We again continue on the subject of thought reform. This post is the eighth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). This work has been from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The seventh post explained the “Loading the Language” and how that affected members within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- “Doctrine Over Person”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF. My experience within the group is a “normal” one as far as I can tell.
The author of our reference text did not start out studying cults or their patterns of behaviors. The research for this resource book was from interviews from the 1950s. Lifton interviewed several who had survived Chinese thought reform techniques. After he had published this work, those who had been affected by cults, religious or otherwise, began to seek his counsel. The main focus was the material in Chapter 22 of his book. Those who had come out of a cult or who had relatives in a cult began to identify with the information in discovered Lifton’s research. This series of events is so vital in understanding why I feel this information is so basic to understanding WOFF and groups like them.
From my experience, one could get caught up in the religious fervor of WOFF and totally miss the means used to change its members, either individually or as a group. I actually came under these measures being described in this series. It has been an ongoing labor and a humbling experience to admit it first to myself and then to others. No one likes to admit they were fooled or hoodooed or whatever term used, into joining and continuing to be a part of a group such as WOFF. By whatever means I chose to rationalize or justify it, I was under the influence of Jane Whaley and WOFF for over 16 years. From the beginning, I have serious doubts that the leadership in the Greenville church knew the severity of day-to-day WOFF-life in Spindale, NC. Maybe they did and I am only fooling myself. Whatever is the case, I did not purpose to join a group that would one day evolve into being a part of WOFF. The landscape in Greenville, in 1992, showed no obvious signs of one day closing that church and migrating to be a part of WOFF. Maybe I was too close to the pastors to have a balanced look at the mechanics and methods used. Certainly, there was a measure of “faith” or blind trust- which proved very costly in the years to come.
Continuing with the direction of this series, Lifton notes the “Doctrine over Person” aspect in totalist groups. “The sterile language reflects another characteristic feature of ideological totalism: the subordination of human experience to the claims of doctrine. This primacy of doctrine over person is evident in the continual shift between experience itself and the highly abstract interpretation of such experience— between genuine feelings and spurious cataloging of feelings.” (page 430) First, while in WOFF, I would not have agreed with the language being called “sterile”. It was not until I left that I began to see how powerful and controlling that WOFF-speak was/is. It was sterile in that it provided no element of individual, personal expression. When you are in WOFF, you speak as a WOFF member. “…as Edward Sapir put it, ‘He talks like us’ is equivalent to saying ‘He is one of us’.” (page 430) Conversely, if you don’t use WOFF-speak, you are not a WOFFer.
The author describes the revisionist aspect of life in a totalist environment and how that was primary over the worth of the person. He describes the many myths inside such a group. There were myths inside of WOFF. These myths had to do with many things, but the main ones surrounded outsiders and the translation or condition of the outside world. Outsiders and the outside world were deemed evil and repulsive to WOFF members. As uttered by a WOFF faithful…“They are just not walking where we are walking…”
Behind (or actually INSIDE) every outsider was a devil of some sort. Behind every unexplainable “negative” was a devil of certain type or degree. This mystical interpretation of reality lent itself to adding strength to Jane’s power for those who accepted such notions. She was the originator of the myths and the “protector” of those who believed them. If you were not a part of WOFF – you could be a threat to some aspect of the “peace” found there. What was this “peace”? It was a façade that protected the naked truth that things at WOFF were/are a sham. “It has much to do with the peculiar aura of half-reality which a totalist environment seems, at least to the outsider, to possess.” (page 430 emphasis added)
These myths about that which WOFF members were to stay away from did indeed evolve into doctrine. Children were indoctrinated about men with facial hair and all outsiders. I personally have seen children freak or freeze or both at having to contact or interact with outsiders. Now, not every child did and when in the company of other WOFFers, they could manage. But, critical judgments about outsiders made strictly from a mere glance and/or outside observation were allowed and in some instances- encouraged. This is one aspect of “doctrine over person”. If, as a WOFF member, you were too friendly with strangers, then you were corrected for that, as well.
Lifton writes, “For when the myth becomes fused with the totalist sacred science, the resulting “logic” can be so compelling and coercive that is simply replaces the realities of individual experience.” (page 431) Has he been at WOFF? No, we have already mentioned that as far as we know, he has not. WOFF members were not free to interpret the reality of their own experiences. They were required to subject them to “counsel” and ultimately to Jane- if any questions persisted. How many Sunday evening services were spent going over events that a WOFF member had experienced and Jane helping them “walk through” them? (too many to count) This was meant to “help” others in the congregation, as well.
“The same doctrinal primacy prevails in the totalist approach to changing people: the demand that character and identity be reshaped, not in accordance with one’s special nature or potentialities, but rather to fit the rigid contours of the doctrinal mold. The human is thus subjected to the ahuman.” (page 431) What does this mean and how did it occur at WOFF? While inside WOFF, you were told you could answer the “call of God”. Well, that was true except when you wanted a job or relationship or to live in a place not approved by Jane. No one had “ever heard God” to join the military. How many young men or women were told they had not heard God and needed to pray or seek God- again? Shall we point out the measures used by Jane and other leadership to “guide” students through college or in relationships or where to live or ??? WOFF members of all ages were not allowed to make their own choices in many areas. All of these choices were subject to the direction of Jane Whaley. The “Doctrine” was submission to Jane; the “person” was any active WOFF member. The unity around this unwritten, yet dutifully practiced doctrine made life at WOFF- unique. Jane was the source and administrator of all doctrine and thus how it was used to “help others come into their place in God”….. There is a WOFF phrase for the ages.
The author makes several other very good points about “Doctrine Over Person”, but we will conclude with this: “The underlying assumption is that the doctrine—including its mythological elements – is ultimately more valid, true, and real than is any aspect of actual human experience.” (page 431 emphasis added) For any person who continues at WOFF, there comes the stark understanding that WOFF doctrine on whatever subject or activity is far “more valid, true and real than” personal beliefs or experience in any respect. All of a WOFF member’s life is subject to the interpretation and molding of WOFF doctrine and practice. To dare deny the supremacy of WOFF doctrine (Jane) is to risk expulsion. No debate is accepted or even allowed when Jane issues the final word on a matter. In WOFF-life, the individual members are not important – only Jane and her wishes and desires (doctrines). Does this sound like other “Protestant, Non-denominational churches with traditional, evangelical doctrines”?
Former members and present members are encouraged to reply with comments. If there are questions – please ask. If there are disputing opinions, please submit them.
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 200.