In previous posts, we have used as a resource 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). Today, we will return to this resource for the material in Chapter 2. The title of the chapter is “A Little Carrot And A Lot of Stick- A Case Example” by Janja Lalich. The author outlines the formation, operations and eventual implosion of a political cult in which she was a part of that lasted from 1974 until 1985. Why should I even cover this chapter on this blog? I was amazed at the similarities between many of the inner workings and dynamics between this group and Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). There were obviously different terms and “reasons” to submit to the group leader- but, as we review this chapter, notice the similar control dynamics and the results on the members.

As an introduction and a way to answer some obvious questions, the author writes, “This chapter outlines the makings, workings and eventual demise of the “Workers Democratic Union.” I use pseudonyms for the name of the group, the leader, and all former members; also I use the terms organization, group and party interchangeably throughout. Since the group was leftist in orientation, I wish to make it clear that this is not a critique of political ideologies, nor an attempt to conclude that the organizational methodology of Marxism-Leninism necessarily leads to cultic formation. The Workers Democratic Union (WDU) was unique in many ways, but nonetheless a cult  like so many others in the techniques used to dominate and control its members.” (page 52)

This paragraph contains a great point. As Marxism-Leninism may not necessarily lead to the formation of a cult neither does the organization of an Evangelical, Protestant church with Charismatic beliefs and practices. The direction of any group is greatly, if not totally, affected by the leader, their desires, their weaknesses and strengths. As with this group and their leader- Doreen Baxter, so with WOFF; Jane Whaley is the hub of the wheel, the engine that makes WOFF what it is and why it is.

Concerning the make-up of the members of the WDU- Lalich writes, “A feminist, Marxist-Leninist (M-L) organization, the WDU was founded in 1974 and was led by women. The members were highly dedicated, hardworking, intelligent women and men, whose ages ranged from mid 20’s to early 70s. Most had some college education: There was numerous undergraduate degrees, some graduate degrees, (and) several doctorates; there were also a few medical doctors and lawyers.” (page 52)

Well, this could pretty well describe the make-up of WOFF, if you were to add the numbers of children in WOFF. WOFF is led by women and has a very similar educational composition. Our resource text adds more, “Socioeconomic backgrounds varied from working poor to extremely wealthy; the racial composition was overwhelmingly white, with a handful of Africa-Amercian, Latino, and Asian-American members… At its peak, the WDU claimed about 500 members, with several thousand supporters in its orbit, including influential and well-known intellectuals, professionals, and politicians. Despite sporadic periods of growth, the core group never exceeded 125 and remained more or less constant, in spite of living under a devastating system of abuse, manipulation, repression, and intrusion into every aspect of individual lives.” (page 52 emphasis added) The socioeconomic make-up of WOFF would have to add the Europeans and other nationalities represented. But, there is a core group that has remained more or less consistent over the years of WOFF. I am not so sure there are “several thousand supporters in its orbit…” but, there have been politicians who have lent their face and political clout to support WOFF.

Next, the author goes into how the WDU dissolved. This will not be an area of comparison to WOFF-yet. But, it is interesting nonetheless. “In late October of that year (1985) some 100 members of the WDU met in San Francisco and voted unanimously to expel their leader and dissolve their organization… The dissolution meetings were precipitated by frank discussions among top leadership during the leader’s absence. At a full membership meeting called by this inner circle, one by one, leadership figures presented the behind-the-scenes reality of the WDU, exposing the corrupt and abusive nature of their until-then adored leader, Doreen Baxter…Overnight a dream was shattered…Through the course of the meetings WDU members came to see that their commitment had been manipulated, abused, and distorted; their leader was an alcoholic, arbitrary, and without accountability; and, as a result, their organization was politically bankrupt.”  (page 52-53)

As a former member of WOFF, one can pray and salivate, in a sense that a similar series of events would/could happen at WOFF.  For leaders and regular members of WOFF to realize that “…their commitment had been manipulated, abused, and distorted; their leader was an alcoholic, arbitrary, and without accountability; and, as a result, their organization was politically (spiritually) bankrupt.” would be a great day for sure!  Jane was/is truly “without accountability” and may not be a true alcoholic, but, she has definitely shown signs of being intoxicated on her perception of her perfection which has served as justification for her controlling ways. Do others agree?

Before I move into further comparisons between the WDU leader, Doreen Baxter and Jane Whaley, I want to provide a poem which Lalich wrote and provided at the beginning of the chapter. She wrote this poem less than one year after the group dissolved.

I guess the worst part about it

 is what they did to my brain

They took my brain and along with it my feelings

my control

 my passion and my love.

They took my brain and made me something

 other than what I wanted to be

 I lost sight of the meaning

I sunk into madness

 I lost my self-control

my self-respect

my self.

I wanted to make a better world

 I was willing to fight for that

 willing to sacrifice

But they took my soul

turned it inside out made me something

other than I wanted to be.

And I guess the worst part about it

 is that I did the same to others just like me.

When I reflected on this poem, the word that stuck out to me was “passion”. When a person follows their passion are they susceptible to being controlled by those who know how to manipulate others through that “passion”? Could the pursuit of a person’s passion be their point of greatest weakness? Was my trust in others who appeared to share my passion, my downfall? If you had asked me to state my desire or my passion, it would have been to lead a Christ-like life and be the husband/father that I was meant to be. I wanted to “serve God” for whatever that meant, at the time. What message did Jane and her leaders teach and preach? “Follow me as I follow the Lord”. Only Jane knows the way… Yes, I know there were signs and red flags. We have covered the dissociative defenses in previous posts. Everyone has great power to rationalize and overlook when things “just don’t seem right”, if it means they will keep in pursuit of a goal or passion.  We will cover more of that when we look at the Stockholm syndrome. But, for now, I am considering how my pursuit of “my passion” allowed me to fall among thieves and robbers.

Looking back, my disconnect with the message/methods of WOFF came when I experienced and knew the way that Jane tried to influence and change behaviors in her members was a direct contradiction to what I saw as my passion- to be Christ-like. When I looked around at the leaders in the meeting on April 9, 2008 and saw that they were in total agreement to the methods, I knew something was WRONG! This was a side of WOFF which I had only heard about and never seen up close. It set me reeling and considering my time there.  So, once a person leaves WOFF, do they walk away from their passion? Does a survivor ever reconnect and again pursue their passion- whatever that may be? Is the pain too great, or will I ever again pursue what was my passion? For now, I believe my understanding of my desires and passion has changed and I will be more careful – who I trust.

We will close for now and pick-up the detailed comparison between Doreen Baxter of the WDU and Jane Whaley in the next post. Again, this political cult had a different outside covering, but, as we will see, the inner workings were much like what has been experienced within the walls of WOFF. Cults are cults and cult leaders use many of the same methods to control and manipulate their members.

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, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his 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 398.