Greetings from Tyler Headquarters,

There are several intensely interesting and important developments to be addressed in this letter, and here’s the list. The pope is negotiating to build and operate Catholic churches in the Muslim Middle East. Pakistan moves methodically toward the ouster of General Musharraf, perceived as a critical ally in the war with Islamic terrorists. Racial tensions are being fomented here at home by the exposure of virulent anti-American, emotion-charged rants in a presidential candidate’s own church. Authoritarian abuses and political power plays threaten the underpinnings of the far-flung factions of the Church of God.

You’ll have to cogitate over this news for a short while to grapple with all that it might portend. A Catholic edifice has already been opened in the oil rich Muslim Gulf state of Qatar, and talks are underway between the Vatican and Saudi Arabia in an attempt to clear the way for the building of one in the Saudi kingdom. The pope has reportedly demanded the concession as a prerequisite for the establishment of “official diplomatic relations.” In the case of the Vatican, the church is a state. He has reasoned that Islamic culture, complete with mosques and the open practice of the Islamic religion is tolerated throughout Europe.

Mohammed’s teachings are said to prohibit recognition of any religion other than Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. Although Vatican spokesmen are nearly breathless with the “historical significance” related to such a move, there seems an enormous and potential for serious trouble in all this. Would not a Catholic edifice in a nation seething with the sentiments of radical Islam be a prime target for terror? And what might such an attack have on the already strained relations with the large Islamic communities that have taken root throughout Europe? Maybe that’s too much hypothetical thinking, but then again, surely all these “talks” between the principals must include such discussion. It looks like such a historic achievement could be a recipe for disaster.

A “new” tape from Osama bin Laden is circulating, threatening more reprisals for the “insulting” Mohammed cartoons, and accusing the pope of insulting the “prophet” in comments he made two years ago in Germany. For his part, the pope has apologized, sort of, and said that it’s unacceptable to insult anyone’s religious faith. Has anyone told him about our First Amendment? And wait ‘till Osama hears about these grand Catholic landmarks being planned for the Gulf, assuming he’s still kicking. All this diplomatic good will may well go up in flames.

There is tremendous concern over the immediate future of Pakistan and its nuclear arsenal of an estimated 100 missiles. Just last week the chief military General in Turkey was quoted saying that the nukes might end up under Taliban control if Musharraf “loses his grip.” According to every source, Musharraf is about to lose his grip. Details relate to the “illegality” of his mass firings of Pakistani judges during his recent imposition of a “state of emergency.” The newly elected Pakistani parliament is expected to reinstate them within a matter of weeks. This uncertain situation may drag out beyond our own U.S. presidential election, but that remains to be seen.

Many may have been unaware of “liberation theology” until recent days. It’s dangerous subject matter, but simply cannot be ignored. The circulation of angry, vituperative, venomous “sermons” by a presidential candidate’s “pastor” have escalated racial fears in America beyond anything we’ve seen in decades. The mainstream media is trying to shut the door on the whole subject, but the rhetoric that has saturated the political and social landscape in recent days is so searing that it won’t fade easily.

Liberation theology holds that our American founding fathers were corrupt, evil men. It attaches itself to a slew of theories implicating the U.S. government in nefarious plots to commit “genocide” against the black population. It castigates “rich white people” as the root of all injustice and sounds just like the racist rhetoric we thought was unique to the “Nation of Islam” movement.

It is hot, divisive “preaching” that motivates emotionally charged reactions, and now it seems to have attached itself to our presidential election, as if we didn’t have enough trouble already!

And now the good news. At a time when organized religion seems more “the problem” rather than the solution, where even factions of the broader Church of God fall victim to political maneuvers and power plays; when posturing preachers are wallowing in self-aggrandizement; when self-proclaimed prophets are once again setting dates and manipulating their followers by finding themselves foretold by the legitimate prophets of old (the stories are too many and too bizarre to characterize let alone tell), we have a DVD for you that is made to order.

This GTA message has nothing to do with any of the specific situations, or personalities distracting members from the real reasons for their involvement. It was delivered from the Bible some 20 years ago. Then again, it has absolutely everything to do with all of it! It is entitled False Prophets. The picture is clear, and Dad was at his best.

You are no doubt aware of the many splinter groups and organizations that have formed as a result of the Worldwide debacle and my Grandfather, Herbert W. Armstrong’s subsequent death. The truth he publicized, that man is subject to God’s immutable laws, has been hi­jacked by dozens of splinter groups. Some exist for the sole purpose of employing and retiring an aging ministry and have devolved into political chaos and infighting. Others have employed fear and intimidation to fuel grandiose building programs and promote brazen pretenders to apostolic status. What has any of this to do with Jesus’ commission to the church?

Our focus is on providing a stable, peaceful atmosphere where people can practice obedience to God’s clear instructions, while doing the work of spreading the gospel to a world that is caught up in every conceivable distraction.

Our nation is in serious trouble, from dangers to our entire economic system, to unchecked invasion by foreigners, to the lack of positive national leadership, to the threat of Islamic terror on a grand scale, and now the exposure of racial hatreds. Many serious analysts recognize that we’ve taken several wrong turns, nationally, and that major consequences are inevitable. The whole of the western world is under a long-term threat from the determination of Islam to convert and/or destroy, and yet political correctness prevents bold countermeasures. As one respected historian and analyst said recently, we cannot win the “war on terror” unless our nation is prepared to exercise focus, discipline and effort at the intensity the U.S. employed in WWII. In view of our political and economic situations, there’s no chance of that happening.

We’re trying to stay abreast of the most important of these numerous situations because we’ve been told to “watch and pray always...” by the savior Himself. But we will never demand that you “send money now before it’s too late” as others have done, and are doing. We will not set dates for prophecies to be fulfilled, or use any of the outlandish authoritarian tactics currently being employed by some to divide families or deprive people of their God-given free moral agency.

I hope you’ll treat yourself to the illuminating and inspiring DVD, False Prophets, delivered by my dear ol’ Dad in his prime. It says so much more than a letter ever could. Our thanks to you all for having supported the truth, and the Work. Results from the telecast have been beyond expectations, and many thousands from all walks of life have been told the truth.

Until next time,