Category Archives: Behavior Control

Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Have You Ever Been in a “Truth Circle”?

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   A useful new habit of mine is to review the bibliography and/or the source list for an article, book or website that I am reading and/or studying. That practice led me to a website which discussed one of the influence tactics used by “cults”. The author of the site used information from sources we have used here in previous posts. Since the meanings or definitions vary when people mention the word “cults”, the author takes time to state what a cult is and how to determine the difference between a cult and a benign group that may employ techniques similar to other cult groups. The site is found here:  http://www.workingpsychology.com/cult.html  – the material is written by Kelton Rhoads, Ph.D.

    As a normal response, while reading material like this, I take time to compare it with my experience and note similarities or differences. As many readers are aware, I spent 16 years being directly and/or indirectly influenced by the teachings, practices and commands of Jane Whaley- leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Several former members and knowledgeable cult experts classify WOFF as a religious cult. After I left and began to ponder my life inside the group, I came to the same conclusion. That conclusion stands not as a tool meant to harm or offend, but as a result of reviewing what I witnessed and experienced inside WOFF and making comparisons to known traits of other groups which are classified as religious cults.

   When answering the question about distinguishing a safe group from one that is not safe; the author of the site quotes from Dr. Margret Singer’s work in 1995- (Singer, M. T. & Lalich, J. (1995). Cults in Our Midst. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.) “There are lots of differences, but the major difference is that of ultimate goal. Established religions and altruistic movements are focused outward–they attempt to better the lives of members and often, nonmembers. They make altruistic contributions. Cults serve their own purposes, which are the purposes of the cult leader; their energies are focused inward rather than outward.”  We have shared about the focus of WOFF in previous posts. There is a nominal effort to better the lives of those outside the group; but in my opinion, the minor efforts were/are tainted with the constant search for new members or relations (friends) that could make a contribution to the group – financially, politically, and/or somehow enhance the WOFF image and Jane’s power/influence in the community.  

   Continue reading Have You Ever Been in a “Truth Circle”? →

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

The Simple Truth is….

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     A few weeks ago, I was talking to a couple in the church I attend. They came out of a cult after many years. The husband was in for about 30 years and he has commented before on this blog. The wife was in about 26 years. Both are very understanding when I mention my concerns and questions. We were talking and the wife began to explain her views. She took her two hands and designated one as “truth” and one as “error”. She then interlocked her fingers as she asked the question, “When you mix “truth” with “error”, what do you have?” The answer of course is – error. That analogy made a big impression on me. It helped give answers to several questions I had about why folks who live in and around Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) folks still can be confused as to the soundness/healthiness of the group. Let me explain my understanding.

    A resource I recently acquired has helped me through these questions, also. It is “Charts of Cults, Sects, and Religious Movements” by H. Wayne House. (Copyright ©2000 by H. Wayne House, published by Zondervan, ISBN -10: 0-310-38551-2). It explains some brief background as well as doctrinal positions of several groups/sects that have been labeled as sects, or controlling or cultic. The brief history and background information I find extremely fascinating. Some of the groups mentioned are Alamo Christian Ministries, The Family/ Children of God, Freemasonry, Jehovah Witnesses and Unification Church, as well as many others. The copyright is 2000; so, some information is dated and needs to be checked out with current sources. However, the history would not change. The layout gives the groups position and if that position is orthodox or error.  It shocked me how many groups actually held orthodox positions on certain basic Christian positions or practices or doctrines. Then a light went on. This is the draw for many folks. First, there is general ignorance as to the true orthodox position. These folks are easy prey for abnormal groups. (ask me, I know…) Then there are folks who excuse an alternate position or practice and accept the orthodox or tried and true positions to compensate and make up for a doubtful area. Then there are those that are so caught up in the main thrust of a group- they could care less about doctrine. If their needs are met, then the practices and extremes can be overlooked. If there is an appearance of “gospel work” like helping the poor or visiting the sick or prisoners, then other doctrines or even unorthodox practices are accepted as part of the package.

    Continue reading The Simple Truth is…. →

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

Adulation- the Drug of Choice

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     During this season of my recovery from cult involvement, I am in the middle of reading several books. Today, I just opened the cover of another book that will be different from any I am reading or have read. “The Mother of God” by Luna Tarlo is “A mother’s account of her experience as a disciple of her own son, a well-known American guru, and of her struggle to free herself from his control.” (copyright © 1997 by Luna Tarlo, Plover Press) Such an inviting topic!

    Within the first few pages of this book is this quote from yet another book that I will read this year. “Adulation… has an addictive quality difficult to resist. Being the focus of such attention would activate the excitation levels of any sentient being on the receiving end of it. Whether for a guru or a rock star, this can be a more powerful experience than the strongest drug. It is also one of the greatest seductions of power.” This is from The Guru Papers– Masks of Authoritarian Power – by Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad.

    Understandably, after several years being under the teachings of Jane Whaley at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC, I get caught up in the who said, who did, why did they, why did I, we should have, we could have – stage of sorting out the whole mess of WOFF and its goings, doings, sayings, and culture. Many hours I have spent replaying the events, writing about the events and talking about the events of those years. There are times when the question of why seems so large and then an even larger question- What will bring changes? As mentioned before, there are more questions than answers at this point.

   Continue reading Adulation- the Drug of Choice →

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

Public Rebuke of Cult Members

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   Recently, a good friend related an experience they had in a group meeting. This friend had been allowed to present a song about a series of events the entire group was familiar with as they all shared many common experiences. The song was meant to be a light-hearted presentation of a socially uncomfortable but, not dire event. The song seemed to be well received and my friend sat down. However, the next speaker took direct offense to the song and berated my friend in front of the entire group of about 100 folks. When my friend raised her hand to say the song was not meant to harm but to encourage, my friend was further chastised and the tirade seemed to worsen. One person in leadership with the group left in a rush as she was about to become physically ill at the completely insensitive and unprofessional handling of the episode by the offended party.

    My friend went on to relate their inability to sleep that evening. She had spent many hours mulling over the series of events, in one sense she felt frozen and in another sense she felt violated. In the many years of relating to groups and teaching in classrooms, they had never been treated so ugly and rude in a group setting. The offended party had expressed their hurt and anger in loud overt tones that had thrown a damper on the entire group including my friend. Later in the evening, several came up to express their support for my friend and bewilderment at the level of rage expressed against her. In my friend’s words, it was totally uncalled for and had left her seeking an exit from the group. It has been several days since the incident and there has been no direct communication of an apology from the person who leveled the barrage of abuse.

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

Is Teen Mania a Cult?

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   Recently, I was introduced to a survivor of another cult group. This survivor posts anonymously on a website that serves as forum for present members and survivors of Teen Mania- Honors Academy. The link is here:  recoveringalumni.com. The survivor has given permission to link and repost material from this blog in order to help others know about their experiences and the experiences of others. This is a repost of the first in the series examining the question – Is Teen Mania a Cult?. I read through several posts and noted several characteristics of the group which in my opinion qualify it as a controlling religious group- cult. The original post from June 20, 2009 is found here… http://www.recoveringalumni.com/2009/06/is-teen-mania-cult.html

Is Teen Mania a Cult? Part 1

Posted by Recovering Alumni | Labels: cult, Honor Academy

This question has come up time and time again. As an intern, we joked about how the townsfolk nearby thought we were a cult. It was funny, because of course we weren’t a cult!

It wasn’t until several years later, when I came across a long list of cult characteristics that I began to seriously ask this question. I was really surprised to find that many of the characteristics on that list were present in the Honor Academy. Unfortunately, I can’t find that exhaustive list, but here is one provided by the International Cultic Studies Association – with my Teen Mania specific comments in italics.

Continue reading Is Teen Mania a Cult? →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Information control, Uncategorized

“Using Wisdom”

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     As I read different books by different cult survivors and cult experts and learn that the phrases and actions that I experienced at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) were NOT unique in many regards; it still continues to shock me. Before leaving WOFF, I would have NEVER conceded that there was any other group in America, much less several other groups, that acted and behaved as we did at WOFF. Call it ignorance, call it naïveté. Call it a willful blindness to the very few warnings were allowed to slip past the guard of Jane Whaley and those in leadership. Whatever you call it, I suspect I am not the only one. For those other survivors who have left WOFF, I hope you are learning along with me. For those outside of WOFF, who have never been in a controlling group, my shock is probably hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, we move on with our review of a book written by a survivor of another group with many similarities to WOFF.

       We have posted from this source before. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). This book has been an emotional read for me. The feelings and emotions of the author come through clearly in many places and I can readily identify with her. It has been hard to read more than a few chapters at one time because of my own memories that so mirror many reflections of the author. In the chapter titled, “Using Wisdom”, I found material that I was very familiar with. The author writes, “Growing up in such a tight-knit community leads to lives becoming deeply intertwined. Most marry within the group.” (page 160) Let me stop here and mention that though I did not grow-up within WOFF, I spent many years there and became very intertwined in several lives. At WOFF, NO ONE marries outside the group. NO ONE even has a friendship/dating relationship with the opposite sex, outside of WOFF. If you want a relationship of that nature outside of WOFF, you leave the group to pursue it. Do I need to mention names, here? So, WOFF is MORE controlling than the author’s group.

     Continue reading “Using Wisdom” →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

How Unique is Jane Whaley?

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    Today, we will consider the question, “How Unique is Jane Whaley?” My first thought would be that it depends on who you ask. If you ask her family – she is one of a kind. For sure we are all unique in that regard. Biologically, Jane is unique and has her own qualities as none other. She is wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and “Mom” to her immediate relatives. Certainly, there is none other in that regard. With those relationships, she carries out her duties and no one can replace her or should they try.

    What if you ask the members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? How would they respond? Since I have been a member of that group in years past, I can offer insight. While I was in WOFF, I would have said there was no one quite like Jane. No one commanded the authority or the presence that she did when she entered a room. Why? Well, as a member of WOFF my association with her affected several areas of my life. Over the years, the areas affected where many and varied. Twice, she had direct input as to the job I worked. She had a say so in where I lived, she had a say in where my wife worked in the school or if she worked in the school. She determined how many times I was required to attend services. She openly rebuked my wife and me for our choice of toys for our son on one occasion. She had/has input into which dress my wife could wear for a special meeting or service. She determined what color of shirts I could wear in a church service. For that matter, she even determined what was appropriate to wear at work. Yes, no doubt, her decisions affected me and my family on several levels and in several areas.

    Was my experience different from other WOFF members? Not really. Jane expressed herself in everyone’s life in many ways. Faithful WOFF members would have to say that they were under Jane’s “absolute direction” in many areas of their life. So, to them was/is Jane unique? I would say certainly so. How many directors could one person have in their life? There is only room for one. So, Jane is unique to her family and to faithful WOFF members.

   Continue reading How Unique is Jane Whaley? →