Category Archives: Criteria for Cults

What critieria should one use to determine if a group is a cult?

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (4)

Leave a comment

    This is the fourth post in a series which will highlight several insights found in the book by Dr. Len Oakes while comparing his observations and conclusions to my personal experience inside Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). This work by Len Oakes titled, “Prophetic Charisma” – The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities (copyright ©1997 by Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY, ISBN 0-8156-2700-9) has captured my attention. We closed the last post in this series by noting that instead of a vision to spread the WOFF gospel “To The Nations” as the lyrics of a WOFF-song of several years ago proclaimed; I suggested that Jane Whaley has become her own vision. From the previous post, “Has her vision turned inward in order to make her comfortable and let her have the good life? Is this a predictable course when “prophets” age and come to the fall or winter of their ministry? When considering all that is WOFF- could there any other strong or noticeable message besides –Jane?” As I reflect on that line of thought, has Jane retired  thereby limiting her vision or outreach and concentrating on her lifestyle here in Rutherford County? She never advocated allowing her members to “retire”, but, we have to assess her actions and not just here words or restrictions on others. Could the many fine clothes and jewelry be what she feels she deserves after all these years of “ministry”? Is that why she passes the offering plates until she gets what she needs?

    Oakes writes that about David “Moses” Berg as an example of other leaders of the type he studied. “Because of his vision, his followers have suffered greatly, yet he retains their loyalty through his inspirational rhetoric” (page 14) He noted that the followers of Berg suffered because of the vision. I suggest that regular WOFF members endure a suffering because of Jane’s vision however that is defined. Their suffering includes lost years, lost relationships with family and friends as well as not knowing a true one on one Christian relationship with God. In the WOFF design for relationships, Jane is between her members and their personal walk with God. In her zeal and dysfunctional control of them, she keeps them from exactly what she claims the Christian walk is- a walk of “holy righteous living in Jesus”.  

  Continue reading “Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (4) →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

The Illusion(s)

3 Comments

   Before we turn to our subject of “Illusion(s)”, I must share some thoughts. Today is April 9, 2011. In looking back, April 9, 2008 was a pivotal day in my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). That Wednesday evening after a church service, I was summoned into a meeting in a small office on WOFF property. That meeting lasted from just after 9:00PM until around midnight. In attendance were GS, LS, RF, JF, BC, AK, my wife and myself. It also included a cameo appearance from Jane Whaley. Her part was screaming and pointing her finger at me as she proclaimed that I was “full of the unclean”! She then turned to my wife and declared that she “allow(ed) him to be so…” On that cue, my wife turned and took up the screaming fit toward me. At that moment, she took on a piece of the WOFF modus operandi. Results of that meeting included, but, were not limited to me losing my job and the accessories that went along with the position. The relationship with my wife also took a fatal turn that night. It was coincidentally our 20th wedding anniversary. WOFF members do not celebrate that, so it was not on the discussion list for the evening. One of the biggest shocks of the whole evening was that those in attendance other than me considered the events that transpired as NORMAL! That is what jolted me into doubting that WOFF-ways were God’s ways.

    At this time, my life is in yet another transition. Life issues have come and gone, battles not related to WOFF have come and been won. Some battles have been lost. Other battles are ongoing. (Jane talks a lot about “battles”…) The tone of this blog is in transition, as well. The main subjects have moved from retelling only my experiences to including resource material that helps explain what I went through and how WOFF compares to other groups labeled as cults. I have begun to read material written by cult experts and survivors of other groups. I have found that my experiences are not abnormal compared to other survivors or other groups. Several survivors of other cult groups have contacted me to confirm that their experiences have been very similar. Readers have come, consumed several posts and then moved on to other concerns in their life. Some only read enough to confirm their own suspensions that Jane and her group are “bad” and should be avoided. Others continue to read to learn just why things were/are not healthy.  

  Admittedly, the subject matter of cults has lasting appeal for only a certain group of folks who have been touched in some way by the behaviors, methods and outcomes of either their own involvement or a loved one’s involvement. I would like to think that it is forever settled in my mind and heart that Jane Whaley and her WOFF-ways were/are dangerous. There is nothing else to prove in my thinking. WOFF is what it is and the years I lived in that group cannot be changed or restored. Lives have been forever altered as me and others have lost pieces of our beings to the group called Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, NC. How could all this take place? One tool used to accomplish these things was/is by illusions.   Continue reading The Illusion(s) →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (3)

Leave a comment

    This is the third post in a series which will highlight the insights found in the book by Len Oakes while comparing his observations and conclusions to my personal experience inside Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). This work by Len Oakes titled, “Prophetic Charisma” – The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities (copyright ©1997 by Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY, ISBN 0-8156-2700-9) has captured my attention. We closed the last post in this series promising to review the traits and behaviors learned by Oakes about those who have this “prophetic charisma” and compare them to my understanding, experience and knowledge of Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF.

   It is at this point, I will admit several thoughts and concerns. When I first heard of this book and ordered it, my excitement was off the meter. As I began reading this work, my expectations have been realized and more. Yes, I have been awed at the accuracy of this work by a man, who to my knowledge has never met or heard of Jane Whaley. While at the same time I have felt a degree of validation and/or vindication, even though that comes with a certain and definite note of sadness.  Oakes gives some direction in the Introduction that has led me to realize that this series will not only be about Jane Whaley and how she compares to the observations of Oakes. Oakes writes, “Because we cannot really understand the prophet without understanding something of the followers and the particular bond they share with their leader, discussions are presented in chapters 7 and 8 of the followers and their quest, and also of charismatic rituals.” (page 22) In order to present a more complete picture of my time at WOFF and what I observed, I will be reviewing the insights of Oakes about followers in later posts and comparing to my thoughts, feeling and resulting experience. The thought of doing this gave me some apprehension at first. But, I will attempt to share all as we go through the highlights of this work by Oakes. This attempt coupled with the quandary that there is so much valuable insight in the book; I am realizing there is no way to share all of it. Let me encourage you to find your own copy and read it at your pace. Amazon.com was my source for the book.

    Oakes gives some understanding as to where his observations and analysis led him. The results gave him, “…first, a more finely grained description of the basic behaviors of the leaders—that is, a list of specific traits unlikely o be measured by a standardized psychological test –and , second a developmental sequence of life stages—a kind of “natural history of prophetic development”—that accounts for development of these traits and behaviors.” (page 12) In truth, I am not sure how many posts it will take to cover these traits. But, we will list them and give my experiences within WOFF and see if Jane displayed these traits. Next, we will share about the “life stages” and compare them to what Jane has revealed about herself as she loved/loves to tell her story to her faithful WOFF members. I should be able to recall most of it as I heard it many times.

    Continue reading “Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (3) →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

“Recovery From Cults”- Langone – Definition of a Cult

2 Comments

       In the book, “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), we find a definition of a “cult” that is worth noting. It is derived by the author from two sources. The first source is from a conference in 1986 sponsored by the American Family Foundation, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute and the Johnson Foundation. Next, he uses some concepts from the work of Singer and Ofshe as mentioned in previous posts. Here is the definition:

    “A cult is a group or movement that, to a significant degree, (a) exhibits great or excessive devotion to some person, idea, or thing, (b) uses a thought-reform program to persuade, control, or socialize member (i.e. to integrate them into the group’s unique pattern of relationships, beliefs, values, and practices), (c) systematically induces states of psychological dependence in members, (d) exploit’s members to advance the leadership’s goals, and (e) causes psychological harm to members, their families, and the community.” (page 5)  

   Langone goes on to write that, “Of course, some groups that cause concern do not meet all the definitional criteria, while others become more or less cultic over time…Not all destructive groups are cults, although all cults, as defined here, will tend to be destructive.” (page 5) Why do I use this definition as a resource? Because in my estimation, it helps clarify what some may consider as grey areas or what could be called a clouded perspective. Some may see my perspective as skewed. When in reality, I have been open to debate on the facts and existing knowledge of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). After being under the teachings of Jane Whaley for a time frame of sixteen years, I left the group in 2008. Since then, many questions have been raised in my mind when reflecting on my experiences and firsthand knowledge of the inner workings of WOFF. This blog documents my search for answers.

Continue reading “Recovery From Cults”- Langone – Definition of a Cult →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (2)

10 Comments

   This is the second post in a series which will highlight the insights found in the book by Len Oakes while comparing his observations and conclusions to my personal experience inside Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). This work by Len Oakes titled, “Prophetic Charisma” – The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities (copyright ©1997 by Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY, ISBN 0-8156-2700-9) has captured my attention. While I hope to find answers to certain questions which have been generated over the last three or more years, I also am excited about the additional inspiration which I anticipate from studying this material.

   The first post served as an introduction to Dr. Len Oakes, to the concept of “Prophetic Charisma”, the idea of a “prophet” as well as the notion that despite the many differences of those who live as a “prophet”, there are many similarities. Dr. Oakes believes that these similarities can be observed and conclusions drawn to help us not only understand the person as a “prophet”, but the followers and even society as a whole. I must admit that the prospect of learning from this book and the subsequent studies it will lead to, seem very intriguing.

   Dr. Oakes shares that his study involved three phases. “The first began in 1972 when I attended an encounter group run by a charismatic psychotherapist.” (page 3) Oakes “was twenty-four years old” at the time and he was so impressed he moved into the leaders home with a small group of other “followers”. “The relationship ended in 1975 when I moved on…Three years later this leader founded a rural commune. In 1980 I visited this community… At the time, I was enrolled to study psychology at the local university. During my visit, the leader invited me to join his group and to document its history, adding, “This will be the greatest social laboratory in the world. There is enough research to be done here to keep you busy the rest of your life”. (page 3-4) So began a ten year stay inside that group for Oakes. He married there and his children were born inside that group. He counted himself as “an inside outsider in the community.” “There were times when I defended the group passionately to outside critics, and other occasions when I flatly opposed the leader’s directives.” (page 4)

   Continue reading “Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (2) →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (1)

Leave a comment

   This work by Len Oakes titled, “Prophetic Charisma” – The Psychology of Revolutionary Religious Personalities (copyright ©1997 by Syracuse University Press, Syracuse, NY, ISBN 0-8156-2700-9) has captured my attention. This book may be the source of several posts as we work through the research and conclusions of Dr. Oakes. The following is a short biography that would have been current as of the date of publishing. As a note, with a little research, I did find an address and telephone number for Dr. Oakes in Australia; however, they have not been verified.

“Len Oakes is a senior consultant psychologist with the Cairnmiller Institute of Melbourne, Australia, and completed his doctoral dissertation on the psychology of charisma at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is a member of the Australian Psychology Society, the New Zealand Psychological Society, and the International Society for Hypnosis and has published articles on communal studies, the psychology of religion, and the counseling issues associated with new religious movements. He is the editor of the journal Psychotherapy in Australia.”

   The foreword was written by Sarah Hamilton-Byrne. She wrote a book titled, “Unseen, Unheard, Unknown: My Life Inside the Family of Anne Hamilton-Byrne”. (link to more about the her book- http://www.leavingsiddhayoga.net/unseen.htm )   She explains the purpose and direction of Dr. Oakes’ work and applauds him for taking steps to explain some rather difficult questions. Since her explanation of the book is so precise, I will quote bits and pieces of the foreword with my comments interspersed, in order to set the direction of this series of posts. “In this unique contribution to our understanding of the social phenomenon of charismatic groups and those who lead them, Dr. Len Oakes explores the psychology of charisma and proposes his own theory of the five-stage life cycle of two types of prophets – the messianic and the charismatic – from their primitive narcissistic beginnings to their ultimately inevitable implosion or demise.” (page xi)

     Continue reading “Prophetic Charisma” by Len Oakes (1) →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

When Religion Becomes a Weapon…

Leave a comment

   Often inspiration for this blog comes from things I see and hear in my everyday life. Other times, I remember events from the past or read books about cults and cult recovery and see subjects that I need to explain and/or explore. Sixteen years of life in and under the teachings of Jane Whaley, the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), provides me with plenty of events and revelations to write about. Also, there are listed several books and documentaries that offer some understanding and help to unravel the subject of mind control, cults and cult recovery.

    This evening, I was considering the subject of spousal abuse. My first encounter with this dark subject was in 1992 in Summerville, SC. I was involved in helping a couple who attended the church where my wife and I were in leadership. The man seemed calm in most instances, but in fits of rage would hit his wife. Confusing? Yes, it was. He said many of the “right” things and would be gentle and agreeable during most every counseling session. There were children in the marriage and he had a good income as a self-employed mechanic. His mother was also a church member and was a large financial supporter of the church. The confusing part to me was how could abuse happen inside of a marriage that was meant to be a benefit for the parents and a haven for the children? How could something that started out with such good intentions turn out so bad and hurtful to all parties? How could it go on for so long and not change and get better? The answer was complicated and only led to more questions. Let me explain.

    One of the common misnomers of any abusive relationship is that the abuse would be obvious to those on the outside looking in. That could not be further from the truth.  I would say there is a natural desire in any relationship for the two parties to want to make it work. Why else would they enter into the relationship? Both may have a reason to ignore the dysfunction and go on “hoping” for better days. And when things are not working or seem to be sliding in the wrong direction, sometimes one person who is not to blame will take the blame because it is easier for them to understand. I am not a professional counselor, but I have seen it many times. Just having relationship problems does not mean you automatically know what the solutions were/are for the problems. Many times people need help to make things right inside a relationship. Why? One reason is that the person causing the issues many not want to see their responsibility in the problem and an outsider can help focus and move the relationship in the right direction.

    Continue reading When Religion Becomes a Weapon… →