Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Do You Want To Get Well?

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A few nights a week, I travel home late from work. Last year, while driving home, I had the radio on surfing the AM channels, as it were. I tuned into a station out of Nashville and Dr. Asa Andrews was taking callers and answering their health questions. I listened with interest as my struggle at the time was against a major illness that had captivated most all my attention and extra time. I wanted to learn how to fight the disease. Dr. Andrews had some ideas that were new to me and I listened hoping to learn and eventually win my battle.

As I listened, he talked about a book he wrote titled, “Empowering Your Health” (Copyright©2007 by Asa Andrews, published by Thomas Nelson, ISBN-13:978-1-4016-0372-4). I made a mental note at that time to order the book. Have you ever done that? Make a mental note to do something and several months later- you have not followed through? That is what happened to me. It was almost a year later and I had not ordered the book. Why? There could be many excuses. I had ordered other books and not remembered to order that one… I may have actually looked it up and intended to order it and just never did. Then in early January, I told someone about the book and told them I would order it and read it. Finally, after several more weeks, I went to amazon.com and ordered the book. The struggle did not end there.

When the book arrived, I left it in the back seat of my car for a day or so. It was as if I was afraid to open it because that would bring me one step closer to reading it and possibly seeing what I knew in the back of mind was my reality. So, I unwrapped the book and it is in great shape for a “used” book! That was wonderful. The jacket for the book had a picture of Dr. Andrews throwing an apple in the air. So, I opened it and began reading. The first part was about his struggle when he was on a team of folks who lifted weights and traveled. He met with physical struggles and began searching for answers. After all he was a medical student! Chapter 2 was titled “Do You Want to Get Well? Taking Responsibility for Your Health” I read a few sentences then I stopped and put the book down – for days! Let me explain.

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Uncategorized

More Memories From Ben McGee

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This post is the next one submitted by Ben McGee. He tells of events he remembers from his time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). As Jane Whaley said during my time at WOFF, no one can take your experiences from you. They are yours. The following are more of Ben McGee’s memories and experiences.

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I would like everyone involved to know that I will show respect where due yet, I’m going to be very frank about my thoughts, perceptions and the subsequent actions that took place; this applies to everyone in that community and local government. Jesus is in control and he will be glorified regardless of our purpose. I honestly don’t know everything that was going on and I do not condemn anyone or any agency for what they did or didn’t do. Again as a stated before, the purpose is to save and not destroy. God is our ultimate judge and we shall all be held accountable whether you believe this or not. Man was given free will in the garden because of his actions and no one on this earth was appointed to suppress or control free will, including the original apostles.

The Ugly Truth

Here is some insight to things I witnessed which were triggers that led to my decision at first to doubt and ultimately leave this oppressive regime. They are random as the timeline is not clear to me. This is not a debate about doctrine right or wrong, I’ll let you decide what is Holy and Acceptable.

Oh, where to start! The blinders started to fail when Derek Moser took his stand to leave because he was not allowed to make a better life for his family. This is my assumption as I have never spoken with them at length. Derek simply wanted to start a business but, Jane decided he was not in a place in God or not ready to do this yet. I was standing in the hall outside Jane’s office where they were meeting with open door. I wasn’t intentional listening, nothing better to do while waiting my turn to speak with the high priestess. This process is referred to as locking in. Approval or disapproval of a thought or action and its eventual success or failure was done this way and the line and wait could be lengthy. Attempts at circumventing this process were frowned upon and dealt with in creative and usually stressful emotional ways.

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Criteria for Cults, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

Salvation Critical Issues

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A recent conversation with a person who has never been a member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) revealed something to me that helped me understand the quandary for many outsiders. After asking several questions and trying to understand the dynamics of life inside WOFF, this person said, “You know, I don’t think about my salvation constantly. I am not worried if I am going to hell over every single thing I do…” I was shocked at the statement, but suddenly I could see the problem and at least some of the answer. Let me explain.

First, the fact that I was shocked showed me I was still at least in the shadows of WOFF thinking. Why? Inside WOFF, for faithful members, the life is saturated with “salvation critical issues”. What do I mean? Everything at WOFF – every behavior, every attitude, every decision, every thought, every purchase, and every choice of a garment, every relationship, and every facial expression – can be and is subject to being scrutinized to see if you are saved, born again and submitted to the will of God. This may seem strange and should to those outside the WOFF sub-culture. So much revolves around this one aspect that is may be difficult to fully explain the vital role that this has in the control environment of WOFF, but, I will make an attempt.

We have chronicled many of these issues here on this blog in previous posts. Your walk with God and eventual salvation could and would be judged for how you talked, how you walked, how you dressed, how you drove, how you handled your cell phone, how you left a bathroom, who you wanted to be friends with wither inside or outside the group, where you wanted to work, what classes you wanted to take in school… The list can be endless as new situations would arise and you would be judged in that new situation as to whether you were “hearing God” or were “under authority” or were “lawless” or “giving over to your sin” or “giving place to the devils in you” or risk being “put out of the church and the MOVE of GOD”… All of these phrases were meant to instill fear over your eternal destination while relating to common occurrences such as how you cleaned your house or folded your clothes or if you cleaned your deck, or whatever Jane decided to use for her purposes. All of this would be covered in the phrase- you need to walk, talk and act “like a minister of God…”

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Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

My WOFF Exit Drama- Ben McGee

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The following is a brief narration of events leading to the exit of Ben McGee from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. Though my family had not moved to Spindale before these events took place, we knew Ben, his wife and children. Since we were living in Greenville, the details in this story were not conveyed to us, as far as I remember. As I learned, this exit drama was not unusual for WOFF families. If there are other former members who would like to share their story, please contact me by email- author@religiosucultsinco.com

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My WOFF Exit Drama- Ben McGee

Introduction

In or around the early 90’s my wife and I moved from Jacksonville Fl. to Rutherfordton NC. for a number of reasons. Close friends from a bible study group we attended had been to a seminar in Florida WOFF had hosted and told us how wonderful it was and they were going to move to go to bible school in North Carolina. I trusted these friends; I could see and feel their zeal to do God’s work unselfishly. My wife was recovering from destructive crack and alcohol addictions which if we stayed without the help of close friends, I feared would return. I had my own demons but not the violent addictive behavior openly displayed by my ex-wife. Many will sit in judgment of my actions and decisions but the fact is the majority of people have problems they aren’t aware of or refuse to acknowledge and deal with or simply don’t know how. Please, bear in mind this is a blog and not a book so all the dynamics of my life and choices are not discussed or explained. In faith, we packed all our belongings in a truck and my wife drove the car with our 4 children. Contrary to WOFF’s made up perceptions we were not on the verge of divorce. Why on earth would we go through all we did if it weren’t the hope in our hearts of a better life? We did not ask to come; we did not know anything about Word of Faith Spindale or Rutherford County. We came in faith.

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Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

The True Cost of WOFF Membership… (2)

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We continue with examining the true cost of being a member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).  This past week I saw the cost of living in Jane Whaley’s group from another perspective. Let me set the scene. In the post about a recent exit drama, I mentioned a phone conversation with Jane. (link here- https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=4782 ) During this conversation, Jane began to remind me how many lawsuits WOFF has “won”… She was telling me of her record and how she had met every challenge. Now, I am no expert on the details of the court rulings. I was on the inside during these court cases and have discovered since I have been out that I was only told part of the so called “truth” about these decisions. Regardless of the details now, let it just be said that this litany of Jane’s “perfect court record” has been repeated enough for many if not most folks in Rutherford County to believe it without question. Others who talk to Jane confirm she tells this often, as well as it is on their website.

While on the inside, I heard this “praise report” and record of “victories” over and over. I thought it was great! Wow- those Jewish lawyers were worth the millions of dollars that WOFF and whoever paid them! Wow- we showed them! When you were inside you counted the victories as “blessings”. But, now that I am out, I think I was deceived –AGAIN about life inside WOFF.  Please, keep reading.

Also, while inside WOFF, it never occurred to me to ask why it was such a common occurrence for families to have their custody battles orchestrated by Jane. Why would a church be so concerned and take up the cause or get in the middle of custody battles or adoptions? Hmmm… Why is that? Could Jane believe that everything about her members is her business and reflects on her? Yes, I think so. But, if WOFF was a normal, Protestant, evangelical church why would they be so intoxicated and dedicated to defending their perception or reputation in the community? You tell me. Do all the other Christian churches in Rutherford County make it their mission to educate and grow their own attorneys? Why does Jane see the need to have in-house legal defense? What is the cost of all this court activity? I believe there are many sides to this issue. I will expound on two of them.

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Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

The True Cost of WOFF Membership… (1)

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There are times when different themes of several posts will begin to converge and allow more insight into the life of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) members. This is just such a time. On Saturday, I pondered the events over this last week and actually the last few weeks. Without going into great detail, I have seen the cost of WOFF membership from a new perspective. After having been a member and now a former member; my experiences and observations cannot be wholly dismissed. I am not an outsider who has never seen the intimate cozy surreal almost “family atmosphere” of the homes and the church buildings.  For some, my words may still be considered highly prejudiced. Yes, that could be assumed since I have lost my immediate family, many friends and sixteen years of my life to WOFF.  But, in this post, I hope to present a more complete assessment of WOFF membership.  In this post, I will attempt to list the benefits AND what I see as the actual cost of being a WOFF member.

In recent posts, we have discussed the many conflictions and conundrums of life at WOFF. We have discussed the advertising of WOFF member-owned businesses in media that regular members are not allowed to partake of. These WOFF member-owned businesses are not advertising for new members- directly. But, if WOFF were to run some commercials on radio or television, what would it sound like? We have all seen or heard commercials for churches before. What if WOFF had to hold to the same standards as drug companies? That makes sense as some say that during a WOFF membership, some faithful members are so addicted to Jane that it can be like a drug addiction.  Hmmm…

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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Stockholm Syndrome at WOFF? (1)

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 During this last week, I heard the term “Stockholm Syndrome”. Though I had a vague idea what the term meant, I took some time to read more and found a very informative resource article titled: “Love and Stockholm Syndrome: The Mystery of Loving an Abuser” The article was four separate pages with the link to the first page found here- http://counsellingresource.com/lib/therapy/self-help/stockholm/ .

The article was written by Dr. Joseph M. Carver, PhD. The website was labeled as “Counseling Resource”.

For this series of posts, I will review the parts of the article that help explain how and/or why many members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) act as they do toward and in defense of the leader, Jane Whaley. We will review the characteristics of the Stockholm Syndrome and also hopefully gain some insight as to why many WOFF members cut-off and walk away from their family members and friends.

   As the author introduces the subject, he begins by remarking when people make changes away from certain behaviors or destructive relationships, they sometimes look back and find it hard to believe they once had dark thoughts. They may even miss those negative controlling relationships. Why would this be? Socially it makes no sense to long for that which was destructive in your life. The answer may be found in understanding the Stockholm Syndrome.

   In order to bring the question closer, how many times have WOFF members heard Jane brag that former members longed to fellowship with present members?  She announced as some sort of endorsement or badge of validity that she must be doing something right! Ex-members still want to be around her as long as she didn’t “hit their sin”. Again, I believe the answers don’t validate Jane and her practices, but in truth, the answers point out just how destructive WOFF-life has been on many folks. Let’s continue.

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