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Behavior Control, Uncategorized

Life is Short – And Then ??

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    These are the age old questions- Why am I here? What is my purpose? What happens after I die? No matter the shamans that arise, telling others they “know” the answers- the questions remain at the end of the day. Honest and some dishonest religious leaders arise to help the seekers. Some have a true desire to help folks find their answers and to live their personal convictions. Others  seek inordinate profits and live in lavish lifestyles in trade for their ability to “hear God” and discern the “will of God”. This all while pontificating on some-one’s course in the hereafter…

     No matter how solid the answers, at times, the questions arise again. This week I attended the funeral of my cousin, Jason Huddle.  He was killed in an automobile accident on a curvy road that leads to his home. He was not far from home when his front right wheel dropped off the pavement and he over corrected hitting a tree and dying at the scene.  He passed away at age 35, leaving a wife and step-daughter.  My thoughts were many as I saw his father, mother, two brothers and their families walk through an ever increasing sea of emotions. As I watched the father and oldest brother stand before the casket just before the closure, I knew I had no way to relate to the intense emotions they must be feeling. Life truly is short. We remember the past, we live in the now, and we all face an unknown future. Certainly having some answers about the hereafter brings some peace for the here and now. One thing I can say, Jason encouraged me for 20 minutes on during a rough time in my life in August of 2009. We had not spoken much before then, but his fervor to encourage me will never be forgotten. Prayers for the entire family as in the days ahead they mourn over the loss of a son.

     One event in my life has brought some answers when these questions arise over the years. The funeral this week reminded me of this event. When I was 9 or 10 years old, I  played football for the Belle Heath Bull Pups in Radford, VA.  We were at practice one afternoon doing drills. It was my turn to stand at the end of a double row of tires. Another player was to put one foot in each tire and then pop the guy at the end. Darryl Boothe was coming down the line of tires. He was always intense. He popped me and I remember leaning over and heading for the ground. I do not remember hitting the ground. Next, it felt like I went out through my face and then began to hover over the scene. I could see my body on the ground. The coach, Mike, had on a black shirt and green fatigues. He was leaning over my body and then stepped over me from right to left. Next, I felt as if I was being drawn back in through my face. My eyes could see but, then they were closed. I blinked a few times and my eyes seemed to “reconnect” and finally open. Coach then called off practice and the team started to walk away as someone helped me to my feet. Kent Hall came up beside me and asked if I was okay. I asked him if the coach had stepped over me as I was laying down, from my left to right? He said, “Yes, how did you know that? Your eyes were closed.” I told him I didn’t know, I just saw it.

     Continue reading Life is Short – And Then ?? →

Cult Leader News, Uncategorized

What They Did in Secret- Has Changed Their Lives..

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    FLDS Update: Another FLDS Member Sentenced in Texas.   Five men have been sentenced so far..   The deeds done in secret have changed their lives. The link below is about an FLDS member- Lehi Barlow Jeffs. This is from the Salt Lake Tribune on April 15, 2010.

     “An FLDS man who was to stand trial later this month in Texas on charges related to sexual assault of a child and bigamy has pleaded no contest and been sentenced to two eight-year terms in prison.

     Fifty-first District Judge Barbara Walther issued the sentences, which will run concurrently, during a hearing for Lehi Barlow Jeffs, 31, on Thursday in San Angelo, Texas….”

     The link to the article is hear. A picture of Jeffs is included..    http://tiny.cc/nf5cd 

    When will the vile filth of this FLDS polygamous cult be purged? The trial of Winston Blackmore in Canada has taken several turns..   In the article noted, Canadians may not end up paying the legal fees of the “broke” FLDS businessman.

Blackmore welcome, but reference case on anti-polygamy law can go ahead without him  By Daphne Bramham, Vancouver Sun  April 20, 2010

“The participation of Winston Blackmore, Canada’s most notorious polygamist, would be welcome in the reference case on the anti-polygamy law’s constitutionality, but the chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court said Tuesday that it’s not necessary.

In a written decision, Robert Bauman said that not only is Winston Blackmore’s participation and that of his 500 or so followers from the community of Bountiful, B.C. not necessary, there is no reason for taxpayers to pay their legal costs of participating in the reference case…” 

See the full article and a picture of Blackmore with more headlines in the case- here… http://tiny.cc/gcmub  

Update on Tony Alamo Ministries:

Alamo cites religion, wants appeal

Convicted evangelist says he deserves new trial because of judge’s beliefs

By: Lynn LaRowe – Texarkana Gazette – Published: 04/18/2010

“Tony Alamo contends he should get a new trial because the judge considered his own religious beliefs when sentencing Alamo to 175 years in federal prison, according to documents filed late last week.  ”

See the article with a picture of Alamo- here …http://tiny.cc/kuj73 Basically, the judge judged and gave him the maximum sentence on each count. Where is the problem?   See other articles in the rather bizarre tale by searching this newspaper site- here.. http://tiny.cc/5sc1m  

      In a very sad case, a Virginia man, James R. Boughton Jr.,   killed a Mormon and injured another. This was a tragedy. The 23 year old  man was sentenced to 38 1/2 years.

      See link with picture here.. http://tiny.cc/06lmj
    
     Rick Ross has a great resource for news related to various cults. See this link for other news of interest.
http://tiny.cc/2ezpz  For sure deeds done in secret, can and will change your life. This is for good or for the bad.
    
      Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. 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.
    
      Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

      (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. ) This is post number 93.

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Hope for Those in Cult Mind Control Groups

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     One common concern of many who are outside of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) is the children now in the group. Over the years, the children have grown up, married and begun to have there own children. WOFF is clearly into the second generation growth stage. There is a group of children and youth who have known only the WOFF “cult-ture”. They are marrying and having children. Recently, a person expressed concern and regret for the second generation of WOFFers (WOFF members) – will they ever have a chance to leave?

     In Steven Hassan’s book – Releasing the Bonds.. (copyright 2000) he explains in chapter 2 the answers to “What is Destructive Mind Control?” The chapter is rich with a detailed explanation of his perspective obtained over many years of research and helping people who have affected by mind control. At the end of the chapter, he closes with these thoughts, “Everyone has an authentic self. Although a healthy individual will grow and mature over time, his personality type should never change. Changes in a personality type often indicate unhealthy social pressure that forces a person to act as if he were someone else…. It is also verified the existence of a cult identity which binds and gags the authentic self.” (page 60)

     This explains the results which the person shared in a comment for the previous post..One minister who moved up from Greenville ( he has a military background) even said to another (now former) member that they (the church) did everything they could to break (my son) but they just could not. My son just would not “submit his heart”.   I do not doubt at all the WOFF attempts to suppress or annihilate the authentic self of this young person and replace it with a robotic, cult identity. I witnessed it first hand. The perverted “love” he was shown by WOFF members in his household and in the church nearly destroyed him.  Members who do not assume the cult identity do not fit well in the WOFF “cult-ture”. It truly is a sub-culture in Rutherford county as well as other places abroad. Pressuring folks to change identities by cult mind control methods is one source of the major emotional trauma seen in many who leave WOFF. But, that too can be worked through.

    Hassan goes on and his words bring hope. “When interacting with your loved one, (in a mind control group) it is essential you recognize the differences between pre-cult identity (before recruitment), and the cult identity (during membership), and the person’s authentic self, which stays in them forever. Even people who are BORN into cults have an authentic self which was suppressed at birth. It is the strength of the authentic self that makes it possible to rescue people from cults years, even decades, after becoming involved in the group…. (page 60- emphasis added..)

     Jane Whaley and her cohorts in “identity theft” can never steal away a person’s authentic self. When that “self” begins to yearn for expression, then the hope turns to action. In WOFF, it was described as a person was “under the dealings of God”. In some ways, YES! In many cases, it was the authentic self, struggling to break free from the cult identity and explore and express itself – as GOD DESIRES! A few folks test what is considered normal when they come out of WOFF. After a while, many find inner strength and harmony, then they begin to live a life of the true expression, of who God intended for them to be.

     This answers the questions and assumptions of some folks who think their family members are “happy” in WOFF. In that environment, their relatives are not living their true, authentic self. They are struggling to fit into the WOFF “cult-ture” with a manufactured WOFF identity. If you have family or friends in WOFF, you really may not know them because they have had to suppress their authentic self in order to continue in the group. Has anyone seen their friends or relatives enter into WOFF and go through a personality change? Should I list names! Consider why after reading this post. It is becoming obvious to me that in order to continue in WOFF, I suppressed thoughts, questions and basically lied to myself that those things were not important. Reviewing that is for another day… I encourage all to read Hassan’s book.

   Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. 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.

     Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

      (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. ) This is post number 92.

Behavior Control, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

A Letter to the Churches- From ??

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     Recently, I learned about the letter which had been sent to several churches in Rutherford county. As the information came to me, several of the envelopes were addressed by hand. Possibly three different folks writing the addresses. There was no return address on the envelopes. The postmarks were from Charlotte, NC. The letter is posted below:
Unsigned letter sent to Churches
Downtown Activities

     The person who composed this attempted smear campaign against Robynn Spence did not have the courage to sign their work. The photo is reported by many as taken by Ramona Hall’s daughter.  (see here for previous post about Ramona Hall’s campaign –http://tiny.cc/lhi4c )    So, who could have been behind this? You tell me. The person composing this letter was a coward at best and was definitely showing their true colors. Whoever was involved in this letter campaign meant to stir up certain churches to encourage voters to shirk a qualified candidate, over a personal choice the candidate made. The key point is not if Robynn Spence chose to drink a beer. Drinking a beer does not disqualify a person from public office. (Presdent Obama reflects this point) The key point is the delivery method of the messenger. This shows the letter writer’s approval of using control and intimidation. The person who used this “tool” is really the “fool”. Are these the methods that this person condones and proposes to use, if they were to win the election to the Clerk of Court position? Would the “tool” be used again while administering the official duties of the office? Who colluded with the candidate and gave their approval of such a tactic? You tell me. Which candidate will go on record as denying their involvement in any way with this attempted smear campaign? If anyone has a written reply about this matter, please send to this address: author@religiouscultsinfo.com or post a comment.  

     Continue reading A Letter to the Churches- From ?? →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

My Experience on “Watch” at WOFF

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This post will cover experiences on overnight “watch” at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The methods and people participating may have changed over the years, but the stated purpose has been the same.  It was explained to the members by Sam Whaley on more than one occasion, that the property insurance was discounted if we had 24/7 security or a “watch” on the property. There were three shifts at first, but that changed to two shifts of two folks on each shift. First shift started at 10:00PM and ended at 2:45AM. The second crew would come then and watch until 7:00AM. Many times folks would need to leave early to be at their jobs on time. So, the time between 6:00AM and 7:00AM – sometimes was not covered. There really was no coverage until the first office worker for the church showed up at 7:45AM or so. Some nights, second shift was not covered at all.

Many times, the person who was in charge of getting folks to sign up for watch would come in at the end of the Sunday evening service and announce how many spots were still open for watch. He would ask folks to volunteer. When that did not fill the schedule, he would start calling names and asking folks in front of everyone, which slot they could do. Occasionally,  he would ask why certain folks could not do watch? There may be the question – When were you last on watch?  This was definitely one of the most undesired tasks at WOFF. The young folks would be used the most. Married men with children or physical issues would often not be required to do watch every week. Some men NEVER did watch – for whatever reason. Many times the same core group of folks did the watch every week. Jane Whaley would sometimes stand up and “help” get folks for the slots still open. Funny, when she stepped up to get help filling the schedule, it did not take near as long. She had the “touch“. After all, who wanted Jane to single them out for not helping with watch? There could be “fallout” from that–right?

As mentioned, when I first came in 2002, I started volunteering for watch. At that time,  the second shift was required to sleep at the church in the school building. There would be mats or mattresses available to move to the classroom. Sometimes, it was hard to sleep in the school and that meant a long second shift. At some point, people were allowed to go home and sleep before second shift.  It was in later years, that married couples were allowed to do watch together. That actually was a pretty good chance to catch-up and talk to each other. A few couples would use this time slot for that purpose. Life at WOFF did not provide much time for adult conversation- including talking to your spouse. In more recent years, two ladies could do watch on first shift. (Occasionally, second..)  Some folks on watch would study for their classes. It was depending on the weather, for the position of the watch folks. Some would be in the school building in years past. Others would move to the breezeway between the sanctuary and office/fellowship building. Still others park in the church parking lot, on the road or across the street at a WOFF owned house.

Continue reading My Experience on “Watch” at WOFF →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized, WOFF and Money Issues, WOFF Don'ts

Permanent Dependent Underclass? at WOFF? (2)

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     Towards the end of the last post, I wrote this about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) – This is the closest thing I have seen or been apart of, that would be classified as the development of  a “permanent dependent underclass”. Jane Whaley needs “regular” members to be submissive, “stay in their places”, “tithe and give offerings” and not stray, so others can grow dependent on her “spiritual”, as well as natural provisions. 

     After reflecting on these words, I do not want others to get the wrong impression. For the most part, on the outside; these WOFF members who helped others in the church performed their services as a ministry of helps, with a great attitude. Not once did I hear grumbling from a WOFF member about helping others. Many would donate the labor and use of their tools, if the receiving member could pay for the parts. At times, a person helping another member, would even donate the parts or supplies. There was great sacrifice for many folks- since who has a water heater start leaking in the day time or during the  weekdays?? Some repairs were planned, but many were needed right away.

     Many folks would volunteer to watch your children on the spur of the moment, no charge. Others would cook and provide meals. Some community folks and relatives of Jane Whaley, would be the benefactors of WOFF ladies cooking during family funerals or sickness situations. Jane always wanted to be made aware of who in your neighborhood might have a serious issue where WOFF members could “reach out”. WOFF even put out a cookbook years ago. I have mine! Yes, there has been outreach to non-members on occasion. One person in the community voiced there shock to me, when they heard of WOFF donating several gifts at a baby shower to a non-member. Actually, this person regularly attends another church. Many folks giving the gifts were not known by the mother-to-be.

   Continue reading Permanent Dependent Underclass? at WOFF? (2) →

Behavior Control, Information control, Uncategorized, WOFF and Money Issues

Permanent Dependent Underclass? at WOFF? (1)

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     This phrase has been used to describe certain groups of people in years past. This description has been used to describe folks who are being supported in various ways on a long term basis. Through the dependency and all that entails, their own abilities to provide for themselves are curbed or eliminated. Thus, they become dependent on the programs or government in place at the time. It is not “permanent” unless the folks believe they have no way out or deserve to be supported.

     As I have heard discussions about this topic nationally, it made me consider what I had seen and been a witness to in years past. Was one effect of living at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) under the direction of Jane Whaley; to move members to total dependence on Jane and the “benefits” of living at WOFF? Think about how many folks live who are members of WOFF. At my last count, there were about 20 companies or independent contractors a person could with or work for. There was also the Christian school. My numbers are not current, but the meaning is still there.

     When my tenure began to draw to a close, I lived in a WOFF household. I worked for a company owned by WOFF church members. Except for my part-time income, all of our family income was tied to or related in some way to WOFF. My “family” doctor was a WOFF church member. My podiatrist was a WOFF member. The electrician and plumber who came to fix things at the house were WOFF members. There was a WOFF church member owned restaurant where you could eat breakfast or lunch. Previously, there had been a furniture store to buy furniture or Jane’s adopted daughter would buy home furnishings and sell it to members of the church. There were two very talented seamstresses who could repair or make clothes, as well as curtains and complete bed sets. In the church ‘bookstore”, ladies could be premium make-up. (Not really many books sold there.)

     Continuing on, there was a fellow who did excellent cabinetry and one who could frame anything that stood still. There were painters and carpenters and folks who could install carpet. There was even one fellow who performed pressure washing on houses or vehicles. Of course, Sam Whaley would buy cars and trucks from the Statesville Auto Auction, when a member needed. There was a realty company. The financial aide director for the local community college was a WOFF member- that helped. Talking to the right person (WOFF member) could get you appliances at a deep discount. Last count in 2008, there were four home-grown attorneys and one lady who sold/sells insurance for just about any need. One fellow was in residency to finish his medical training. Another man attended University of South Carolina Medical school. One doctor in Tryon, NC was a dermatologist and he had WOFF staffers, though he was not a WOFF member. There was one dentist in town, who was not a WOFF member, but two of his assistants were WOFF members.

    Continue reading Permanent Dependent Underclass? at WOFF? (1) →