Category Archives: Criteria for Cults

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

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (5) The Cult of Confession

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    We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the fifth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). This work has been from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The fourth post explained the “demand for purity” and how that affected members within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- “The Cult of Confession”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF. My experience within the group is a “normal” one as far as I can tell.

    Lifton begins by explaining his ideas on the subject by telling how close this aspect of confession is to the “demand for purity”. He tells in greater detail the effects of the written and public confession that were required in the Chinese thought reform environment. It has continued to astound me the correlations and similarities between Chinese thought reform and life at WOFF. Lifton writes, “Closely related to the demand for absolute purity is an obsession with personal confession. Confession is carried beyond its ordinary religious, legal, and therapeutic expressions to the point of becoming a cult in itself…In the totalist (cult leader) hands, confession becomes a means of exploiting, rather than offering solace for, these vulnerabilities.” (page 425)

    He lists three special meanings that confession takes on in the thought reform that he studied. In my opinion, these meanings are the same in WOFF life. “It is first a vehicle for the kind of personal purification which we just discussed, a means of maintaining a perpetual inner emptying or psychological purge of impurity… Second, it is an act of symbolic self surrender, the expression of merging of individual and environment. Third, it is a means of maintaining an ethos of total exposure – a policy of making public (or at least known to the Organization) everything possible about the life experiences, thoughts, and passions of each individual, and especially those elements which might be derogatory.” (page 425-426)   

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (4) The Demand for Purity

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     We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the fourth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). I will work from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The third post explained the “mystical manipulation” and how that affected people within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- “The Demand for Purity”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF.

    While reviewing the material in this section and comparing it to incidents and events I experienced at WOFF, I do not want the readers to confuse the issues at hand. By exposing the systems set-up at WOFF which were meant to control members through the WOFF-defined demand for purity; I am not advocating that as Christians there is no purpose for allowing the desire for purity to exist and change our lives. For Christians, following Jesus and all that includes should change lives. The resulting change of desires will be for His glory and not another person’s enrichment. Each person should apply the understanding of everyday guidelines from the Scriptures according to their convictions. We are encouraged to keep them to ourselves.

     WOFF teachings include heavy emphasis on verse 23, not so much if any on verse 22.   Romans 14:22-23 — 22Your personal convictions [on such matters]–exercise [them] as in God’s presence, KEEPING THEM TO YOURSELF [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].  23But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].(Amplified Version- emphasis added)

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (3) Mystical Manipulation

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    We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the third in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior(s) is evidence of thought reform. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). I will work from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The second post explained the control of communication and how that affected people within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- Mystical Manipulation. Did I see this characteristic during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is lead by Jane Whaley; I spent 16 years being involved in that group.

    Before I answer that question directly, let me say that I have hesitated for weeks in writing this post as well as all the ones in this series. As I reviewed the material and considered the direction that each post may take, I had come to the unpleasant realization that I have been under the thought reform which I was learning about. I was subject to it while at WOFF- for many years. That is a fact which I cannot deny. At this time, I cannot say with confidence that I see all measures of thought reform that were used against me. Many days, I feel like I am standing on the shore of a vast lake or ocean that is full of new thoughts and deeper more accurate understanding of what happened to me. There is so much that happened which I do not comprehend the full effects- yet. By telling what I have experienced and putting my thoughts out in the light, I am gaining some semblance of understanding and comfort. For sure, I am not alone in admitting that I was under the control of Jane Whaley. She controlled my life as well as the lives of my family directly and indirectly for years. Hundreds and even thousands of people have been and are being controlled by Jane Whaley. Some of those people have left WOFF, many still remain as members.  

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (2) Communication

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    We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the second in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior(s) is evidence of thought reform. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). I will work from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The first post explained the environment for such Ideological Totalism. Next, we will review the characteristics of such environments and how I saw these characteristics during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). WOFF is lead by Jane Whaley; I spent 16 years being involved in that group. 

    Just what kind of influences and/or pressures does Lifton claim are brought to bear on someone to begin or continue the process of “thought reform”? He writes: “The most basic feature of the thought reform environment, the psychological current upon which all else depends, is the control of human communication.” (page 420) Lifton calls this “milieu control”.  A simple definition of “milieu” is the “physical or social setting in which something occurs” – found here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milieu. So, the purpose of a totalistic group leader is to control the environment that he or she has created and more specifically the communication or flow of information within that group or environment.

    Before we go further with Lifton’s writings on the effects of such control, let’s stop and reflect about what we know of WOFF and Jane Whaley. Could this even be true at WOFF? Is there an attempt to control the communication at WOFF? One may note there are so many cell phones at WOFF, how could Jane control their use? It should also be noted that WOFF folks ideally stay around WOFF folks most ALL the time. How could Jane control the conversations and communications between members?

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (1)

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    A term such as “thought reform” is not a common one in our country. Many may wonder what exactly “thought reform” is. Isn’t that something that only occurs in some Communist or third world countries? Certainly, something such as “thought reform” would not occur in the United States of America? Our country is built on the foundation of personal freedom and at least some pretext of freedom of expression and “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. How could and would anything such as this happen here in America?

   If I had heard of such a term as thought reform before leaving Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) – I don’t remember. I may have heard of it in college, but do not remember studying it to any degree. In a previous post titled Movies and Thoughts on “Thought Reform”, I introduced the subject from a reference book titled “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). The previous post is found – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3040 .

   Before we get too far into the subject, let me just explain my thoughts on going forward with something that sounds as ominous as thought reform. Could this really have gone on during my time at WOFF under the teachings and preaching of Jane Whaley? As I started learning about the process of thought reform, it became clear that it was a lot more complicated than just attempting to reform or change someone’s thoughts. It is apparent to me in some degree that teaching or preaching the Scriptures has the intent of informing and thus attempting to change the thoughts of the hearers. For it is obvious that if you can teach someone and change their thoughts, that then in turn there should be a change in the actions of that individual. Does that seem plausible? Can we agree on that? When other teachers and preachers in other churches stand up before their members, do you hope to affect their thoughts and in turn their actions? That seems likely, doesn’t it?

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Vatican Probing Cult-Like Group of Women” Sept 26, 2010

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      This headline was brought to my attention recently. The article was an Associated Press article written by Nicole Winfield and picked up by several newspapers. I first saw it in The Herald-Sun out of Durham, NC. A link to the entire article at another source can be found here… http://www.startribune.com/world/103776194.html?page=2&c=y.  Why would I take time to review this article here? What caught my attention?

   First, this post is not the place to write about the differences between groups such as Protestants and Catholics. One main theme of this blog has been noting the characteristics of religious controlling groups. Some of these groups have been called “cults”. Over the years, these controlling religious groups or “cults” have been found within many “Christian” groups as well as other groups who claim no Christian foundation or background. The basis for these comparisons has been from my experiences during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley and certain references books. Many of these books have been accounts of cult survivors or books from experts on the subject.

   Therefore, it should be no surprise that I found this article of great interest. The opening paragraph – “It’s a life regimented in excruciating detail, down to the way they eat an orange. Silence is the norm, information is limited, e-mail is screened, close friendships are discouraged and family members are kept at bay— all in the name of God’s will.”  Several of the things mentioned here struck a note in me as I remembered my time at WOFF.

    Nicole Winfield writes that the “consecrated women” group is a part of a larger order called Legionaries of Christ. This larger group has been under investigation by the Vatican after alleged abuses by the founder/leader- Rev. Marcial Maciel of Mexico. He founded the group in 1941. Maciel had been accused of sexual abuses and fathering at least three children. From the findings, the Vatican in 2006 did sanction the founder to a lifetime of penance and prayer. Only after his death in 2008, did the order admit that the leader had fathered the children in question and that the abuse allegations were true.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Grace? After WOFF?

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      During my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC; the subject grace was often defined in its simplest terms as “God’s unmerited favor”. There is no way for me to recount how many times that definition was used. Like many subjects preached by Jane Whaley or one of her approved ministers on the inside, the subject matter was applied in a way to build up, reaffirm or confirm or whatever term you want to use, in order to paint the predetermined picture  of WOFF. What do I mean by that?

   No matter the subject, whether it was prayer, or love, or money or health or relationships or jobs or holidays or any Scripture or an attack from the outside – each interpretation or translation ended up with Jane being right and regular members yet to have attained her level of righteousness with God or her level of holiness or her sanctification or her knowledge of God’s will or her love or her peace. In addition, outsiders of any group always came up short in any area compared to those seeking God’s will at WOFF and especially to Jane – herself. She rarely admitted a mistake. If there were times she repented for anything- I cannot remember. She did apologize for mispronouncing names or other words. She never admitted that another minister had anything on her. She portrayed herself to WOFF members and I presume to outsiders as having things all together, arrived or shall we dare use the term – perfected? Has this changed since my time ended in 2008?

   Let me be clear, she would approve of different folks in the church as being the “authority” in a certain area. This was code for the regular members to know that they needed to inquire of or do business with that person. Why? Because Jane said so. She said that person was the authority in that area – whatever that may be. But, rest assured, that approval was subject to that person being locked-in and doing things as Jane approved or meant for them to be. Jane could withdraw her approval whenever she wanted to do so.

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