Category Archives: Uncategorized

Car Wash Saturday, July 25th to Support Faith Freedom Fund

July 19, 2015 Admin Leave a comment

This coming Sat. July 25th, friends and supporters of the Faith Freedom Fund (FFF) will sponsor a carwash at Adaville Baptist Church. The address is 805 Oakland Rd. Spindale. We will start about 8AM. Proceeds will go to the ongoing efforts of the FFF to help those who leave high demand religious groups. The FFF depends entirely on volunteer donations of time and money. Please, consider stopping by and having your car washed and making a donation. If your schedule does not permit this, then consider sending a donation to the address listed below. We appreciate your continued financial and prayer support. Thank you… for taking time to read and support this blog. If you would like to see future video blog updates, please email me. author@religiouscultsinfo.com

Faith Freedom Fund
805 Oakland Rd.
Spindale, NC 28160

Follow this blog on Twitter- @religiouscults
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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Leaving Thought Reform – Spring Thaw and the Resulting Liberty (1)

June 14, 2015 Admin Leave a comment

During the research for my soon to be released book, “Locked in”, I remembered my time within Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and the time shortly after my departure in July 2008. For days on end, the emotions washed over me as I recounted the anxieties, the drama and the choices made during those months. At least part of the struggle was discovering who I really was. It was a “spring thaw” from the many years of my “self” existing frozen in the deep recesses of my soul; put there by the many rules, dictates and practices of WOFF. Those first few months of freedom were full of apprehension, while many times overrun with the questions… what do I do here? How do I? When do I? What if I? I was living free and making choices for the first time in many years.

Through the years since 2008, I learned my struggles were new to me, but not unexpected for one leaving a religious cult or a high-demand group. The feelings and emotions of those days were predictable. There was no one close to me who had traveled the same road and could guide me. In a quest to learn more, I turned to resources- books and online sources. Many a night, I traded sleep for the time to read survivor stories or other resources and/or the freedom to write. Both reading and writing helped sort out the jumbled mess of my life from the years within WOFF.

One of the most valuable resources I found is the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA). Their online resources are many. July of 2014, I attended their conference in Washington, DC. The people I met and the sessions I attended, deepened my understanding of the dangers and results of high-demand groups. One of the benefits of membership is receiving the publication, ICSA Today.

ICSA Today Magazine volume 5 number 3 2014 – contains an article titled “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Breaking Away from Totalism”, written by Ron Burks, PhD. This is my resource for this post. I will quote from it in order to explain my struggles and those of others leaving WOFF during these days.
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Uncategorized

Summer of Decision- 2015

June 8, 2015 Admin 1 Comment

June is here and soon the official start of the summer. This summer will be like none other in the history of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The month of May produced the most convincing defeat ever in a court case involving Jane Whaley. The inability to convince the judge of her claims shocked her and the leadership team. She encouraged those around her to “just let it go…” Honestly, there may be no follow-up, but will she and her followers “just let it go” and forget this case? Can the legal team forget how Jane performed on the stand? Were they even the slightest bit embarrassed? Can those in leadership who witnessed Jane’s testimony on May 29th forget or excuse the display of less than perfection from their long-time leader? What excuses will be hatched to cover the obvious reduction in her ability to convince others of her righteous, holy lifestyle? Will they talk about it privately away from Jane’s ears and discuss the next step? Will her daughter Robin, Brooke Covington and the missing-in-action-Karel Reynolds review plans for succession to the WOFF throne? Will Gerald and Linda Southerland be included in the discussions or not?

This summer will be the Summer of Decision for everyone inside WOFF.

Why? Simple. August and the months to follow will include the trial for the five indicted WOFF members. Can they enjoy the coming weeks knowing the unknown awaits them? Will the recent court debacle cause them to reconsider their confidence in the defense strategy? How will Jane steady the rocking ship? Does Josh Farmer’s apparent slip in proficiency cause anxiety any of the defendants? If they had doubts and second thoughts, could they share them in simple honesty and not risk being disciplined or shunned for a lack of faith? When they lay down at night in the quiet of their own thoughts and reflections, will they deny the coming reality or recognize the fear inside of them? Will this fear be as a result in the lack of confidence in Jane or the haunting knowing they are guilty as charged? Will any of them seek immunity from the DA? Decisions will be made this summer.
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Jerry Cooper- Not Guilty- Jane Whaley Testifies

May 30, 2015 Admin 13 Comments

In courtroom number one at the Rutherford County courthouse; yet, another drama unfolded Friday pitting Jane Whaley, leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) against one of her previously beloved, former members- Jerry Cooper. In 2013, Jane swore out criminal warrants against Jerry for counts of harassment by telephone, and cyberstalking (via text messages). For many reasons, I missed the first half of the proceedings. Upon arrival, I was informed Jane and her team were offered mediation in the morning and promptly refused the option. The case went on to the hearing phase.

Before the noon recess, the opening volleys include four quick objections by Cooper’s attorney, Paul Ditz which were subsequently sustained by Judge Dennis John Redwing. Josh Farmer testified and Jane Whaley took the stand before for about twenty minutes the break for lunch. The courtroom was closed when I arrived about 1:50PM. Jerry and his team were waiting at the door unsure when the proceedings would restart. A few minutes later, the room was opened by the bailiff. She kept conversation going during the wait for the judge’s return.

Again, as in times past, I sat on the right side of a courtroom with a reporter in front of me, advocate to my right and another supporter sitting behind me. Jayne Caulder was so kind to join us on the front row of Jerry’s side. I am not sure why. Jane Whaley and her entourage sat on the left side behind the table for the District Attorney, Roger McCalman. Before the proceedings began there were a few eerie, awkward, mostly silent moments. The clock was high up the far wall to my left and I found myself constantly looking UP and over to avoid any potential eye-locks with the WOFF entourage. My clock watching was motivated by thoughts of returning to work and if today’s matters would be settled by the time I needed to leave.
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves, yet.

May 25, 2015 Admin Leave a comment

The week of the May seminar for Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) is upon us. Unless there is a delay, this Friday, May 29th, Jerry Cooper will see another day in court. He is facing charges from a 2013 warrant sworn out by WOFF leader, Jane Whaley. The alleged charges include two counts of harassing phone calls, and two counts of cyber-stalking. We originally reported the story in the rcCatalyst.com article here. Jerry has opened a “gofundme” page to help with his attorney fees. Please, consider supporting the effort to raise money for his attorney. Allow me to explain the ramifications of these charges.

Different opinions abound as to why Jane would pick Jerry for these charges. First, let me say that any attempt on her part to say she felt seriously threatened by anything Jerry could say or do would be based what? Jane has always been able to coordinate her comfort level in any environment. She has many resources for this. She pretends to fear – Jerry?

Speculation runs rampant as to why she picked Jerry. Who knows for certain, but Jane? One thing I believe is sure; these charges against Jerry could have a stifling effect on members inside and outside. This action by Jane follows her fear-based control methods employed for years over members inside and shows clearly her intense efforts to remain in control over ex-members. Face it; she wants to be in control of anyone who will bow. Anyone who she threatens to label as an “attacker” has heard her warnings- You will be cut off from any family member here!

She uses her incantations cooked up from her “knowledge” and “revelations” of Scripture and direct revelations from her god as the basis for her fear tactics. This has worked for her quite well over the years to break-up families and keep the fences high for many who seek to leave. The outcome of this case as well as the Fenner case in August will determine much for ex-members, Jane and her members inside.

For now, Jerry needs representation. Helping members on the inside is difficult until they leave. Fending off the fear-based strategies of WOFF helps us all, in the long run. By donating to help Jerry, in a small way you will also be helping those on the inside who don’t even realize they need help- yet.

Proverbs 31:8

8 Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Help people who are in trouble.

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Is This Your Day – to Leave Word of Faith Fellowship?

May 14, 2015 Admin 3 Comments

For WOFF members considering their exit, is today, the day? You have been planning and thinking and maybe even whispered it to yourself where no one could hear you… “I am leaving one day.” Well, is today, your day? What has to happen for the right circumstances for you to leave? Do you need a ride? Call me. Or if it comes to it, start walking and call someone else who already left. You can get a ride from someone, somehow. Do you need a place to stay? That can be arranged. Do you need to connect with relatives out of state? Yes, that can happen. Do you need to leave your belongings behind and just get away quick? Don’t worry. Clothes can be replaced. You may even get some jeans! That is okay, as far as I know; folks don’t fall into hell when they put on their first pair. I like Wrangler®.

Do you need a phone? Okay, we can arrange for you to have one- a new one with a new number. Do you need a plane ticket or a ride somewhere? Don’t let anything keep you imprisoned against your will. If you want to be free, then make the first step.

Years ago, I saw a young lady standing in the kitchen at a microwave when all of the sudden, she made the choice to leave. She took off walking and did not stop until she reached safety! WOFF members drove along the road her begging, pleading for her to get in the van and talk. Too late. She had had enough! How long had it been brewing in her? I am not sure. How long has LEAVING been brewing in you?
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Uncategorized

“You have been kicked out of the church…” ‘Banished’ by Lauren Drain and Lisa Pulitzer (Video)

May 10, 2015 Admin 1 Comment

These words landed heavy on Lauren Drain as her father spoke. Lauren had been a part of the Westboro Baptist Church for seven years. It was her life, her connection to her immediate family, to her friends and until that night- to her future. On December 14, 2007- that all changed. The membership had voted her out. The angst she felt had exploded inside her as she listened to a voice mail from her best friend, Jael. The message included the statement that “no one (in the church) wanted anything to do with..” Lauren. After years of sharing the fears, the adventures of picketing and life inside the closed culture of Westboro, her best friend acted as if Lauren had the plague.

‘Banished- Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church’- (Copyright © 2013) by Lauren Drain and Lisa Pulitzer is a gripping account of Lauren’s years inside this closed culture. You have seen them in the news over the years picketing at funerals, national events. You may have seen members being interviewed in the national media. Whatever you have heard or seen, don’t finalize your opinion until you read this book. I suspected there was darkness behind the doors of this group, but until I read this survivor’s account my opinion had no factual basis. Now, I have a better understanding of the control dynamics employed there.

So, John, how does this group compare to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? Thought you would never ask. There are stark differences and eerie similarities. Westboro purposed to be informed on news making events and thus allowed their members almost unfettered access to the media. They basked in media attention even if it portrayed them in a negative light. The latest electronic gadgets were used to produce videos, support websites and record their picketing misadventures. The members had access to movies, recreational activities and were encouraged to dress modestly – but with much room for interpretation. These were some of the glaring differences.
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