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Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Undoing Beliefs is a Slow Process…”

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     The word “cult” describes many groups, including not only certain churches, but other groups as well. Just being removed from the group does not automatically solve all the problems associated with group practices or beliefs. “Undoing beliefs is a slow process.” So says Janis Hutchinson in “Out of the Cults and Into the Church”(copyright 1994, page 51) Janis is an ex-Mormon who has taken on the task of helping others make the transition from cult groups to the Christian church. She helps “walk-aways”, who leave cults on their own. Her work does not attempt “de-programming” cult members. She was in Mormonism for 36 years before her exit. Her main work has been with ex-Mormons. While reading the first part of this book, I have been so shocked in some ways that ex-Mormons would have the same struggles as ex-WOFFers!

     While in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), I would be aware at times, of the sub-culture world that is WOFF. While at WOFF, your entire schedule consists of working around WOFF members, living with WOFF members and spending time at church- of course with WOFF members. The job I had did put me in contact with non-WOFFers, who were fellow workers. But, these folks wanted the job they had and very few ever mentioned their questions about the church and what they saw in WOFF members. The weeks, month and years at WOFF became packed with WOFF centered activities and relationships. If a WOFF member wanted to remember what they were doing on a certain day; the two qualifying questions would be: 1. What day of the week was it? and 2. What was going on at the church? (WOFF) While in the midst of that lifestyle it is easy to lose the magnitude of such an intense WOFF centered life. In many cases, the far reaching effects are not truly known until a person leaves and begins the transition into American culture.

    Continue reading “Undoing Beliefs is a Slow Process…” →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Former WOFF Member Charged with Trespassing

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     Recently, I learned about a former member being charged with trespassing, resulting from a visit to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).  He went for a meeting with Jane Whaley. The events took place in the fall of 2009. The person charged with the trespassing said that he had called ahead of time to tell one of the leadership that he was coming. Since she did not tell him not to come; he pursued his plans.

     These next few paragraphs are from an email sent by Jerry Cooper, the former member at the center of these events. The paragraphs been edited to give the sequence of events and not reveal exact identities of those involved – other than Jerry, Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley.
 
     Jerry begins, “I called a couple weeks prior and talked with with B_____ and told her that I would like to come and visit  in a couple of weeks. (I don’t remember the exact month). Though I never got “permission”, B_____ never said I couldn’t. A side note: the Lord had been speaking to me for months that it was time for me to do my part take a chunk out of that stone wall. I’m in the ministry and did what I do best…I went with a word for the Lord. I heard God say, “Let My  people go so they can worship me.” Sounds a little crazy. That’s what I had to do.
 
     “A friend and I, with our two dogs in the backseat, pulled right in behind the “vans” near Jane’s office. We got out. Walked in the door and stood there. Silence. Not a soul in site. I remember kinda chuckling to myself thinking; “Whoever is on watch is gonna get it”. Out of the main office appeared R_______. (Big smile…soft voice.) He said, and I quote, “Hey Jerry, (hugged me) we were wondering if ya’ll were gonna make it or not.” He said “hello” to my friend and then walked us down the long pink hall towards the auditorium. Only one person (a lady I didn’t recognize) passed us. She staired straight at the floor. Never looked up. Never spoke.
 
     R_____ said, ” I think they’ve already started. Jane may be over there”. Through the atrium we went and bam…I was standing in the very front of WOFF in full praise and worship. It was so strange. Not one person looked at us. From all over the entire auditorium not one person was looking to see what was going on at the front door. They were singing, “I will sing praises to the Lord with all my heart…” R____ looked around. He said to me (yelling so I could hear over the noise), “Jane must still be next door. I’ll let her know you are here.” He walked out the door and left me and my friend standing there. Well, I know when opportunity knocks. I looked at my friend and said, “Pray.” I squirmed my way through several people congregated at the front, all singing loudly, hands raised, smiles, looking directly at the stage…” I stood right it front of where Jane usually sits and bent over beside me was Sam Whaley. He stood up. Looked at me. I yelled, “Hey Sam.” (had to yell to be heard). He said, “Jerry, I don’t think Jane would want you in the sanctuary without meeting with her first.” I said, “R____ brought me over.”  Instantly, I was floating. Two guys had come in behind me, lifted me off the floor and walked toward the door. Insanely enough, not one person moved, stopped singing, took there eyes off the stage…strange.
 
Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Dr. Paul Martin of Wellspring Retreat said…

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     A few weeks ago, there was a post entitled “Am I Wrong? Please, Let Me Know…..”. ( see link here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=117 ) That post seemed to be one of the factors initiating a response by two WOFF members which I tell about here… “A Knock at the Door“.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=572 . The basic question was  “If I am wrong based on the facts and not emotions, then please, show me ..?” If my comparison between FLDS and WOFF is off base; then show me with facts.  In the series, “FLDS vs WOFF”‘, I outline many similarities between these two groups, especially in the mind control techniques used on their members.

     To date, there have been several confirming comments posted as well as the reply in the post listed above about the visit from two WOFF members. In January, a leader from WOFF called to complain and question his name being listed in a post. That call inspired a finalization of the legal disclosures on the blog as well as the beginning of regular posting. About five weeks later came the personal visit to my residence of the WOFF members. One of them accused me of posting “lies, all lies”… This criticism did not give me much to go on since there were no facts disputed. There was only intense emotion expressed. I recognize the emotion and respect the right for its expression. Folks in groups like WOFF often have intense emotion.

     The second person mentioned in the “Knock at the Door..” post, did say that I mis-stated the facts concerning our conversation. She said it was in person and not over the phone. Okay, I may have been wrong in telling the circumstances. But, where are the facts being disputed concerning the way WOFF members are treated? What WOFF member will stand up and dispute the major content of these posts and let us all know that things are well and emotionally balanced at WOFF? Has Jane Whaley changed in two years since my departure? Has the religious mind control stopped and are people allowed to leave the group whenever they chose? Has the “Holocaust teacher” stopped chiding folks for wanting free access to all information sources? Sources which may not shed a positive light on WOFF? Is there full, written financial disclosure to the members of WOFF?

    Continue reading Dr. Paul Martin of Wellspring Retreat said… →

Books, Resources, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

“Stolen Innocence” by Elissa Wall- Review

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     In previous posts, I have quoted often from this book. This book is 438 pages, beginning with the struggles of a child born into the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FDLS). The book has three main parts that cover the years of her life up until the end of the trial of Warren Jeffs. In Part 1, she outlines her childhood days living in a polygamous family and the struggles inherent with that structure. Her family grew to include eleven brothers and twelve sisters. At one time, there were three mothers in her house- married to the same man, her father.

     The insights into her childhood including her perspectives and thoughts about Warren Jeffs, were a key to the book’s value for me. She describes her interactions with Warren Jeffs and her eventual marriage to her first cousin- Allen Steed. She fought the arranged marriage vehemently. However, in FLDS, she would be forced to follow the word of the Prophet “Uncle Rulon”, as dictated through Warrren Jeffs.  Her story of anguish at the eventual marriage was heart wrenching. The ominous “authority” that Warren Jeffs secured over the members of FLDS smelled just like the same situation at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) involving Jane Whaley. This fact made reading this book and others about FLDS, so enlightening to me.

    After the illegal marriage ceremony held at the Hot Springs Motel in Caliente, Nevada; Elissa struggles intensified. She explains in the second part of the book her struggle just to survive. She spent many nights in her mom’s company in order to avoid contact with her husband. Later, she would spend nights in her truck and that would lead to an encounter with Lamont Barlowe. Their friendship would eventually lead to a legal marriage and two children.

     Continue reading “Stolen Innocence” by Elissa Wall- Review →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

Many Members of WOFF are Sincere in Their Faith

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     Many members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) are very sincere in their faith. As Cal Sayles of Faith Freedom Fund, indirectly wrote about WOFF members- “… I believe that most people who find themselves in a cult are simply, in the words of the Apostles Paul, doing their best to work out their salvation (Philippians 2:12), perhaps with a greater vigor and sincerity than most.” I must agree. The regular members of WOFF are sincere and freely give their support to other members, over and over again.  

     Are these WOFF members true Christians? I will not make any blanket statements about the individual decisions of each to follow Jesus and pursue their beliefs. However, that being said; I will offer my opinion that in the WOFF environment, growth as a Christian is hindered and made difficult. Why? Growth in the ways and knowledge of God is hindered by the authority set-up at WOFF. As mentioned before, EVERY decision of any consequence (and smaller decisions) is run through Jane Whaley. The requirement to “check it out” with Jane Whaley about every decision stunts the growth and perverts the perspective of the members of WOFF. The set-up causes idolatry in the leadership and members. Jane Whaley is idolized and she longs for it to be so. Any member who desires to continue in WOFF will at some point admit and submit to the idolatry of Jane Whaley or they will be put out or leave on their own. Jane calls it “meeting the authority of God”. It is sobering to say, but much worse to live in WOFF and have to witness and submit to the idolatry, which is the life blood of WOFF.

     How much can you be helping those around you grow in Jesus, by dictating every decision and more, in their lives? Why attempt to replace the Holy Spirit that is in charge of leading the body of Christ? WOFF members are sincere believers allowing the idolatry of Jane Whaley keep them from hearing the Holy Spirit in their own hearts and leading them on to mature in Jesus. True Christians? I will not say. Stunted in their growth because of the legalistic, authoritative environment at WOFF- most definitely. It is the sad truth. At WOFF, Jane Whaley is the center of their universe and that is perversion of the true Christian faith. This set-up is not unique to WOFF, as mentioned in previous posts. Other groups like FLDS have suffered through the same idolatry of a leader and its consequences.

     Continue reading Many Members of WOFF are Sincere in Their Faith →

Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Martin Luther – Taking Bold Steps!

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    Winthop S. Hudson in “The Story of the Christian Church” (copyright 1958) outlines much of the history of the Christian church. His book spans the early church on through the Reformation and onto the denominations that were present in his day. The writings about the Reformation were a particular interest. Many of the issues dealt with then are still being debated, today.

     Martin Luther posted the “Ninety-Five Thesis” on October 31, 1517, to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg. Luther protested against what he considered clerical abuses, especially in regard to indulgences. Church doors served at that time as bulletin boards. In a way, Martin Luther was a pioneer “blog poster”!  The indulgence in Catholic theology, is the full or partial remission of temporal punishment  due for sins which have already been forgiven. (see more here..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indulgence) Martin Luther’s work called into question the whole structure of the church as understood and defended by the papacy. “The Story… ” (page 52)

    “The church had become an institution which could be utilized by men for purposes quite foreign to the spirit of Christ… Outside the rites of the church- controlled and adminstered by the clergy- there was thought to be no salvation.The clergy could either grant or withhold divine grace. Thus the concept of the church as the people of God had been displaced by what has not unjustly been described as a “clerical closed shop” which could pressure both the humble and the mighty to do its bidding with the threat of eternal damnation. “The Story…” (page 53-54)

     Upon first reading this passage, I was shocked to see the similarities between the Catholic church of Martin Luther’s day and the experiences I endured at WOFF! The clergy of Martin Luther’s day is equated with Jane Whaley and many of her lieutenants serving as priests. The constant threats spouted by Jane Whaley telling folks that they would   – “not make it with God”, “lose the Call of God”, “be taken over by devils”, “not make it to heaven” sounded just like the threats used by Catholic priests! If members of WOFF didn’t seek or follow Jane’s counsel – then threats would rain down on them. It seemed to work – most times. The pressures from leadership and Jane to shun members with independent thinking and decision making were heavy and numerous. As mentioned before, groups like WOFF depend on total control of their members. For sure, “the threat of eternal damnation”  from priest or those in religious authority is one of the oldest control methods documented in the “Christian” church, as well as other religious groups.

    Continue reading Martin Luther – Taking Bold Steps! →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Resources, Answers and Hope

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     The sub-title of this blog is “Resources, Answers and Hope”. In this blog are resources including book references by some very qualified authors on the subject of cults and recovery from cults. There is also a list of links to other sites that can prove a benefit to those looking for good solid material on religious cult mind control. There is such a wide range of topics in this area, it is difficult to stay focused on what could be the biggest help for the readers.

     The writings of others helped me find many answers, once I was out of WOFF. No, you would not be allowed to read the books listed on the “Books, Resource” page of this blog, if you were still a member of WOFF. Few authors in this field, had knowledge of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and Jane Whaley. However, the characteristics found in other frequently documented religious cult mind control groups existed at WOFF. That was one of the more shocking revelations upon leaving WOFF. Until I was out, I had no idea how much control I was under and how much of my life had been altered while in the group. The growth of the control is so subtle, in many cases.  The strength and depth of the control becomes great a lot of times without the member realizing how many areas are under control of Jane Whaley and other leadership. After I left the reality of the freedom of choice returned. It felt strange at first.

    Talking with former members is a help also. Reading their testimonies on other sites helped confirm my observations of what happened while at WOFF. However, several ex-members just want to forget what happened to them at WOFF and bury it all. Since I still have relatives who are in WOFF, that has been very difficult for me to do. The path to freedom still requires me to look back and remember those who are still attending WOFF. As mentioned before, I believe you can reject the methods, reject the message and not reject the members.

    Continue reading Resources, Answers and Hope →