Category Archives: Uncategorized

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Where is Your Happy Face?

Leave a comment

In the last post, we used this book, “Recovery From Cults” – Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse– Edited by Michael Langone- (copyright © 1993 American Family Foundation – ISBN 0-393-31321-2) as a resource. Today, we will continue in this resource and compare more material to my experience in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I experience a gamut of emotions when I discover results from studies used in a resource book that coincide or mirror what I experienced at WOFF. It brings me joy and sadness at the same time to identify with material that researchers have discovered about cult groups- religious or otherwise.  The years within the group can’t be changed, but, by sharing my thoughts on this blog, I hope to help others who have been in such groups find resources that will help. There is sadness in knowing that those I love and cherish are still a part of WOFF.

Where is your happy face? How many times did we hear that, say that, think that, while inside WOFF? Now, don’t get me wrong, every group that asks that question of their children or even the adults is not automatically a cult. But, as we review the following excerpt, just remember what it felt like when you were asked that question or witnessed others being prodded and pushed to smile- no matter how ugly or emotional the scene had become. Remember the consequences for those children who would not submit to the prod and crack even a little smile. For sure, the use of this saying would ebb and flow over the years. But, no one can deny that “Where is your happy face?” was a favorite for years at WOFF.

In our resource text, the editor reviews different research studies along with clinical observations which tell when people are most likely to join a cult as well as the circumstances around a person leaving a cult.

Continue reading Where is Your Happy Face? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Post- Cult Questions and Struggles (Video)

1 Comment

When I first began this blog, it was so important to me to tell what had happened to me and my thoughts about those events. I started recording my memories as early as October of 2008. From those writings, my desire to start this blog was born. As I first started, it was such a relief to put into words my questions, emotions, feelings and concerns. Starting in January of 2010, I began on a regular basis to tell what had up until that point had only been shared in forums by other ex-members.  Eventually, I began to compare my experiences to insights and material in books written about other groups. Along the way, we have compared Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) to other groups and found WOFF to not be so unique. Jane Whaley may seemingly have a unique “gift”. But, in reality, her methods and means are not new, but are found in many other religious cults. She may have used different shellac on the outside, but what goes on behind the closed doors is as predictable as any other religious cult. The longer I am out, the more certain this observation becomes.

Previously, we have used this book, “Recovery From Cults” – Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse– Edited by Michael Langone- (copyright © 1993 American Family Foundation – ISBN 0-393-31321-2) as a resource. In previous posts; we have reviewed material written about and by Dr. Margaret Singer. Here is one of them:

Dr. Margaret Singer–Voice for the Cult Survivor – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3789

Today, I will quote more from this resource and share some questions. In the last week of so, I have been talking to other survivors and reading this book. There are some insights which are found in the book that go right along with our discussions. Even though this book was published almost twenty years ago and uses some sources from the 1970’s; there is some important background information about cults as well as other material which is still valid.

Continue reading Post- Cult Questions and Struggles (Video) →

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

They Live in Darkness…

Leave a comment

Last weekend, I saw the movie titled: “Mao’s Last Dancer”. This film is based on a true story of a Chinese peasant boy who was chosen to learn ballet as part of China’s culture ministry. The film has been out since August 2010. From the director of “Driving Miss Daisy”, Bruce Beresford, and the producer of “Shine”, Jane Scott- the film is an inspirational story that I felt needed a review here on this blog. Some may object to the analogies and similarities that I will point out between the Chinese government and life in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), but before you dismiss them, please, see the movie. The lead actors are listed as Bruce Greenwood, Kyle Maclachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Shull and Chi Cao. The rating is “PG”. (Source link for the trailer- http://www.maoslastdancermovie.com/ )

Continue reading They Live in Darkness… →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Religious Freedom or Abuse?

Leave a comment

On Monday, there will be oral arguments in front of the Supreme Court on a case involving Obamacare. Regardless of your position, these arguments and the ruling expected sometime in June should be of interest to all US citizens. Included in the debate is the requirement under the new law for religious institutions to provide contraception services to their employees. On Friday, there were rallies held across America protesting the mandate under this “new” law. In an article titled:

Contraception law sparks rally, debate      Insurance groups required to offer antifertility drugs

Here is a quote from that article telling about a rally held in Green Bay: “The event in downtown Green Bay at the Brown County Courthouse was held in solidarity with similar rallies on Friday in more than 200 cities across the nation, said organizer Cate Zeuske of Suamico. “This event is not about contraception. This event is about religious freedom,” she said.” (source link- http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120324/GPG0101/203240624/Contraception-law-sparks-rally-debate?odyssey=nav%7Chead )

Continue reading Religious Freedom or Abuse? →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Molokan Jumpers and WOFF? (Video)

6 Comments

There are times when ignorance is embarrassing. As I look back, I regret showing my ignorance in such a bold fashion. Let me explain. At some point between March of 1992 and May 1992, I was allowed to speak during one the “Training Sessions” held at Grace and Truth Fellowship. This was a very informal setting. Different members, as they “felt led”, were allowed to stand up and tell the listeners “what God was showing them” about a certain subject or topic being discussed. On one occasion, I stood up and said something that showed my great ignorance. Previous to coming to Greenville, I had spent time in a library looking up different religious groups. One group I read about was called the Molokan Jumpers. My reading was brief and I only took away from the text one main observation.

It was this observation, which I was so anxious to share. I was new to this type of setting and I would “learn” much during the next few months and years. On that day, it was glaringly obvious that my words would be out of place and only show my desire to be seen as “knowing something others may not”. As best as I remember, I mentioned the Molakan Jumpers and said; “These folks think they are in the Spirit in their services only when they are jumping up and down”. I will never forget the look of the Associate Minister-GS. He looked as if someone had uttered a loud socially unacceptable body sound. He looked at me and it was evident that he wanted to move on and forget that I had ever brought up the issue. I could sense that I had violated some unwritten rule, but I had no idea why until later in May of that year.

During the May Seminar of that year, I would attend my first service of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). It was there I met the WOFF form of worship which included people jumping during the singing of songs. During all the years of being in churches, it was my first time seeing this exact type of behavior.  It looked very similar to what had been described about the Molokan Jumpers!  Now about the time the jumping started, I realized what I had said and why it had been met with utter disbelief! GS never brought it to my attention. It was just ignored and left to die on the vine, so to speak.

Continue reading Molokan Jumpers and WOFF? (Video) →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Additional Memories Leading to Exit Drama- Ben McGee

1 Comment

The following material was provided by Ben McGee. He pulls back the curtain of self-protection and reveals his innermost concerns and thoughts leading up to the previously posted exit drama. Please, do not miss the transparency and the honesty with which he tells his story. These reflections should be a help to us all in managing our own host of memories- however painful they may be.

________________________________________________________________________

The WOFFIA…

In order to set the time frame, let me say that these memories are from the period just two weeks before I was forced to leave.  I removed myself from the church, and would not attend regular services, but stayed in the church discipline room because I struggled with a conversation between Jane Whaley and myself.  The one statement that troubled me the most was when Jane stated that if I decided to move off church property- I would do so alone, as she began poking her finger into my chest.  I took this to mean that she was going to keep my family from me, if I attempted to move away from the church property. (I must ask- would Jesus make a threat like this?)

I struggled with this threat for some time. Pam was not present for this event.  I knew we could not afford to leave, but desired to do so and decided money or no money we were not going to stay trapped.  I wanted to discuss with my ex-wife how I felt but, she was alienated from me completely.  She would not listen to me and would go straight to the church leadership and tell them everything I had said which was a pattern already well established in our marriage.  This probably became extremely important for her after the confrontation with Jane.  I must confess I did likewise to her when she would get out of control and abusive in the past. I was afraid of her past use and abuse of drugs.

Continue reading Additional Memories Leading to Exit Drama- Ben McGee →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Former WOFF Member Files Incident Report to Help His Friend

5 Comments

In case there is any doubt, you don’t have to be a member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) for very long to be affected in very intense ways. June 15, 2011, we shared an experience at a local restaurant in Rutherfordton. It was actually an ugly exchange prompted by a present WOFF member who I had known for nineteen years. After telling of that incident, I shared a few words about Tony Nicosia. The post was titled: Revealing Incident at the Great Wall– here is the link – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=4264 .

This is a brief review of a story that Tony can tell with amazing detail most every time he gets started. He and Carole Kolari came to this area in 2003 for Carole to be around her three sons who were at that point inside WOFF. She was allowed periodic visits with them in her off hours from her job. First, she and Tony lived in Kings Mountain and then in a condo near the Cleghorn Plantation golf course. Events transpired to cause two of the younger sons to move back to Chicago. Carole and Tony followed or vice versa. Anyway, in 2007, Tony and Carole found themselves back in the Chicago area.

April of 2010, Carole’s oldest son was to marry at WOFF. Carole was driven back to NC by a couple of WOFFers; their names escape me at this point. She made it back to WOFF in time to be in the wedding and this made her happy. Tony made some calls and asked to be moved back to this area in hopes to continue his friendship with Carole. An entourage from WOFF drove to Chicago to pack up and pick up Tony. Here is a quote from the previous post: “They showed up with a truck and packed most everything from the place where Tony lived. Tony was under the impression that these things would be taken back to NC for him and CK(Carole). Other things happened that weekend which are just too scary to retell here. Anyway, these things in the truck NEVER made it back to NC- according to Tony…The furniture, personal effects, insurance papers and jewelry that Tony says were his were never presented to him when he got to NC! He was put into an apartment arranged by CK’s (Carole’s) first husband and in it is furniture given to him by that first husband- GC, Sr. A bed, a chest, a sofa and some kitchen items were about the sum total of the furniture items I saw in Tony’s apartment. Where did all his stuff go?…But, for sure, Tony’s stuff is gone.”    Continue reading Former WOFF Member Files Incident Report to Help His Friend →