In a previous post, I put forth the comparison of predatory lending to predatory religion. We looked at the definition of predatory lending and showed the essence of it to be “unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices”. I shared several correlations between the deception in the definition and my experiences at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Therefore, we began explaining my ideas about predatory religion, what it includes and why I believe Jane Whaley practices this at WOFF. One point made the glaring lack of full disclosure to prospective members of WOFF. Prospects are NOT told how far reaching Jane’s power in their lives will be if they become a faithful WOFF member. Before a person becomes a member of WOFF, they are not told the long list of rules for members, changes they will need to make to become a member and how this will affect their relationships to family and friends outside the group. This is all part of the hoodwinking deception.
Does Jane consider this process one of deception? My thought is probably not. She considers it telling folks what they can handle, for in WOFF there are levels of truth that are only revealed the members as they are ready. I did not progress to main leadership level and therefore there were things I was not told because, “I was not walking in that place in God”. Some of these things I have learned after I left. For instance, I learned about the jet skis and the houseboat stored at the house in Isle of Palms, SC for Jane and her leadership – AFTER I left. This would have been hard to reconcile while I was inside. After I left, I learned that Jane has/had at one time, not one, but two satellites for her television viewing pleasures. If I had been told during WOFF days that Sam had a big screen in his bedroom separate from Jane’s bedroom and television, I don’t remember it. I learned after leaving that RF had/has highly sensitive listening equipment to listen to conversations inside the homes of others. I have been told by several that RF has a gun stash, that I have no way to confirm. I learned that at least one woman in leadership struggled with her sexual orientation.
My doubt as to the total transparency of WOFF started in July of 2006. Jayne Caulder came on stage telling folks to NOT read an article in the local paper; it had a bunch of untruth in it. So, I read it and verified at least some of it as truth. (see post here.. http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2639). Somewhere along the way the term “WOFF-spin” began to fit as describing much of what I was told and/or not told. Still today, I hear things and have a hard time believing what I am hearing that went on or goes on at WOFF. Some things I have learned about Jane the actions of her leadership have been totally bizarre.
Predatory lending has to do with money. So does predatory religion. Now, for sure, Jane Whaley is not the only church leader that does not disclose how they spend the money given to them. As predatory lenders do not disclose totally the fees, costs and application of payments received; Jane does not disclose how she personally decides to spend the hundreds of thousands of dollars that annually flow through the coffers of WOFF. The members giving records are regularly reviewed by Jane by her own admission. But, the same scrutiny is not allowed to be turned back on Jane. She is a free-spending, free-wheeling cult leader for certain.
Right after I hit the button to publish the last post, I remembered two things that needed further explanation. In the previous post, I wrote- “What are the “repayment” terms at WOFF? Simply put, you give up personal freedoms and eventually you are obligated to “stay in the move of God” for the rest of your years on earth. Otherwise, if you “default” on your loan, there could be serious “repossessing” going on.” I then gave some examples of what could be taken back. What I neglected to comment on was the abundance of material goods given to newly married couples who marry inside WOFF. What happens to those things when a couple leaves WOFF? For certain each situation would be different and I do not know of a case where a couple left the church and had to return their wedding gifts. But, it is still a big deal to “receive from God” and “leave the move of God”. Who says so? Jane Whaley does. More than once I heard her lament over things done for people and given to people who had left WOFF and then “they go out and play the harlot with the world”. Jane would warn folks that “when God did things for you like that, you need to stay in the move of God”. Do I need to translate? That meant if you EVER left WOFF, then you were “out of God’s will and could lose your salvation”!
Is this the attitude that Jane has toward her God? Does her attitude with her members reflect her own personal relationship with her God? He gives her “stuff” because she keeps the “rules”? Where is the grace? He tells her she needs to act right to get anything from Him? If she ever does break His “rules”, He takes His “stuff” back? Where is the grace or is her own salvation earned by her “works”? Are her members that follow the rules she gets from her god, her trophies she uses to recommend herself to God as good enough to deserve His blessings and favor? Is that a scary thought or what? Is that why leaving her is such a big deal? She thinks she loses favor with God when folks leave her special group? I repeat – is that a scary thought or what?
Another point of deception, prospective members are not TOLD when they join WOFF, they will never have to find another church as long as they live! They are also not told that if they try to find another place to worship, they will go to hell. Jane Whaley does not believe “once saved always saved”. If she did, then how could she tell folks if they left her and WOFF they would still be saved? It does not fit the function of her theology.
This all leads me to the most important point that qualifies life at WOFF and the practices of Jane Whaley as “predatory religion”. Through the many deliberate steps of deception for new members and long-time members, Jane leads them all to believe that she is the only one who can hear God for them in their personal situation. If they ever leave her or doubt her, they are out from under God’s protection for them. Those who leave are subject to attacks from the devil according to Jane and will “miss the call of God” for their lives and thus not make heaven. For those that are not conditioned in this realm of mind control and predatory religion, this makes NO sense at all. How could one person have that much control over someone else for them to believe that if they cross that leader or leave that leader or the leader’s group, they are out of God’s graces and will go to hell? Whether you believe it is possible or not, it is still happening at WOFF. The “WOFF religion” based of fear of Jane Whaley requires members to bow to Jane and worship her. Will they admit that? No, they will not. I would not have admitted it when I was inside WOFF. The deception used on members is also in them to deny the reality of the controlling environment called WOFF. Regardless of the denials, observe their actions, for in this case it is true, actions speak louder than words. Through deception, Jane Whaley controls others into believing their salvation with God depends on her and if they will believe her and also if they obey her. If you do not come under this deception, you are not a long term member of the WOFF faithful. Are you one of those that are willing to let a human being decide if you make it into heaven? Put in those terms, one can see how unhealthy, deceptive and wicked the WOFF system is and why it should be a concern. In my opinion, it is a prime example of predatory religion in western North Carolina.
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 305.