About

Why we’re here

Throughout the world, there are pockets of secretive fundamentalist sects whose leadership exercises powerful control over small congregations of true believers. Though they insist their mission is to “preach the gospel,” speaking out is strictly forbidden and is decried as “sowing disunity.”

Personal doubts may simmer beneath the surface, yet a culture of fear falling over friends, family and loved ones prevents them from ever being expressed. Even in private, it is difficult to tell where the loyalties of fellow “brothers and sisters” truly lie.

These sects are splinter churches from the former Worldwide Church of God, a once-powerful doomsday cult founded by the late self-proclaimed “Apostle” Herbert W. Armstrong.

While the decades-old crimes of WCG may be ancient history for some, the corruption and oppression inflicted upon the members of its remnants across the world continue unabated to this day. Much of WCG’s old regime remains in power over their own little kingdoms of fanatical and brainwashed followers.

Collectively known as the Churches of God (the COG, more commonly), they continue to financially defraud, deceive and terrorize their members based on distortions of Christian apocalyptic doctrine under the guise of “preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.”

These cults have destroyed families, friendships and brought individuals to financial ruin in the name of a Second Coming that isn’t to be.

For that reason, many have been afraid to speak out. Many survivors have been silenced through fear, intimidation and feelings of isolation and futility after leaving the insular culture of these cults.

We are here to put those feelings to rest, and to let the COG’s victims know they are not alone.

Who we are

Writers here at Silenced are personally familiar with these churches, and having known people within their ranks, understand that the average member is not necessarily at fault for the flaws within these organizations. There are good people within all of these groups, and they mean well, even if we disagree, sometimes quite strongly, with their viewpoints.

Silenced is run by a collection of former members from a variety of backgrounds and splinter groups across the COG. For the most part, we are demographically younger than many other COG-focused blogs and websites, and generally don’t remember the “glory days” of WCG’s time as a powerful megacult. For us, the painful memories, oppression and tales of woe are very fresh.

Our mission is to inform COG survivors, current church members, and the general public about the current criminal and unethical behavior so prevalent within these cults, especially among their leadership.

We hope to someday see a fundamental transformation within these churches, if not their extinction under the crushing weight of the once-hidden truths about the COG now more easily discovered in the information age.

What you’ll find here

Our primary content is focused on news, information and historical information related to the COG cults, though we sometimes will discuss religion in general, along with scientific matters and world news, though usually through the lens of these churches.

We do this through commentary on current happenings related to the COG, along with our own in-depth investigations and reports from members and other sources.

For a rundown, here’s a basic synopsis of the types of content posted here:

1. Reports on recent COG news: If it’s notable and regards cult leadership or media announcements, we report on it with commentary to put the news in context.

2. Analysis of historical accounts and documents: While we try to keep a current day focus, remembering the history of Herbert W. Armstrong, WCG and even times before then is important to putting today in perspective.

3. Member stories: Current and ex-members alike, along with really anyone else, can share and post their stories directly to the site. This is important for gaining insider perspectives through the lens of specific incidents from life in the COG.

4. Scientific information, commentary and discoveries: Nothing unravels the doctrinal lies and ignorant nature of COG culture than the harsh and blinding light of scientific discovery. Anything scientific discoveries that apply to some of the more offbeat and outrageous of COG’s doctrinal claims (in comparison to that of traditional Christianity) are especially favored.

Some notes:

1. We are biased: We have been charged with being biased against the COG. We respond by admitting that we absolutely are. However, that doesn’t mean we try to be unfair. We go where the facts take us and no further.

2. Our purpose is not to attack religion: Our staff and readership possess a wide variety of different spiritual beliefs, or a lack thereof. Because of that, we tend to keep a secular, scientific focus, e.g. things which are not in dispute and are subject to empirical scrutiny.

3. Anyone can believe what they want, but they cannot do what they want: To reiterate the above point, we focus on the damaging results of the COG’s beliefs and administrative practices. We don’t care if people believe them, so long as they aren’t using them to do harm.

4. We do not censor: Save for cases of illegal material and obvious spambots, we do not delete or censor posts or comments. We believe in absolute, unfettered freedom of speech and the free and open exchange of ideas. Whether you agree or disagree, your voice should be heard.

How to help

1. Share your story: Whether you’re a former COG member or know someone currently on the inside, share your personal stories here. Anonymity and protection is guaranteed to protect individuals from repercussions from friends, family or the organization.

2. ‘Like’ the Silenced Facebook page: If it’s safe to publicly show your support, become a fan of our page. Otherwise, privately distribute this site with anyone you think may be sympathetic to the cause. Knowledge is power. Empower as many people as possible by spreading this information far and wide.

3. ‘Follow’ Silenced on Twitter: Stay up to date on new information, member stories and breaking news concerning the Silenced community. ‘Retweet’ and share with your own followers.

4. Send videos to the Silenced YouTube: Find a relevant video pertaining to the COG or member experiences on YouTube? Share it with us and we’ll help spread it around. Have a video you’ve made that you would like us to mirror and share? Submit it to us. We love and need new media!

5. Suggest and start an Operation: Have an idea to promote the site and get our warning message out? Found a way to expose the COG for the cults they are? Share with the community and get people involved! Browse other community operations as well and lend a hand where you can.

6. Reach out to friends and family: This can be difficult to do, but if you have friends and family still in a COG cult, it’s very important that they know about this outlet. It is difficult to always know what they’re actually thinking and feeling towards their particular COG church or congregation, and it could be that they have something to get off their chest. If so, direct them here and they can do so in safety.

We are Silenced.
We are a COG in the machine.
The truth will be heard.
Our voices are yours.