The last few days have passed quickly. Since the indictments came down in the Matthew Fenner case, between work duties and the WOFF-drama, things have been a whirl. Late on Thursday evening, I fell asleep for an unexpected nap in the clothes I had worn all day. Two hours later, I woke up overrun with gym-guilt. This was the second night in a row that I did not go work out. Somehow, I got over it and began looking at my phone.

Searching minds want to know, so I searched ‘Brooke Covington jail.’ As I viewed the results, one article title caught my eye. “Anti-Gay NC Church Members Indicted for Felony Kidnapping and Assault if Gay Man…” link here.
(click “back” button to return here)

The article did not have much original material, mainly content from other sites. When I came to the end, I decided to read the comments. No, I don’t normally read the comments since those who write them are usually the most vocal and opinionated. And since, I have left comments before on other sites; I decided to read a few.

The gist of the comments did not surprise me. Political rants, anti-religious rants… But, then I read a few which shook the sleep out of my eyes and gave me reason to ponder. The ones that struck me the most were the ones which included personal experiences similar to Matthew’s and the emotional and physical pain included in the narratives.

Not sure if these are in the order presented and reading the entire string is not for the faint-hearted. But, allow me to share a few…
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“…we will probably hear members of the church argue that prosecuting them for this is stamping on their religious freedom.
After all, the freedom to hold exorcisms that involve kidnapping and physical abuse is central to their faith, right?
What I wonder is if we’ll see any of the “mainstream” religious right groups come to their defense.”
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Well, score one here. WOFF has used the “religious freedom” defense before and will probably try again. Don’t think any mainstreams will defend them, do you?
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“but I’d guess that the larger part of it is the cult mentality that’s so prevalent in “churches” like this one. We’re not born knowing how to hate, we have to be taught. If that was the goal, then I’d say job well done.
But definitely messed up.”
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This comment surprised me. I had not considered that when members of this group confess a hatred for “sin”- many times appearing to confuse hating the people that have the “sin” with the “sin”; the hate has been a learned response. The statement, “I hate the sin, not the sinner” has been one which rolled out of my mouth in years past. This statement certainly fit inside of the WOFF litany and I remember Jane saying it or one similar. Stay focused with me here.

“We’re not born knowing how to hate, we have to be taught.”

I then realized that we must be taught what then the proper response to this learned hatred is. Therein is the slippery slope. How do you teach a proper response to a learned hatred while confessing “…to love ALL people”? This sign was erected on Oakland Road during the last investigation into practices at WOFF. How long before we see this one or something similar?

But, the comment that drew the most attention…
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It was an exorcism
I’ve been through them, involuntarily. Dragged from the pews by an elder. You’re surrounded, and disoriented, pushed from all sides. Their claim is that they aren’t beating you, they’re beating the demon. So they feel no guilt.

Or they just think you deserve it.

“Nobody made a bigger mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” – Edmund Burke
__(emphasis added)______________________________________

During my years in WOFF, I heard it said and probably said it myself during a verbal dressing down or “correction” of another member. “I am not speaking to you; I am talking to those devils inside you.” I have seen many a WOFF deliverance. I also believe that this group has evolved in the last few years since my exit into a more abusive group. From the reports of recent survivors, it must not have been a long leap, for those in leadership, from “talking to those devils in you,” to “hitting those devils in you…” with a hand, a slap or a fist.

In no way, am I excusing this as valid or right. There is no reason for physical abuse. I am saying the comment above let me know that other groups have evolved into the same pattern of excusing their physical abuse as “hitting the devils inside you.” This rationalization allows them “no guilt.” The progression of abuses inside of WOFF are not unique, but every bit as tragic as any other group.

The obvious answer- Hey buddy, there is flesh between your fist and those “devils” you claim are in me! This flesh matters and you are crazy to think you can beat a “devil” out by slapping, kicking, hitting my body!

To the leaders of WOFF: you commit further abuses by teaching this learned hatred to your children – who then in turn terrorize each other by hitting, slapping and kicking in an attempt to “get those devils out!” Just because you have recently installed new restraints for physical contact during prayer, does not and will not excuse the crimes of the past. Now, how do you teach the children that hitting each other is suddenly not “God’s way” or wrong? Yet, you taught them this “hatred” is called “the love off God?”

Abusers teaching abusers to abuse each other. How sane is that? Oh, “We love ALL people…”

And this is why there needs to be a full investigation into the practices inside of WOFF, holding all to account who assault or kidnap or strangle others- in the Name of Jesus. Thank you, to the grand jury members who earlier this week waded through the muck from Josh Farmer and his “witnesses” to allow Matthew Fenner a chance to let his case be heard.

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. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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 499.