Tag Archives: Shari Howerton

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Healing from Spiritual and Emotional Abuse by Shari Howerton

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   The following post is copied with permission from the blog of the survivor and author, Shari Howerton. It can be found at this link…  http://tinyurl.com/4ky2gb2 . This post is to me of the same open and honest quality with which the book was written.  Thank you, Shari for allowing me to share your work with the readers of this blog. Certainly hoping all will be helped as much as I have been by your story, your insights and your victories. The book can be found here http://www.sharihowerton.com/ .

Survivor Shares Her Story and Journey to Freedom
Breaking the Chains- Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel

 “I have recently been corresponding with a few more readers of my book. Since my book is a testimony, it has a limited audience. And since I am an unknown, self-published author, it will never be a bestseller. But it continues to sell (albeit in small numbers) each month. And I continue to hear from readers. Many of the people who have written to me were loaned a copy by someone who wanted to share it. I know that some authors might be frustrated by that because it means less book sales. But that doesn’t bother me at all. I spent nearly a year of my life working on the book. I poured my heart into it. And what is most rewarding for me is just knowing that it is still being read.

Continue reading Healing from Spiritual and Emotional Abuse by Shari Howerton →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Information control, Uncategorized

“Using Wisdom”

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     As I read different books by different cult survivors and cult experts and learn that the phrases and actions that I experienced at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) were NOT unique in many regards; it still continues to shock me. Before leaving WOFF, I would have NEVER conceded that there was any other group in America, much less several other groups, that acted and behaved as we did at WOFF. Call it ignorance, call it naïveté. Call it a willful blindness to the very few warnings were allowed to slip past the guard of Jane Whaley and those in leadership. Whatever you call it, I suspect I am not the only one. For those other survivors who have left WOFF, I hope you are learning along with me. For those outside of WOFF, who have never been in a controlling group, my shock is probably hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, we move on with our review of a book written by a survivor of another group with many similarities to WOFF.

       We have posted from this source before. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). This book has been an emotional read for me. The feelings and emotions of the author come through clearly in many places and I can readily identify with her. It has been hard to read more than a few chapters at one time because of my own memories that so mirror many reflections of the author. In the chapter titled, “Using Wisdom”, I found material that I was very familiar with. The author writes, “Growing up in such a tight-knit community leads to lives becoming deeply intertwined. Most marry within the group.” (page 160) Let me stop here and mention that though I did not grow-up within WOFF, I spent many years there and became very intertwined in several lives. At WOFF, NO ONE marries outside the group. NO ONE even has a friendship/dating relationship with the opposite sex, outside of WOFF. If you want a relationship of that nature outside of WOFF, you leave the group to pursue it. Do I need to mention names, here? So, WOFF is MORE controlling than the author’s group.

     Continue reading “Using Wisdom” →

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

Balanced Respect, Inordinate Admiration or Worship?

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     Lately, I have been reading “Breaking the Chains”- Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). There is so much that her church; Christian Gospel Temple (CGT) had/has in common with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Though there were some differences, many of the similarities are very important and I feel worth noting on this blog. This book is written in a very honest and forth right manner. I do not assume I can do it complete justice by posting certain quotes and drawing the conclusions that show the similarities. I recommend you visit the website –  http://www.sharihowerton.com/ and consider purchasing your own copy. The author’s quest for personal growth and Truth is inspiring in many ways.

    Howerton writes, “What I remember most about the ministry was how the ministers and their families were treated like royalty. It was as though they were the dignitaries and we were the common folk. … At some point, I realized that for all the talk of being like Jesus this behavior was very unlike Him. … I never thought of the ministers as servants. They were more like kings to me.” (page 107-108) Here I will just mention that during my time at WOFF Jane Whaley was treated as royalty in many ways. Not only was there the extensive wardrobe and obvious unchecked spending privileges; there was the heir of superiority that she carried which reinforced the self–acclaimed notion of her perfection. The notion of royalty carried over to her family and her extended family as certain allowances were made for them that were not afforded others. Do I need to elaborate? I certainly can for those who do not remember.

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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword

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    In previous post titled, “Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results?” found here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3649 , we included quotes from “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). The author, Shari Howerton laments about living under so many rules in the church her family was a part of during her years as a child and teenager. The church she was in taught perfection. She writes, “We believed that God revealed His “truths” to us as a group; “truths” He had not revealed to Christianity as a whole. As God’s special, we were called to restore the church to its former purity and ultimate latter day glory; we were not called to evangelize”. (page 20)

    While reading the book, I have been captivated at the many similarities that her church (Christian Gospel Temple-CGT) had/has with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I spent 16 years either indirectly or directly under the teachings of WOFF and more specifically –Jane Whaley. Jane considered herself as the one who heard the “Truth” in many areas. For example, Jane taught/teaches about loud prayer, deliverance from demons for Christians, certain customs for marriage ceremonies, burial customs, strict lifestyle customs and many other “truths”. Certainly, while I was there we felt these were “truths” which –“We believed that God revealed His “truths” to us as a group; “truths” He had not revealed to Christianity as a whole.” After all, it was said several times, “we know there are other people out there with “truth”; we just have not found them yet…” So, did we ever expect to find them? These unique “truths” certainly served to make us (WOFF members) feel special and “set-apart” from others who did not or would not listen or accept what God was saying to us…. After all my time in that group I can say the efforts to “evangelize” were slim to none. Can you see a pattern here?

    Continue reading Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results?

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     We have posted several times on blog about the rules or “don’ts” put upon members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). It is understood that in a group like WOFF, the rule count may ebb and flow, but the general direction of the number is up. Until I was out of that group, I did not stop to count or consider the effects of the large number of behaviors regulated from the pulpit in spoken rules on among the members in unspoken rules. Many rules were so ingrained, that you don’t know of them until you leave and see others who do not follow the rules or adhere to the “don’ts”. Then you begin to examine your reason for doing or not doing something. It is then you begin to see the massive number of detailed regulations that were imposed on you as a member of WOFF. The details of the rules can be debated or argued as to when and why and who made the rule. Today, we will look at the effects of the rules other than the obvious behavior modification. What mindset evolves after being under so many rules? Here is the list I posted earlier. No, the rules were not written at WOFF, therefore it was easier to manipulate and deny the existence of so many restraints that were issued. (WOFF Don’t List WOFF Don’t list from 03 10 ) This list spans the 16 years of my involvement in that group. I feel VERY sure some have changed and new ones have been added.

    These next quotes are from the documentary- “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007). Here is the link to the second post for that film…https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3464   Kristy Sullivan is describing her time and her thinking while in the cult called Mountain Rock Church in Anderson, SC. She and her husband have since left the group and received counseling at Wellspring Retreat. I use this quote as it typifies the result of living under the control of a cult leader. From what I can see and determine, Mountain Rock Church has LESS number of rules than WOFF. Their dress was less monitored and they were able to celebrate some holidays. So, the comparison would not be absolute, but it does give a great indication of the emotional state of being in such a controlling environment.

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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Breaking the Chains”- by Shari Howerton- Introduction

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    In an earlier post titled “The Church at Rock Hill” found here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/2010/06/the-church-at-rock-hill/  we began reviewing the movement started by William Sowders. It was a brief review and only served as an introduction. The post included a couple of links for information on Sowders and a summary of a testimony from a former member of one church in this group in California. I listed aspects of that testimony that contained similarities to ones I had seen in my years in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The movement was brought to my attention through the free service from Google® called Google Alerts®.

    This was my introduction to a movement begun in around 1914 and at its peak had about “75,000 believers in 300 congregations in 31 states.” (Source here– http://www.dmgac.org/about/leaders/ a church within group)  The leader, William Sowders died in 1952. Recently, a book written by a survivor of this group, Shari Howerton, came to my attention- again through Google Alerts®. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0) –The author was born to a family in a church in that movement. She stayed in that group under the pastor, Cornelius Mears, for 43 years. Near the beginning of the book, she provides more background that helps understand the impact of the doctrines and practices on the lives of its members.

    As I have been reading this book, I have seen several things to note. First there are some differences in the leadership of the church Howerton was a part of and WOFF. The leader(s) in the Sowder movement were men and at WOFF, the leader is a woman- Jane Whaley. There are some similarities on many levels between to the two groups. We will mention one likeness here and we will note more of both, in future of posts.  

   Continue reading “Breaking the Chains”- by Shari Howerton- Introduction →