During one service at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) Sam Whaley was up in front receiving the offering. He began to tell about God dealing with him and about his work before starting WOFF. He said it was all worthless; “well some of it was good”. I suppose he was talking about his many trips to other countries for Rhema Ministries under Kenneth Hagin. Later in the service, Jane spoke up to correct him. She told him that all he had done before getting deliverance and getting truly born again was WICKED! Everything he did before “knowing Jesus” was pure wickedness. Of course, he said “You are right, Jane.” This event seemed to pass as one of the many times that Jane had rebuked Sam publically. It was “normal” at WOFF. No one except Jane “heard God at such a high level.”
While reading Janis Hutchinson’s “Out of the Cults and Into the Church” (copyright 1994 Kregel Resources) I found her insights very helpful. In chapter 5, she explains how ex-cultists may seem disoriented as when they come out; they lose “their roots, their story, and their identity”. It should be obvious; you can’t lose something you never had. In order to lose a “cult identity” it had to be created in that person. She explains how a cult member needs the roots and stories to arrive at the new identity.
I will not attempt to recite all that she gives as reasons for sharing these observations. In short, she explains “roots, spiritual or physical, tell an individual or a group where they came from, why they’re here, how they started, why they do the things they do, and why they are who they are.” (pg 98) Cults or other groups use myths or sacred stories to give its members roots.
She goes on: “Stories are three kinds. First myths and history of a culture’s heritage…these confirm and perpetuate the roots…. Secondly, there is the story of individual community itself- how members relate to that culture with their common problems and how they overcome them… Thirdly, there is one’s own individual story within the culture. This generally consists of accumulated childhood experiences containing the negative and positive, the triumphs and tragedies. It also includes a vast array of input from people, places and situations.” (page 98)
And finishing her explanation: “Identity, on the other hand, is the assurance individuals, culture, or nations gain as a result of having both roots and story. .. It promotes self-esteem and a positive self-image, collectively or individually. Without it, individuals are strangers to themselves and to others.” (page 98) Her work deals with folks after they leave cults.
Steven Hassan writes about “The Three Stages of Gaining Control of the Mind” in his book “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright 2000- Freedom of Mind Press). His perspective is sharing how the new identity is created while in the cult. The first stage is “Unfreezing”. Included in this list of control measures is sleep deprivation, privacy deprivation as well as meditation, chanting, praying, singing. He also lists “e. Get the person to question self-identity” and “f. Redefine individual’s past (forgetting positive memories of the past..) (page 57) He continues in describing the second stage- “Changing” “a. Creation and imposition of new “identity”, done step by step.” Part III is “Refreezing” – a. New Identity reinforced, old identity surrendered 1. Separate from the past,; decrease contact or cut off friends and family….b. New Name, new clothing, new hairstyle, new language, new “family” (page 58). Most every step mentioned by Hassan; I have seen or been subjected to during my time at WOFF.
Before going any further, let me mention that none of this would be taught at WOFF. Applying any basic understanding of human behavior was not needed as all things were perceived as spiritual issues. If something was wrong, it was most always a “devil” of some type. So, I have already lost the members of WOFF who are reading this post.
In reflecting on events listed above with Sam and Jane, it occurred to me that when you join WOFF, you were “pressured” in some obvious and some not so obvious ways, to deny your past and accept the present life of WOFF as your new “story”. “Your “roots” are in Jesus. Your identity is in Him”. I know the scriptures talk about being “in Him.” Certainly, in a pure sense, that could apply to what we are considering here. But, at WOFF, your story had to start with WOFF and when you got “deliverance”. All that was done before that was WICKED! Even a member who takes on the new identity could still give to wickedness.
Besides, “spiritual parents” (Jane and Sam) must have “spiritual children”. There were plenty of opportunities to take on a “new story” that started with how blessed you were that Jane and Sam had “labored in the spirit to bring forth the message of deliverance”. This allowed others to be truly born again and find their way in God. Unknowingly, in this line of religious talk, one could easily begin to blur the line of distinction between God and Jane in their thinking as mentioned here.. http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=261 A new member would be treated with more grace. (love bombing..) They would be encouraged to integrate, make friends thus putting down “roots”.
When you would forego your personal story and push aside your personal identity to be a part of WOFF, it seems so spiritual. Members who proclaimed this “new place in God” were praised as “beginning to walk in their call”, they were “starting to hear Jesus” . How would you know? Jane Whaley, your spiritual mother, would tell you so. It was said over and over; you will never “find your place in God and walk in your call unless you help someone else find their place”. It usually meant you were finding someone else to disciple and you had begun to repeat the message and force others to submit to God’s authority- in Jane. How did you know this was happening? Jane would tell you.
A reader reminded me recently about the time when everyone was to “really inquire if they were born again”. I am not exactly sure which year, maybe 1999, but it was the first Sunday evening service of the year. Jane Whaley was out of town. She called the Holocaust teacher and told her to have everyone go through 1John and see what a true born again believer looked like. Everyone needed to hear if they were” truly born again”. We started studying 1 John that night. The next service and several after, we were divided up in groups. Those who were sure they were born again on one side of the sanctuary, those who were not sure on the other. Soon, there were other groups, those who were backslidden or just not sure what they where they were to sit. Those were some tense weeks as no matter the group you sat in, you were confronted by someone to find out why you were in that group. We may have also had to write letters to Jane telling her where we were in studying and seeking God. We were in essence telling our individual story. Some testified to never being born again even after being in leadership or a pastor of a church. As with many things at WOFF, many ended up in the ditch. Being “truly born again” should have been a part of the WOFF identity. For various reasons, some folks never would accept that part of the plan.
In light of this understanding, of a WOFF cult identity, it would make sense that being told “you do that again and you are out of here!” could be so alarming. Being told that you could be thrown out of the place where you had roots, story and identity would cause folks understandable anxiety. This is true even if they don’t understand the process or even believe in “cult identities”. You could give up your real identity and take on a new story revolving around WOFF and Jane Whaley and never realize what had happened. In your thinking it could all be a part of “walking with God”. So, being told “Jane said, You are out!”, “You can’t come back!” Or “Pack you stuff and leave!” would jeopardize your roots, story and identity. For many, just the threat of being kicked out and losing their family and friends is enough for them to “submit” and change their “story” from wanting out or Freedom in Christ to submission to Jane Whaley and staying at WOFF. This is sad but true.
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 114.