Category Archives: WOFF Don’ts

Behavior Control, FLDS vs WOFF, Uncategorized, WOFF Don'ts

More Don’ts for the WOFF “Don’t List”

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    Earlier, I admitted that the list of “don’ts” for WOFF was not complete. In the interest of making the list as complete as possible, there are more to add. These “don’ts” are in no particular order. Also, let’s be reminded that the list itself is not the focus of these posts. The “Don’t” List is just an example of the far reaching control that Jane Whaley and other leadership at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC exercise over regular members. True, not all members adhere to the same number of these don’ts at any one time. But, over the years, ALL of these don’ts were advocated in one form or another. As a refresher, here is the original list of 145 :WOFF Don’t list 03 10 

     After I returned from a recent trip to the gym, I realized that going to the gym was a WOFF “don’t”. WOFF members do not frequent gyms. They were told that the “body building devil”can take you over. One fellow got up to explain how he took steroids and lost his hair. (if my memory serves me correctly..) Think about the “don’ts” that are at the gym. Worldly music, people in shorts and sleeveless tops, TV- to name a few. The trip to the gym would be “don’t” overload for a WOFF member.

     While on family getaways or day trips, who has not seen the machines that take pennies and imprints an image on them? Well, some young folks close to me enjoyed collecting those pennies very much. One service, one of the teachers and assistant principal of the school got up to make the new “don’t” known to all. “No more smashing pennies! You are destroying government property.”  I am not sure, but she may have been swatting gnats at the same time she was telling us this new don’t. Does this one make sense? Please, comment if you are a penny smasher.

     WOFF members in the know about lingo, did not use the word “luck”. We were told “luck” was from the word “Lucifer”. Well, that may not be so true.. see link http://tiny.cc/rEYc1  This explains the myth of saying that “luck” comes from Lucifer. Still, this has to stay on the don’t list, because WOFF members don’t say “luck”.

     On that note, WOFF members don’t say “bless you” after someone sneezes. The belief was that saying “bless you” was from an ancient custom that a sneeze expelled demons and you blessed the person before the demons could get back in to them. This belief was spoofed as untrue at WOFF. Read here for more information and options from other cultrues about what happens when a person sneezes. ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneeze ) Scroll down to “Traditional Responses to a Sneeze”. 

Continue reading More Don’ts for the WOFF “Don’t List” →

Uncategorized, WOFF Don'ts, WOFF Updates

Handout for New (or Present) WOFF Members

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     Recently, a regular reader mentioned I should publish a “handbook” for WOFF members. Actually, during my stint with the property management company during my days at WOFF; we did have a handbook or handouts for new residents. It was called a “move-in” package. So, the idea is not new. However, before I unveil my efforts; let’s go over a few points. This list is meant to inform only. There is no way for me to guaruntee the total accuracy or completeness since many of the “don’ts” are subject to change or multiplication. Also, my days at WOFF ended in July of 2008, this will not be a complete list. Other “don’ts” have been discovered since my departure. This list is totally illustrative of what could be done with the information known at this time. That is the long way to say this is the “short version”.

     Here are some excerpts… ( the numbering is different for these items…)

  1. Don’t wear jeans. (exception may be for construction work..maybe..)
  2. Don’t wear shorts.
  3. Don’t wear sleeveless dresses or tops.
  4. Don’t wear dresses above the knees.

     The entire document is here-     http://tiny.cc/sYBLc 

     Yes, there really are that many “don’ts” to remember when you live in “Don’t-dale”.. Does this list make sense? It is the short version of all the don’ts I heard over my years in Greenville and WOFF. Do you think that potential new members would be able to look over this list and still consider joining WOFF? What could be so attractive to allow someone to join a group like this when BEFOREHAND you have the list of “don’ts” and rules?

     To many folks, the attraction begins with someone at WOFF providing a job and/or a place to live. How many times did I see a single person or a young couple given a job or place to live conditional on their frequenting the services and learning the “do’s” and “don’ts” of  WOFF? Many would come, few would stay for one reason or another. If they stayed, often it was not for long. Could at least one of the reasons be the strict list of “don’ts”? So, WOFF leadership and Jane Whaley; consider using this document or one like it to give to potential members. Cut to the chase and see if any are willing to put themselves through these rigors when they know ahead of time what the routine will be! After all, isn’t that the only fair thing to do? Why wait until the new members have adjusted the job and maybe even the housing; then start increasing the “don’t” therapy?

     There were people from many different nations living in WOFF controlled housing. Several worked for the church -member owned property management company that I worked for during my stay at WOFF. I cannot say for sure that all the proper forms were completed when hiring folks from other countries for the property management company. That was not my area of responsibility.  In fact, one day between October of 2007 and March of 2008; I was asked to take a deposit for the property management company to the local bank. In addition, I was given a check to cash. It was made out to the son of one of the company’s owners. The teller at the bank made a comment to say I did not look like the owner’s son, but cashed the check anyway. The son of the owner would not get the cash. I was instructed to drop it off to one of the Brazilians working in Spartanburg, SC. He would give it to the young Brazilian for whom it was intended. It was his weekly pay for working with the property management company. Why would this Brazilian not be able to cash his own checks? Did he have proper papers? Or was this a case of something else? “Service” above and beyond? Were there others at WOFF in the same “predicament”?  All this brings us to another “don’t” – You don’t ask people from other countries if they are legal? Is that on the “Don’t List”?

    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 readers at WOFF. I hope this is a help to them.

     Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature. Also, find more posts by selecting “Categories”.

      (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, WOFF Don'ts

The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 7

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     This series has been outlining the conduct rules, or “don’ts” for members of WOFF. Yes, there are yet more “don’ts” to be listed. One “don’t” was for males. Men, as well as young boys down to toddlers; don’t use a urinal in a restroom unless it is completely enclosed, as with WOFF bathrooms. If you have ever visited WOFF and had occasion to learn about the enclosed urinals, then this is the answer. One fellow, who is no longer at WOFF, was called out for using a public urinal in an airport bathroom before he left. He set a “bad example for the younger boys”. He was told “we don’t do that”.

     Members of WOFF do not use tanning beds. Now, here is a restraint that could save your life. Why would it be a “don’t” of a church? Good common sense keeps many folks out of tanning beds. Why add it to the list? Many of these “don’ts” speak volumes about Jane Whaley and her desire to control.

     Again, another don’t about alcohol. WOFF members don’t go to restaurants that serve alcohol. Well, that was the “don’t”, but if you were in a position that there were no places that did not serve alcohol; then you could eat in a place that served alcohol. Just try not to sit close to the bar. Ask to be put at the opposite end of the dining area, if possible. After a business trip in 1999, I was scalded for eating at a Texas Roadhouse in Georgia. The company I worked for had stopped to have lunch with several clients. Yes, I felt uncomfortable while I was there, but the position I was in did not allow me to dictate the dining options.

     One seminar a few years ago, someone complained the Jane that several members had PO Box addresses. What was the purpose? The comment led to a ban on regular members having a PO Box. After all, who could know what mail they were getting in their box? If they got mail at the household where they lived, someone could check it. I kept my PO Box in Rutherfordton after going to someone in leadership and telling them I had a problem with giving it up. Actually, I continued to see other WOFF members picking up their mail from the Post Office. Not all “don’ts” work.

     While driving yesterday, I remembered another “don’t”. WOFF members as a rule don’t ride in the back of a pick-up truck. Here is another “don’t” that is for safety. But, why does a church have to tell their members this one? Though I rode in the back of a pick-up truck several times in years past, I would not do it, today.

     Admittedly, it is hard to remember all the restrictions and “don’ts” in order. Many of the “don’ts” occur to me as I have been going through my day. A thought or situation or comment by a co-worker will remind me that something was a “no-no”. For instance, yesterday I had to deal with motorcycles. Then I remembered that WOFF members don’t ride motorcycles, dirt bikes or ATV’s. (unless there have been major changes since my time there ended.) It was cited as a safety issue.

     You will notice that WOFF men don’t have long hair of any sorts, a don’t rule for sure.  Jane Whaley also mentioned that the African American men don’t need to be bald. It looks worldly. So, they began to grow their hair out. Read the rest of this post, we pose more questions… Continue reading The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 7 →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized, WOFF Don'ts

The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 6

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     As we move on to the sixth part of the series, we must give some background. Several years ago during a few of the week long seminars held in the spring or summer; Jane Whaley determined that the members wanted further instruction on certain household tasks. She approved of certain of the ministry staff to get up before the congregation and explain techniques for activities like ironing, towel folding, underwear and t-shirt folding as well as sock folding and how to arrange these in the drawer. 

     A certain minister got up and demonstrated the technique for ironing a collared shirt. If I remember right, he also demostrated ironing pants. (I missed the meeting but, was given a recap in the evening.) 

     Another minister had a chest of drawers brought in and placed on the stage. He proceeded to fold socks, roll t-shirts and fold briefs. Then they were placed as prescribed in the drawer. Afterwards, members could come up and inspect the drawers to help them see the example. At this point, I am not sure which minister demonstrated the towel folding, but someone did. If my memory serves me right, at some point members were shown the correct way to fold the corners of bedsheets. 

     The reaction of the children over these demonstrations was of particular interest. The excitement level was high as many were joyous over the new techniques shared. In and of themselves, I found nothing wrong with the techniques. However, in the overall environment of WOFF, the “do’s” had/have a way of becoming fuel for “don’ts” as you may surmise. The believers at WOFF were/are eager to learn the next thing to do or not do in order to “fulfill their call”, “grow in Jesus” or “be the minister Jesus has called them to be…”. If you have read certain previous posts like “The Toilet Paper Revelation” or “Why No Note Taking During the Service!”, then what happened afterwards would be no surprise. The pressures to make sure your personal space measured up to the approved standard was great. It was used as another way to exert a “We don’t do it that way” when you slipped from the demonstrated standard. 

     In order to demonstrate the point, I relate the following incident to which I was a personal witness. In the first quarter of 2005, I traveled with a large group to Brazil on a “missions” trip. This was my first trip with folks from WOFF. We were sitting at the airport in Charlotte, NC. We were to the far right sitting in chairs waiting to pass through to the secured area. The main church secretary was standing among the group waiting for us to move to the next part. She was not taking the trip. However, while we were there waiting she looked at the young man sitting next to me in the row of chairs. She asked him a couple of questions and then said, “Do you realize you have double creases in your pants?” She said, “We don’t do that. You do know how to make that right?” She then went on the explain how to take out the double and put back a single crease. Of course, I listened! 

     At the time, I did not think much of the “correction”.  However, later I realized how that news of double creases affected the young man. He already was self-conscious and did not need another weight to carry. The church secretary had a way of pushing a point deeper when she supposed she was “helping” a person. Some folks have that gift. 

     So, what was intended as a “do” becomes a “We don’t do it that way”.  So, at WOFF, there was a specified way to keep your drawers, fold your towels and iron your clothes. If you slipped, then you could be reminded- “We don’t do it that way. Where were you when God showed us how to do that?” 

     As a reminder; it is not the specific list of “don’ts” that is the vital issue at hand when discussing life at WOFF. Certainly in this country, many folks can and do abstain from many things in the name of keeping their religious preferences.  The point is the great number of very minute conduct rules and how they are used to control members who seek Jane’s approval.  That is the purpose of this series of posts. 

     A scripture that seems to fit here… (emphasis added) 

Colossians 2:20-22 (Amplified Bible)

20If then you have died with Christ to material ways of looking at things and have escaped from the world’s crude and elemental notions and teachings of externalism, why do you live as if you still belong to the world? [Why do you submit to rules and regulations?–such as] 

    21Do not handle [this], Do not taste [that], Do not even touch [them], 

    22Referring to things all of which perish with being used. To do this is to follow human precepts and doctrines.(A)   

 A definition of externalism…from Answers.com  n.
Excessive concern with outer circumstances or appearances.     

     The “don’ts” and rules that have been recited in the these posts serve as a strong means of control over members of WOFF.  These conduct rules help “keep you in your place”. Well, that is for sure. So, how is that “freedom in Christ” working out for you as a member of WOFF?

Galatians 5:1 (Amplified Bible)

  1IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].

      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 readers at WOFF. I hope this is a help to them.

     Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature.

      (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, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Don'ts

The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 5

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      We move on to the fifth installment in the series titled, “The WOFF “Don’t” List”.  The subjects are varied. We will pick back up with games. There were/are so many “don’ts” in the area of entertainment.

      Steven Hassan in “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright 2000) explains the “B” in his “B.I.T.E.” model. The “B” stands for “Behavior control“. Defined as the “Regulation of individual’s physical reality… the list includes regulation of clothes, hairstyles worn, food the person eats, drinks, amount of sleep and financial dependence. This next part is a direct quote, “Little or no time spent on leisure, entertainment, vacations.” (page 42) During my time at WOFF, there was very little time for adults to spend on leisure or entertainment.

     One entire service was spent delving into what possessed several men and young boys to be taken over by the “ping pong devil”.The competition for the “King of Ping Pong” of course did not measure up to previous “don’ts” established at WOFF. The meeting ended as all participants were led to repent to Jesus and to the whole church as well as Jane Whaley personally. After that service, the pool table did not have a chance! Yet, another entry in the “don’t” column.

     Just a quick one, here. WOFF members don’t whistle. Jane said “It was better to sing the words and not loose confusion”. Besides, whistling in mixed company could be mis-understood.

      One service several years ago, Jane Whaley stood up and held up a set of camping toys. They had been left on the previous Friday night in one of the classrooms. She was using this to make a point. “Who did this?” She went on, not waiting for someone to admit the “sin” and explained we “don’t” allow these toys. “It teaches our children that playing with fire is okay”. The person who felt responsible stood up and interupted Jane to admit their gross sin. Jane is all her loving caring attitude snapped back and told the person that she already knew who did it. She was not going to reveal it in front of everyone. (She obviously was using the scene to further establish her power as sole authority on children and toys…) The person sat back down and finished taking their scalding in the privacy of their own thoughts. Similar scenes were played out with play tools. “We don’t let our children have those. They will confuse them with real tools and could get cut or hurt handling a real tool when no one is looking.” When would that happen? WOFF children are not left alone at any point. Well, that is the way things were years ago. “Don’t leave them alone, the devil is waiting to attack them.”

     At one point before my time at WOFF ended, there were 34 children under 5 years old. (as far as I can remember..) I saw several playing with toy musical instruments. Cute. But, also another “don’t” from previous years that changed to a “do”. Reason: “We have ahold of these children at a higher level. They don’t have the systems in them that your children did. God can trust them with more.”  Another example, years ago a “don’t” was concerning children’s Bibles. “We don’t give them the ones with pictures. After all, those pictures don’t show Jesus as he really was…” Before my departure, that “don’t” switched to a “do”. I saw many children’s Bibles with pictures and shortened stories. Years ago, another don’t was not allowing children to make noises like animals. Well, that changed. I heard certain ones quacking like ducks and mooing like cows. Cute. But, some “don’ts” seem to be relative. It depends on who your relatives are as to exactly how many don’ts are placed on you…                  (see quote from Steven Hassan in part 4 https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=750   )    

      Don’t be late going anywhere if you are a member of WOFF. One called prayer service during the week, in March of 2008; Jane announced that the doors would be locked at 7:00PM. She was tired of people dragging in late. So, promptly at 7:00PM those “on watch” locked the doors and that was it. I know a man that was locked out and he went back to his car to “fellowship with Jesus” and had a “grand time”. Sure he had to answer to someone about his tardiness.  Several times, Jane would complain to the congregation about Sam not being ready when it was time to leave their house and go to the services. Not sure if she ever left him, but it sounded like she would in order to “get ahold of Sam”.

     There may be a better place to put this quote, but I will put it here to bring some perspective….

  Luke 11:42 (Amplified Bible)

42But woe to you, Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every [little] herb, but disregard and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done without leaving the others undone.(A)  

     Disregarding the “love of God”, certainly WOFF members don’t do that. (see previous post here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=498  )  As long as you don’t mess up my stay in “Don’t-dale”, I will show you “love”.  In short, you don’t talk to those who have left unless Jane gives the okay. That is the “love of god.”

     The list of “don’ts” is not finished. We will continue in future posts…

     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 readers at WOFF. I hope this is a help to them. Use the comment section to let me know of any “don’ts” that I missed.

     Look on the right side of any post for the option to subscribe by email for notifications or RSS feeds notifying of new postings. It is a great feature.

      (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, WOFF Don'ts

The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 4

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      This is the fourth installment in the series titled, “The WOFF “Don’t” List”.  The subjects matter has been far reaching as the “don’ts” for the members of WOFF are extensive to say the least.  As a short review; the purpose of this series is not to repeat every “don’t” at WOFF, but to show the scope and purposes of the “don’ts”. By now, it is safe to say the scope of “restraints” is evident in EVERY area of personal or public life for members. Behavior modification for “keeping people in their places” seems like the defined purpose. What would be considered “their places”? The answer is becoming more clear as we keep going.  For sure, the list continues to grow.

      For many years, it was understood that members of WOFF don’t go hunting or fishing. Who has time? Besides the “deer hunting devil”had been “hit” years ago. In more recent years, we heard of “leadership” surf-fishing and taking other men there to the “house” to help “get ahold of them”. I am not sure if that was to help them see they need to join WOFF or to prove that WOFFers weren’t THAT strange? In any case, if you did shoot or catch some animal or fish; it is always better to eat it. Don’t waste the meat! That would be killing for sport and “we don’t do that”.

     Since I have left WOFF, two different WOFF survivors who do not have regular contact with each other, have told me about the house at Isle of Palms,SC. One fellow had spent time there relaxing and “fellow-shipping”. Another fellow related the experience he was told by a third person stumbling upon the house while working. Why had this not come up in the services while I was at WOFF? “We don’t talk about things like that”. Besides, there was a houseboat and jet skis for attendees to enjoy. Why would there be jet skis for use when “we don’t do that.” What had changed? Boating and water recreation had been frowned on for years, at least for the regular members. “Would Jesus be out on a jet-ski?” Out of the mouths of two or more witnesses let a thing be established. How could someone who makes $600 a month and gives $200 to her husband, afford part ownership in a resort house on the Isle of Palms?  (see previous post here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=277   ) The list of others who may own a part is of no regard to me. County records show the church approved realty company owner is a very active owner of property in Charleston County, SC.  But, when the “don’ts” change and a person has to go to the coast to find out; that seems a little fishy. Full financial disclosure on how church offerings are spent would help explain if indeed there is any part of the house owned by Jane Whaley or by WOFF. But, then again members of WOFF don’t talk about that idea of full financial disclosure.

     The information about the house in SC reminded me of this part in Hassan’s book.  In “Releasing the Bonds” (copyright 2000), Steven Hassan explains that “People are given only the information they are deemed “ready for,” or as much as they “need to know” to perform their jobs. Cult ideologies allow for many levels of “truth”.  (page 49) Why would he know this? Steven Hassan is a survivor of the Moonies and has helped over 1,000 folks deal with their time in mind control groups.

     We must forge ahead with our list. In the clothing department; WOFF members don’t wear cargo pants or anything else baggy. Many of the don’ts were discussed in services usually when a violator was discovered and needed help to know the “don’ts”.  Don’t wear a t-shirt with a slogan. For men- Don’t leave the house without a white t-shirt under your top shirt. The Holocaust teacher said, “Men are not fully dressed unless they have a white t-shirt on.” Over the years, the acceptable choice went from full neck to v-neck.  It was not WOFF fashion to let the t-shirt show. Also, if you wear a baseball hat- DON’T wear it backwards or even sideways! Doing so would warrant a scalding for sure.  WOFF members don’t wear  black tennis shoes or even “boot like” high-cut tennis shoes.

     Previously, we mentioned cars. WOFF members don’t have bumper stickers. (except during political season..) Also, they don’t have any dingle dangle type things hanging from the mirror,  no stickers in the windows. They don’t have a flashy front license plate. Well, one of Jane’s relatives used to drive a vehicle with a trendy slogan on the front license plate. But, we don’t talk about that. WOFF members don’t own sporty racer type cars. NO PT Cruisers. Don’t even ask. “What is in you that would want a race car or worldy looking car?” Get that “race car devil” out of you! To WOFF members, cars are a big source of accomplishment. Sam made sure of that.  WOFF members don’t speed. (sorta)  If you do and get a ticket, Jane Whaley could call you out in a service and give you what you deserve. I saw it more than once. Read more as there are yet more don’ts to share…

Continue reading The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 4 →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Don'ts

The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 3

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     As we seek to continue listing the “don’ts” for the members of WOFF, this post warrants a brief recap of the “don’ts” list so far. There were some of the obvious; no alcohol, no tobacco, no movies, no TV, no radio, no newspapers, no magazines. Books were evil, if not checked out by leadership. (especially books quoted from in these posts!)  Don’t read your Bible too much! We have also covered some “don’ts” for attending services. Don’t buy a car or house or interview for a job or plan on attending college or even chose your classes with out “getting it checked out”. Alas, I realize I have inadvertantly omitted a couple of the finer points which add to our yet ever growing list of “don’ts”.

     WOFF members don’t drink alcohol or even root beer or Cheerwine®, or diet Cheerwine®. There was some doubt cast on ginger ale for a while. I am not sure the status of that “don’t”. Are the reasons obvious enough? The following scripture was used for many “don’ts” – a tool for making many things off limits. 

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (Amplified Bible)

22Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.

      Root “BEER”? Cheer-“WINE”, Ginger- “ALE”.  Yep, that appears like alcohol to Jane and members of WOFF. Well, more accurately, they think others will think less of their “holy walk with Jesus”, if they are seen drinking these beverages. “It could cause others to stumble“- that was a common addition to the previous rationale for many of the “don’ts”.  I know of a male member who was a diabetic who was specifically told he should not buy diet Cheerwine®. Also, don’t use cooking sherry or other types of alcohol in your cooking! You could stir-up a taste for alcohol and before you know it you will be having wine with your meal.

     Verse 21  of the previous passage was not as equally stressed, but as important none the less:

     21But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.   

     I believe that was the Apostle Paul’s plea for good common sense BEFORE he mentioned “abstain from evil”.  He was no stranger the Law of Moses and knew how constricting the “daily don’ts” of the law had become over time. Suppose that was why he did not advocate returning to that OLD covenant and the regime of restrictive “man-made laws”? I hear the reasoning from WOFF members now. “But, these are not “man-made” rules; “God” spoke them to us!” We are not under the Old Testament”.  Okay, please, keep reading.

     Before we go futher into the list, I remind my readers  that I will not be able to recount every don’t. I simply don’t know them all.  But, please, don’t blame me! Some of these don’ts are not bad as a guidelines. But, remember to stay at WOFF you don’t have a choice. You do the do’s (a subject covered later.)  and don’t do the don’ts or you may be in rebellion and put out!  Also, I may list a “don’t” from one time period of my time of 16 years that turned to a “do” or a “maybe do”, depending on if you heard God or Jane Whaley say you could do that thing. Above all else, let us not confuse the matter of “don’ts”. 

      As a further explanation; it is not the specific list of “don’ts” that is the vital issue at hand when discussing life at WOFF. Certainly in this country, many folks can and do abstain from many things in the name of keeping their religious preferences. Many other religious groups that are organized in a similar fashion as WOFF have equal or even more “don’ts” to observe. The point is the great number of very minute conduct rules and how they are used to control members who seek Jane’s approval.  That is the purpose of this series of posts. Many folks who live around WOFFers see the way they dress alike, act alike and even talk alike. ( I know- I were one. My closet still has several pairs of khakis and button-down shirts.) These posts will list many of the rules that kept/keep WOFF members in the Jane Whaley approved group . You will also learn some of the “reasoning” behind the LONG list of  “don’ts”. I will not even consider that I could provide “reasons” for all of the “don’ts”, but I will give what I know and remember from my time at WOFF. Don’t stop here… there is more.. select the prompt to read more..

Continue reading The WOFF “Don’t” List – Part 3 →