A term such as “thought reform” is not a common one in our country. Many may wonder what exactly “thought reform” is. Isn’t that something that only occurs in some Communist or third world countries? Certainly, something such as “thought reform” would not occur in the United States of America? Our country is built on the foundation of personal freedom and at least some pretext of freedom of expression and “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. How could and would anything such as this happen here in America?

   If I had heard of such a term as thought reform before leaving Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) – I don’t remember. I may have heard of it in college, but do not remember studying it to any degree. In a previous post titled Movies and Thoughts on “Thought Reform”, I introduced the subject from a reference book titled “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). The previous post is found – http://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3040 .

   Before we get too far into the subject, let me just explain my thoughts on going forward with something that sounds as ominous as thought reform. Could this really have gone on during my time at WOFF under the teachings and preaching of Jane Whaley? As I started learning about the process of thought reform, it became clear that it was a lot more complicated than just attempting to reform or change someone’s thoughts. It is apparent to me in some degree that teaching or preaching the Scriptures has the intent of informing and thus attempting to change the thoughts of the hearers. For it is obvious that if you can teach someone and change their thoughts, that then in turn there should be a change in the actions of that individual. Does that seem plausible? Can we agree on that? When other teachers and preachers in other churches stand up before their members, do you hope to affect their thoughts and in turn their actions? That seems likely, doesn’t it?

    In a “normal” situation, if it all stopped at the pulpit and the listeners were left to review the things taught or preached independent of any further influence from the person speaking that would be ideal. The listener could incorporate the teaching or refuse the teaching and be none the worse for the wear. There would also then be the choice to come back and listen again or not return to hear a certain speaker. There would be the choice to believe or not believe with no further consequence, if the listener chooses to reject the teaching and/or the teacher. Additionally, if the person was a member of a certain church, then they could continue with the membership or end the membership with no short term or long term ongoing consequences. Would others agree that in most churches across this country these statements would hold true at least to some degree?

    This “normal” situation is not the norm at WOFF. The WOFF-life consists of several other influences and pressures to make members not only believe the teachings of Jane Whaley, but to never doubt or speak against the teachings of Jane Whaley. Jane’s teachings are directed with great focus to change and/or replace the member’s thinking and thus their actions. The methods used to accomplish and continue such an environment will be the subject of this series. Our reference book will again be “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton. It is worth noting that just as Robert Lifton states that he did not set-out to study cult behavior but “Young people who had been involved in cults and parents of such people began to consult me about these general patterns” (page viii) – patterns that he explained in Chapter 22; I have no evidence that Jane Whaley and her leaders set-out to study thought reform and use it purposely on regular members or each other. That all being said, in my opinion it does not excuse or nullify the stark reality that such practices as described in Chapter 22 of Lifton’s work went on during my time at WOFF. I also have no proof that what I experienced at WOFF has stopped or changed or been modified to any degree. Some reports have drifted back to me that things are less strenuous now for the children, but I have not concrete evidence to confirm those rumors.

    Certainly, my analysis of Lifton’s material will be of the most basic nature. In no respect do I consider myself any kind of expert on the subject. Very plainly put, I will quote from the text and say if I experienced such things during my time at WOFF. I will also give some remarks to expand on my thoughts for the subject(s) being discussed. If there are other readers with confirming or disputing remarks to make, please feel free to make comments at the end of each post. A thorough reading of Lifton’s works are needed for a more detailed and well-rounded understanding of the subject of thought reform. Such a full presentation is not suitable for this forum.  

   Other parts of the reference book will make good material for other posts; however for this series, we will concentrate on the material in Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The chapter begins “Thought reform has a psychological momentum of its own, a self-perpetuating energy not always bound by the interests of the program’s directors. When we inquire into the sources of this momentum, we come upon a complex set of psychological themes, which may be grouped under the general heading of ideological totalism. By this ungainly phrase I mean to suggest the coming together of immoderate ideology with equally immoderate character traits—an extremist meeting ground between people and ideas.”(page 419) He is describing a situation where the thoughts or ideas of a person or persons come together in a certain way to set the ground for a totalistic environment. Immoderate meaning “exceeding normal or appropriate bounds” found here.. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/immoderate And ideology as defined by Lifton – “any set of emotionally charged convictions about man and his relationship to the natural or supernatural world”. (page 419)

    A totalistic direction is “most likely to occur with those ideologies which are most sweeping in their content and most ambitious –or messianic– in their claims, whether religious or political or scientific.” (page 419) As these definitions pertain to WOFF and Jane Whaley; in my opinion, the unrestrained and unique evolving messianic ideology of Jane Whaley which is exceeds normal or appropriate bounds, combined with her immoderate character traits of control and narcissism have combined to take on a “self-perpetuating energy” that in many ways out run Jane’s forethought and original intentions. As stated, I have no proof that Jane set-out to be who she is today. It is hard to believe that a person could purposely set out to build the destructive environment that exists today at WOFF. But, regardless of those observations, the environment at WOFF still exists. The work of Lifton, which was done long before Jane Whaley started WOFF helps explain what happened in order for the destructive totalism to start and also how it still continues today.

    “And where totalism exists, a religion, a political movement, or even a scientific organization becomes little more than an exclusive cult.” (page 419) I have taken much heat and received several negative backlashes for calling WOFF a cult. Using the phrase has cost me dearly. However, in this series, I intend to break down into easy to understand terms what experts such as Lifton say constitute a cult environment. I will tell if I witnessed and experienced such behaviors and their consequences while at WOFF. After 16 years of being either directly or indirectly influenced by the teachings, ideology and character traits of Jane Whaley, I hope my readers will give me a fair hearing and ask questions where clarification is needed. This is my part is help pull back the shroud of mystery that surrounds Jane Whaley and WOFF.  

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”  Dietrich Bonhoeffer

     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.

    Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

      (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 193.