The resource text for a previous post titled- “Dr. Margaret Singer – Voice for the Cult Survivor” found here: https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3789 was taken from this book: “Recovery From Cults” – Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse– Edited by Michael Langone- (copyright © 1993 American Family Foundation – ISBN 0-393-31321-2). As I have continued reading this work, I found another reference that I viewed as worth sharing. There are so many resources mentioned in this book, I can see several posts reviewing the material found inside this book.
In the “Introduction”, Langone outlines the purpose of this book. He mentions that it “does not aim to be an overview of the cult phenomenon… Instead, the book tries to illuminate general principles pertinent to understanding conversion, post-cult problems, and post-cult recovery. It also describes practical techniques for facilitating recovery from cultic involvements.”(page 1) I see this book taking a while to read and digest.
In this post, I will take definitions for “a thought reform program” found in this resource text and compare my experience from my time in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Jane Whaley is the leader of WOFF. I spent sixteen years either directly or indirectly under her teachings. My time in that group came to a close in July 2008. Since that time, I have been searching for answers to many questions about my time there, my reasons for being involved in that group and the lasting effects of being a part of WOFF. So far, questions have been more numerous than the answers. We move forward.
Returning to our resource text, and still in the “Introduction”, there is a section titled, “Overview of the Cult Phenomenon”. The author quotes sources from “Singer and Ofshe”. This refers to Margaret Singer and Richard Ofshe. We have reviewed Margaret Singer in a previous post. Richard Ofshe has worked in the area of false confessions and coerced testimonies. More information about Ofshe can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Ofshe . Specifically, Lagone quotes from a paper published in 1990 by Singer and Ofshe. A copy of this work titled “Thought Reform Programs and the Production of Psychiatric Casualties” / Psychiatric Annals 20:4, April 1990 – is found on Rick Ross’ website found here: http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing10.html . The entire work is worth reading; however we will restrict this post to the given definition of “a thought reform program”.
Before I move on, I want to just recognize that there are some readers that may doubt that such an ominous sounding event as “thought reform” could exist in Spindale, NC. Why, isn’t Spindale just a sleepy reflection of Mayberry? Really? Who believes that one? On the other hand, by expressing these reflections from my time in WOFF, I do not intend to harm, but to inform. I have repeatedly expressed my observations that there are very sincere, helpful folks that are WOFF members. I am sure, those who live around them, most certainly would agree. But, telling what I have seen and heard is a part of seeking the answers I need to reconcile my years in WOFF, the events I saw and the happenings since my departure. After all, as Jane Whaley says, “No one can take your experience from you.” Is that right, Jane?
In the work of “Singer and Ofshe (1990), they define a thought reform program as “a behavioral change technology applied to cause the learning and adoption of an ideology or set of behaviors under certain conditions” (p. 189)” Okay, how does this apply to WOFF? Well, who could deny that the main evidence of a new member becoming involved in WOFF-life is CHANGE! (clothes, speech, hair, personal media “choices”- as in none! , relationships, career choices, housing, jobs, and much more…) Who could deny that their ideas about EVERYTHING changes or soon will change? Does the behavior of a new member change? Well, how many activities and possessions are replaced with WOFF-approved possessions and behaviors? Now, on the one-hand, it could be said this is evidence of the “born-again” experience. And to that I would possibly agree, IF the practices were not engineered to bring such a forced uniformity among the members. That is IF the WOFF experience allowed the members to keep their individuality and own personality. If anyone doubts the uniformity, visit the WOFF website.
Singer and Ofshe go on to differentiate a thought reform program from other forms of social learning with these characteristics. We will review them one at a time. Thought reform would include: (all from page 3)
– “Obtaining substantial control over an individual’s time and thought content, typically by gaining control over major elements of the person’s social and physical environment.”
Did this occur at WOFF? Who had control over a member’s time and thought content? Do WOFF members spend time immersed in WOFF sponsored activities or even WOFF sponsored work environments? I was the exception rather than the rule having a part-time job away from WOFF. This part-time job allowed me to be “out from under authority” in WOFF terms. Shall I translate? That meant no one was around to watch me. Get it? Having a part-time job away from WOFF was one factor leading to my disfavor in the group and eventual departure. I expand on the weekly activities in a post titled “New Identity – My Week – Part 4” found here – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2440 More about thought reform.
– Systematically creating a sense of powerlessness in the person.
Was this present at WOFF? I must retell the events of one particular service as an example. During one of the many times the children were upfront singing, Jane and others began to correct certain ones. One member had enough and ran towards the front exclaiming, “That’s it, I have had enough”. Apparently, he thought his children were being treated unfairly. Another former member tells this part, “Jane was holding his two children saying, “They are mine, and you can’t have them.” At this point a zealous young man got up and began to restrain the father from taking his children. The father threw the man off and Jane saw it and released his children. He as his family soon exited the service and in a few days made their exit from the church back to their home in the Midwest. This was an emotional service to say the least. Why bring it up? The former member who continues to tell this story to almost anyone who will listen recounts the frozen adults who did not step up to help the man retake his children from one Jane Whaley. Yes, just one example of the overwhelming “sense of powerlessness” in the members as a whole when faced with exhibitions of Jane’s power and control over situations and/or emotional events. The WOFF system definitely creates this to keep control over the faithful members so they will continue to be complaint and obey. I can name names and more details for those that still doubt and need more proof. We move on with more on thought reform.
– Manipulating a system of rewards, punishment, and experiences in such a way as to promote new learning of ideology of belief system [or behavior] advocated by management [i.e. leadership]
So does this apply to WOFF-life? Can you say “church-discipline”, shunning or “you are out of the church”? How about being rewarded? Well, I do have a hard time remembering any of those. If you did not take on WOFF beliefs or “refused to give up your sin”, you were punished in any of many different ways. All of these were meant to make you relinquish any desire for free will or free thought or a different view or opinion on anything. Can you say “public rebuke”, being scoffed at or mocked? I can name names and events to back this up. Do you want that, Jane? Let’s just say anyone who doubts has not been inside WOFF at all or for very long. You have yet to “feel the love” Jane gives out. Okay, we move on…
– Manipulating a system of rewards, punishments, and experiences in such a way as to inhibit observable behavior that reflects the values and routines of life organization the individual displayed prior to contact with the group.
After you join WOFF, previous life events, relationships, desires and practices and even material possessions were “not God’s ways”. So, you gave them up or you did/do not last long at WOFF. Jane told Sam Whaley that “..Everything he did before being truly “born-again” was of the devil.” In WOFF, being “born-again” included, but was not limited to TOTAL agreement with EVERYTHING Jane believed and submission EVERYTHING Jane told you to do. This was either directly or by her manipulation of “your ideas” and “your desires”. This went along with the total change package that overtakes each new WOFF member – sooner or later. How are we doing so far?
– Maintaining a closed system of logic and an authoritarian structure in the organization.
Now, try to tell Jane Whaley something that opposes what she believes and see how far you get. In addition to that, try to engage a WOFF member in conversation about their signature practices of loud prayer, deliverance and their unique lifestyle and attempt to introduce new perspectives. Suggest that a WOFF member make a decision without “checking it out with authority” (Jane) and see how far you get. Faithful WOFF members do not attempt to make their own decisions, why? FEAR. Fear of “missing God” which they will only know when Jane tells them they “missed God”. Translate: they did not ask her first. Does that sound like “an authoritarian structure in the organization”? Honestly, who would deny it?
– Maintaining a noninformed state of existing in the subject. (pp 189-190 in original work)
I believe this puts it quite well. While I was inside WOFF, I lived a “noninformed state of existing”. Well, until I started looking at newspaper headlines and telling others. Then I dared to be informed and thus not acceptable WOFF material. It is true, in order to continue in WOFF, you must accept the “noninformed state of existing” or pretend better than I did in that area. But, beware, if you are “informed” it will show. Why you may even start thinking for yourself and BOOM- you may be kicked out of WOFF – as a Judas. Simply put, when WOFF members are informed, Jane cannot control them. Then her kingdom begins to crumble. Then her offerings would fall off and who would pay for her kingdom? It really is very simple – No thought reform equals No offerings. And subsequently, even more basic, no thought reform also equals no faithful WOFF members to sing the praises of Jane.
Could there be other explanations for these same characteristics found in thought reform? Could this be a total misinterpretation? After all, aren’t the ways of WOFF- God’s ways? I could entertain that for almost a minute until I remember how we were all fashioned to have such regard and concern for how Jane would see us or what Jane would think about what we wanted to do or wait for Jane to express her views before we formed “our own”. After all, while at WOFF, weren’t we finding “new places in the Spirit”? All the restrictions and rules, weren’t they just a “new way to walk in Jesus”? Really? After 2000+ years, Jesus picked a small group in North Carolina to show unique eternal secrets that He had kept from the millions or billions of other followers in years past? Is Jane Whaley that special? I remember one ardent Jane lover saying, “We know there are others out there who have truth, we just have not found them yet.” Really? Have you kept looking or would that be too exhausting or too revealing?
There are more insights to learn from this book. So far, does it seem like WOFF membership would qualify as membership in a thought reform program? In my opinion, I think so.
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.
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. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 275.