Category Archives: Criteria for Cults

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

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

What is a “Cult”? Part 1

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     Practically, this post should have been written months ago to help set the definition of “religious cults”. Though I now believe that it has taken this many months for me to realize in general terms, what characteristics are found in a cult.  Also, I now understand that different folks focus on different parts of the definition based on their individual experience, from whatever level that may be. So, what is a “cult”? More specifically, what is a “religious cult” and how is that term being used on this website? In defining these terms, I will be using definitions that I have found mixed with my experience through the years and during my direct involvement in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. First, let me share two experiences that may help illustrate my point.     

     In 1984, in a “Christian coffee house” in North Charleston, SC, I met and spoke with several young members of the local church that sponsored that “outreach”. It was held in the older section of the town where many retail stores had vacated several years previous. The meeting place was open Friday and Saturday evenings, as best I remember. There were places to sit and talk, local Christian musicians would play the popular songs or new Christian songs of the day. It all seemed so innocent in many ways.

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Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Keep Reading and Asking Questions

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     While reviewing the comments today, I read the following from a reader. Here is a partial quote… “ I have a friend who was a part of a cult for years because her family was and that was all that she had known until she got older and began to question and (she) was sent out because she questioned those in charge.”  Though I know this reader from years past, I do not know her friend. It saddens me to learn of anyone who is or has been in a controlling group, religious or otherwise. However, the reader admits she can understand the scope of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). After writing these posts consistently for about five months, I still learn of folks who have a hard time believing that the events I tell about were real and actually happened. I believe some may go so far as to think that these events happened to him; but they can’t still be happening, can they? After all, wouldn’t Jane Whaley and her leadership change and stop controlling each other and the regular members after these posts expose their dealings and doings? I have no evidence to support that statement. This blog is not the first or the only place where former members share their testimony of the controlling measures used at WOFF. Still the control continues, month after month, year after life stealing year.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Why Go Back? Part 2

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     In a previous post, the question was raised- Why Go Back?- to WOFF. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2235

     Recently, I have had opportunity to speak with several former members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) either directly or indirectly. These folks arrived and left the group in different time frames. All were present at some point during my 16 year association and membership in WOFF. Jane Whaley’s preaching emphasis may have been different for each one of them during their stay, but many of the same observations are present in their stories.

  In response to a recent post, I received an email from Jerry Cooper.  He has been mentioned previously in other posts, as he had two tours of duty at WOFF with a five year break in between. The second time he was in the group for one year. His testimony of why he went in, left and then returned is insightful and hopefully will help others. In his own words.. “In that journey I came upon WOFF during a crisis and turning point in my life. In my desperation I found a group of people (WOFF) who “appeared” to be seeking what I was seeking. I saw zeal and passion and experienced an emotional and fulfilling “God experience” that I jumped in all the way-bearing no resistance.”  

    I have found this a common thread in the testimonies of other former members including myself. When I joined the Greenville group in 1992 after a time of personal crisis, I was impressed with the “zeal” in the members to follow after and know God’s ways. Other former WOFF members have expressed the same thoughts; they came to WOFF to seek a deeper relationship with God and to be who He wanted them to be. “Fulfill the Call of God”…This would only make sense as many members have moved long distances to come and be a part of WOFF. There were/are several folks from other states and other nations. As many as 19 different nations have been represented in the congregation during my time there. Hunger for God is not contained only within one particular culture or national border. Though in time, I began to see that a zeal for God was not the only requirement to know God.

   Continue reading Why Go Back? Part 2 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

WOFF Contradictions – Part 4

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      This next contradiction is such a common practice at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) that it may be difficult for present or former members to see. I did not see this contradiction until I left WOFF and read “Out of the Cults and Into the Church” (copyright 1994 Kregel Resources) by Janis Hutchinson. Ms. Hutchinson writes in chapter 7 about rituals and how they can impact those inside or outside cults. She also explains the power of symbols. A symbol “may act as a trigger for a former cult member to the cult… This effects powerful emotions, often misinterpreted as God confirming the cult.” She goes on: “A symbol only has the power given it by the individual who is observing it”. (page 145) Former cult members may confuse the “remembering” of spiritual feelings and devotion once experienced in the cult and think this is confirmation that they should return to the cult. I believe this is at least part of the answer for why former members return to WOFF.

    The contradiction for me was revealed in this statement made by Ms. Hutchinson- An observed symbol in a Christian church, whether object or Scripture may have traditional connotations for the Christian, but for the new convert (former cult member) it may act as a trigger to the cult.” (page 145) Before reading this, I had not thought of Scriptures as being “symbols”. But, while at WOFF, certain scriptures would be preached and thus became a part of the arsenal of scriptures that would be used to elicit an automatic response from a member. This “symbol” of certain Scriptures were  tools used to mold and hold folks from making certain decisions or actions.

    Continue reading WOFF Contradictions – Part 4 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Information control, Uncategorized

WOFF Contradictions – Part 2

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      As we continue with the contradictions witnessed at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), I will again state that I will not pretend to know each one or the depth of the contradictions or ironies that are present at WOFF. These statements are my opinions. Some contradictions are obvious and some need to be explained. While attending WOFF, I did not seek to understand or note these contradictions. If one happened across my path, I would excuse it or set it aside. Do the former members agree or disagree? Was I the only one who sought to keep as many as possible of the contradicting facts – in check?

     After all, dodging or hiding from “truth” can be a full-time job when you are inside such a controlling group as WOFF. Consider- does it take pages and pages of scripture references to validate a doctrine or practice? Is this an attempt to justify practices the Holy Spirit does not bear witness to, inside of other believers? Either a practice or doctrine serves the purpose of God or it does not? If that practice does not serve God’s purpose – what or whose purpose does it, serve?

    To WOFF members, the voice of truth could be coming as that little voice on the inside of your heart or as the blare of a fog horn resounding in circumstances and events too glaring to ignore! However the prompting comes concerning WOFF – listen. Do not spend years ignoring what seems obvious to some and hard to grasp for others. I denied the questions and spent years in the blinding fog bank, drifting in the group known as Word of Faith Fellowship.  

Continue reading WOFF Contradictions – Part 2 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

WOFF Contradictions – Part 1

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     Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) is full of contradictions which lead to many ironic scenarios. During my time there, I did not see these contradictions or even look for them. People who “believe” in a philosophy or religion or set of ideas, may rarely take time to consider the whole picture or a possible alternative point of view. The desire to just believe is so strong. Why else are Christians called “Believers”? Seeking the full picture may jeopardize those beliefs and thus a believers “peace”. Or could reviewing the alternate views on a subject make your beliefs stronger?

     Even as I write this, I am willing to concede that I will not see every contradiction or every compromising anomaly that exists at WOFF. I did not live close to Jane Whaley to observe her everyday life. The picture I was allowed to see was what she allowed other “regular members” to see and observe. All that being said; I will write about the contradictions that I am aware of from my 16 year involvement with WOFF. Former members of WOFF are welcome to comment and add to the list as they remember contradictions they observed.

     Jane Whaley said from the podium a few years back – “I am not anyone’s savior.” At the time, I thought that was very admirable. I thought, at that time, she may have been feeling the “burden” of her load of “responsibility”.  However, let’s look at the way she functions inside the group. Since, she requires all decisions of any consequence to come through her; then she functions as the supreme authority and all knowing source of “truth”. In that light, she is the “savior” to those faithful WOFF members who trust in her every word. She functions as THE Voice of God to many at WOFF. She may say one thing, but from my view point and in my opinion, she acted as the “savior” to the faithful WOFF members. This sad contradiction is one on which the whole charade of WOFF revolves. Without this pivotal dynamic, the whole group would collapse and morph into some other form or disintegrate all together.

  Continue reading WOFF Contradictions – Part 1 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

WOFF Redefines Ritual

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     In Janis Hutchinson’s book, “Out of the Cults and Into the Church” (copyright 1994 Kregel Resources), she mentions several things that persons who leave cults consider as “losses”. We have discussed a few of these losses in previous posts. The author spent over 30 years in Mormonism. After leaving that group, she has gone on to help many others in their transition out of a cult into the Christian church. After my time ended at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in July 2008, I have found this book to be very helpful.

     In chapter 7, Ms. Hutchinson reviews the ex-cultist’s loss of ritual. She mentions that several cult groups have certain sacred ceremonies or rituals, sacred symbols; sacred space and even some have certain sacred architecture. Her experience of helping others has verified many common traits of cult groups. She writes “The physical motions (of the rituals) have two powerful purposes. First, to tie the sacred place, sacred space, sacred symbols and sacred architecture all into one neat bundle. Second, to confirm the authentic doctrines, beliefs, myths, pledges, or whatever goes to make up the cult’s beliefs.” (page 143) She writes that rituals are not just tools for cults. Rituals can be seen in many other parts of culture.  

    How does this information apply to my experience at WOFF? From the WOFF website under the tab labeled “Beliefs”, listed as #5, one can read that WOFF believes and practices certain Christian ordinances or rituals. They list Baptism and Communion which are widely practiced. They also list “Laying on of Hands”, “Repentance” and “The Government of God”. The question of why a group would list these last three is a subject of another post. For now, I will accept the first two as common in the Protestant Christian church.

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