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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Dr. Margaret Singer – Voice for the Cult Survivor

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   Several of the books I have recently purchased and will be reading deal with recovering from cults and the effects of cults. One such book is “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). The preface is written by Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph. D. (1921-2003). Her biography in this book contains these statements about her work. She served as Adjunct Professor of Psychology at University of California, Berkley. …Dr. Singer has been a contributor to many edited volumes on cults and related subjects, including The Family Therapist as Systems Consultant (Guilford Press) (page xiii) A brief review of additional information about Dr. Singer found here… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Singer reveals her work against cults. “She developed theories about how cults recruit and retain members (such as her Theory of Systematic Manipulation of Social and Psychological Influence) and was on the board of the American Family Foundation, the major anti-cult group in the United States.”

     In the preface, she outlines her pathway into research and study of cults, their techniques and the results upon members, ex-members and families of cult members. Toward the beginning of her research she “concluded that cultic groups were not using mysterious, esoteric methods, but they had refined the “folk art of human manipulation and influence”… The cults created programs of social and psychological influence that were effective for their goals.” (page xvii)  She goes on to describe “pioneer families” of the 1960’s who were seeing their children enter cults and the subsequent search for answers. “The parents’ concerns were not that their young-adult children had taken up a new religion, nor were they concerned that their loved ones had left school and home or had completely redirected the course of their lives to help mankind by joining altruistic groups. They were concerned that these young adults were doing none of the above but seemed to have closed their minds to the past, their families and friends and were simply helping a band of itinerant gurus, pied pipers, self-proclaimed messiahs become wealthy and powerful.” (page xviii emphasis added)

    Continue reading Dr. Margaret Singer – Voice for the Cult Survivor →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Healing from Spiritual and Emotional Abuse by Shari Howerton

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   The following post is copied with permission from the blog of the survivor and author, Shari Howerton. It can be found at this link…  http://tinyurl.com/4ky2gb2 . This post is to me of the same open and honest quality with which the book was written.  Thank you, Shari for allowing me to share your work with the readers of this blog. Certainly hoping all will be helped as much as I have been by your story, your insights and your victories. The book can be found here http://www.sharihowerton.com/ .

Survivor Shares Her Story and Journey to Freedom
Breaking the Chains- Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel

 “I have recently been corresponding with a few more readers of my book. Since my book is a testimony, it has a limited audience. And since I am an unknown, self-published author, it will never be a bestseller. But it continues to sell (albeit in small numbers) each month. And I continue to hear from readers. Many of the people who have written to me were loaned a copy by someone who wanted to share it. I know that some authors might be frustrated by that because it means less book sales. But that doesn’t bother me at all. I spent nearly a year of my life working on the book. I poured my heart into it. And what is most rewarding for me is just knowing that it is still being read.

Continue reading Healing from Spiritual and Emotional Abuse by Shari Howerton →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Cult Leader News, Uncategorized

Which is Worse and Why?

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    There are many grievous events and happenings in this world. As humans, we tend to rank events by severity and classify them according to which one is worse than another. Now, it is true that in the legal system, certain crimes committed against many by one or by a few are treated differently than a crime of one against one or for a “lesser” crime. For instance, a person stealing a purse from one person may obtain a lesser sentence than a person stealing purses from several women over time. This is part of our system and the result or consequence tends to be that as individuals we rank crimes or “sins” against people in the same manner.

   However, is that they way we should view crimes when considering how one individual would/could control another? Is it a lesser crime or “sin” to control three folks than to control a hundred or a million people?  I am not talking about the true responsibility of parents to guide and control their children during their formative years. In this post we will consider adults controlling other adults for whatever reason, but, especially those controlled for personal gain of the controller.

    Controllers can be found in many areas of society. You could be controlled by a boss on your job. This control is somehow not deemed as a crime or injustice until that control overreaches into one’s personal life. Why? Because there is a certain amount of compliance or obedience expected during working hours while on the job. So, this kind of control is not viewed as a crime per se. You are in essence trading hours of your day for an amount of dollars and thus you are told what to do while on that job.

   Continue reading Which is Worse and Why? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Do You Think It Is Possible?

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     As many readers already know, I spent many years under the direct or indirect influence of Jane Whaley, the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. Since my departure in July of 2008, I learned many things about my time spent inside WOFF. Even now, 32 months later, I admit there are areas of my life where I still recognize the influence of WOFF teachings and more specifically the teachings, sayings and doings of Jane Whaley. The process of recovery continues. As I move forward, I have been reading accounts of survivors of other groups and seeing the similarities between their groups and life at WOFF. These similarities are fascinating to me since while at WOFF, I was told and believed that there was no other place quite like WOFF. A person could travel the world and not find a place filled with such love and support. For many years, I believed it. Then as the control upon my life became tighter and the methods became clearer, I began to doubt that what I saw and how I was treated was actually God’s plan. As the curtain over my eyes was lifted, I began to see how others were being treated in a new light. This all came into play as I made the decision to leave WOFF.    

     One aspect of life at WOFF was the continual naming of devils that Jane or someone in leadership would discover. In a previous post titled, “Jane Whaley Said…” found here- https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3449    the following paragraph was included:

    Some children get that “math devil”.  Yes, there are “math devils” in her school room! Jane made this statement June 1, 2008 standing in the breezeway (actually, it may have been the hallway near the fellowship room in the office building). She was talking to a visitor that came with me to the graduation ceremony that evening. Jane was telling how wonderful her class of four and five year olds was doing. Then she lamented that sometimes they get the “math devil.” In Jane’s world, there are lots of devils. Each one has a name and if you don’t know the name, ask her. She will tell you. While at WOFF, the entire list of “devils” that were named, I could not retell. There was the “video devil” for those watching DVD’s in their van… There were “ping pong devils” for that’s right, folks playing ping pong. Here is a quote from this (that) post… Jane had said folks may have a “music devil” if the music occupies too much of their time or a “religious devil” if they read their Bible too much. There was a “control devil”, a “money devil”, a “foolish devil”…  the list goes on and on and gets longer as Jane Whaley needs to demean another member in order to further her control over them and others. See here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1976

   Continue reading Do You Think It Is Possible? →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Never Too Late to Tell Your Experiences…

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    Recently, a story came to my attention about a lady in Oklahoma, who had survived several years in a cult. Her name is Olga Vesta Button and she is 90 years old. Her story began many years ago as she was forced to marry a man twice her age. The “church” was called – The Mission. Here is the interview from KFOR.com Channel 4. (Scroll down after seeing the news clip and select “Read More..” to learn the reason I posted this video….  )

Woman Escapes Religious Cult in OK

 

Continue reading Never Too Late to Tell Your Experiences… →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Survivors of NTCC Speak Out

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   Recently, I was contacted by Don & Angela Tumioli. They are survivors of a controlling religious group which many ex-members call a cult. The group is the New Testament Churches of America or NTCC for short. Their blog containing their story can be found here http://tinyurl.com/4lsoqkd . After doing some basic research, I have decided to post some findings and compare them to my experience at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I found a series of articles from The Dispatch – The Independent Voice of South Pierce County, Washington. The first of four articles written by Bruce Smith was posted March 31, 2010 is titled, “A look within the “church behind the fence” and can be found here –  http://tinyurl.com/488fa2p . There is a search feature on this site which is very handy.

   This group was started by a former Pentecostal Church of God missionary, Rodger W. Davis (b. 1929) in October of 1969, in St Louis, Missouri. Two other men are listed on the Articles of Incorporation, Rev. C.O. Sensabaugh and Rev. R. L. Herrera. Davis is given credit for the founding. (here is the link http://tinyurl.com/4z8fg47 ) I found a site originated by another survivor with some quotes from the founder. I view these quotes as credible as this survivor; Deborah Shunk was a leader/teacher in the group for over 30 years. The founder said, “I can’t remember the last time I sinned.” • “All I do is by the Holy Ghost.” • “I have never missed God. “…if you have a problem with me, you have a problem with God.” (link- http://tinyurl.com/4zuaoa8 )   In my opinion, this reflects the same attitude of Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF. Do others agree or disagree?

    Continue reading Survivors of NTCC Speak Out →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

“Year-end Report 2010”

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In a previous post dated February 5, 2010, I wrote the following paragraph:

    Last January, I attended a church in McDowell County. That Sunday, they were handing out the Annual Report from the previous year! This report outlined offerings received and expenditures made during 2008. It was a pleasant shock for me as a visitor to be given this report. Why? Because in my 10 years in Greenville and 6 years at WOFF, there was NEVER a report issued to the members as to the amount of offerings received and expenses paid. After attending seminars and services for a total of 16 years at WOFF, I had no idea how much was received and where it went. Did others know? Well, maybe a handful of folks, like the Board may have known. Here is the link – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=277.

 Later in May of 2010, I wrote the following paragraphs in a post…

     Today, as I was leaving church, I was handed a Quarterly Financial Report! Everyone that left through the front door was offered one, even the lady in front of me, who was a first time visitor! Wow, not only annual financial reports from this church, but QUARTERLY! Is this a great idea or what? I was stunned at the openness about the tithes and offerings received and the telling folks how the money was spent. The name of the church is Grace Community Church located outside of Marion, NC…. 

   Can you understand what a shock all of this was to me?  You may be thinking, what is the big deal? Don’t all churches do that? At Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), there are NO written financial reports handed out at any door to regular members, much less visitors. At least, there were none in the 16 years that I attended services. It was mentioned from the pulpit by Sam Whaley, that they needed $20,000 a week to cover the bills. Jane Whaley took up a $50,000 special offering one time (see link. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=245   ) Things may have changed, but I suspect that news would have come back to me – somehow. The link for the post is here – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2080

    Continue reading “Year-end Report 2010” →