As mentioned, this past week has confirmed the strong curiosity in the surrounding community about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and Jane Whaley. One former member asked me a few weeks ago- How do you put out so much stuff? My immediate answer was that I type fast. Well, I type faster than I used to. But, a more complete answer would mention that WOFF has affected my life for over 5,000 days. We were definitely affected by WOFF while in the Greenville church. That was from 1992 until 2002. Add those days to the six years of being inside and then the two years since. I am gone from there, but my life is still being affected by their ways and beliefs. Some of that is due to what is still affecting me personally. Some is due to certain ongoing personal situations that are not resolved. So far, there are less than 200 posts on this blog. The actual number of days that WOFF has affected my life is closer to 6,000; but who is counting? True, many of those days I was under the impression that the effects were positive. It was not until 2005, during a period of a few months and later starting in late 2007 and early 2008 that I began to see the negative nature of certain effects of WOFF in my life. But, shall I post one for one? I am a long ways behind the count even if I have any hope of catching up…
Along those lines, it is a good place to restate that the effects of WOFF on its members vary from person to person. Some of this is due to length of time in the group, how many “changes” were made to make the person’s life WOFF-compliant and if other family members went into WOFF along with the person in question. Some folks go in and come out- without having other family members directly involved or becoming a part of the group. That person may have a better chance of escaping some of the emotional stress associated with leaving and having family members stay in the group. Yes, these are all only my observations. I have no hard statistical data to back these statements. But, I do know folks who appeared to have a less traumatic exit. In order to verify this statement, I would have to speak directly to those individuals.
Why even bring this up? Because there may be folks out there (and some have commented..) that don’t believe there is a group in North Carolina, much less the United States of America, that could be as oppressive as I have portrayed. Let me first mention, I did not have it as bad as some others. For instance, I was not locked in a basically unfurnished room for weeks (or was it months?) only contacting one other church member, in order to “get my heart right”. Yes, allowed only to read the Bible and listen to tapes. The entire time only being allowed to come out once a day or to a service, kept apart from other individuals in the church. I do not know the entire list of restraints, but I have heard the story repeated since I left and it still shocks me. Yes, I saw it happen from a distance and stood by and watched. That person is no longer in the church. Thank God! But, during the time he was “being dealt with”; I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS AN ACCEPTABLE ACTIVITY! How deceived was I! How many others like me were in the WOFF –trance and went along to get along? Are there any others that thought this was “acceptable”? This story from WOFF reminds me that in future posts, I will share more about “thought reform”.
So, no, I did not have it as bad as some WOFF members. But, are we here to count WOFF-scars? Would a present WOFF member even know if they had a WOFF-scar? If there was only one person who had been emotionally traumatized by the doings of WOFF, that would be enough to justify the posts on this blog. Is there more than one? Say “Amen” or “Oh, it’s me…” Or shall we put all the folks who are so called “WOFF trophies” on one side of the room and all the “WOFF victims” on the other and see which side has the most? If your thinking is like this then you are a candidate to be in WOFF or go back in to WOFF. This whole discussion is not here to count the good points or “WOFF Trophies” and weigh them against the negative ones. I have seen the inner workings of WOFF, at least to some level and I was not only shocked, but, what I saw caused me to make steps away from the group after 16 years — when others close to me- stayed! I am of the firm opinion that no number of “WOFF trophies” could justify to ravaging of God’s people no matter what WOFF rule they break or “sin” they commit against Jane Whaley’s kingdom. It matters not how many officials in the community have been hoodooed. It matters not how many doctors, lawyers or dentists or seemingly successful businessmen are in that group. The spiffy clean restaurants run by WOFF members do not impress me. It is all pure WOFFness. I could not care less that Sam Whaley led prayer in the U.S. Congress. “The Holocaust Museum” does not make up for the many folks who have had their families torn apart by the fervent controlling beliefs and practices of Jane Whaley, her lieutenants and the regular members. The more I see the Holocaust display; the more I am grieved that so many folks are as deceived as I was for years! It is clearly one of the biggest ironies of the whole charade called WOFF! No, the big houses, nice cars and nice clothes do not make up for the emotional state of many former members on the outside and those WOFF members on THE INSIDE. In my opinion, it is all a big controlling religious sham.
So, there, you have a better idea of why I seem motivated to continue to post on this blog. Some may think I have posted enough; some may think I have gone too far. There are some have asked me to keep going. Some may think Jane and Sam are too nice to have any of this going on in their church. And for certain, to the folks on the outside, Jane and Sam are very nice folks. For those people, who only see the outside, I say beware. Concerning these WOFF matters, I have learned that what I did not know or what I chose to rationalize and/or look the other way and ignore – affected my life in some very serious ways. When I first started attending, I thought Sam was too nice to have any negative things happen in the church. Because of the trust I had in the pastors of the Greenville church, the thought of any negative happenings at WOFF – NEVER crossed my mind. It was impossible to think that the negative stories that were being told about others would ever affect me. Everything looked so pristine, how could there be any spiritual or emotional pitfalls? Well?
This series is on a few of the contradictions at WOFF that have been obvious to me. Read and see if you agree or disagree… “WOFF Contradictions – Part 1” link- http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2500
“Footwashing” services are not mentioned on the WOFF website, the last time I looked. Here is a post about a couple of those services that I attended. “Footwashing Services at WOFF?” here is the link– http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1715
Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. 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. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 174.
Oh, John, not only did we think that such things as happened with the young man ( being locked away in a room) was “acceptable” we thought it was WONDERFUL!!!! We marveled at the ” love” that was being shown to him!! How utterly deceived we were~~ I have not have some of the things to deal with that you have. You have family up there in that demonically deceptive place. I have, on the other hand, the mental anquish of having let my under age son move up there without me and having been spiritually and emotionally abused. That I have not been able to forgive myself for. WOFF is listed as one of the top 5 religious cults in America. I am coming to such a wonderful realization of just how loving God really is!! He wants only the very best for us. Hope things are going well with you. Contact me when you can I have a couple of things I would like to share with you. Hugs, much love and prayers to you!!
I feel like I should leave a comment here as I’m sure I must be adding to the increase in your traffic numbers. I am certainly interested in the workings of such organisations as the WOFF especially with regard to the education of teens. I am not a member of any religious organisation. I would describe myself as an agonostic.
I admit that I am shocked that a person could be abused in this way and that you were socialised into thinking that it was acceptable or as the above commentator said wonderful. I am trying to remain unbiased but when you give such graphic examples it is impossible not to react on an emotional level.
Everything John writes is truth. The young people are taught that the outside world is very evil, and they are not allowed to be alone anywhere outside of the church. The church is so afraid they will find the truth and leave, which many have done. When the young people do go out among regular people in the world, they do not know how to act. They are coached in the church how to act when going out as a group. One thing they are told is to be “friendly” to all. But, they are scared and afraid and this shows. The teens are never allowed to learn things about the world such as current events, politicians, leaders, actors, books, movies, education, careers, colleges, jobs, cars, sports and so on. They learn only what is told them from leadership or what leadership allows to be taught in the church’s school or from the pulpit.
Randall,
Thank you. I would add that current events were taught for a bit during the Geroge W. Bush presidency. That has ceased as far as I know. Any such information taught about the outside world is filtered greatly. Conduct around outsiders is coached but still is a struggle for the young folks. I have seen children lose the grip over men with facial hair. Many have never been around men with beards or mustaches on a regular basis since that was ruled out a long time ago. Music without words sent some children into a panick and running for the door during one memorial service. It really is a sad thing.
John
Hi! Thanks to you both for your responses.
Can I clarify – Randall, when you say “they are not allowed to be alone anywhere outside of the church”, does this mean that the church is the whole of the community? The education system, the hospital, the shops etc, the media.
I live in the UK and here when we say church is means basically that people go and worship on sundays and they pretty much do whatever they want at all other times.
Also can I ask if the young people are educated on civil rights and ethnicity? Is racism a part of the culture.
Oh and an afterthought, how often would they meet to pray or listen to sermons from the leader?
Thanks so much to you both. I am learning so much from you.
RS
RS,
Thank you for the questions. Randall is welcome to answer, also. Let me add somethings. Members of WOFF rarely go anywhere by themselves as a norm, such as shopping, college and especially doctors and hospitals. WOFF children attend WOFF school on the grounds- pre-K to 12 and even beyond. Some college classes are taken as a group, even on-line – at the church or an approved leadership home for studies. RARE to see a WOFF college student in a class by themselves. But, it does happen. WOFF church is 24/7/365. Services are Sunday 10AM and 6:30PM and Wed. 6:30PM. Most live with other WOFF members and are involved in some sort of “church” activity 7 days a week. (if we define being around WOFF folks and subject to WOFF rules as a “church” activity.) There are prayer sessions Mon-Fri. (10AM?) at the church and Saturdays are often filled with fund-raisers or other work projects based on church needs. Seminars are held as a minimum four weeks out of the year. Racism as defined in a society as bias against people of color or different nationality- no. There are many nationalities at WOFF. “Religious racism” and prejudice against other religion groups and former members- yes. In WOFF school, civil rights are taught through the filter of WOFFness. MANY personal freedoms are surrendered in order to continue with the group. That material will be covered in a future post, as a revision to a previous one.
Please- ASK QUESTIONS. When you have been a part of WOFF, you can just presume that other folks know what was done and how folks lived/live in WOFF. Other former members – please, feel free to comment, add or suggest corrections to my answers.
John
Hi John,
Thank you! I am trying to get my head around the idea that one would be so integrated (consumed?!) by an organisation like WOFF. I think it comes from bringing raised in a culture of complete freedom to form one’s own opinions about everything. Of course, even in a free culture and liberal upbringing like mine, I acknowledge that my views are shaped by society, the media, my parents (although I disagree with them on a number of important issues).
Would you say that the topics WOFF members studied in the college groups or online courses are chosen by the leader? How much freedom would be given for members to follow their own interests? Would you say they even had their own interests?
Is the religious racism that you described something that is taught or preached by the leader? Or is it more a consequence of believing so strongly in the religion that the members sort of view everyone else as a fools? In the eyes of a WOFF member would a non-religious person be viewed differently than say someone who is a praticing Muslim or Hindu or Catholic?
I look forward to your future post on this John.
RS
RS,
WOFF members who attend college submit their class list to others in WOFF leadership for approval. Ultimately, Jane Whaley would be made aware of class choices and as far as I know, has had the power to approve, disapprove and/or push a member to change their classes. WOFF students who do not comply risk being put out of WOFF. WOFF members have their own interests as long as they coincide with the “will of God” as given by Jane Whaley. To not pursue “the will of God” as given by Jane means risking heaven or worse- your WOFF membership. (in their eyes)
The religious racism is more a consequence of believing that WOFF and Jane Whaley are the only way to make it into heaven. Would a WOFF member agree to such a narrow definition? Probably not. Their answers would be cloaked in WOFF terms and sound easier to accept to an outsider. WOFF members believe they are in “the will of God” – all others outside or not in WOFF- are not. Non-religious folks stand more of a chance to find “the will of God” and in WOFF eyes are easier recruits. There is less to unlearn. Jane has said it is better to not go to church than go to the wrong church. (“wrong” is any other church, but WOFF…) Hoping this answers your questions. Your questions are very probing and thoughtful. Thank you.
John