This series has been outlining the conduct rules, or “don’ts” for members of WOFF. Yes, there are yet more “don’ts” to be listed. One “don’t” was for males. Men, as well as young boys down to toddlers; don’t use a urinal in a restroom unless it is completely enclosed, as with WOFF bathrooms. If you have ever visited WOFF and had occasion to learn about the enclosed urinals, then this is the answer. One fellow, who is no longer at WOFF, was called out for using a public urinal in an airport bathroom before he left. He set a “bad example for the younger boys”. He was told “we don’t do that”.
Members of WOFF do not use tanning beds. Now, here is a restraint that could save your life. Why would it be a “don’t” of a church? Good common sense keeps many folks out of tanning beds. Why add it to the list? Many of these “don’ts” speak volumes about Jane Whaley and her desire to control.
Again, another don’t about alcohol. WOFF members don’t go to restaurants that serve alcohol. Well, that was the “don’t”, but if you were in a position that there were no places that did not serve alcohol; then you could eat in a place that served alcohol. Just try not to sit close to the bar. Ask to be put at the opposite end of the dining area, if possible. After a business trip in 1999, I was scalded for eating at a Texas Roadhouse in Georgia. The company I worked for had stopped to have lunch with several clients. Yes, I felt uncomfortable while I was there, but the position I was in did not allow me to dictate the dining options.
One seminar a few years ago, someone complained the Jane that several members had PO Box addresses. What was the purpose? The comment led to a ban on regular members having a PO Box. After all, who could know what mail they were getting in their box? If they got mail at the household where they lived, someone could check it. I kept my PO Box in Rutherfordton after going to someone in leadership and telling them I had a problem with giving it up. Actually, I continued to see other WOFF members picking up their mail from the Post Office. Not all “don’ts” work.
While driving yesterday, I remembered another “don’t”. WOFF members as a rule don’t ride in the back of a pick-up truck. Here is another “don’t” that is for safety. But, why does a church have to tell their members this one? Though I rode in the back of a pick-up truck several times in years past, I would not do it, today.
Admittedly, it is hard to remember all the restrictions and “don’ts” in order. Many of the “don’ts” occur to me as I have been going through my day. A thought or situation or comment by a co-worker will remind me that something was a “no-no”. For instance, yesterday I had to deal with motorcycles. Then I remembered that WOFF members don’t ride motorcycles, dirt bikes or ATV’s. (unless there have been major changes since my time there ended.) It was cited as a safety issue.
You will notice that WOFF men don’t have long hair of any sorts, a don’t rule for sure. Jane Whaley also mentioned that the African American men don’t need to be bald. It looks worldly. So, they began to grow their hair out. Read the rest of this post, we pose more questions…
The scripture reference used many times to justify the attention to detail and “certain standards” for the dress and appearance was this one:
Exodus 28:2 (Amplified Bible)
2And you shall make for Aaron your brother sacred garments [appointed official dress set apart for special holy services] for honor and for beauty.
It is obvious that scriptures can be used by many different groups to justify many “dos”, “don’ts” and behaviors of many types. But, does the one scripture suffice when analyzing the pre-occupation with appearance issues? The Apostle Paul had much to say about the church at Galatia losing their way. He mentions this in Chapter 3 of the letter to the Galatians:
Galatians 3:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1O YOU poor and silly and thoughtless and unreflecting and senseless Galatians! Who has fascinated or bewitched or cast a spell over you, unto whom–right before your very eyes–Jesus Christ (the Messiah) was openly and graphically set forth and portrayed as crucified? 2Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the [Holy] Spirit as the result of obeying the Law and doing its works, or was it by hearing [the message of the Gospel] and believing [it]? [Was it from observing a law of rituals or from a message of faith?] 3Are you so foolish and so senseless and so silly? Having begun [your new life spiritually] with the [Holy] Spirit, are you now reaching perfection [by dependence] on the flesh? [emphasis added.]
As a rough count for this series, we have listed about 135 “don’ts”. Other posts include more. Again, I am the first to admit, I don’t know all the “don’ts”. I have been out of WOFF since July 2008. There is no doubt in my mind that there have been more “don’ts” discovered and added to the list. Has anyone in WOFF or outside of WOFF ever stopped to record and tally the complete list of don’ts issued over the years since 1979? I would have an interest in that list. For sure, a good member of WOFF would know you “don’t” complain about the volume of “don’ts”. That would be ungrateful.
Here is a common statement Jane Whaley would make:
“Jesus Christ came to deliver you and save you from sin and teach you how to walk righteously in Him…” .
The content may vary some over the years, but the message was clear. From what is evidently practiced at WOFF- the “don’ts” help “keep you out of sin”. Jane preached that it was possible to walk totally free from sin. “You don’t have to sin..” was a popular sermon years ago. I had a copy before we were instructed to turn them back in to the bookstore. All tapes were “repossessed”… The message along with others was used to keep members striving to learn more rules and “don’ts” in order to walk closer to that state of sinless perfection. As the leader of the group, does Jane believe she has reached sinless perfection?
Jim Jones had a sign posted in the main meeting area at Jonestown. It was a quote from George Santayana:
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
I will reserve comments about Jim Jones for another post. But, the truth in the quote is undeniable. There have been groups in history that have attempted to reach perfection by adding more rules and prohibiting certain outward behaviors, appearances or associations. To what end?
Readers, please comment on your favorite “don’t”. Your comments may help me remember more “don’ts”.. Is there a “don’t” that you may have heard and do not see in this series?
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