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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword

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    In previous post titled, “Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results?” found here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3649 , we included quotes from “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). The author, Shari Howerton laments about living under so many rules in the church her family was a part of during her years as a child and teenager. The church she was in taught perfection. She writes, “We believed that God revealed His “truths” to us as a group; “truths” He had not revealed to Christianity as a whole. As God’s special, we were called to restore the church to its former purity and ultimate latter day glory; we were not called to evangelize”. (page 20)

    While reading the book, I have been captivated at the many similarities that her church (Christian Gospel Temple-CGT) had/has with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I spent 16 years either indirectly or directly under the teachings of WOFF and more specifically –Jane Whaley. Jane considered herself as the one who heard the “Truth” in many areas. For example, Jane taught/teaches about loud prayer, deliverance from demons for Christians, certain customs for marriage ceremonies, burial customs, strict lifestyle customs and many other “truths”. Certainly, while I was there we felt these were “truths” which –“We believed that God revealed His “truths” to us as a group; “truths” He had not revealed to Christianity as a whole.” After all, it was said several times, “we know there are other people out there with “truth”; we just have not found them yet…” So, did we ever expect to find them? These unique “truths” certainly served to make us (WOFF members) feel special and “set-apart” from others who did not or would not listen or accept what God was saying to us…. After all my time in that group I can say the efforts to “evangelize” were slim to none. Can you see a pattern here?

    Continue reading Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword →

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

“Jesus Camp” – Kids on Fire

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   “Jesus Camp” is a documentary produced by Loki Films for A&E Indie Films Copyright © 2006 A&E Television Networks. (www.jesuscampthemovie.com) The film presents a close –up look at Becky Fisher, a children’s minister. Her website is  https://kidsinministry.org/ . The film crew is allowed to document a week of summer camp, “Kids on Fire”, led by Becky Fisher and her team. The camp is located at Lakewood Park Bible Camp near Devil’s Lake, ND. The camp includes certain normal summer camp activities plus intense teaching sessions led by Ms. Fisher as she presents a Pentecostal, Evangelical message. She includes teaching sessions using props along with teaching about sin, living for God and praying for the government and specifically the President.

    It is my understanding, the directors; Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady do not claim to be Christian. This would explain the composition of the film. Many political references are made as the radio talk show host, Mike Papantonio, of the Ring of Fire (http://www.ringoffireradio.com/ ) is allowed several minutes to express his views. This show is the voice of the Progressive Movement which constantly takes aim at Evangelical Christians in this nation.

    Continue reading “Jesus Camp” – Kids on Fire →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results?

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     We have posted several times on blog about the rules or “don’ts” put upon members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). It is understood that in a group like WOFF, the rule count may ebb and flow, but the general direction of the number is up. Until I was out of that group, I did not stop to count or consider the effects of the large number of behaviors regulated from the pulpit in spoken rules on among the members in unspoken rules. Many rules were so ingrained, that you don’t know of them until you leave and see others who do not follow the rules or adhere to the “don’ts”. Then you begin to examine your reason for doing or not doing something. It is then you begin to see the massive number of detailed regulations that were imposed on you as a member of WOFF. The details of the rules can be debated or argued as to when and why and who made the rule. Today, we will look at the effects of the rules other than the obvious behavior modification. What mindset evolves after being under so many rules? Here is the list I posted earlier. No, the rules were not written at WOFF, therefore it was easier to manipulate and deny the existence of so many restraints that were issued. (WOFF Don’t List WOFF Don’t list from 03 10 ) This list spans the 16 years of my involvement in that group. I feel VERY sure some have changed and new ones have been added.

    These next quotes are from the documentary- “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007). Here is the link to the second post for that film…https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3464   Kristy Sullivan is describing her time and her thinking while in the cult called Mountain Rock Church in Anderson, SC. She and her husband have since left the group and received counseling at Wellspring Retreat. I use this quote as it typifies the result of living under the control of a cult leader. From what I can see and determine, Mountain Rock Church has LESS number of rules than WOFF. Their dress was less monitored and they were able to celebrate some holidays. So, the comparison would not be absolute, but it does give a great indication of the emotional state of being in such a controlling environment.

Continue reading Rules, Rules, Rules – The Results? →

Uncategorized

Update: John Kolbek Dies in Kentucky

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 LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ky. (WSAZ)

(Link to article… http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/114171904.html )

“Kolbek died last Thursday of an apparent heart attack at a home in rural Lawrence County, Ky., just outside of the small town of Blaine.”

“Kolbek was the focus of a manhunt by the FBI since 2008, and was even on the TV show “America’s Most Wanted.” The FBI had an arrest warrant issued for Kolbek in Arkansas for allegations of beating two cult members.

According to the FBI, Kolbek was an “enforcer” at Tony Alamo Ministries. Alamo is currently serving a 175-year prison sentence for taking minors across state lines for sexual purposes. Witnesses testified during Alamo’s court hearings that Kolbek would severely beat members of the cult.”

 We have been following this story with updates on Tony Alamo and his sentencing. Here is a link to an article from Rick Ross’ site form December 2009: http://www.rickross.com/reference/alamo/alamo126.html

 America’s Most Wanted website has this article and picture of Kolbek… http://www.amw.com/captures/brief.cfm?id=69798

 Tony Alamo News  (website found here… http://www.tonyalamonews.com/  

UPDATE: Since this site was first opened in 2006 many of the reasons for its existence have been accomplished. Its main purpose was to help stop Bernie Lazar Hoffman, aka Tony Alamo, from raping, beating, and psychologically abusing the young children whose parents are members of his cult. That has been accomplished; Tony Alamo was convicted in July 2009 of 10 Federal Counts of taking underage girls across state lines for sex and he is now serving 175 years in a federal penitentiary.

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Could You Be a Cult Member?

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    The question is not for the present, but for looking into future. Could you be involved at some point in the future, in a controlling religious cult? Could you be considered as a “regular member”? I am not asking if you could be a cult leader. That question is for another post. Could you tell when the people around you that you love and trust are beginning to take your freedoms away? At what point would you know that what started out as benign and maybe even beneficial had morphed into a controlling environment? Are you so sure?

     My experience is one that has taken me to, into and through years of a group that began as what I considered as beneficial and by no means harmful. Did I miss the changes and the signs of control? Apparently, I did. Was I susceptible before I even came into the church in Greenville, SC known first as Grace and Truth Fellowship and then Word of Life Church? That is not a question I am able to answer here, but possibly in another post. For this post, we will review several statements from those involved with cult groups on some level. After all, cult survivors should be able to give at least some insight into how they were taken into a cult group, right?

      Continue reading Could You Be a Cult Member? →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Breaking the Chains”- by Shari Howerton- Introduction

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    In an earlier post titled “The Church at Rock Hill” found here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/2010/06/the-church-at-rock-hill/  we began reviewing the movement started by William Sowders. It was a brief review and only served as an introduction. The post included a couple of links for information on Sowders and a summary of a testimony from a former member of one church in this group in California. I listed aspects of that testimony that contained similarities to ones I had seen in my years in Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The movement was brought to my attention through the free service from Google® called Google Alerts®.

    This was my introduction to a movement begun in around 1914 and at its peak had about “75,000 believers in 300 congregations in 31 states.” (Source here– http://www.dmgac.org/about/leaders/ a church within group)  The leader, William Sowders died in 1952. Recently, a book written by a survivor of this group, Shari Howerton, came to my attention- again through Google Alerts®. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0) –The author was born to a family in a church in that movement. She stayed in that group under the pastor, Cornelius Mears, for 43 years. Near the beginning of the book, she provides more background that helps understand the impact of the doctrines and practices on the lives of its members.

    As I have been reading this book, I have seen several things to note. First there are some differences in the leadership of the church Howerton was a part of and WOFF. The leader(s) in the Sowder movement were men and at WOFF, the leader is a woman- Jane Whaley. There are some similarities on many levels between to the two groups. We will mention one likeness here and we will note more of both, in future of posts.  

   Continue reading “Breaking the Chains”- by Shari Howerton- Introduction →

Uncategorized

The Buckle of the Bible Belt

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    For years, I have heard the phrase or notion that the “Bible Belt” runs through the South. In the movie, Join Us, a lady from South Carolina says the buckle of the “Bible Belt” is in the Upstate of South Carolina. (link to first post about the movie is here. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/2010/12/join-us-the-movie/  ) Well, after living in South Carolina for 19 years and North Carolina for eight years; I have not seen much difference between the two states when it comes to religion and religious practices. But, for this post, we will start with South Carolina. During a recent ride through the middle of SC, I felt inspired to take some pictures of different churches. Some of these will look very typical of other churches and some will not. But, the religious flavor of the South is what I tried to capture. This could be an ongoing project as the flavor is rich and the belt is wide. Click pictures for a larger view, use the back arrow to return to the post.

Bethel Baptist- So many Baptist churches in the South….

Cross on the wall of the sanctuary
Cross on the End of the Sanctuary

Continue reading The Buckle of the Bible Belt →