I was a third generation member of this cult. My paternal grandparents were one of several founding familes here in the Pacific Northwest. Eventually, the church was renamed Worldwide Church of God. Armstrong amassed great wealth off the backs of his church members, many of whom were living at or near the poverty line.
Worldwide Church of God splintered off after Armstrong died. Many members left but many fiercely defend those cult teachings, even today. One documentary ("Called To Be Free") features leaders of Worldwide Church of God talking about how their doctrine was wrong and how hard their mistakes were to correct with church (cult) membership. That’s all well and good for the paid ministers and their families, but it does nothing to correct the immense harm inflicted on countless families around the world, including mine. Not one of them admitted to the immense harm that was done to the membership all those years.
There is no way to know how many people have suffered needlessly because of high-demand religions (aka cults) and their harmful teachings.
Many bible-based churches are nothing like what I learned growing up. They are filled with good people who have good intentions and live good lives. If you choose to go to church, hopefully you can find one of them.
Be well, Jana