This past Saturday evening, I was among friends. We were eating, talking and laughing a lot. One person was new to the group and had some questions for me. The questions took the conversation in a totally different direction as they asked about my involvement in the “religious cult”. The previous post explained my answer which was brief. In another venue, I will explain in more detail how I became involved in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). My time either directly to indirectly affected by the teachings the leader of WOFF, Jane Whaley, totaled 16 years.  Later in the same conversation, this question came up, “And what made you realize you needed to get out?” I began be telling about certain events that happened April 9, 2008 and the meeting at the church in RF’s office. The pivotal understanding came to me when I saw that the others in the meeting considered what was happening as totally NORMAL. The events of the meeting and the display of Jane coming in a screaming at me and pointing her finger in my face were totally acceptable to the others in the room. They seemed to think the gesture was normal and in this case-needed. That one meeting was a catalyst that allowed me to consider that my time at WOFF was coming to close. It was not the total answer, but it did push me forward into unchartered waters of considering that WOFF was “un-normal”. While you are in WOFF, the thinking when a person considers WOFF as NOT God’s will is explained as they “want to keep their devils”. The exit from WOFF is explained in more detail in this post from April 20, 2010 – What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 1 – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1396  

   In previous posts, I have used the 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 a resource. The author explains in the Introduction some of the findings about those who leave cults. “Obviously, the control cult leaders achieve is not absolute because ultimately most people leave cultic groups (Barker 1984), although a sizeable number remain for many years. In one of the few studies that investigated why people leave cults, in structured interviews of 90 subjects, Wright (1983a, 1983b) identified four main reasons for defection. The first reason is a break with the cult’s social insulation. Only 4 of 12 persons separated from the group for three or more weeks (for example, on an extended visit to family) returned to the group.” (page 9) This makes sense, right? From 1992 until I left in 2008, I never spent time away from the Greenville church or WOFF – with family or any other reason for more than a long weekend. IF I missed a Sunday service, it was a big deal. In WOFF, they don’t use the term vacation. “Who would take a “vacation” from God, God’s will or God’s people?” The term is “time away” to rest or be with family; family in WOFF or who sympathize with WOFF. If there is a way to make the trip seem more spiritual, then that layer was added to excuse Jane and her crew to take a week away to the beach in the house they owned near Charleston, SC. Breaking from the “cult social insulation” was not acceptable at WOFF- for obvious reasons.

    “The second reason is unregulated interpersonal intimacy, which can permit members to share doubts that they would normally suppress. In “every case where one spouse or mate defected the other also left the movement” (Wright, 1983b, p112). (page 9) Well, this is not true at WOFF. I have no way to know the exact details of every couple at WOFF. I can relate what I saw and what I have experienced for myself. The WOFF landscape is littered with broken marriages where one spouse stayed and the other left or never came into the cult. For the most part, the wives would be inside and the husbands would leave or not join WOFF. I know of what I speak. I am out and my wife stayed inside. Why the break from the results found in other groups? My theory is the strong matriarchal structure of WOFF lends itself to more intense identification of the women with Jane and thus the faux “spiritual bonding” that follows undermines and can eventually destroy the marriage bond between the wife and her husband. Jane promotes this faux “spiritual bond” and encourages the wife or husband to report the shortcomings or doubts of their spouse. The outcomes of these betrayals of another’s spouse have been played out numerous times in WOFF meetings and are a well known attribute of the group, ask KC. From my observations both personally and of other couples, Jane promotes this allegiance and loyalty to her above all else and in order to supersede the marriage relationship. Set my opinion aside and simply count the number of divorced women and broken marriages inside WOFF. After that is done, tell me why it is so.

    “Third, cult members will often leave their groups they become disillusioned with the group’s achievements or repeated errors in “prediction”, for example, when the world doesn’t end—again.” (page 9) Jane Whaley steers clear of many of the predictions. However, she has had some missed predictions when it comes to success of fund raisers. But, during my time, she stayed away from predicting when the world would end.

    “Lastly, members may depart when they learn about the hypocrisy or immoral behavior of the cult’s leaders.” (page 9) Well, here we come close to one reason I left. What was preached and practiced did not appear to be what I knew or saw reflected in the Scriptures. Since leaving, I have contacted many others who have left WOFF. The reasons for leaving vary and some folks are so upset and emotional, they may not know one reason they left. It may take a while to sort out the whole “WOFF trip”. There are so many confusing messages that come from a group like WOFF. The people are nice and friendly- most of the time, until you decide that Jane Whaley is not God’s woman of the hour with faith and all consuming power. Jane does provide “help” for her members when it comes to housing, jobs and clothes. But, the cost of the help is not known right away. It may be months or years down the road before a member knows how much this free help cost them. Even at WOFF, there is truly no free lunch. You have to pay for it in some way, either now or later.

     Yesterday, I woke up to the realization that the cost of my time at WOFF had been great. I felt as if I had been raped in the name of religion, not true Christian religion, but in the name of a sham religion that centered on the whims, wishes and desires of Jane Whaley. The fact that when a WOFF member reads this and tells Jane, she will then exclaim, “I did no such thing!”–matters little. For the damage is done. The matriarchal manifestations have had their way and the deed is done. Can relationships be repaired? Truly only God knows.

    Dr. Len Oakes, in his work in titled, “Prophetic Charisma” – The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities (copyright ©1997 by Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY, ISBN 0-8156-2700-9) shares about people like Jane Whaley. He writes about these leaders, “Delusions of omnipotence and refusal to compromise or hear criticisms may appear as a dogmatic need always to be right and an inability to admit error, to apologize, or the recognize the hurtful effects their behaviors have on others.” (page 13) As I consider the results of my time at WOFF, I want to make it clear that just because Jane may not “recognize the hurtful effects their behaviors have on others”, it is no excuse for what she did or does or will continue to do until she changes or expires. Can Jane Whaley change? Truly only God knows. Will those around her require her to change in order to stop to “hurtful effects” she has on others? I doubt it since for the most part; those in leadership around her worship her and desire to be like her. What will be their end? Truly only God knows.           

   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 285.