Category Archives: Uncategorized

Behavior Control, Uncategorized, WOFF and Money Issues

Jane Whaley makes $600 a month (sorta)

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     One service the subject came up and Jane Whaley shared how much she gets paid a month. She said she gets a check for $600 a month. From that $600, she gives Sam $200. Sam volunteered at that point that he “squirrels away” his $200 for a future time. Sam is also a licensed used car dealer. He buys cars for those in the congregation and makes “about $500 a car”. ( If you buy a car from somewhere else, you are paying too much! says Jane.)

    The impression given was that the $600 a month was Jane’s total compensation. The problem with that is vast. Everyone in that service had been to her house on 40 + acres. We remember her saying that she and Sam had taken out mortgages every property possible including their home, to pay attorney bills. Everyone had heard about the shopping trips in NC and also to Atlanta for the dresses and jewelry she had to buy. Many there heard her say at another time, “If all my clothes were laid out, it would cover 2 city blocks!”. We knew she had a cell phone, television and a pool at her house. Just a quick look at her lifestyle would cause anyone to wonder how she makes it on $400 a month?  So, is it reasonable to think that the “church” pays for her house, cars, cell phone, new clothes, trips out of town and other things. But, why would we not know for sure?

     Last January, I attended a church in McDowell county. That Sunday, they were handing out the Annual Report from the previous year! This report outlined  offerings received and expenditures made during 2008. It was a pleasant shock for me as a visitor to be given this report. Why? Because in my 10 years in Greenville and 6 years at WOFF, there was NEVER a report issued to the members as to the amount of offerings received and expenses paid. After attending seminars and services for a total of 16 years at WOFF, I had no idea how much was received and where it went. Did others know? Well, maybe a handful of folks, like the Board may have known. Someone said (I do not remember if Jane or Sam) in one service that the church needed $20,000 a week to meet the bills. That makes over one million dollars a year brought in, if the “budget” is met. Would it not be reasonable to openly account for a million dollars of revenue to the people who gave it?  

      Did the Greenville church or WOFF –  EVER issue any written information to the members about where the money was spent? No, not that I ever remember. There were always pleas for more money. I have been in services where the offering plates were passed four times. Maybe one offering would be for tickets for Jane’s pending trip or some other “special need”. The other times the plates were passed, Sam or the lady in the office who “balanced Jane’s personal checkbook”, would say “pass them until we get it…”  Many times, we would all have to wait until the offering was counted to see if we were dismissed or if the plates needed to be passed , AGAIN! That rang hollow when there was no open accounting. We were told many times that the CPA for the church “said we were more than above board in the use of the ministry money.” Really? He also was getting paid to perform a service. Why not let the folks know where their “tithes and offerings” were being spent?

     In the beginning years, both pastors of each church, Greenville and WOFF; claimed to not know who tithed. However, by the end of my tenure, that changed. Jane would say she looked at the offering records and “knew who tithed and who did not”.. She then offered a disclaimer- “I know when you are tithing by seeing if it (the amount) is consistent. If it is not, then you are not tithing.” Wow, people on bonuses or commissions were in a tight place… they were certainly assumed as “non-tithers..”  Of course, it was preached tax refunds were a blessing that you needed to give tithes and offerings from to the church.

      Sam would get up to receive offerings and make it plain: “If you are not being blessed financially, you are not tithing.” A person’s faith was called into question if they were not “blessed financially”.  At some services, people would get up to testify about “how God was blessing them financially”. There was almost always funds raising projects for one cause or another. Certain individuals would accept the task of keeping the find raising projects coming for the school of other needs, yard sales, car washes, bake sales, make-up sales, picture sales, fruit sales and more.

     Here is a link to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. This is how churches who want to be open with finances report and disclose to their members… http://www.ecfa.org/Content/7Standards.aspx

     Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life.

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

The Toilet Paper Revelation

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     One service seemingly out of no where, Jane Whaley said; “God had told her the right way to put the toilet paper on the roll”. She went on to other subjects then came back to the subject. She asked if we (the members..) wanted to know what God had said? The impression she got was that we all wanted to know.

     Jane then went on to explain that one day (recently was the impression we were given) as she was in the bathroom, she heard God tell her the right way to put the toilet paper in the roll. She said the right way is with the paper rolling over the top. “Do you want to know why?”, she asked. She said that there was less wasted, than if the paper rolls from underneath.

     She went on to also say that God had been dealing with her about folding the end of the paper when she was finished. (as done at a hotel)  As mentioned in previous posts, because of not being allowed to take notes during the service, the date of this revelation is unclear. But who would forget such an essential life enhancing revelation from the Apostle Jane Whaley? It not only was talked about that day, it was the buzz in the church for several days.

     The fallout from this service was amazing. True to form, children began to scrutinize the paper habits of those in their household! There were self-appointed “TP Police”. Some were more vocal than others. Do you know the thoughts that one would have when you finished and had to make to the choice, fold or not fold? Or if it was your turn to change the roll, over or under?

     The pressure to be on the right side of this revelation was VERY GREAT! Because many households had more than one family, bathroom habits were visible by more than your immediate family members. The toilet paper pressure became greater and greater. There was even the question of bringing the paper to a symetrical fold with a neat point and how to best accomplish that! Lessons were available.

     The foray around making sure everyone completes the requirements for toilet paper roll direction and folding neatness became intense. Jane Whaley came to the podium a couple of weeks later to moderate the frenzy. She pointed out that the conversations had gotten out of hand. She reminded folks that she had shared what God told her. It did not mean God would require that same thing for each one of us. Whew! Maybe the bathroom inspections would be less intense! The frenzy did die away – gradually. But, to this day, I still hear that question- over or under? Finally, I have stopped feeling the pressure to fold!

     Why bring this up? Why would Jane bring this up? What could be the basis for Jane even feeling justified to express concern in this area? Many times, I heard the following scripture mentioned when addressing seemingly small details of daily life… 

Job 36:5 (Amplified Bible)

5Behold! God is mighty, and yet despises no one nor regards anything as trivial…

     The whole line of conversation seems off kilter and evidence of the narcissism that Jane displays in her everyday life. The reaction of the members and the effects that “revelations from God” have on this group are amazing and potentially dangerous.

The one on the left is better…   🙂

 

 

     Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life.

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

Am I Wrong? Please, Let Me Know….

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     “Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.” – Thomas Jefferson

     Am I wrong about the list of similarities between a group like FLDS and another group such as WOFF? Am I wrong based on the facts and not emotion? It matters not how much you or anyone else love and admire Warren Jeffs or Jane Whaley. What are the observed facts about the control methods used in both groups?

     If you are in WOFF; you may say you are not being controlled. If that be the case, then express a desire to watch the news and not depend on the father-son news reporting team to funnel the “important” events to you in a service. If it be the case that there is no control over the information allowed; then subscribe to the local newspaper and read it and talk about what is in it to other members. If you are free to chose, then buy a new television and subscribe to satellite service as Jane does. A source that knows, says there are two satellites on Jane’s roof. (or at least there were a few years ago.) If there is no control going on at WOFF, then listen to your radio in your car with other members present. Why would WOFF members not be allowed to do these things?

     Concerning the beliefs in each group, they do differ. But, does that matter? No. The beliefs in many groups actually go through changes just as the methods to control individuals go through evolution and change. As far as the individuals in each group, there are very likely sweet, loving people in both groups. I can vouch for many in WOFF as being good hearted, decent people who would help you do most anything needed.

      It is the control methods used in everyday life of the members that has caught my attention. That is where lives are controlled and hurt – in the daily application of the control techniques seen in both groups. It is not just these two groups. As will be shared in weeks to come, the control methods are pretty much the same in most EVERY religious controlling group that I have studied. It is as if a “Handbook for Religious Cult Leaders” has been written and is being sold to certain individual leaders! Maybe the “book” is handed out for FREE! But, as people follow the instructions in this common scenario for controlling folks; it costs dearly. Families are broken, relationships are torn, individuals experience fear, confusion and anxiety. Children experience intense fears not beneficial for them and which may well scar them for years to come. Irrational fears begin to govern the lives of otherwise stable group members. It is amazing the dynamics of how individuals succumb to the “group think” and group pressures felt as the leaders mold and fashion the lives of their followers.

     And to all you good WOFF readers; if I am wrong on everything, then you have nothing to worry about. If I am wrong on most things, then you have a little to be concerned over. Thus, if I am right and accurate in my observations to any large degree, then all of you should take note and begin to ask some of the same questions that many who have left asked and are still asking. Asking questions is NOT a sin, no matter what you have been told. (read the quote above..)

     As Brent Jeffs said in “Lost Boy”, “It is amazing how well fear can work to surpress rational thought..” (page 99)   When the fear based control methods such as the ones outlined in previous posts are used day in and day out; the effects are devastating. Many folks do not know the depths of how they are being affected until they leave and have stopped being molded and directed by narcissistic cult leaders. Many former members try to stuff down the feelings, questions and doubts. But, it is best to get the answers to the questions that may haunt and badger those who leave a cult. There is help available.

Questions and comments may be sent to author@religiouscultsinfo.com

     Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are some good readers inside of WOFF. I know for sure.. 🙂

     (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized

FLDS vs. WOFF – the Similarities – part 6

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     In both “Lost Boy” and “Stolen Innocence”, both authors give details of the struggles within their families. Specifically, the emotional trauma of their siblings leaving or “being put out on the side of the road” (page 47 – Stolen Innocence). Also, the threat and practice of being “reassigned” within FLDS was heart breaking to read about. Obviously, the daily struggles within FLDS for the families were a big part of the lives of each author growing up.

     Reading these accounts was difficult on many levels. The number of families split up and broken at WOFF over the years is no small number.  Over the years, the list only continues to grow of broken families or traumatized individuals stemming from WOFF and its practices. A few families would leave as a unit. But, the emotional baggage of having been a part of WOFF was great on any level for single people or families.

     There was a the couple at WOFF who moved back west. The husband left and originally the mother stayed with the two boys. She went for a visit and never returned to WOFF. That story was quieted and not spoken about much at all.

     There was the family that got up to leave WOFF in the middle of a service while certain folks tried to physically restrain the father. It was a big to do and left many folks shaking. Jane told the “strong guys” to “let him go”. He secured his wife and children and left. It was a big scene. A couple of days later, they were packed and headed back West to start a new life. They had been a part of the church and school for years. The children were clearly befuddled and confused.

     There have been many young folks to leave WOFF and experience the trauma of being told -“you are not serving God!” “You will lose the “Call of God” and never make it!” The devil will take you to hell; you will go back to your vomit. You can’t make it on your own. The “unclean” will take you over! Yes, some did go back to their destructive habits. But, is that a reflection on their new freedoms or their previous environment? Were they ever given the help needed to stay away from old habits or did they just develop a pattern of dependency?

     How do we count the families that were broken as one spouse would leave WOFF and the other not, or a grown child would leave and strike out on the own without the “blessing of Jane”..? From just the ones I know about and can remember…  I can think of 27 families or individuals directly affected either by a spouse or child leaving.  I can only remember one single lady who Jane said would be better off back with her parents… All others left in a cloud of confusion. These were folks with a “Judas spirit”.. according to Jane. She would often ask “Who is next?” This came more as a challenge then a true question.

     So, what if my exact count is off? I believe I have missed by a few. The point should be well taken – broken families are common to FLDS and WOFF and evident and obvious to anyone who will examine the subject.

     What is the common characteristic in the two groups that would lead to families splitting and/or children leaving their family and the church? It is difficult to name just one attribute, but here is a key one.

    “Your only real family are [sic] the members of the priesthood who are faithful to our prophet. – Warren Jeffs

     FLDS members were taught that the prophet spoke for God. As time passed, Warren Jeffs spoke for his father, the prophet and thus “for God”. By the end of his reign, Warren Jeffs had no checks or balances on his governing powers. Women and children were considered “property of the priesthood” and could be reassigned to another man by the “revelation” of the prophet. Thus, no real stability to assure the family units would remain in tact. Your “priesthood family” was more crucial to your life now and in the hereafter. 

 Matthew 12:46-50 (Amplified Bible)

46Jesus was still speaking to the people when behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him. 47[a]Someone said to Him, Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You.  48But He replied to the man who told Him, Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?49And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all] [b]His adherents, He said, Here are My mother and My brothers.50For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!

     This scripture was often used to justify elevating the relationships with those who were in the church over natural family members who are not “doing the will of God”… Would Jesus really teach his followers to ignore family members who are not in WOFF or who are struggling to accept Jane Whaley as God’s only mouthpiece?

     WOFF members are taught that Jane Whaley hears God and knows God’s will. She “hears” for members in matters great and small. There are no checks and balances in the power structure used at WOFF. Many times, I have seen a spouse so entrenched in their faith in Jane and Jane speaking for God, that the other spouse is a secondary consideration in the decisions of the family. If there is one spouse who does not agree with Jane, then the other one must chose and many times that choice is Jane’s word over their mate’s.  At WOFF, choosing a spouse’s words or leading over the direct word from Jane Whaley could mean the family being put out of the church and “missing the move of God” (heaven..). The fear of being “put out” or “on church discipline” resulted in stress in families.

      Thus, the seeds of destruction lie within the spiritual abuse environment created for the members. Each leader promised strict adherance to the beliefs and practices would give hope in the hereafter. Extreme “faithfulness and obedience” to the doctrines and “words of the prophet” in FLDS can lead to “being lifted up at the last day”. If you “doubt the Prophet and his will”, you could miss heaven.

     In WOFF, following the “apostle” Jane would result in “fulfilling the call of God” (making it to heaven). To not “fulfill your call”, (follow “God’s will” through Jane) could cause you to miss heaven.

     How can there be long term stability within the families with these practices in each group?

      Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life.

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )

Uncategorized

Recent Conversations – Very Revealing

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     Over the last few days, I have had a couple of conversations with people who are very familiar with the environment around Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). They live in the community and have had contact with WOFF members over the years. Two events were gleened from these conversations.

     One person who is an ex-law enforcement employee with a municipality in Rutherford county shared this experience. During the build up to the “Inside Edition” expose’; a young Brazilian, who was a part of WOFF made contact with authorities and said he wanted to go home and was not being allowed. At the time of the contact, he DID NOT have his passport on him. Through a sequence of events,  another person in the community bought a return ticket to Brazil for this individual. Upon arrival at the airport with the young Brazil native; the group was met with six WOFF members attempting to surround and intimidate the young person into staying. The person telling me this had no reason to exaggerate or puff any of the details.

     Why would these events even take place? Why would WOFF attempt to keep someone in this country against their will? The rationalization may have been, “But, he said he wanted to “serve God”? In WOFF-land, to “serve God” is a thought stopping phrase with the underlying or understood meaning of being under the direction of Jane Whaley as she hears God for you and your life…

     Why even mention this story? Because I was involved in WOFF for many years during this time frame and after this event; I did not see anything to lead me to believe that the events would not be repeated in the same or similar circumstances. (Of course, that is just my opinion after being involved with WOFF for 16 years.)

     Another person told me this story during the last couple of weeks. The story began with explaining about the sad death of a young person in Rutherford county who was not a member of WOFF. After explaining their reason to be at the funeral, there was a pause. I held up my hand and finished her story by telling her that Jane and her entourage showed up acting like they were invited. There was a stunned look on this person’s face as if to say, How did you know? Simple to say I had been in so many services where a member would tell Jane that “so and so” had died. The reason to go would be discussed and then Jane would ask, “Who has it to go?” She would say if she planned on going or not and make sure the church sent a flower- usually a peace lilly.  If for some reason she did not “feel good” about a particular person going, she would ask them in front of everyone, why they “had it to go”? If she did not agree, she would tell them, ” No, I don’t feel good about that…” or some other phrase to let that person know they were not needed or wanted at the funeral being discussed. It is obvious that attending funerals of non-members in the county is an “outreach” for Jane Whaley.

     Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are some good readers inside of WOFF. I know for sure..  🙂 

     (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )

FLDS vs WOFF, Information control, Uncategorized

Information Control – Magazines -part 5 (cont.)

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      Information control is a mind control technique in several groups across America. We have been comparing and contrasting two groups in particular, FLDS and WOFF. We have listed several areas that are similar in both groups. Here is the experience of one fellow in WOFF showing his appetite for magazines and the consequences he faced.

      When folks would not show-up for services, you would be careful to not make open conversation about it. Jane finally set the record straight and said “if you want to know where someone is- then come ask me”! She was the one responsible for whether someone was “in or out”, so go to the source!

      She often times would just start sharing in a service where certain folks had “given over to devils” and been “put out of the church to find a place of repentance.” One day, she explained about a man who worked for a church member-owned construction company that had an on going project at the local hospital. This fellow had not been in services for a while. He and his family had talked to us several times and spent time with us but, we had not ventured to ask.

      Jane went on to tell how he had been “caught” looking at magazines on the job at the hospital. “He was so engrossed, he did not even notice so and so, (the Holocaust class teacher, practicing her craft..) standing behind him- watching.” She had passed on the incident to Jane and he eventually was fired from the job. He had set a bad example and “attacked the testimony of Jane and WOFF” by doing such an evil thing on the job at the LOCAL hospital. He had a family to support, so he found work at a local plant and worked there for a few years until he “found a place of repentance” for himself. He later returned to the former construction company and was allowed back in the church after a LONG TIME being out! Subsequently, the construction work he was doing became too taxing for his knees and I am not sure what happened after that. He was told by a doctor he needed to find another type of work.

      So, be aware no place is “safe to sin”, especially in Jane’s county- Rutherford County, NC. Before my tenure was up, we all heard about Jane and one of her lieutenants catching a man from a sister church in NC several miles away playing video poker in a convenience store! He was toasted and roasted. He must have “loved it”, though. He moved a few years later from that sister church to the main WOFF in Spindale, NC. A few years earlier, I had had contact with his daughter and son-in-law. They did not “admire” the control techniques of WOFF and did not stay.

      So, onward to other subjects. There are yet more similarities between FLDS and WOFF. Also, I will share more of my personal experiences from 16 years of church services, seminars, special music services, memorial services, weddings, Friday night fellowships, daily living inside a WOFF household and more.. Here are some of the titles of posts yet to come:

–Jane Makes $600 a Month (and Gives Sam $200 from Her $) 

— The $50,000 Offering

— Jane Whaley- The Medical Debt Collector

— Jane Whaley Gets a New Dog- So Do Others!

— The May Seminar We Watched TV Preachers!

— The Toilet Paper Revelation

And yet, the fun “rolls” on…

      Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are some good readers inside of WOFF. I know for sure.. 🙂

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )

Criteria for Cults, FLDS vs WOFF, Information control, Uncategorized

Information Control – Newspapers -part 5 (cont.)

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      We will continue discussing Information control, as we consider newspapers. Actually, this is another case of one standard for Jane and one for “regular ” members. Jane would be very concerned as to the content of the local newspaper – especially when it had anything to do with her or WOFF members. She would either bring the evil newspaper in the church service or have someone else (usually one of her trusted leadership) bring one in to read parts of it to us — the “regular” folks. Of course, any news article that cast her in a favorable light or half-way told her story, made her happy and she would mention the reporter’s name. Depending on the “battle” at hand, we may even hear something out of the Charlotte Observer! How did she know every time when there was an article about her and/or the church?

      Regular members were not allowed to read the newspaper. One fellow’s wife found his newspaper under the seat of his pick-up truck and told Jane. Jane was ready for that “devil”. He was “corrected” in front of the whole church and made an example of… He said he was “just reading the sports page”… Oh, don’t make an excuse when Jane is giving you a major beat-down in front of the whole church! She would end up in such a high pitch, it would hurt our ears! She did that many times. You would think that everyone would just check their excuses at the door and take their scaldings! — Sadly, many did just that but, some would need more “persuasion”. This fellow took his “correction” and it was obvious he was barely treading water.

     What about the “free” copies that would be thrown at the end of your driveway from the local newspaper? Many times they would be run over when going in or out of the driveway or rot until it was evident that they were destroyed. Then someone could pick them up with no danger of being accused of reading them! Yes, this was life at WOFF.

     During the last few months of my WOFF tenure, I had an encounter that revealed the  “newspaper devil” in me. Here is my personal experience.

     In the first part of 2008, Bill Clinton came to Marion, NC. He was campaigning for Hillary. I rented a box at the local post office in Marion and there by the front door were two newspaper boxes just waiting for schlub like me. So, I glanced at the headline “Chief Campaigner”. Now, political leanings aside, that was big news for the small mountain town. I “stored” the info and truly had no inclinations to attend the meeting. Later that evening or the next; I shared that info with the same high school student from the Holocaust class. Well, the next church service, I was confronted in the hallway by one of the high level leadership. “So and so mentioned to me you were reading headlines from the newspaper in Marion! Do you have any conviction of how wrong that was?” I said- “No”. Immediately this person launched into a high-pitched Jane-like tirade about how “wicked I was and not setting a good example for the young people and how I would lose my family if this continued…” I was immediately sent to the “discipleship room” with all the other people struggling to “get their heart right”. In that room, you watched the church service on a “monitor” and were expected to fully participate with your “happy face”. It was understood, you were not allowed in the “sanctuary” before, during or after service. Well, most times: occasionally Jane would lift the ban and allowed those in discipleship to enter the doors, more often to sing, sometimes not. It was all so vague. If you needed further “correction” or “help”, you would hear your name over the monitor and quickly run to the sanctuary for your “encouragement” from Jane. Could it be more clear?

     My trip to the “discipleship room” could have been predicted, if I had just stopped to think about it. I had shown my penchant for a capacity for independent thought. It was obvious to others that there were some “restraints” that I did not agree with. Honestly, I had been reading the newspaper for a few years as part of my previous job as a property manager for a church member-owned company. I had to place adds in the newspaper! What a goofy set-up! You can’t, you shouldn’t but, you have to in order to perform your job? Wow, who can win when the rules are so convoluted and subject to change according to the situation you are in at the time? There is no doubt that you will be wrong when making your way through the ever changing situations.  But, who said living in a religious cult had to make sense or be easy?  🙂

“Our liberty cannot be guarded but by the freedom of the press, nor that be limited without danger of losing it.” –Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 1786.

     Count me with President Jefferson.

      Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. It could very well save their life. There are some good readers inside of WOFF. I know for sure.. 🙂

      (Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, the information about WOFF is from my memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. )