Try out a new thing

I've been skimming back issues of “The Plain Truth”, the magazine once published by Herbert W Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God (WCOG). The contents of the issues I've seen so far is surprisingly plain and non-sectarian. This surprises me, since WCOG's theology was anything but. Armstrong's doctrines included the need to observe all Jewish holy days including the Sabbath, the idea that Anglo-Americans are descended from the Lost Tribes of Israel, prophecies about impending doom, and even a kind of “polytheism” (derived from the Mormons). Yet, little of this is visible in the early 1970's back issues of “The Plain Truth”. Clearly, Armstrong used the magazine as a kind of front operation.

This issue contains an article on the war in Biafra. WCOG took a neutral position, but with a slight pro-Nigerian slant. Tribalism and primitive customs are said to be at the root of Africa's problems. There are articles on how to exercise, stay healthy or keep burglars away from your house. The immorality of modern television shows is criticized. A somewhat deceptively written piece on radiocarbon dating turns out to be, surprise, creationist. An article on Franco's Spain claims that Opus Dei (or “Octopus” Dei) is rapidly gaining influence. Anti-Catholic conspiracy theory? There is also a curious piece asking whether the Amazon (!) will become the next bread-basket of the world…

“The Plain Truth” is concluded by a call for hippie teenagers to try out a “new thing”, which turns out to be Biblical (or rather Armstrongite) Christianity. A long list of radio stations transmitting The World Tomorrow (the WCOG's radio talk show) is included. If you had the honor of living in Garden City (Kansas), you could tune in at 6.30 p.m. (presumably local time) and listen to the message. Even on the Sabbath, it seems!

Not sure how to rate this “new thing”, but in the end, I award it three stars.