Exploring the idea and subsequent understanding of a Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) Identity has developed into a series. Please, take time to read the series from the beginning. Each post continues from the previous one. In Part 4:  I shared my week and the work/church activities that filled it. Much of the time not spent at work was spent in church, church activities and around church folks. During the times when I worked for a company owned by church members, the entire day would included church members. The exception would be when I worked part-time for the credit union. Given the simple definition of identity shared in another post: the set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group, it should be obvious that one’s identity is formed in some relation to the environment around them. Are soldiers affected by their surroundings? You would expect so. Are people in any restrictive environment affected to some degree by that environment? That seems plausible, right?

     In this post, I  make some observations about my WOFF identity. First, let me admit that while I was in WOFF, I had no idea that I had taken on an “identity” of any sort. Of course, this was not taught at WOFF. You were changing so you would be “walking in your place in God, fulfilling your call, hearing Jesus”.The goal seems from this view point to become totally pliable to the nuances and ever increasing restrictions of WOFF. Being a “good WOFFer” was critical to staying a member.

    Also, it would be relatively safe to say that present members of WOFF have no idea that they are living anything other than exactly how they are supposed to be living. For them, there is no understanding of a “WOFF identity”. Readers, who have contact with WOFF members, must recognize WOFF members are sincerely involved in their beliefs, practices and lifestyle. (for the most part..) In order to continue in the group, outward compliance was essential.  If there are doubts, those doubts must be stuffed. That was one key behavior I credit for surviving so many years inside the group.

      Why would someone like me stuff or ignore doubts about the group and Jane Whaley? That answer has many parts. First, let’s look at a quote from Janis Hutchison’s book,  “Out of the Cults and Into the Church”(copyright 1994 Kregel Resources) in Chapter 4 – No “Quick Fix”: “When you were in the cult, you so sincerely, believed it was the truth, that it triggered a deeper level of spirituality than you ever experienced before. It touched the inner core of your soul with an exciting devotion which was new to you.” (page 87)  Ms. Hutchinson recognizes in this passage that cult members can experience deep levels of belief and emotions, even if those beliefs and emotions are directed toward cult ordained beliefs and practices. This statement helped explain to me how I could have felt so spiritual and yet been involved in something so far from the true purpose for Christians and the local church. In retrospect, the oddness or “counter-normal” nature of the beliefs and practices did not repel me. I believed for the most part, that being so different lent credibility to the “fact” that “Jane Whaley heard God”. How perverted and confused was that? I will share more on this in the next post.  Read this related post about WOFF members being sincere– http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1535

    While at WOFF, I took on the identity and fit into the sub-culture very well in many areas. Some parts of the required changes I had trouble accepting. As mentioned in previous posts, being totally shut off from media was to me, a strange requirement. If total exclusion from media had been the will of God, then why did a chosen set of folks stay in touch with media, and then filter what Jane wanted WOFF members to know, back to the group? Who gave them the gift to know what others may or may not need to know? Paul never listed “media filterer” a one of the ministry gifts! So, I took time to look at certain news websites when I could. I am sure I missed a lot since my access was not continuous. Why was the FLDS event not brought before the WOFF congregation? Maybe it was in a meeting that I missed?

    Living in a WOFF household required adherence to many of the dictates, whether you believed they were God ordained or not. There was so much drama when you did not follow the WOFF lifestyle. So, I did not wear jeans or shorts. Early on, I wore shorts within the privacy of my bedroom. But, never were they worn outside that room. I refrained from buying books as mentioned previously. I passed on many of the rules to those around me. I wore khakis to work and still do most every day. I folded personal garments and ironed in the prescribed fashion. I wore the white t-shirts and still do. I tried to fit in and conform in the prescribed fashion. I wore the approved suits and blue or white shirts. I wore the right shoes and matching belt. I read my Bible most every night before bedtime. (every night was the standard- sometimes I would just collapse before I could open it; or worse, fall asleep reading…)

    When the “revelation” about weddings, memorial services and holidays came out, I was right there believing it and feeling the effects. My relatives received the prescribed letter in the mail explaining the new understanding or “direction from God” and the denial of holiday celebrations. No, that did not endear relatives or friends to me. It was WOFF directed for sure. In a future posts, I will share more about this time frame. I attended the meetings and listened to the designated WOFF member tell me what politicians believed and if they had a good website.  In February of 2005, I actually went on a trip to Brazil! That is a future post all by itself. Most every seminar meeting held during my tenure there, I either attended or heard on tape. To miss any meeting was a BIG DEAL! It was much easier just to attend.

     For too many Friday nights to count, I participated in Friday Night fellowships. Yes, I helped with the children and with clean-up. The last seminar, I even helped cook hot dogs! Someone brought me a pack of Carolina Pride® hot dogs for Jane and Sam. I was told, “Be sure not to burn them.” That was Jane’s favorite brand, so I was told. I helped during fund raiser car washes and yard sales. In late 2007 or early 2008, the high school had a car wash and my picture was taken while helping. That picture made it into the school annual. At least the copy I saw!

    There is more to share. However, before continuing, if you have not, then please read the three post series about the thoughts I had that led me to leave WOFF. (see first post here.. http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1396 ) The next post in the series will have more reflections on my WOFF identity and the consequences of taking that identity.

     Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Comments are invited from all readers, including present or former members. Polls are not scientific and no private information is gathered.

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      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. ) This is post number 118.