In Part 5 of the post on “identity”, I expressed some things I had learned about myself. For sure, I had taken on the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) identity that fit my situation. There was for the most part, compliance in my life for the outside requirements for WOFF members in dress and lifestyle. During my time at WOFF, I would help others learn the behaviors I had learned that were needed to live the WOFF life. On the inside of me, not everything done at WOFF was a “for sure thing”. I did harbor doubts and confusion on some issues. Here is a paragraph from the last post that will lead into the subject for this post…  

“Why would someone like me stuff or ignore doubts about the group and Jane Whaley? That answer has many parts. First, let’s look at a quote from Janis Hutchison’s book,  “Out of the Cults and Into the Church”(copyright 1994 Kregel Resources) in Chapter 4 – No “Quick Fix”: “When you were in the cult, you so sincerely, believed it was the truth, that it triggered a deeper level of spirituality than you ever experienced before. It touched the inner core of your soul with an exciting devotion which was new to you.” (page 87)  Ms. Hutchinson recognizes in this passage that cult members can experience deep levels of belief and emotions, even if those beliefs and emotions are directed toward cult ordained beliefs and practices. This statement helped explain to me how I could have felt so spiritual and yet been involved in something so far from the true purpose for Christians and the local church. In retrospect, the oddness or “counter-normal” nature of the beliefs and practices did not repel me. I believed for the most part, that being so different lent credibility to the “fact” that “Jane Whaley heard God”. How perverted and confused was that?” 

     Let me say that I did go through periods of what I considered “heightened personal spirituality” while at WOFF. There were times when I was into the lifestyle “hook, line and sinker”. I would even try to share with outsiders about WOFF and invite them to church. I became practiced in explaining loud prayer and other obvious traits of WOFF that newcomers would inquire about. Honestly, I knew the mantra on loud prayer, but still there was nervousness when bringing a new person into the services. Questions that would race through my head included; “What will be their reactions to “blasting”? What will they ask about “deliverance”? Will Jane “correct” someone, today? Will she be in a bad mood and go off on a tirade?” Was I the only WOFF member who had these questions when they brought a guest?

       Most of the time, if you told someone in leadership that you were bringing a new person; then Jane Whaley or whoever was speaking would be calm and the service would take a different direction. Many times with new folks in the congregation, there would be groups singing. If there was a sermon, it would be geared toward a “salvation” message. The push was so obvious to keep some things hidden and only show new folks “normal” stuff. Over the years, this chameleon approach began to water the seeds of doubt in my mind and heart. If WOFF was the group of God’s chosen people, why hide “what God was doing”? Does anyone else see the how this could (or should!) affect a member’s confidence in Jane Whaley and the leadership who carried out her orders?

    Yes, I know the scripure given for some of these chameleon practices. Here it is:

1 Corinthians 2:5-7 (Amplified Bible)

⁵So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God.  ⁶Yet when we are among the full-grown (spiritually mature Christians who are ripe in understanding), we do impart a [higher] wisdom (the knowledge of the divine plan previously hidden); but it is indeed not a wisdom of this present age or of this world nor of the leaders and rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing and are doomed to pass away.  ⁷But rather what we are setting forth is a wisdom of God once hidden [from the human understanding] and now revealed to us by God–[that wisdom] which God devised and decreed before the ages for our glorification [to lift us into the glory of His presence]. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation )

    Does this one scripture justify only allowing visitors to see behaviors and hear doctrines preached that would be acceptable to the majority of the evangelical Christian world?  Do Jane Whaley and the leadership at WOFF think that what they have is of such “high wisdom” that new folks would not understand and reject it? Maybe this is so. It certainly fits the other parts of the WOFF behaviors. Other religious cult groups do the same from what I have read.   

      Even though a person may experience a time of deep spirituality while at WOFF, do the ends justify the means? Does this excuse what qualifies WOFF as a cult in the first place? Do times of personal spiritual awareness justify the mind control measures used on individuals and the group at large? In my opinion, I say most certainly not. But, I was not always this way. During my time at WOFF, the false religious goofery and shenanigans that took place concerned me greatly. I remember telling two folks, who were considered leadership that if it were not for the “revelation” that Jane Whaley brought forth, I would probably leave. Why would I say that? In that statement, I was admitting that there were parts of the lifestyle and church doings that were causing my questions and doubts. In essence, I was saying that what I considered “God-given understanding” from Jane excused the mess I saw in other areas. How insane is that perverted “logic”? That is the very “logic” that allows the cult mess called WOFF to continue to this day! Members, who have doubts, excuse what they see as questionable for some “benefit” that they are receiving! I was one of those members.

     What are the benefits that members turn their heads or overlook, in order to keep? Is it the access their children have to private education? Is it a job or housing benefit? Is it the many friends or your family, that you risk losing, if you speak out? Conversely, is the threat of Jane Whaley saying that “you will not make it” and “you will go to hell” if you leave, motivation enough to hide doubts and questions to stay a part of the special group? If that is or was you, don’t feel all by yourself. It is a common theme for religious cults to threaten hell and damnation, serious injury or sickness for members who leave. So says Steven Hassan in his book, “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright 2000, Freedom of Mind Press). He mentions this as part of the “Phobia indoctrination: inculcating irrational fears about ever leaving the group or even questioning the leader’s authority.”… b. Terrible consequences will take place if you leave: hell, demon possession, incurable disease, accidents, insanity, 10,000 reincarnations, etc.” (page 45)

     Can you imagine my relief in knowing I was not alone? There is more to share about the “WOFF identity” in future posts.

   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. ) This is post number 119.