Tag Archives: Leaving a Cult

Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (1)

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    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?

    Continue reading Thought Reform? At WOFF? (1) →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Vatican Probing Cult-Like Group of Women” Sept 26, 2010

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      This headline was brought to my attention recently. The article was an Associated Press article written by Nicole Winfield and picked up by several newspapers. I first saw it in The Herald-Sun out of Durham, NC. A link to the entire article at another source can be found here… http://www.startribune.com/world/103776194.html?page=2&c=y.  Why would I take time to review this article here? What caught my attention?

   First, this post is not the place to write about the differences between groups such as Protestants and Catholics. One main theme of this blog has been noting the characteristics of religious controlling groups. Some of these groups have been called “cults”. Over the years, these controlling religious groups or “cults” have been found within many “Christian” groups as well as other groups who claim no Christian foundation or background. The basis for these comparisons has been from my experiences during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley and certain references books. Many of these books have been accounts of cult survivors or books from experts on the subject.

   Therefore, it should be no surprise that I found this article of great interest. The opening paragraph – “It’s a life regimented in excruciating detail, down to the way they eat an orange. Silence is the norm, information is limited, e-mail is screened, close friendships are discouraged and family members are kept at bay— all in the name of God’s will.”  Several of the things mentioned here struck a note in me as I remembered my time at WOFF.

    Nicole Winfield writes that the “consecrated women” group is a part of a larger order called Legionaries of Christ. This larger group has been under investigation by the Vatican after alleged abuses by the founder/leader- Rev. Marcial Maciel of Mexico. He founded the group in 1941. Maciel had been accused of sexual abuses and fathering at least three children. From the findings, the Vatican in 2006 did sanction the founder to a lifetime of penance and prayer. Only after his death in 2008, did the order admit that the leader had fathered the children in question and that the abuse allegations were true.

Continue reading “Vatican Probing Cult-Like Group of Women” Sept 26, 2010 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Grace? After WOFF?

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      During my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC; the subject grace was often defined in its simplest terms as “God’s unmerited favor”. There is no way for me to recount how many times that definition was used. Like many subjects preached by Jane Whaley or one of her approved ministers on the inside, the subject matter was applied in a way to build up, reaffirm or confirm or whatever term you want to use, in order to paint the predetermined picture  of WOFF. What do I mean by that?

   No matter the subject, whether it was prayer, or love, or money or health or relationships or jobs or holidays or any Scripture or an attack from the outside – each interpretation or translation ended up with Jane being right and regular members yet to have attained her level of righteousness with God or her level of holiness or her sanctification or her knowledge of God’s will or her love or her peace. In addition, outsiders of any group always came up short in any area compared to those seeking God’s will at WOFF and especially to Jane – herself. She rarely admitted a mistake. If there were times she repented for anything- I cannot remember. She did apologize for mispronouncing names or other words. She never admitted that another minister had anything on her. She portrayed herself to WOFF members and I presume to outsiders as having things all together, arrived or shall we dare use the term – perfected? Has this changed since my time ended in 2008?

   Let me be clear, she would approve of different folks in the church as being the “authority” in a certain area. This was code for the regular members to know that they needed to inquire of or do business with that person. Why? Because Jane said so. She said that person was the authority in that area – whatever that may be. But, rest assured, that approval was subject to that person being locked-in and doing things as Jane approved or meant for them to be. Jane could withdraw her approval whenever she wanted to do so.

   Continue reading Grace? After WOFF? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Exclusive Brethren – Similar to WOFF?

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     This week, I was made aware of information about a group called the “Exclusive Brethren”. The information given about their practices sounded eerily familiar. Before I proceed and as a review, I spent 16 years either direct or indirectly under the teachings of Jane Whaley. She leads the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) of Spindale, NC. In comparison, I have much more knowledge about WOFF than the Exclusive Brethren. That is almost too obvious to mention except that if a reader accuses me of an error in my comparison, then my deficiency would be in knowledge about the Exclusive Brethren. My intimate working knowledge is of WOFF. Does that seem plausible? Can that WOFF knowledge be easily disputed?

   In reality, I do not consider Wikipedia® to be the know all, tell all, rock solid source for information. However, the article was sourced and I did follow the links and read the sources for the information in this post. I found the correlations between the two groups amazing to say the least. In this post, I will list main points and encourage you to follow the links toward the end of this post for further reading.

   “The Exclusive Brethren are a subset of the Christian evangelical movement generally described as the Plymouth Brethren. They are distinguished from the Open Brethren from whom they separated in 1848, the Exclusive Brethren movement subsequently evolving into two main branches.” This is the opening line from Wikipedia.com found here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusive_Brethren#cite_note-bbc.co.uk-6  Exclusive Brethren have been around for much longer than WOFF. I do not find that comforting knowing they have had many more years to treat people in the manner described in these source articles. The Wikipedia article goes on to explain the characteristics of the two main branches. The one which is described as the “Raven/Taylor/Hales group” have had the most criticism concerning “cult” like practices.

    Continue reading Exclusive Brethren – Similar to WOFF? →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Truth? After WOFF?

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    There are some things that are stressed at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). One thing is the subject of “Truth”. There is supposedly a constant search for the “truth – in the matter”. Or a search for the “truth” in what just happened. Or helping someone see “truth” in what they just gave to. Let us not forget that Jane Whaley has seen to it that she gives others outside of WOFF- “truth” on different subjects or on what happens at WOFF. When you are on the inside, it is evident that the final voice of “truth” always rests with Jane Whaley. Another person in leadership could offer their take on what “truth” is or was or should have been or will be next time. But, it does not take a new member long to learn that Jane Whaley settles the matter- any matter, always, no questions asked, for sure that is it- take it to the bank.

    If you doubt what I have written taken from my time at WOFF, just ask any member “who hears God’s voice” at WOFF? Who is the person who is the final say in everything? Who sets the rules and ultimately has the final say in everything? Well? What are the possibilities you will get the “truth” about that?

    That set-up caused several things to happen while inside WOFF and it led to several things happening when my time there was over. When you are inside, it is taught either directly or sometimes indirectly that you know nothing. There is a favorite WOFF scripture to prove you know nothing. John 5:30– 30I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord–but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Trust? After WOFF?

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     A reader of this blog, who is a survivor of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) recently made this statement in a comment, “We are still a little unsure of becoming “totally committed” to another church, just yet. But, that may come.” The observation addresses the issue of trust. We have not been able to trust the leadership and members of another church, but we might one day. After my time at WOFF and being under the teachings of Jane Whaley, I completely understand. It took several months to enter a church of any sorts. Even then there were walls of immense proportions between me and anybody in church or even in other areas of life.

   Let me explain. Upon leaving WOFF, there is not only the trust issues with other people in churches, there is also trust issues with the people who were not to be trusted while you were inside WOFF. As a member of WOFF, there were certain folks and groups that were not trusted unless the approval came from Jane Whaley to trust them. For example, DSS workers were never to be trusted. Government officials were to be at least doubted unless Jane said “okay”. Anyone associated with the media in any way was to not to be trusted.  That included television, newspapers and radio. The reason should be obvious. WOFF members were not allowed access to those types of media. Others not to be trusted included lawyers- who represented outsiders, defectors or anyone you were not sure of. Now, there was a catch, after a while WOFF had their own home grown attorneys for most every situation. So, you of course could “trust” them. But, making the distinction was tough after you left. I found that trusting attorneys was based on their knowledge of WOFF and the things that had gone on there in the past.

    Continue reading Trust? After WOFF? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

How Are You Doing?

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      “Tsunami” The Aftermath, an HBO Films® 2 DVD set was produced in 2007. This is a dramatization taken from accounts of survivors and observers from the aftermath, rescues and clean-up process from the tsunami in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004. The sheer power and resulting destruction of that tsunami is hard to comprehend even after reading the statistics. “The epicenter of the 9.0 magnitude quake was under the Indian Ocean near the west coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, according to the USGS, which monitors earthquakes worldwide… Within hours killer waves radiating from the earthquake zone slammed into the coastline of 11 Indian Ocean countries, snatching people out to sea, drowning others in their homes or on beaches, and demolishing property from Africa to Thailand… Witnesses said the approaching tsunami sounded like three freight trains or the roar of a jet. In some places the tsunami advanced as a torrent of foaming water.” (source link http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/12/1227_041226_tsunami.html )  The resulting death toll was nothing short of phenomenal. Over 230,000 people died in several countries. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_and_tsunami )

     This movie tells the story of different families affected by the tragedy. The accounts are drawn from the testimonies of survivors and are an attempt to depict the intense physical and emotional struggles after the historic event. In my opinion, the film is well made however the language is not family friendly and the recreated scenes are very graphic. The movie is rated “MA”.

    Two of the main characters are Ian and Susie Carter. Susie goes out diving the day of the tsunami and Ian is left with their little girl- Martha. The father and daughter are unaware of the warning signs of a tsunami as were many other visitors to Thailand. The father and daughter were then separated in the raging waves. Ian and Susie reunite after some time and one subplot is their personal and united struggle to deal with their losses. Ian is asked by a couple of different folks in the movie, either with an inquisitive look or verbal expression, “How are you doing?” Most every time he immediately begins to tell of his struggle in the waves and overwhelming need to find his daughter. The emotions shown by Ian and Susie, as well as the other actors portraying survivors were intense and compelling to say the least. Others in the film were not able to offer much solace. In fact, one reporter who arrives after the tsunami is very direct and heartless in his words to Ian, at first.

    While watching this movie, I could not help but be drawn into the emotion and traumatic feelings of the characters. Could I comprehend the full scope of the unfolding tragedy of those who had been actual survivors? Probably not. Was it an honest effort by the writer and producer to convey these emotions? Yes, I think so. Were there events in my life that were “disasters” which could give me some place of empathy? Yes.

  Continue reading How Are You Doing? →