Category Archives: Criteria for Cults

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

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 2

3 Comments

    This post will layout more events which led to the thoughts which I had in order to decide to leave Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). My time in the group as a member living locally, was six years. That period followed the ten years of involvement through the Greenville, SC church. In March of 2008, Jane Whaley had called a “closed door” prayer meeting during which I had been rebuked my immediate (job) supervisor. This all led up to the meeting on April 9, 2008.

     April 9th was a Wednesday. There was a “normal” church service. After the service, I was told to be in a meeting in one of the leaders church office. He happened to be the father of the family that owned the property management company for which I had been working. Another person, who was close to me, was standing in the hall way waiting to go in with me, to the meeting. Actually, I thought that was odd. The folks needed for the meeting squeezed into this small office with me sitting in a chair sorta backed into a corner. This position would be critical to the presenters of the case against me. Each would take their turn.

       The son of the family of owners of the company I worked for; opened the session by saying he had heard some of the things I had been doing- through the supervisor. He said, he was shocked and though I had asked permission from the supervisor to tend to some other business; if he had known- it would not have been allowed. From there, the son and father presented me with an ultimatum- “Quit your part-time obligations or you will lose your job-be fired- tonight.” I hung my head to gather my thoughts. After I did not jump and say “Praise, God- thank you for cutting me off from that part-time work!”  The conversation rachetted up and other “ministers” more experienced and skilled in abusive tactics came into the room. The first was the woman who had put me in discipleship several weeks previous for reading headlines of newspapers and telling someone about it. (read here.http://tiny.cc/cpmlw ) She had a lot to say- but the subject changed into warnings about sin and how I was walking a thin line and needed a heart change! She got louder and louder. When she would take a breath, other “ministers” would begin from another angle. I felt like I was drawn within  my body and watching a nightmare unfold of which I had no control. This was such an intense attack that I was reeling emotionally. I admitted some things to try to stop the frequent volleys and the barrages of accusations, to no avail.

     Continue reading What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 2 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 1

1 Comment

     Truthfully, I have put off writing this post for several weeks. But, after certain emails and comments which I have received; I believe it is time to share these events. This post will reveal several of the thoughts I had while I was going through the process of leaving Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). In previous posts, I have shared certain ones, but here the events that led to the thoughts will be put together for a more accurate picture. There came a point where I was forbidden to be on church property. What happened that would cause me to leave the group all together? Not all thoughts and events which occurred are fit for this public forum; but those may be shared under different circumstances. In reality, I did not think the path of separation from WOFF would take the path that it has. But, who can really know the future except God, Himself?

     Readers should not make the mistake of thinking that these exact same thoughts would help their friends or relatives leave WOFF. Everyone had their certain individual thoughts that allowed them to go into WOFF and they must have their own unique thoughts, in order to leave. No two people go in or come out the exact same way. There can be “freedom thoughts” tailored to each individual and those help the most. The struggles of those who leave should be an indication of the mind control and turmoil that goes on inside the group. No other church that I have attended -EVER- has had the intense emotional baggage and wreckage with leaving, as when I decided to leave WOFF.

     Let’s go back to August 2005. During several years previous, I had worked for the property management company which is owned by a family in the church. The hours were long. (Read this post to learn about an event previous to 2005- http://tiny.cc/6ii3q ) August 12, 2005 was a Friday. That was a long day and I ended up working until mid-night in Gaffney, SC. The thought that day was- “That is it! I done. I am looking for other work.” After the events in 2003, I had pushed away the thought because of the junk I went through the first time I went looking for other work. Within weeks, I had secured a contract for other work and approached the owner about training someone else. I was leaving. Over the next few weeks, I trained someone else as my replacement.

     Continue reading What Thoughts Helped Me Leave WOFF?? Part 1 →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates, WOFF Website

Thank You, for the New WOFF Website

2 Comments

     While the reaction of others has run the gamut, I am thankful that Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) has put up a website. Most assuredly, Jane Whaley approved each picture and page and line of content. It is very doubtful that she had any hand in the actual development, but since her name and reputation were/are at stake, she was/is “involved” for sure.  The layout is extensive and the graphics – well done. Finally, the whole world can see a little into this very controversial group. As far as note worthy church groups; WOFF does not rank as one of the largest. I must say, while I was there for many years- it seemed very large. There was in years past, and there is now on the website, talk of needing to expand the facilities. While my memory is not perfect, I see only about a dozen new  (unknown to me) folks in the very extensive array of pictures. (Some pictures seem to have been taken a while back)  Would that necessitate a new sanctuary? Or does that mean the growth of the membership is not documented on the website?

     The school did expand its facilities during last year- but that was not an option. When I left in 2008, there were 34 children under five years of age. Last June 17th, I learned that some students were not yet finished their classes from the spring schedule. I asked, why? The answer was that for many students who helped build the school, they got behind in their assignments as several classes were suspended and they had to finish in the summer. Another person who was there during that time mentioned that much of the wiring was done by two particular students who “were being trained”. He did not say they were licensed. But, it was probably counted as class time for something. One of the teachers is pretty skilled at construction and could have been the “teacher”. That is the flexible nature of private eduction.

      Continue reading Thank You, for the New WOFF Website →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Website

What is “Classical Christianity”?

2 Comments

     Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) was started by Jane Whaley and Sam Whaley. The Articles of Incorporation were signed in 1979. On their recently published website, under the tab listed as “Our Church” you see “Beliefs”. Select that and you will find some very interesting information. WOFF defines themselves as a “Protestant, Non-Denominational church with a Christian school (as defined in classical Christianity)”. Honestly, I missed the term “classical Christianity” in my first reading. Well, there is no doubt about the Protestant, Non-Denominational part. Certainly Jane Whaley reports to no central office and allows NO ONE to tell her how to run her church. As far as I can tell, WOFF discloses no financial records to any third parties for any reason. Yes, the term Non-denominational fits here.

     When considering the term “classical Christianity”,  I learned that my first impressions of the term were lacking. Upon searching  on the term I found a source from Drew Theological School. This source appears to be a support school for the Methodist denomination. Since Jane Whaley admits to attending Methodist churches, then hopefully this source will be good. Certain parts of the article caught my attention.

 What is “Classical Christianity”?      Virginia Burrus, Professor of Early Church History
Drew Theological School

Here is the link to the full article… http://tiny.cc/ykkt9 .

 “The term “classical Christianity” is of relatively recent coinage. Some Methodists, among others, currently use it to refer to the views of a select group of theologians who wrote during the late Roman Empire (that is, during the fourth and fifth centuries) and laid the groundwork for such enduring doctrinal formulations as the divine Trinity and the two-natured Christ.”

     So far so good.. reading further, “The “Fathers” themselves did not agree with one another on every point.” This references the early “Church Fathers” not agreeing but, still moving forward as one. “The fact that a diversity of perspectives and interpretations can exist among those who adhere to “classical Christianity” should not surprise us.”  One definition of classical Christianity means accepting those who may not fully agree on every point? In my opinion WOFF fails miserably on this point. My experience is that WOFF, more specifically, Jane Whaley: it is “her way or the highway”.

      Continue reading What is “Classical Christianity”? →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

The Mormon Mission

Leave a comment

    Well, with all the excitement, I could not be left out. Today,  after I had mailed my annual “friendship pledge” to Washington via Atlanta and another “pledge” to Raleigh, NC; I was feeling practically giddy. Every year, I get to confirm with the taxing powers that be, that I am their “friend”. Paying that pledge seems more painful as the years go by.

    While I was still giddy;  in my mail box was a nicely printed 4X6 postcard with Ramona Hall’s smiling face. Again, it was very good quality. (thank you, Ramona.)  At that, I was reminded that I missed the forum and regretted it very much. If any readers went on Tuesday night, please, email back your observations. An aside; the Rutherford County Board of Elections has scanned and posted the forms that candidates are required to file. This is a resource for those that want to learn more about their candidate of choice- or non-choice. See Here: http://tiny.cc/9muxn

     As I was making my way to the car, I looked across the street as two young Mormon missionaries were walking past. They turned down a side street and I was drawn to watch. Coming in their direction was an African American lady obviously headed to the post office. I wanted to see the possible exchange. Yes, it was obvious they had tried to speak to her. She would not look them in the face, kept her head down, arms a swinging and kept going. The reaction from her intrigued and excited me. As she crossed the street, I told her – “Way to go! Don’t give the the time of day!” She was sure to tell me that they had asked her where she lived? Wow, those young men needed a lesson or two in Southern etiquette. She was definitely not going to tell two strangers dressed in white shirts, dark pants, toting a backpack and the Book of Mormon- where she lived! Good for her!

     Continue reading The Mormon Mission →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Baptism of the Dead?

1 Comment

     Recently, in a short conversation with a co-worker; I noticed something very important about one religious cult group that would apply to others… Some how we ended up talking about the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I mentioned I had been there in the early 70’s. In order to demonstrate the excellent acoustics in the main temple area, a man walked down to the front while our tour group stayed near the back of the main seating area. He rubbed his coat sleeve and you could hear it from where we were. Next, he literally dropped a needle on a wooden surface and we heard it though we were several feet away! She exclaimed they did the same demo while she was there in the late 90’s! Some things don’t change.

     My family traveled out west one summer and spent several weeks in the mid-west and western United States. I asked her why she had an occasion to be at the Mormon Temple? This co-worker explained that she had worked for a large entertainment conglomerate with offices in the mid-west. She was an outside sales representative and responsible for one certain account in Utah, among others. This account was the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints (LDS) or Mormons. The Mormon church was seeking help in digitizing the genealogy records that had been stored for years. The process was taking paper records stored in filing cabinets in caves and other safe places, as well as floppy discs and scanning/transferring them to CD’s in order to preserve the integrity of the information. Her company was a leader in the technology at the time.

     She talked about meeting with ten young Mormon men in a Board room and how stiff it became at times. Mormons are a patriarchal society and having to deal with her was apparently stretching their understanding. She said they were all polite and cordial, but still being stretched.

     About that time I asked her, “You know why they wanted to preserve the records, right?” She said no. I told her that Mormons practice the baptism of the dead. I told her they baptize dead people in proxy, so they can be a Mormon in the Celestial Kingdom. She was shocked! I sent here a link with a simple explanation. Here is another.. http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp and http://tiny.cc/vat65 

Continue reading Baptism of the Dead? →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Everyone Loves Jane and Jane Loves Everyone- Sorta

Leave a comment

    In two previous posts, it has been mentioned the phrase used by Jane Whaley of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) to describe her relationships to members and non-members. This post contains material from several different statements that Jane Whaley has made over the years. The statements may not be presented in correct time order but, the main points will be clear.

     The statement by Jane early on, was “Everyone loves Jane Whaley and Jane loves everyone. If they don’t (love Jane) then they are listening to devils.”  This was first mentioned in post about terms.. here is the link:  https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=101    

    There was a statement later about the “love of God”. “The love of God is the love of God.” Jane goes on to explain:  “I love Sam and O____ (man in church leadership..) the same. It is the same love. I just show that love differently to Sam”.(Whaley)

     Yet, another time she was talking about folks that had left and how she loved them all. “Well, there may be two folks if I saw them walking down the street, I would cross over so I didn’t have to speak to them. Only two, or maybe three…”

     Again, these statements may not be in time order and may not be exact quotes, but the meaning is clear. The first statement is revealing all by itself. For Jane to say that if you don’t love her, you are listening to devils??? How narcissistic can a person be? But, Jane was allowed to say it and sincerely believes that statement about herself and about its affect on others. She is no doubt the center of her world. If you don’t agree – you are of the devil.

     Concerning the second statement, I remember being in the service where she uttered those words. She knew it would be “misunderstood”, so she quickly added the part about showing the love of God to Sam– differently. No further explanation was given and the impression was that it was not much “differently”.

     The third statement only ignited a wondering and inquiry into who had made Jane mad enough that she would not even meet them on the street? In public, Jane can be the sweetest thing since jelly toast. But, for her to admit that she was so put out with someone was strange. Well, not that strange since she was referencing those who had “betrayed God” and left WOFF. That left the list wide open.

Continue reading Everyone Loves Jane and Jane Loves Everyone- Sorta →