When I first began this blog, it was so important to me to tell what had happened to me and my thoughts about those events. I started recording my memories as early as October of 2008. From those writings, my desire to start this blog was born. As I first started, it was such a relief to put into words my questions, emotions, feelings and concerns. Starting in January of 2010, I began on a regular basis to tell what had up until that point had only been shared in forums by other ex-members.  Eventually, I began to compare my experiences to insights and material in books written about other groups. Along the way, we have compared Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) to other groups and found WOFF to not be so unique. Jane Whaley may seemingly have a unique “gift”. But, in reality, her methods and means are not new, but are found in many other religious cults. She may have used different shellac on the outside, but what goes on behind the closed doors is as predictable as any other religious cult. The longer I am out, the more certain this observation becomes.

Previously, we have used this book, “Recovery From Cults” – Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse– Edited by Michael Langone- (copyright © 1993 American Family Foundation – ISBN 0-393-31321-2) as a resource. In previous posts; we have reviewed material written about and by Dr. Margaret Singer. Here is one of them:

Dr. Margaret Singer–Voice for the Cult Survivor – http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3789

Today, I will quote more from this resource and share some questions. In the last week of so, I have been talking to other survivors and reading this book. There are some insights which are found in the book that go right along with our discussions. Even though this book was published almost twenty years ago and uses some sources from the 1970’s; there is some important background information about cults as well as other material which is still valid.

Jane and Sam Whaley were a product of the Kenneth Hagin Ministries. Yes, they broke away somewhere in the 80’s, but, for those that know- there has been much of the Hagin-ism still preached at WOFF.  Jane has claimed her own “revelation” in certain areas, but who could deny the “name-it, claim-it” flavor that still pervades much of the teaching- especially when taking money from the members. That being said, Michael Langone gives his opinion on the diversification and many new religious groups which evolved near the time WOFF was formed.

“Some observers welcome the diversification of the religious “market place,” in which “entrepreneurs of experience” provide more choices to religious “consumers” (Kilbourne & Richardson, 1984). Others, including myself, see a wild and unrestrained bazaar in which serious and responsible innovators are likely to play second fiddle to market-wise and unscrupulous frauds, charlatans, and self-proclaimed “prophets,” who prosper at the expense of their followers.” (page 28- emphasis added)

Well, that describes what I lived very well. Do others agree? The pre-occupation foremost with Jane’s appearances – actual and perceived was the primary reason for all that was done at WOFF. The teaching of tithes AND offerings was pushed to milk thousands of dollars from members in one service. She was not beyond passing the plates until the “budget” was met. Who determined the budget? Why Jane – of course. Go count it while we sing another song to Jesus…. Why if you people would just hear God the first time, we would meet our budget and only have to pass the plates once… But, since you are not submitted, we will pass them until we get what God needs. Please, submit your hearts- right now.

The author goes on to explain more along these lines.

“Religion is an especially appealing arena for such manipulators, many of whom engage in blatantly criminal activities, for two reasons. First, one can more completely and predictably control individuals by changing their fundamental religious beliefs because in so doing one alters their fundamental assumptions about what makes the world work. This approach can be much more effective and efficient than a frontal assault on peripheral values, attitudes, and behavioral predispositions.” (page 28 emphasis added)

This one observation explains how a person who appears normal in many other aspects of their life could change and believe demons are behind every problem or unexplained event. When Jane convinces a person that their woes, sicknesses, personal calamities and other ills are because they have devils in them and around them and in their family members; it is a short hop to her signature practice of blasting, loud prayer and deliverance. That whole package is meant to change “their fundamental religious beliefs, because in so doing one alters their fundamental assumptions about what makes the world work.” By using phrases like- Oh, we have seen that before. Let me tell you about so and so- who had that happen to them… they denied the “truth” and they ended up dead… And then there was the family that left here thinking they could find their way with God- they divorced and the husband is on drugs and she went back to her alcohol…. Prospects have their basic beliefs questioned and then changed.

Brother, if you take the WOFF message and believe it all, you are about ready to slide right in… Once your fundamental assumptions are changed, you will soon be separated from your money, your time and decisioning control of your family relationships. Once your world is oriented to “the word of the Lord through Jane”, you will be moving to Spindale and wearing khakis to work and suits, with a white or blue shirt and tie to church on Sunday. You will be throwing away evil books and CD’s and DVD’s. You will stop drinking root beer and ginger-ale, stop reading the newspaper, watching that evil television and for certain never step foot in a movie theater again! You will see how the world works alright- for in the WOFF world- there is plenty of WORK- for everyone!

The author continues: “Second, in the United States religion is protected by the First Amendment, which bring benefits that even the most expensive public relations and legal experts couldn’t provide to a business client.” (page 28) So, what goes on at WOFF- is it religious freedom or abuse?

Subsequently, after a tour of duty in WOFF, those who leave the tight knit sub-culture face many issues and challenges. They have to reorient or re-do their fundamental assumptions. I have been discussing these issues with several folks and have learned what others see as the problems that face not only ex-WOFFers, but survivors of other religious cults. Here is a paragraph from our resource text that summarizes these problems.

“Singer (1979), another one of a handful of psychotherapists who spoke out against cult abuses in the 1970’s, wrote about the problems cultists experienced after leaving their groups. Those problems include depression, loneliness, indecisiveness, slipping into altered states, blurring of mental acuity, uncritical passivity, guilt, fear of cult reprisals and supernatural personal catastrophes, an acute sensitivity to the “watchfulness” of parents and friends, difficulty explaining how they could have joined such a group, apprehension about their idealism and altruism (which the cult manipulated), a loss of the feeling of being a member of the elite, and financial difficulties.” (page 23- emphasis added)

Allow me to comment on the highlighted ones and introduce some more. Loneliness– when you leave WOFF, you can go from many friends and family around you to no one or very few friends. Yes, it can be lonely in comparison. Indecisiveness– I have experienced it and have seen it in others. Simple tasks can be a burden since in WOFF- the rules determined many of your decisions. Many choices were already made for you… when you get out- you are out of practice making decisions! Guilt– this one could cover many areas. One survivor recently put it like this. He had guilt over not speaking-up when others in WOFF were being abused. His guilt was over saying nothing. I know that feeling. Friends don’t let friends be abused… except in WOFF? “Fear of cult reprisals and supernatural personal catastrophes”– pretty much from the time you get there you hear stories of people who leave and had terrible things happen. Never once while you are in WOFF do you consider any other cause for the happening other than “leaving the move of God” or “betraying Jane”… There were also stories about how folks had been retrieved and convinced to “come back to the people of God and the move of God”. (Whether you want to or not!)

“An acute sensitivity to the “watchfulness” of parents and friends”- well, the folks I worked with would watch me to see if was still doing WOFF stuff! They made it a goal to help me break-out of the WOFF- box!  “Difficulty explaining how they could have joined such a group”… that one can get old after a few thousand times. People make the comment- “I don’t see how anyone could be so controlled? I could never be like that…” I have learned to smile and say- ok. Financial difficulties- well, that one should be self-explanatory. For many who leave, they have only worked inside the group, may have no car, may have no trade or skill or any means to get decent work. Starting over can take time and help.

There are so many other questions that come when a person leaves WOFF or another religious cult. Here are some I have been asked and some I still struggle with from time to time. Why did I get involved? Why did I stay so long? Could I be involved again in such a group? The key to understanding these issues is not to blame the problems on the survivors, but on the person and system that created that which they survived! Those who leave WOFF are Jane’s fruit. She may not “name-it and claim-it” – for she says those who leave are Judases and God-haters. But, those who leave WOFF have their problems because of where they have been. However, those around them should not take the problems as a final statement. People do change when they go into WOFF and they CAN change for the better when they get out!

I close with this one question that has been with me for months after leaving WOFF. What is the true gospel of Jesus Christ? Recently, I was introduced to the ministry in the video below. Watching this helped adjust my thinking and helped answer more of my questions.

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, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 395.