Occasionally I come across resources that captivate my attention and leave no doubt in my mind that I must share them on this blog. Today, we will review one such resource. After the recent drama of a Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) second generation survivor returning to WOFF, my attention was drawn to research that type of survivor. Second generation cult survivors are those who have been born in and raised inside a cult and then left the group. We have chronicled the drama of one such survivor and the outpouring of email filled with vivid emotions has touched me. Many have been stunned and many have been dismayed. This prompted me to dig deeper in to the subject of second generation cult survivors.
A simple search for “second generation cult survivors” led me to several resources. Today, we will review one of the finds of this search. Cyndi Matthews has a website which displays her work for her dissertation for her doctorate degree. The title includes this header:
“Cyndi Matthews, PhD Candidate, LPC, NCC- Counseling with Second Generation Cult Survivors”
The title excited me and it left me wanting to read and consume her work. As a disclaimer, I must add I have written and obtained permission to quote her work and post her videos. This permission does not assume she agrees with my work or my conclusions in this post or elsewhere on this blog. She is welcome to reply or comment, but, no endorsement of this blog is inferred.
(the resource link- http://contentbuilder.merlot.org/toolkit/html/snapshot.php?id=48842394583712 )
My plan today is to quote some of her work and provide one of her videos within this post. The headers from her site include: “Here are some interesting cult statistics; What is a Cult?; Tips for counseling Second generation cult survivors; What is Thought Reform?; Twelve Themes to Consider when Counseling Former Cult Survivors; Helpful Websites and Links, Resources for Counselors and References..”
First, we will start with the cult statistics:
There are currently over 5000 cults operating in the USA and Canada.
More than 2,500,000 individuals in the United States and Canada have joined cultic groups over the past 30-40 years.
Five percent of people who pass through cults stay long enough to have and raise children
As a low estimate, there are over 125,000 individuals born and raised in cults in the US.
One third of all counselors report having worked with a cult survivor sometime during their counseling career.
(Lottick, 2005; McCabe, 2007; Singer, 2003)
We can point to one statistic in which WOFF may be atypical. “Five percent of people who pass through cults stay long enough to have and raise children.” I don’t have hard numbers, but, it seems like five percent would be VERY LOW when considering WOFF stats. This naturally would mean more second generation survivors now, and in the years to come.
There are several good sources and much vital information on this website. For this post we will review one lengthy section and post one of the videos that will reveal more of the work Ms. Matthews did with second generation cult survivors. This is such a timely presentation for those that have been following the recent events surrounding WOFF.
As Ms. Matthews explains more of her results from her work, I will take the liberty to comment on how her conclusions may or may not pertain to my observations and experiences surrounding WOFF:
“My Study found 12 different themes that counselors can take into account during the counseling process for those born and raised in cults.
These themes do not stand alone. They are very inter-connected and interweave one with another.
1. Patriarchy and Gender Roles: Patriarchy and rigid gender roles are used to control and main order in the group. Men generally dominate and women submit in both the religious group and in the family.
Exception noted: WOFF is entirely matriarchal. Jane Whaley rules the day and this presents its own “rigid gender roles” within WOFF. As we will note later, this one factor presents its own unique challenges when counseling survivors. Men are left on the sidelines of the “pyramid structure”- for the most part.
2. Decision Making: All decisions are made by those in authority. Members cannot question the decisions of those in authority.
This is very true at WOFF. As a footnote, everyone in leadership knows they are subject to being overridden and publically corrected by Jane Whaley. Authority resides at the very top – with Jane.
3. Obedience to Authority: Members are expected to be obedient to their leaders.
Again, this is very true at WOFF. Obedience proves loyalty to the leader and to her beliefs and agenda.
4. Group and Relationship Support: All relationship support is through the group. The outside world is seen as evil or inferior.
Yes. Another absolute at WOFF. Once you become a part of WOFF- WOFF then in turn becomes an overwhelming part of you. You must answer to manipulative group expectations while within the group. “Why would you want to sin against ‘God’s people’?”
5. Relationship with Parents: Relationships with parents suffer as former members leave the group, leaving parents behind in the group.
In my opinion, the manipulated parental relationship between the most recent returnee and his parents was the magnet that pulled him back in. And for the most part, strong parental pull keeps many second generation members within WOFF.
6. Religiosity and Spirituality: Former cult members struggle with their own spirituality after leaving the group. Religiosity is seen as spirituality in the group – that is obeying of rules and following authority figures.
Recently, a friend asked me if “religiosity” was a real word. My answer was of course. Try to break free from the WOFF-religiosity and see how far down you are pushed spiritually. Why you must be on your way to hell! Many survivors I have come to know will separate the two and migrate toward spirituality versus continuing in the rules of religiosity.
7. Abuse: Spiritual, emotional, psychological, and physical abuse occur at the whim of the leaders in the group. Some members are asked to carry out abuse on other members. Shunning is a common way for members to punish group members who do not conform. Children especially experience abuse throughout their growing up years.
Shunning is the punishment of choice within WOFF. Thus, they have/had the fourth building and all its glory. “Some members are asked to carry out abuse on other members.” Can Jane defend herself here? She cannot possibly carry out all her desires to correct and purge her members from sin. She must have the help of others to push out the rebellious or bring back the wayward.
8. Outside Influences: Outside influences, such as school and therapy are seen as unnecessary and sometimes even evil. However, both school and therapy can help individuals overcome past abuse and mind control from the group.
As a caution, I must admit that all “outside influences” for present faithful WOFF members would be evil. Only Jane approved methods for instruction and correction are allowed at WOFF. Survivors often mistrust these “outside influences”- to their own detriment.
9. Sense of Identity*: Group members gain their sense of identity and who they are from the group.
Faithful WOFF members assume a WOFF-identity, which we have discussed previously on this blog. Once they leave the group, the process of finding who they are and should become starts, often with many bumps and turns. For many survivors, the less life they had previous to WOFF, the harder it seems to be able find their true self.
10. Emotional Consequences*: Anger and guilt are common emotions experienced by former cult members while in the group, while leaving, and even today. PTSD is also common among former members.
Yes, for former WOFF members- second generation or not; there comes periods of anger and guilt. The anger can be open and inflamed or seething, but, it is there and often not necessarily directed with accurate purpose. Often it just exists, until it explodes and is recognized and settled.
11. Fear and Courage*: Although the group uses fear as a tactic to stop members from leaving or disobeying, those who leave show group courage during the process and continue to show great courage as they face the demons in their closets.
Fear of Jane and her wrath is the fence around the compound of WOFF and the hearts of its members. For many, a physical fence does not stop them from escape. It is the fear of Jane and her hell-oriented predictions of their early and tormenting demise that keep many locked away in her kingdom. Fear for survivors is real and must be recognized as the source of torment and the nightmares of WOFF-life.
12. Long Process of Change*: Deciding to leave the group and actually leaving the group takes a long time. It is not a one-time decision.
Truer words have never been uttered. For many survivors, leaving the location of WOFF is easier than leaving the emotional compound of WOFF-life and WOFF-memories. Until you leave, you have no idea how deep WOFF-life and the WOFF-fears have embedded themselves to control your mind and life.
*over-arching themes that integrate into all themes”
Here is the video that explains more of Ms. Matthews work and her conclusions.
Let me offer a “Thank you” to Cyndi Matthews for posting her work. From her video, we see there is much more work to do. Return rates for second generation cult survivors must be studied and insights gained to decrease the rate.
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 428.