Category Archives: Criteria for Cults

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

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Survivors of NTCC Speak Out

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   Recently, I was contacted by Don & Angela Tumioli. They are survivors of a controlling religious group which many ex-members call a cult. The group is the New Testament Churches of America or NTCC for short. Their blog containing their story can be found here http://tinyurl.com/4lsoqkd . After doing some basic research, I have decided to post some findings and compare them to my experience at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I found a series of articles from The Dispatch – The Independent Voice of South Pierce County, Washington. The first of four articles written by Bruce Smith was posted March 31, 2010 is titled, “A look within the “church behind the fence” and can be found here –  http://tinyurl.com/488fa2p . There is a search feature on this site which is very handy.

   This group was started by a former Pentecostal Church of God missionary, Rodger W. Davis (b. 1929) in October of 1969, in St Louis, Missouri. Two other men are listed on the Articles of Incorporation, Rev. C.O. Sensabaugh and Rev. R. L. Herrera. Davis is given credit for the founding. (here is the link http://tinyurl.com/4z8fg47 ) I found a site originated by another survivor with some quotes from the founder. I view these quotes as credible as this survivor; Deborah Shunk was a leader/teacher in the group for over 30 years. The founder said, “I can’t remember the last time I sinned.” • “All I do is by the Holy Ghost.” • “I have never missed God. “…if you have a problem with me, you have a problem with God.” (link- http://tinyurl.com/4zuaoa8 )   In my opinion, this reflects the same attitude of Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF. Do others agree or disagree?

    Continue reading Survivors of NTCC Speak Out →

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? →

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

Balanced Respect, Inordinate Admiration or Worship?

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     Lately, I have been reading “Breaking the Chains”- Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). There is so much that her church; Christian Gospel Temple (CGT) had/has in common with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Though there were some differences, many of the similarities are very important and I feel worth noting on this blog. This book is written in a very honest and forth right manner. I do not assume I can do it complete justice by posting certain quotes and drawing the conclusions that show the similarities. I recommend you visit the website –  http://www.sharihowerton.com/ and consider purchasing your own copy. The author’s quest for personal growth and Truth is inspiring in many ways.

    Howerton writes, “What I remember most about the ministry was how the ministers and their families were treated like royalty. It was as though they were the dignitaries and we were the common folk. … At some point, I realized that for all the talk of being like Jesus this behavior was very unlike Him. … I never thought of the ministers as servants. They were more like kings to me.” (page 107-108) Here I will just mention that during my time at WOFF Jane Whaley was treated as royalty in many ways. Not only was there the extensive wardrobe and obvious unchecked spending privileges; there was the heir of superiority that she carried which reinforced the self–acclaimed notion of her perfection. The notion of royalty carried over to her family and her extended family as certain allowances were made for them that were not afforded others. Do I need to elaborate? I certainly can for those who do not remember.

  Continue reading Balanced Respect, Inordinate Admiration or Worship? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword

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    In previous post titled, “Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results?” found here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3649 , we included quotes from “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). The author, Shari Howerton laments about living under so many rules in the church her family was a part of during her years as a child and teenager. The church she was in taught perfection. She writes, “We believed that God revealed His “truths” to us as a group; “truths” He had not revealed to Christianity as a whole. As God’s special, we were called to restore the church to its former purity and ultimate latter day glory; we were not called to evangelize”. (page 20)

    While reading the book, I have been captivated at the many similarities that her church (Christian Gospel Temple-CGT) had/has with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I spent 16 years either indirectly or directly under the teachings of WOFF and more specifically –Jane Whaley. Jane considered herself as the one who heard the “Truth” in many areas. For example, Jane taught/teaches about loud prayer, deliverance from demons for Christians, certain customs for marriage ceremonies, burial customs, strict lifestyle customs and many other “truths”. Certainly, while I was there we felt these were “truths” which –“We believed that God revealed His “truths” to us as a group; “truths” He had not revealed to Christianity as a whole.” After all, it was said several times, “we know there are other people out there with “truth”; we just have not found them yet…” So, did we ever expect to find them? These unique “truths” certainly served to make us (WOFF members) feel special and “set-apart” from others who did not or would not listen or accept what God was saying to us…. After all my time in that group I can say the efforts to “evangelize” were slim to none. Can you see a pattern here?

    Continue reading Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword →

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

“Jesus Camp” – Kids on Fire

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   “Jesus Camp” is a documentary produced by Loki Films for A&E Indie Films Copyright © 2006 A&E Television Networks. (www.jesuscampthemovie.com) The film presents a close –up look at Becky Fisher, a children’s minister. Her website is  https://kidsinministry.org/ . The film crew is allowed to document a week of summer camp, “Kids on Fire”, led by Becky Fisher and her team. The camp is located at Lakewood Park Bible Camp near Devil’s Lake, ND. The camp includes certain normal summer camp activities plus intense teaching sessions led by Ms. Fisher as she presents a Pentecostal, Evangelical message. She includes teaching sessions using props along with teaching about sin, living for God and praying for the government and specifically the President.

    It is my understanding, the directors; Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady do not claim to be Christian. This would explain the composition of the film. Many political references are made as the radio talk show host, Mike Papantonio, of the Ring of Fire (http://www.ringoffireradio.com/ ) is allowed several minutes to express his views. This show is the voice of the Progressive Movement which constantly takes aim at Evangelical Christians in this nation.

    Continue reading “Jesus Camp” – Kids on Fire →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results?

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     We have posted several times on blog about the rules or “don’ts” put upon members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). It is understood that in a group like WOFF, the rule count may ebb and flow, but the general direction of the number is up. Until I was out of that group, I did not stop to count or consider the effects of the large number of behaviors regulated from the pulpit in spoken rules on among the members in unspoken rules. Many rules were so ingrained, that you don’t know of them until you leave and see others who do not follow the rules or adhere to the “don’ts”. Then you begin to examine your reason for doing or not doing something. It is then you begin to see the massive number of detailed regulations that were imposed on you as a member of WOFF. The details of the rules can be debated or argued as to when and why and who made the rule. Today, we will look at the effects of the rules other than the obvious behavior modification. What mindset evolves after being under so many rules? Here is the list I posted earlier. No, the rules were not written at WOFF, therefore it was easier to manipulate and deny the existence of so many restraints that were issued. (WOFF Don’t List WOFF Don’t list from 03 10 ) This list spans the 16 years of my involvement in that group. I feel VERY sure some have changed and new ones have been added.

    These next quotes are from the documentary- “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007). Here is the link to the second post for that film…https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3464   Kristy Sullivan is describing her time and her thinking while in the cult called Mountain Rock Church in Anderson, SC. She and her husband have since left the group and received counseling at Wellspring Retreat. I use this quote as it typifies the result of living under the control of a cult leader. From what I can see and determine, Mountain Rock Church has LESS number of rules than WOFF. Their dress was less monitored and they were able to celebrate some holidays. So, the comparison would not be absolute, but it does give a great indication of the emotional state of being in such a controlling environment.

Continue reading Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results? →