Tag Archives: Jane Whaley

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

Is Simple Assault a Vital Part of the Word of Faith Fellowship Practices? (2)

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As we continue with a review of the question- Is Simple Assault a Vital Part of the Word of Faith Fellowship Practices?– let me acknowledge how absurd the question may sound to some and how obvious the answer may seem to others. For those that have only seen the sweet side of Jane Whaley and never lived inside the group under the ongoing, smothering, confining fear-hold that she has on her faithful members- then yes, even the question is surreal. For those individuals, I ask you to hang on and finish reading the series before you totally dismiss the question. My hopes are to at least give you some food for thought concerning your ideas of conduct inside Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).

Before this series is over, I hope to give everyone reasons to pause and consider the practices of WOFF in a new light. In order to do this, we will eventually be breaking down and discussing what has become ominously known as the “Injunction” from June of 2005. For those that may not know, WOFF sued Rutherford County Department of Social Services (RCDSS) and in June of 2005, there was a COMPROMISE reached. The stipulations of the compromise worked out by lawyers from each side included guidelines for handling of certain types of complaints concerning the conduct of WOFF members. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Emotional Control, Thought Reform, Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Is Simple Assault a Vital Part of the Word of Faith Fellowship Practices? (1)

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Recently, I obtained some very disturbing information about new discipline practices that have evolved at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). If my source is accurate, and I have no reason to think that their knowledge is less than up close and personal; then it appears that Simple Assault has become a consistent tool for “correction” inside WOFF.

Before I give the account, let me say that after I left in 2008, it took a while to decompress and as it were- begin to assimilate and process that experiences over the last 16 years. I was in denial for a long time as to the intensity with which Jane Whaley’s edicts were carried out. After all, didn’t she speak for “God?” While I was inside, I wrestled with that required basic belief which faces every WOFF member. Does Jane speak for God? For some to deny it would mean they would soon “meet the authority of God in Jane Whaley.” That translates into her making a show of how much she owns you and has the power to direct your life at ALL levels. Many times, this revelation was accompanied with loud shouting, shrills of “prayer” and in some cases- physical restraint until you bowed your knee to her. When it was happening to others, there was in me a disengagement and denial that I would ever be required to do that. Oh, I was wrong and therein was the beginning of my exit story- previously told on this blog.

Why do I insert these musings here? For this reason, for outsiders it is next to impossible to convey the level of power, influence, control and fear-hold that Jane has over her members. Honestly, not everyone is controlled to the exact same degree, but, everyone is controlled at some level or they don’t stay. As I tell of the new discipline measures which have developed, do not think for an instant that the intense interactions have not been allowed or even prompted – at the minimum – APRROVED by Jane Whaley herself. NOTHING happens twice inside that group without Jane’s approval. So, here we go…

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Behavior Control, Books, Resources, WOFF Updates

WOFF Survivor Returns… No One Wins…

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A life-long member of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) returned this past week. Many have followed the story of Michael Lowry on this blog. He was born 1990 and resided in WOFF until November 2011. It is with sadness I must bring to you the next chapter in this saga. Earlier this past week, Michael Lowry was picked up by his WOFF family and returned to Spindale, NC. Later in the week, he recanted his allegations and on Friday met with AP reporter Mitch Weiss. Please, continue reading for excerpts from the article.

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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

The Questions Keep Coming- Why Do People Join Cults? (1)

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There are few weeks that go by in which I do not talk to or communicate in some way with a survivor of a cult. These contacts are not always survivors of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Early on in my journey of seeking answers and writing this blog, I came in contact with survivors of other groups and after speaking for a short time, we would most always agree on some common points for methods of recruitment or control of members in our respective groups. On occasion, I have been in conversations where would tell the most extreme characteristic of our group and wait for the other person to try and top it! Laughter would often ensue which we preferred over crying. Common threads would emerge and we often would express our surprise that other groups employed similar measures and had similar results.

Two areas that often receive a lot of attention are how a person went in to the group and how they came out. The coming out usually had more emotional drama than the going in. Who would imagine that? I will never forget the question of a person I worked with when I first explained why my life was changing in 2008. “How could an intelligent person like you get involved in something like that?” My first response was “One lie at a time…” Now, at the time, I was thinking about my believing one lie at a time and ignoring the uncomfortable feeling inside that was trying to get my attention. I can’t say I always could tell a lie from the truth. But, many times, I at least had a faint awareness that something was not right. The part I did not see at the time was the guided planned effort of WOFF and other groups to base their recruitment on those lies and thus count on deception to obtain new members.

All of this has been in the fore front of my thinking these last few days as the week’s events have unfolded. Just this evening, I commented to another survivor, “The longer you are out, the more lies you learn about that were used against you while inside.” And just because you leave, does not mean you are able to instantly tell what was a manufactured lie told you inside and what the actual truth was about a situation. It is odd that once you leave you are instantly called a liar when you try to tell what truthfully happened while inside WOFF. I suppose a person inside needs to label outsiders liars to protect themselves from having to recognize the truth inside their group and cause them even more mental anguish over their own choices.

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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

“…try to love the questions themselves…”- Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)

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We continue with questions that would help us in the vetting process for Frank Webster. The process is needed since Mr. Webster has put his name on a list of potential candidates for appointment by the Governor of North Carolina to an open judgeship in District 29A. The meeting to determine the three names that will be forwarded to the Governor will take place on January 29th at 1:30PM.  If Mr. Webster secures enough votes, his name would go on the list. The Governor would select one person within sixty days from the list or the candidate with the most votes would automatically be appointed.

Why do I feel I am qualified to ask these questions? The answer contains two parts. First, I am a citizen of the District. How judges rule can affect all citizens of the District. Second, I am a survivor of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and have spent time in the group where Mr. Webster is considered one of the leaders. Some of these questions are pertinent to any survivor of the group. Questions about why and how I allowed the teachings and doctrines of WOFF to affect my life are ones I have been asking myself since I left the group in July 2008. Answers to these questions can help process and put in perspective the events inside WOFF. When I reflect on the intense influence and yes, control, that Jane Whaley has over members of WOFF- it is humbling to know how many years I spent there. Stepping back, I would suggest that it was my pursuit of religious enlightenment or fulfillment and subsequent trust of someone who I thought had acquired that, which brought me to WOFF doors. Was it the same for you, Frank?

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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Will the Next District Judge be influenced by Jane Whaley?

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Who can dispute we are all influenced to one degree or another by the people we live around, the places we live, and the books and media we are exposed to, all of which gives us “help” in making the choices which fill our everyday existence. Life at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) took the seriousness of this “influence” to a whole new level. As many know, my time under the influence of that group was a total of sixteen years. For the first ten years, I traveled back and forth from Greenville, SC to special meetings, seminars and fellowships. I lived in Forest City, in a WOFF household from October 2002 until July 2008. All of that to say that my perspective on the effectiveness of Jane Whaley to influence her members is one I experienced for sure.

What areas of your life as a member of WOFF were influenced by the teachings, rules, edicts and opinions of Jane Whaley? It may be easier to say which areas were not subject to her power. For example, it was preached over and over you need to be careful the music you listen to. Listening to music that is “not of God” can take you away from God and eventually “out of the move of God.” This was translated – away from Jane and WOFF. Who can deny that music does stay with us for years? Do you still remember certain jingles or tunes from commercials you watched as a young person?

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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Scientology vs. Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) (two videos)

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Thursday, I had two text messages that came close to each other asking if I was watching NBC. I was not but, turned it on quickly to catch the show “Rock Center” with Brian Williams. It was riveting and in a way shocking to hear the survivors of Scientology recount their observations and then know how much they mirrored my life inside Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Oscar winning director and writer, Paul Haggis left Scientology after 34 years. The segment had two parts. First was the interview with Paul Haggis- from which the video clips are shown.  The second part featured a family that talked of their ordeal to leave Scientology – as a family. We will comment on the interview with Paul Haggis first. There are two videos and I will comment on material from both, but maybe not in order.

From the outset, Scientology denies any validity to the claims of Mr. Haggis or the James family. They put out several statements attacking Paul Haggis’ claims as basically baseless and unfounded. He is labeled “The Hollywood Hypocrite”. We all expected that and are not surprised. However, I found Haggis’ observations believable, and at the same time frightening. To experience what I did inside WOFF and then hear that similar things go on in other groups is still bewildering. That is because while in WOFF, even though the ordeal was real, you still thought you were the only group who could have such dynamics affecting its members. In many cases, you thought you were the ONLY person being treated this way.

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