed adultery... Would you say that was true?" (Richmond ministerial meeting, tape 2, side I, ref. #170.)

Both Antion and Portune answered in the affirmative (tape 2, side I, ref. #175).

The minister then asked:

"He [GTA] had admitted apparently to certain of the evangelists and regional directors in private that he had illicit relations with one individual. The rumors have hit at an all-time high of 200. Now what is the balance?" (Tape 2, side 1, ref. #182.)

Al Portune, Sr. replied to the ministers:

"...I don't know how many times, I just don't know. But whether it's 25 or whether it's 225, I don't know. Somewhere between those two points" (tape 2, side 1, ref. # 198).

The minister still wanted to make sure and asked:

"Didn't he [GTA] state, himself, to the evangelists that it [Ted's sexual misconduct] was 200 times?" (Tape 2, side 1, ref. #201.)

This time David Antion fielded the question:

"I don't remember that-I personally don't remember the number. He [Ted] just said that there've been dozens of times or, you know, many times, or some big figure. I know it impressed us all with the fact that he could remember dates and places and situations and so on.

"I would say here that a lot of it was not outright adultery a lot of it was flirtation, a lot of it was necking, making a pass and so forth....

"He needs to feel attractive. He likes to know that he's handsome. He likes to know the girls will go for him and all that. And I think there's a psychological need, personally, when I analyze it, rather than just a great need for just sex, you know" (tape 2, side 1, ref. #210).

At this same ministerial meeting A1 Portune, Sr. was asked another pointed question concerning Garner Ted's life-style:

"I'd like to know: Is it an absolute fact that it's [Garner Ted's sexual misconduct] continued over about a 19- or approximately 20-year period on a somewhat regular basis as various affairs and so on have happened? Without naming names... an evangelist... said that he understands there have been 38 different women that he [Ted] had involved himself with?" (Tape 2, side I, ref. #351.)

Al Portune's frank response was:

"It's probably true. I've been very, very close to Ted on a friendly, person-to-person basis for many years. I worked for him as his personal assistant way back when. And he has told me things about his life before marriage when he was in the service, and I think that's where it really began, and in his own words he said, to me he said, 'it has continued and it has never stopped'-meaning up to the time when he was having his problem. So it is over all the period of his adult life" (Albert Portune, Richmond ministerial meetings, tape 2, side 1, ref. #356).

Portune and Antion also discussed the circumstances surrounding Ted's reinstatement to the ministry in 1972 and the meeting at the A-frame in Colorado in early June of that year. One minister specifically asked if repentance was talked about.

Albert Portune answered:

"He [Ted] sat there in that chair. He called himself every dirty name that he could think of.... He constantly does that. He still does that today....

"The subject of repentance in that way-in the sense that he was conscious of the need for being sorry and the fact that he was evidencing to me from tears and through reproachments to himself and not being worthy to so much as lift up his eyes....

"All he could think about was just that empty microphone back there, and because of his dirty rotten sins he wasn't there doing his job... if God would just give him the chance and that type of thing.... That was the context of his repentance" (tape 2, side I, ref. #240).

David Antion interjected at this point:

"Of course, one of our problems was that we went out to Colorado totally cold. There was not a word on the plane. Not-and I'm telling you-not a word as to what we would say when we got there. There was no stated purpose. In fact, I really didn't quite know why we were going....

"Mr. Armstrong didn't say what we were going for. We got over there and were supposed to talk to GTA. I assumed... we're going to go out, and Mr. Armstrong is going to start talking to GTA, and he's going to start asking him some questions... 'Ted, how's your marriage? Are you really repentant? Are you sorry that you did this? Are you sorry the way you've acted? What do you have to say for yourself?'

"That kind of thing did not happen. We kind of talked around, and it was obvious by GTA's mannerisms that he was meek and he was... conciliatory and he was humble....

"We started talking about the work, and he started talking about himself-thinking about the empty microphone.... Then he said, 'Well, how are things?', and I think Al said something about 'Well, things aren't very good with the work. Things are pretty bad.'...

"Then Ted said, 'Well, how's the broadcasting going?'... Well, the mail was down... Mr. Portune said, 'Well, I think you need to come back... I think you're the man God has anointed to do it.'

"And then GTA started crying, and he said that he wanted to be back so bad.... He made all kinds of promises.... It was a moving situation.

"Mr. Armstrong was taken by it... and I mean to tell you, within two hours from that point Mr. Armstrong was saying, 'Ted. when can you come back?' Stan Rader said, 'We can get daily television.' We started saying, 'We can get campaigns, we can get advertising.' And that's the way it was.

"Mr. Armstrong said, 'How soon can you come back?' and GTA was ready to come back....

"Ron Dart said, 'Oh, that's great, now we can get going.' Then everybody started talking....

"I thought, 'Wait a second, wait a second, wait a second.' I had already turned the qualifications memo in. Mr. Armstrong must have read it... " (tape 2, side 1, ref. #250-297; ref. #339).

Peyton Place. In late March 1974, a very disillusioned David Antion wrote a personal letter to Ted Armstrong. Below is a portion of Antion's letter. (Letters of the alphabet have been substituted for some of the names.)

"March 29, 1974

"Dear Ted,

" . You were right when you said it just about killed me to find out about the things that happened in '71= 72. 1 didn't want to know. I knew nothing up until that time. I didn't go searching or asking.

"In August of 1971, S told M about the situation with G.... When I heard what was happening, I went straight to the study-fell on my knees and bawled like a baby.

"I knew nothing else at the time. Not until November or December of 1971 did I find out about anything more than G. It was Jon Hill who first told me that there were other girls. He seemed quite surprised that I didn't know this. In fact, he was quite shocked that I should be shocked.

"Then it was Rod Meredith who implied to me about others and seemed to be hinting at M being one of them.

"I went home and in conversation with M asked her if you [Ted] had ever made passes at her. It was shattering. But it was in the past-before M and I were engaged-and had been repented of.

"During those months there was the usual witch hunt of those who kept bringing up more and more names and incidents. I know it hurt [evangelist's name withheld] too for I saw him break down and cry when he heard. Then in February or March-perhaps April-of 1972, when everything seemed to be over, J and... [her husband] came to California for a visit...

"One night when I came home from work, M started telling me about what J had told her. J told how she thought you [Ted] were in love with her. She [J] told about the passes you made at her and said she felt she was in love with you also. In fact it was J who first spotted and became suspicious of your relationship with G at SEP [Summer Education Program]. J went into quite a bit of detail with M and from what I gather seemed to enjoy doing so....

"J was thinking recently. M told her about what happened in the past during M's college days. J was surprised at that. Then M shattered J who was thinking you were in love with her. M told her that you did not love her any more than you loved the others. This, according to M, really seemed to infuriate J who seemed to want to believe that she was special."

Ted was infuriated by the letter. How could Antion have had the audacity to put this down in writing? Ted ordered Dave to destroy his copy, which he did. However, in his rage, Ted carelessly left his copy on his desk at the television studio long enough for an enterprising employee to make a copy.

Soon after, David Antion began to assume a low-profile existence at the college. He maintains his ministerial status and teaches a few classes at AC, but he judiciously avoids certain issues like qualifications for the ministry because it is economically expedient for him to remain on the Armstrong payroll, drive his Mercedes, and live in a quarter-million dollar home that church tithes built.

Sweet Irony. There can be no denying that Ted's personal problem-so long hidden from public view-is adultery. Ted has even admitted this himself.

"I know of about five or six or eight or ten [WCG ministers] who have committed adultery.... You want some leveling done here today? I am not the first case!" (Big Sandy ministerial meeting, March 4, 1974, tape 5, side 1, ref. #082.)

He flagrantly broke the WCG's doctrine on sexual conduct; yet he still had the gall to stand up and preach highly volatile sermons against our "decadent society," wife swapping, adultery, etc. And while he so dogmatically enforced "God's laws" regarding sex, and quietly stood by while hundreds of happy marriages were broken up due to "spiritual adultery" (see the article "Home-Breaking-Armstrong Style"), Ted was out doing the real thing with WCG ministers' wives, AC coeds, his secretaries, etc. This is tragic behavior for anyone, but inexcusable for a man who claims to be a minister of Jesus Christ.

So What? Evidently, the criteria used to judge Ted's performance as a minister and church member is not the same as that used for the rest of the church and ministry. Obviously, if Ted were any other than the son of Herbert W. Armstrong, he would have been disfellowshipped and publicly marked long ago.

Unfortunately, sincere, trusting people continue to listen to this hypocrite. They do not listen to him because they have refuted David Antion's research on biblical qualifications for the ministry, or because they have tested those who say they are apostles and are not (Rev. 2:2). They listen because he is Garner Ted Armstrong, son of the legendary apostle of God's "only true church." To question his authority borders on blasphemy. Some people desperately cling to such illusions. In the real world though, illusions are not enough, and while Garner Ted Armstrong could be anybody's Hollywood matinee idol, he is not qualified to be anyone's minister.

-Margaret D. Zola

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