A few weeks ago, I was talking to a couple in the church I attend. They came out of a cult after many years. The husband was in for about 30 years and he has commented before on this blog. The wife was in about 26 years. Both are very understanding when I mention my concerns and questions. We were talking and the wife began to explain her views. She took her two hands and designated one as “truth” and one as “error”. She then interlocked her fingers as she asked the question, “When you mix “truth” with “error”, what do you have?” The answer of course is – error. That analogy made a big impression on me. It helped give answers to several questions I had about why folks who live in and around Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) folks still can be confused as to the soundness/healthiness of the group. Let me explain my understanding.

    A resource I recently acquired has helped me through these questions, also. It is “Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements” by H. Wayne House. (Copyright ©2000 by H. Wayne House, published by Zondervan, ISBN -10: 0-310-38551-2). It explains some brief background as well as doctrinal positions of several groups/sects that have been labeled as sects, or controlling or cultic. The brief history and background information I find extremely fascinating. Some of the groups mentioned are Alamo Christian Ministries, The Family/ Children of God, Freemasonry, Jehovah Witnesses and Unification Church, as well as many others. The copyright is 2000; so, some information is dated and needs to be checked out with current sources. However, the history would not change. The layout gives the groups position and if that position is orthodox or error.  It shocked me how many groups actually held orthodox positions on certain basic Christian positions or practices or doctrines. Then a light went on. This is the draw for many folks. First, there is general ignorance as to the true orthodox position. These folks are easy prey for abnormal groups. (ask me, I know…) Then there are folks who excuse an alternate position or practice and accept the orthodox or tried and true positions to compensate and make up for a doubtful area. Then there are those that are so caught up in the main thrust of a group- they could care less about doctrine. If their needs are met, then the practices and extremes can be overlooked. If there is an appearance of “gospel work” like helping the poor or visiting the sick or prisoners, then other doctrines or even unorthodox practices are accepted as part of the package.

     Along these lines, I was remembering a comment by a person in the documentary, “Join Us”. The person said that Wellspring dealt with the “social outcasts- lepers”. Why? Why would these folks be considered outcasts? Many reasons, I suppose. For one, many don’t think cults exist. I get the impression from several folks that religious cults are nonexistent in America. I heard from a recent ex-cult member that in their experience of sharing with folks in their classes at school, many folks thought that cults only existed in the movies! Help us! We need to educate more! People may be afraid to admit cults exist as that may mean they are venerable and/or responsible in some way.

      Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) teaches several orthodox positions on several key doctrines and practices. In my opinion and experience, this confuses others as they can’t see or believe that some group that looks so clean and pure could be so controlling or practice mind control. The simple truth is alongside these “orthodox” positions on doctrine, WOFF practices mind control, life control, information control, thought control, relationship control. Does the “orthodox” doctrine excuse the control of members? If we believe right but practice wrong – are we still right? Is a group “safe” just because they may espouse “right” beliefs? They may even be helping others to believe right or be “saved” in some way.  Does doing some five things right excuse the five or more things that are done in secret or behind closed doors that are abusive or controlling or extremely unorthodox? The simple truth is – no.  If one person stops drugs but can’t live his life in freedoms that are given others in reference to job, housing, transportation, relationships or other areas, does that still justify or validate being off drugs? If a person stops drinking or wearing shorts or wearing jeans or reading unapproved books or driving the wrong car or live in the wrong place or wear the wrong color shirt or cuts his facial hair or cuts his pony tail all because of the control of the group- does that make it right? Does the outward change justify the control used to get there? If the free-will of the person is snuffed, stuffed or roughed up, just to get the outward behavior changed—is that true Christian change or gospel conversion? Can Jane invent enough rules to change the heart of a man, woman or child?  

      Again, does the “right” Christian doctrine and practice in certain areas which seem “normal” or benign justify the control used to curb fashion or shape the outward person? If so, then please, go join them. If not, then let’s admit it and stop excusing the group’s existence just because they have big cars, big houses and nice smiles. Can the allure of something we want for ourselves cloud our discernment of a situation? Since some folks want big cars, a big house and nice clothes and obedient children, do we then think WOFF/JW must be doing everything right? Do we fall victim to the notion that someone somewhere knows more and can get me to the higher knowledge of God- so the measures/deeds to supposedly get to the higher knowledge are excused? This thinking allows groups like WOFF to flourish and grow. It is part of the mystical manipulation explained in Robert Lifton’s work! Even if they were doing something right and there are “good” things that happen with in the group; that still does not justify as acceptable the control used on the members. People are having their needs met to a certain degree- that is the hook for many. Even Communist feed, clothe and house some of their people, does that justify the system? No, of course not. Why not? It is because God-give freedoms are not recognized and do not exist with the system of Communism, mind control and/or religious cults. China provides some basics for their people. Does that make everything kosher? Do you want to go live there? Why not?  So with WOFF, students do learn some things in the school and some children do quite well academically, but does that outweigh the control used on them? If there were no flaws, then all the children would stay and NEVER LEAVE. But, as we know, that is not the case. If Jane had discovered a perfect world, then there would be NO DRAMA. Well the simple truth is — we know that is not the case. Do we need to list the personal intense drama scenes of the last few years? Or even the ones going on now? I know a few.

  There is personal and group drama because there is a driven compulsion in Jane to control folks in order for the sham/bubble/façade to continue. There is great effort to prop, to convince people inside and out, to make the case that WOFF is normal, that WOFF is beneficial and that believing Jane Whaley is the closet person to God on the planet – is as normal as anything in America. There would not be so much need to justify if there were not so many perceptions that something is amiss, off kilter, offline, perverted and just plain wrong at WOFF. If things were “normal”, then there would be a lot less effort needed to convince folks differently. It would be evident inside and outside of WOFF. But the simple truth is life at WOFF is NOT normal, NOT kosher, NOT justified because of the appearances given to the outsiders. What is seen from the outside does not ring true on the inside. The sad part is members do not see it or if they do, they are not allowed to talk about it…   Can you speak up in other churches if there is something amiss or you have a question about how things are done? We ask our readers to answer that one.

   I believe that at least some of those in leadership at WOFF imitate what they have been taught and sincerely think they are teaching God’s ways. Does their sincerity justify the control they use? Can you be sincere in your faith and obedience to a cause and still be using control on others? In my opinion, yes, that is very likely and plausible. A person can be sincere, just sincerely wrong.  

  At first, when I saw the example of the fingers being interlocked as mentioned at the beginning of this post, I thought of doctrine(s). But, as I reflected on my years in WOFF and the things learned since being out, I see the example to include the practices of a group also, not just beliefs. The simple truth is that “right doctrine” does not excuse wrong practices. Can you truly hold all the right “doctrine” and beliefs and also practice control over others as is done inside WOFF? Some where there are beliefs in Jane that allow her to justify in her mind that controlling others is essential to fulfill her call or walk out her ministry. That is very confusing to say the least.

    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 266.