Category Archives: Behavior Control

Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Uncategorized

“Carolina Blues” at WOFF? (3)

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      We pick up here in the third post using the book, “American Exorcism” by Michael Cuneo (copyright 2001, published by DOUBLEDAY, ISBN 0-386-50176-5) as the author is sharing his encounter with Word of Faith Fellowship, (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley. While we go through this chapter, remember we are looking for the reason the author named it- “Carolina Blues”. Cuneo is beginning his efforts to reach RF- “a prominent minister in the Spindale church, a kind of point man for the Whaleys.” He writes, I phoned a dozen times, leaving messages, once having an agreeable chat with RF’s son, JF, but RF himself was always just now away on business, or just now entertaining guests, or just now otherwise occupied. (page 188) The author then decides to take a chance and go to WOFF unannounced. What he encountered was so typical, it made me laugh out loud! His account of the Saturday afternoon encounter so reminded me of WOFF-days and WOFF-ways.

   “It was a late Saturday afternoon, and I turned into the empty parking lot with the thought of making a brief reconnaissance swing around the property.” (page 188)  This was obviously his first mistake. You do not go onto WOFF property, unapproved or unescorted, if you are not a WOFF member. Even when a WOFF member gets a new car, they could be stopped and mistaken for a “visitor”. Remember- WOFF is a closed shop. He continues, “All at once the church’s internal security system sprang into action. A family that had been playing baseball on the front lawn of the house across the road dropped their bats and balls, the woman ran into the house, and the man headed for the parking lot and intercepted me at the entranceway. “Can we help you?” he said.” This scenario is all so typical and WOFF-normal, if there is such a term. I have seen it and been a part of it – so many times!

    Continue reading “Carolina Blues” at WOFF? (3) →

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

“Carolina Blues” at WOFF? (2)

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    At the end of the previous post titled “Carolina Blues” at WOFF? (1), the author of the book titled “American Exorcism” by Michael Cuneo (copyright 2001, published by DOUBLEDAY, ISBN 0-386-50176-5) was beginning to share his encounter with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. This encounter is in Chapter 12. In Chapter 11, Cuneo writes about his encounter with Hegewisch Baptist Church. This is important to note, since at the end of Chapter 12, Cuneo makes a comparison of the two churches- Hegewich Baptist and WOFF. We also mention in the first post the question regarding the title- “Carolina Blues”; we are looking for a reason for the title to this chapter.

   The author page found here.. http://www.randomhouse.com/author/results.pperl?authorid=6157 states that Michael W. Cuneo serves as a teacher of sociology and anthropology at Fordham University. He wrote “The Smoke of Satan” and has had his research quoted in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The book listed as a reference for this post; “American Exorcism” is the only work that I have read by Cuneo, so far.

   Cuneo noted that his sources had told him the Whaleys “run a closed shop”. (page 186) So, who would agree with that? How long has that been true? The author continues with his interview of Pete Evans, the detective who went undercover and filmed the deliverance sessions for the Inside Edition story in 1995. Evans said “he personally submitted to deliverance eleven times.” Evans went on, “Anywhere from six to twelve people would form a circle around you and scream the devils out of you at the top of their lungs. ..They wanted you to vomit the devils out in plastic buckets they put in front of you… The screaming was so intense that some people suffered hearing damage or damage to their vocal cords. When you join up, you’re asked to sign a waiver releasing the church from liability for injury.”  (page 187)

    Continue reading “Carolina Blues” at WOFF? (2) →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Over 5,000 Days and Counting

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    As mentioned, this past week has confirmed the strong curiosity in the surrounding community about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and Jane Whaley. One former member asked me a few weeks ago- How do you put out so much stuff? My immediate answer was that I type fast. Well, I type faster than I used to. But, a more complete answer would mention that WOFF has affected my life for over 5,000 days. We were definitely affected by WOFF while in the Greenville church. That was from 1992 until 2002. Add those days to the six years of being inside and then the two years since.  I am gone from there, but my life is still being affected by their ways and beliefs. Some of that is due to what is still affecting me personally. Some is due to certain ongoing personal situations that are not resolved. So far, there are less than 200 posts on this blog. The actual number of days that WOFF has affected my life is closer to 6,000; but who is counting? True, many of those days I was under the impression that the effects were positive. It was not until 2005, during a period of a few months and later starting in late 2007 and early 2008 that I began to see the negative nature of certain effects of WOFF in my life. But, shall I post one for one? I am a long ways behind the count even if I have any hope of catching up…

   Along those lines, it is a good place to restate that the effects of WOFF on its members vary from person to person. Some of this is due to length of time in the group, how many “changes” were made to make the person’s life WOFF-compliant and if other family members went into WOFF along with the person in question. Some folks go in and come out- without having other family members directly involved or becoming a part of the group. That person may have a better chance of escaping some of the emotional stress associated with leaving and having family members stay in the group. Yes, these are all only my observations. I have no hard statistical data to back these statements. But, I do know folks who appeared to have a less traumatic exit. In order to verify this statement, I would have to speak directly to those individuals.

       Continue reading Over 5,000 Days and Counting →

Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Information control, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

Movies and Thoughts on “Thought Reform”

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     In 1990, I went to a movie theater in West Ashley near Charleston, SC. The movie was “China Cry”, produced by TBN Films. This movie is the story of Nora Lam, her life and escape from China. I attended with two younger folks and remember much of that evening. That would be the last film I would view in a movie theater until 2004 when several Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) members were allowed to attend “The Passion”, directed by Mel Gibson. We viewed it in the theater in Forest City, NC.  That was a night I will not soon forget. Jane Whaley did not attend. Here is link to a previous post where I mention attending “The Passion”.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=216

    Recently, I watched “China Cry” again. By mentioning this movie here, I am not endorsing a particular ministry or TV preacher(s). For the time period, the movie was done with quality and I would recommend others to watch it. What struck me this time was the very detailed depiction of the thought reform used by the Communist Party under Chairman Mao Zedong. Both Neng Yee Sung, who later changed her name to Nora Lam, and her husband were forced into detailed confessions of their past, their relationship and other areas of their lives individually and together. It was said that the officials were trying to get confessions about past transgressions and Nora’s Christian education. One scene shows Nora’s husband secretly admitting the temptation to “give them what they want”; he was ready to confess but, he was not sure to what. Later, the officials would use simultaneous lies against both husband and wife in an attempt break their bond and their love for each other. “Reform” would come to resisters through “labor training.”

    This visual depiction correlates well with the accounts found in Robert Jay Lifton’s work in “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989. ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). The subtitle of the book is “A Study of Brainwashing in China”. Lifton studied the thought reform used on Westerners by the Communist party in the 1950’s. I have not finished the book, but what I have read has been fascinating. I quote from the PREFACE of the recent edition, “I see it (this book) as less a specific record of Maoist China more an exploration of what might be the most dangerous direction of the twentieth-century mind- the quest for absolute or “totalistic” belief systems. … Indeed this quest has produced nothing short of a worldwide epidemic of political and religious fundamentalism- of movements characterized by literalized embrace of sacred texts as containing absolute truth for all persons, and a mandate for militant, often violent measures taken against designated enemies of that truth of mere unbelievers.” (page vii emphasis added) Was the author ahead of his time on this observation! Lifton’s observations can apply to so many groups around the world, today.

   Continue reading Movies and Thoughts on “Thought Reform” →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Welcome New Readers-Posts of General Interest (2) August 2010

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Night version of sign
Sign in Forest City

   The traffic on this blog has increased over the last week. What does that mean? I do not believe that since the traffic has increased one automatically assumes that all readers are in agreement with the material. That is about as silly as thinking that just because one reads the “Communist Manifesto”- then you automatically become a communist. Some have expressed their thankfulness for the posts. Many have kept silent. The only thing that can safely be deduced from the increased traffic is that it confirms the curiosity in the community about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), Jane Whaley and the operations of that group.

     Several have asked if there has been a reply or comment or anything from WOFF in response to this blog or this week. Recently, there has been no official reply either written or verbal. What does that mean? It means nothing. WOFF may choose to ignore this forum all together. On the other hand, I may get some sort of reply. Whatever the reply, whether written of verbal, I will post it and allow others to learn what has been done or said. WOFF may choose another forum that they consider more neutral. Even if their reply is negative toward my material, I would post it here in the interest of presenting both sides of the WOFF experience. After all, the members of the community deserve as much information as possible in order to have a more complete understanding of the group living, growing and doing business among them.  

Here are three posts about life at WOFF:

“The Church Service No One was to Talk About” link – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=335 From the post on February 6, 2010- “Some even would kneel before her(Jane). Men and women of all ages made their way to the front. Jane soon allowed the “news” to start being told. The people were coming telling Jane that “God had shown them who their mate was to be..”  

Continue reading Welcome New Readers-Posts of General Interest (2) August 2010 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Honor Shunning” at WOFF?

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“Honor Shunning” at WOFF?

    No doubt, the most common subject of emails that I receive is about the division in families where one or more member has gone in to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and others have not. The details may change, but the main points of grief and bewilderment remain constant. It is a fact, joining WOFF causes divisions. Yes, I know I have been inside and seen the division that caused my immediate family. And now, outside, I am feeling the division in a very personal way.

    With all this in my mind, I began reading and listening to news reports of “honor killings” in some places in the United States. Before I continue, let me say, I have not read extensively on the subject and do not intend to be an expert. I will just repeat what little bit I know and how it relates to the subject as it develops. In certain cultures, parents have considered themselves “honor bound” to take the life of a daughter who may have become too Westernized or expressed desires to marry outside of the culture. In order to preserve the purity of the culture, the parents have extinguished the life of the one bringing dishonor to their name and way of life. Thus the term “honor killing”.  There is even debate as to whether or not this has occurred in America.

   All that being said; I can attest with rock solid assurance, that members of WOFF practice “honor shunning” with fervent regularity. The practice begins from within the group as members who may be questioning authority or “in rebellion” are separated into the “discipleship” room. Others are expected to not talk to them or fellowship with them as “God is dealing with their heart”.  If the member repents to Jane Whaley then they are restored and allowed “back into fellowship”. As long as the punishable offense is not repeated, they can be around others. I practiced the shunning of others on church discipline while at WOFF. It is the thing to do unless you want to end up being in the same boat. Those who do not shun will be shunned until they either agree to “walk in God’s ways” or leave… You could/should say this practice is a mainstay at WOFF.

   Continue reading “Honor Shunning” at WOFF? →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Cult Leader News, Uncategorized

More Thoughts on WOFF and Brazil (repost July 2017)

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In light of the most recent Associated Press release-US church goes to Brazil; instills fear, splits families– I believe it is appropriate to repost this review from August of 2010. (click “back” button to return here)

The lead paragraph from this article:

SAO JOAQUIM DE BICAS, BRAZIL (AP) — At the Word of Faith Fellowship churches in the Brazilian cities of Sao Joaquim de Bicas and Franco da Rocha, the signs of broken families are everywhere: parents separated from their children, siblings who no longer speak, grandparents who wonder if they will ever know their grandchildren.

This AP release goes on to chronicle the process of WOFF taking the practice of destroying families from North Carolina to Brazil. The Brazilian churches have become a sad reflection of WOFF NC. Jane Whaley’s ministry of destruction and pain has indeed transferred its dark stain seen and felt in America to Brazil.

Read the post below and note the heartache and angst. The WOFF-effect on families is real. It is indeed an international travesty.

On a personal note, my daughter is expecting or has already delivered her child this month. I am one who wonders if I will ever know my grandson…

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Jane Whaley and her crew from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) have been making trips to Brazil for many years. The first time I knew about the trips was in 1992. At that time, I heard about previous trips in previous years made by members of the Greenville church traveling with WOFF members to Brazil for seminars. There was always a certain mystique associated with the trips and the privilege of going to help the Brazilian church members. During the early years, those who did not go to Brazil would hear about shopping trips to rock shops and eating at Brazilian restaurants.  The seminars would also include many deliverance sessions and teachings about WOFF ways and WOFF life. Many of the teachings were about “hearing God” as Jane or certain others would speak, with Jane’s approval. For sure, the church members in Brazil would emulate WOFF members and end up copying many of the WOFF ways and in order to live in WOFFness.

   Since my time at WOFF ended in July of 2008, I have heard several accounts of WOFF doings that as a member inside of WOFF, we just did not learn about. Why would that be? A few months ago, someone began to let me know about things happening in Brazil. At first, I was shocked. But, as I considered what I knew has/had happened in America over the whole WOFF saga, it all began to make sense. What I will share here is from a translated email sent to me from Brazil. The names of the church members affected are not the key part of this story. The key thing about the scenario of events is to note the strange and sad similarity to previous events here in North Carolina and/or in other states caught in the WOFF-web.

Continue reading More Thoughts on WOFF and Brazil (repost July 2017) →