Tag Archives: Jane Whaley

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Information control, Uncategorized

“Using Wisdom”

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     As I read different books by different cult survivors and cult experts and learn that the phrases and actions that I experienced at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) were NOT unique in many regards; it still continues to shock me. Before leaving WOFF, I would have NEVER conceded that there was any other group in America, much less several other groups, that acted and behaved as we did at WOFF. Call it ignorance, call it naïveté. Call it a willful blindness to the very few warnings were allowed to slip past the guard of Jane Whaley and those in leadership. Whatever you call it, I suspect I am not the only one. For those other survivors who have left WOFF, I hope you are learning along with me. For those outside of WOFF, who have never been in a controlling group, my shock is probably hard to comprehend. Nonetheless, we move on with our review of a book written by a survivor of another group with many similarities to WOFF.

       We have posted from this source before. “Breaking the Chains” Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). This book has been an emotional read for me. The feelings and emotions of the author come through clearly in many places and I can readily identify with her. It has been hard to read more than a few chapters at one time because of my own memories that so mirror many reflections of the author. In the chapter titled, “Using Wisdom”, I found material that I was very familiar with. The author writes, “Growing up in such a tight-knit community leads to lives becoming deeply intertwined. Most marry within the group.” (page 160) Let me stop here and mention that though I did not grow-up within WOFF, I spent many years there and became very intertwined in several lives. At WOFF, NO ONE marries outside the group. NO ONE even has a friendship/dating relationship with the opposite sex, outside of WOFF. If you want a relationship of that nature outside of WOFF, you leave the group to pursue it. Do I need to mention names, here? So, WOFF is MORE controlling than the author’s group.

     Continue reading “Using Wisdom” →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

How Unique is Jane Whaley?

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    Today, we will consider the question, “How Unique is Jane Whaley?” My first thought would be that it depends on who you ask. If you ask her family – she is one of a kind. For sure we are all unique in that regard. Biologically, Jane is unique and has her own qualities as none other. She is wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and “Mom” to her immediate relatives. Certainly, there is none other in that regard. With those relationships, she carries out her duties and no one can replace her or should they try.

    What if you ask the members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? How would they respond? Since I have been a member of that group in years past, I can offer insight. While I was in WOFF, I would have said there was no one quite like Jane. No one commanded the authority or the presence that she did when she entered a room. Why? Well, as a member of WOFF my association with her affected several areas of my life. Over the years, the areas affected where many and varied. Twice, she had direct input as to the job I worked. She had a say so in where I lived, she had a say in where my wife worked in the school or if she worked in the school. She determined how many times I was required to attend services. She openly rebuked my wife and me for our choice of toys for our son on one occasion. She had/has input into which dress my wife could wear for a special meeting or service. She determined what color of shirts I could wear in a church service. For that matter, she even determined what was appropriate to wear at work. Yes, no doubt, her decisions affected me and my family on several levels and in several areas.

    Was my experience different from other WOFF members? Not really. Jane expressed herself in everyone’s life in many ways. Faithful WOFF members would have to say that they were under Jane’s “absolute direction” in many areas of their life. So, to them was/is Jane unique? I would say certainly so. How many directors could one person have in their life? There is only room for one. So, Jane is unique to her family and to faithful WOFF members.

   Continue reading How Unique is Jane Whaley? →

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

Balanced Respect, Inordinate Admiration or Worship?

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     Lately, I have been reading “Breaking the Chains”- Overcoming the Spiritual Abuse of a False Gospel (Copyright © 2009 by Shari Howerton, ISBN- 978-0-9713499-4-0). There is so much that her church; Christian Gospel Temple (CGT) had/has in common with Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Though there were some differences, many of the similarities are very important and I feel worth noting on this blog. This book is written in a very honest and forth right manner. I do not assume I can do it complete justice by posting certain quotes and drawing the conclusions that show the similarities. I recommend you visit the website –  http://www.sharihowerton.com/ and consider purchasing your own copy. The author’s quest for personal growth and Truth is inspiring in many ways.

    Howerton writes, “What I remember most about the ministry was how the ministers and their families were treated like royalty. It was as though they were the dignitaries and we were the common folk. … At some point, I realized that for all the talk of being like Jesus this behavior was very unlike Him. … I never thought of the ministers as servants. They were more like kings to me.” (page 107-108) Here I will just mention that during my time at WOFF Jane Whaley was treated as royalty in many ways. Not only was there the extensive wardrobe and obvious unchecked spending privileges; there was the heir of superiority that she carried which reinforced the self–acclaimed notion of her perfection. The notion of royalty carried over to her family and her extended family as certain allowances were made for them that were not afforded others. Do I need to elaborate? I certainly can for those who do not remember.

  Continue reading Balanced Respect, Inordinate Admiration or Worship? →

Uncategorized

Time to Tell Your Experiences

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     A few weeks ago, I was contacted, through a third party, by a production company. They have been contracted by a major network to do a series of documentaries on “demanding groups/organizations”. This would include groups such as religious cults and thus –  Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). I have taken all steps possible to verify that this is a legitimate happening. All indicators point to a series of shows being produced and aired on these groups. One of the producers on this project was included in the movie, “Join Us” which we have posted about many times. (www.joinusthemovie.com)

    Will WOFF be included? The final decision is not up to me. However, what do you think I would say? Yesterday, I received an email asking for participants to tell their story. Here is the text I am referencing:

“Call for Participants: We are producers partnered with a major news outlet, and are seeking families or individuals who were formerly involved in demanding groups/organization(s) to share their stories. We are interested in both positive and negative experiences, and hope to hear from those who have separated from the group within the last 9 months. If you would like additional information, please email clpdocumentary@gmail.com and describe your current situation. Thank you.”

 If you reply to the address you will receive an auto-response email acknowledging your submission. In my opinion, in order to learn the larger frame in which any group exists, they need stories from anyone willing to speak. That is regardless of how long you have been separated from such a group. I am willing to help anyone frame their thoughts into a presentation to this group. This blog is read by survivors of many such groups. Anyone from any such group is welcome to reply. Admittedly, I am more aware of WOFF and the doings there, so I could help survivors of that group in a more complete way.

   Continue reading Time to Tell Your Experiences →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Striving For Perfection and The True Gospel – C.A.R.M.

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    Recently I was researching the teaching on perfection and its origins. I came across a source which included a post with the above title… “Striving for perfection and the true gospel”. The post can be found here… http://carm.org/striving-for-perfection . The site is run by the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry. First, let me say I have not read everything on this site, everyone should proceed with caution and decide on their own about the material located there. However, the first article I found gave some very good points explaining the trap involved with the teaching on perfection in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Here are a few quotes…

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that its members are to strive to be perfect.  This perfection, hopefully, results in exaltation, in becoming a god.”

“As you can see, the Mormon is taught that he must triumph over sin, that he is saved by grace after all he can do, and that he must be perfect.  In fact, many Mormons have told me that the gospel is the Law and Ordinances of the Mormon Church, further verifying that forgiveness of sins in the LDS church is dependent upon the persistent and necessary effort of the Mormon to keep the Laws of God.” (emphasis added)

   Continue reading Striving For Perfection and The True Gospel – C.A.R.M. →

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword

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

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

    Continue reading Teaching of Perfection- a Double Edged Sword →

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

“Jesus Camp” – Kids on Fire

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

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

    Continue reading “Jesus Camp” – Kids on Fire →