At the end of the previous post titled “Carolina Blues” at WOFF? (1), the author of the book titled “American Exorcism” by Michael Cuneo (copyright 2001, published by DOUBLEDAY, ISBN 0-386-50176-5) was beginning to share his encounter with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. This encounter is in Chapter 12. In Chapter 11, Cuneo writes about his encounter with Hegewisch Baptist Church. This is important to note, since at the end of Chapter 12, Cuneo makes a comparison of the two churches- Hegewich Baptist and WOFF. We also mention in the first post the question regarding the title- “Carolina Blues”; we are looking for a reason for the title to this chapter.

   The author page found here.. http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=6157 states that Michael W. Cuneo serves as a teacher of sociology and anthropology at Fordham University. He wrote “The Smoke of Satan” and has had his research quoted in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The book listed as a reference for this post; “American Exorcism” is the only work that I have read by Cuneo, so far.

   Cuneo noted that his sources had told him the Whaleys “run a closed shop”. (page 186) So, who would agree with that? How long has that been true? The author continues with his interview of Pete Evans, the detective who went undercover and filmed the deliverance sessions for the Inside Edition story in 1995. Evans said “he personally submitted to deliverance eleven times.” Evans went on, “Anywhere from six to twelve people would form a circle around you and scream the devils out of you at the top of their lungs. ..They wanted you to vomit the devils out in plastic buckets they put in front of you… The screaming was so intense that some people suffered hearing damage or damage to their vocal cords. When you join up, you’re asked to sign a waiver releasing the church from liability for injury.”  (page 187)

  For the record, I have no idea how many deliverance sessions I was involved in either for myself or for someone else. It was certainly more than eleven. Mr. Evans was telling what he saw and he had proof to back it up. As I write this, there is a part of me that wants to say- Wait a minute, he did not give the whole picture. He did not give the “reasoning” either Scriptural or otherwise for why folks did what they did. I am sure that is a leftover WOFF response. But, for what it is worth, I will proceed.

    For example, the groups were not always six, it could be less. You could pray for deliverance with just two or even just for and by yourself. On the other hand; the group could include as many as 30 or 40…or more.  The prayer (screaming) was definitely high pitched and yes, I wore ear plugs during prayer. (I still have them!) I wore them especially after being told I had hearing loss. My hearing loss was from birth, but, my doctor, who was a WOFF member, warned me to wear ear plugs for prayer and other activities where there were loud sounds. I wore them for weed-eating as well as during prayer. Other members wore ear plugs as well. However, it was not a topic to be discussed, just observed. The prayer was so loud and folks talked so loud during prayer, that it was not necessary to take the ear plugs out until AFTER the prayer session stopped. Did anyone else experience the buzz in their ears after prayer ended? Maybe it was just me. But, the buzz or hum lasted for a while afterwards, especially if I did not use the ear plugs for some reason. Just all part of the WOFF experience.  

     A person praying in these circles could damage their vocal cords. The coughing from this activity could interrupt Jane’s preaching. At a few services, Jane or Sam or some other leader would ask for the cough drops from the bookstore to be handed out to the congregation- no charge. I remember one leader telling which cough drop worked best for them. The Halls® clear ones worked best for me, but “each makes his own choice”. The hoarseness in your voice let others know you prayed! (or had a cold, or both) After a while, the change in one’s voice was so common you did not even notice. It was no big deal. One person in leadership constantly sported a raspy voice. It was her trademark, so to speak. At one time, it was shared that “when you learn how to pray, it won’t affect your voice.” Some never learned that “skill”.  

     Pete Evans mentioned that WOFF members signed waivers. (page 187) I signed a waiver. Not quite sure where my copy is right now. Here is the scenario, a WOFF member would go to the foyer of the sanctuary and pass the WOFF notary a dollar and then sign the waiver. It would be notarized and you would then get your dollar back. Why did I not think this was odd? Well, even if you did think it strange you went along to get along. It was made clear, if you refused the waiver, you did not participate in the prayer. Who would be a part of WOFF and pass up the prayer? Really?  I have not seen the waivers being signed in years. Not sure why they faded. Does Jane Whaley no longer consider the prayer harmful or at least a risk? Have any recent WOFF recruits signed waivers for WOFF prayer? This was all part of WOFF-life in Spindale, NC.

     These things I observed as well as other behaviors. I have mentioned some other behaviors such as the “deliverance scrum” in the previous post. As for the “Scriptural proof” for loud prayer and deliverance, I would only be repeating what could be found on the WOFF website. Let it be noted, that in WOFF, as in some other groups, the experience trumped the balance of the Scriptures. As stated in a previous post, in my opinion, WOFF would isolate these passages “of the Word of God from the corrective modifications found in other portions of the Word.” (page 89 from  “Know the Marks of Cults” by Dave Breese, (copyright 1975, SP Publications, ISBN 0-88207-704-x). Not only would experience trump “corrective modifications” of the Word of God; Jane Whaley was the sole source of any doctrine or verification of a WOFF approved practice. So, in practice, Jane Whaley’s experience trumped other folks and her views trumped other sources. Yes, even in some cases- she trumped common sense. Face it, Jane Whaley absolutely runs WOFF.

   I am reminded of a famous quote:  “Power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Lord Acton. Can anyone see that this may apply at WOFF with Jane Whaley? We will stop for now. There is so much to share about the author’s experience, as well as my perspective that can round out the entire presentation. There is more in the next post.

       Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog.  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.

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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. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 176.