During a service, not sure if a Wednesday or Sunday; people were gathered from the main sanctuary into the fellowship hall about 50 at a time and told to come in and sit down. Next, a letter written by one of the high school graduates for their college admission application was read to everyone. After the reading, the question was asked “If you think this letter was written by the Spirit of God, then stand up.” There was verbal pressure to react quickly. After the some folks stood, Jane asked a few from the “yes” and “no” groups to say why they gave their answer. After a couple of people explained their thoughts, Jane reviewed how the letter came ot her attention. She knew the letter was not of God. She read it to her leadership as a test and now to regular members as a test. She wanted to know who could “hear God” and see the worldy attitudes reflected in the letter. She was disappointed with the person who wrote the letter. This person had graduated from WOFF Christian school. It was a shock that this person would “still have the love of the world” in them. The letter writer was now “under the strong dealings of God.” This person may not even get to attend college with that still in their heart. “College could take them over!”  I am not sure if it was in this meeting or another one, but the letter writer did get up before the church to repent and thank Jane for “hitting her sin” and blah, blah, blah… (see post here about not teaching slaves to read… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=558  )

     We were all wrong in the group I was in. Even those who had answered “correctly” could not explain to Jane in exact enough terms to satisfy her requirement.  At least in the group I was in, many still had “the love of education and the world’s ways” in them. So, had Jane Whaley accomplished her purpose? Yes, according to Jane; NO ONE was able to “nail to the core” the deception in the author on the letter. She was the only one who could see the level of evil reflected in the letter. Remember, Jane was the final say on WHATEVER was sin. So, this test was yet another way to keep her top position. It only furthered the groveling insecure feelings in many members. How could one make it without Jane and her always crystal clear discernment of God and His ways?  

     This method of public humiliation was common at WOFF. I suspect it still is one of Jane’s favorites. Why? Because it was so common and it produced the results Jane desired. Many times, members could not hide in a group, but they were singled out and rebuked in a service. The rebuke was not always performed by Jane Whaley. She had leadership who had been “given authority” to correct others. So, how comforting was/is this?

    The person who wrote the letter is now one of the “home grown” lawyers attending the church. Since Jane allowed this person to attend college and then law school, things must have changed in the person, right?

      In “Combatting Cult Mind Control” (copyright 1990) , by Steven Hassan- he explains why he left the Moonies: “I left when I realized that deception and mind control can never be a part of any legitimate spiritual movement: that through their use, the group had created a virtual “Hell on Earth”,a kingdom of slaves. Once I was able to realize that even though I wanted to believe it was true (Moon was Messiah, Divine Principle as Truth) my belief did not make it true, I saw that even if I remained in the group for another fifty years, the fantasy I was sacrificing myself for would never come true.” (page 167)

     Let’s apply Steven Hassan’s understanding to WOFF.  Members of WOFF sacrifice their money, time and years of service/allegiance to Jane Whaley- her edicts, rules and “don’t” therapy. For what? Jane’s clothes? Jane’s jewelry? Jane’s dogs? Jane’s shopping trips to Atlanta or Charlotte or Jane’s renovation of her house on 40 + acres? No matter how many years that “faithful” members of  WOFF believe that they will one day “fulfill the Call of God” and be sent out to the nations, – No matter how many “don’ts” members successfully avoid, No matter how many public rebukes members take from Jane; those personal sacrifices and “spiritual carrots” don’t justify the deception and mind control that is present at WOFF.  Just believing that one day things will be better or perfect in your life at WOFF, does not make it true. Just believing that one day things will change at WOFF, does not make it true. Regular members of WOFF have no voice in making the necessary changes. WOFF is not a democracy. (There may be votes for fellowship dinner choices.. but, really?) Jane Whaley rules as a dictator all the while saying she is “hearing God” and saying she is “not your Savior”. Think about what Jane Whaley practices on a day to day basis to determine real priorites and purposes.  

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      (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. )