Jim Jones – Religious Cults Info ~ Resources, Answers and Hope

Reflections on Jonestown- November 18, 1978

Admin — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 18:00:30 +0000

Thirty eight years ago over 900 people died due to the dysfunctional notions of a crazed cult leader- Jim Jones. Earlier this year, I spoke to a person who did not know the origins of the phrase-“drink the Kool-aid.” For that reason, I will take time to share two resources about the tragedy. There has been so much written about this dark series of events in American history. As time passes, events seem to mesh into the lost fabric of society and fade from our memories. This event is worth learning about no matter your age. We need to see it as a warning, especially with the events unfolding in New York where a two teens were beaten because they desired to leave a religious group. One of those teens, Lucas Leonard died supposedly at the hands (and feet) of other church members. Here

The first resource about the Jonestown tragedy is an editorial in the Washington Post written by a man who grew up with one of the inside leaders of Peoples Temple- Maria Katsaris. He explains his view of the phrase, “He drank the Kool-aid” and why it is offensive. This resource includes a brief outline of the events leading up to the killings.

The second resource is the PBS documentary- Jonestown – The Life and Death of Peoples Temple. I have quoted this resource is times past. If you purchase the DVD from PBS, you will have access to additional survivor stories which are not included on this video. (The subjects discussed may not be suitable for small children.)

Crazed cult leaders have been in our societies for generations. The problem is not only in America, but is present in other countries across the world. We will share more on this tragedy in future posts. For today, we stop to remember a horrific event which took the lives of so many.

Season of Changes is upon us. Will this be a cold winter in Spindale?

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Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Grace Stoen: “what would be very shocking…became very common place…” (videos)

Admin — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 06:29:40 +0000

Over the last few years, I have talked to different survivors from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The first reports I heard which contained information about physical abuse and beatings were a surprise to me. During my time there, I was never physically abused myself. Now, I was screamed at by Jane Whaley and other leadership, I was publically called out for infractions of unwritten rules. I was shunned by family and friends; I had times of segregation from others in the group. I saw others held down during prayer circles and a few corralled by a group of members and kept from running away after they made it outside. I overheard hard spankings by parents of children. But, adults abusing other adults by physically slapping, punching, kicking and beating- I never saw personally at WOFF. When I first heard the stories, I wanted to ignore and not believe it. Then I realized that that tendency is what kept me inside that group so long in the first place! We must tell the truth and face the ugly facts about life inside WOFF!

Now, the list of survivors telling stories of abuse is growing and the abuses seem to be worsening. We have previously exposed some of the details on this blog. Also recently, I viewed a documentary on Youtube® about survivors of Peoples Temple. It was done in 1979 by NBC, Inc. I cannot be sure if the entire documentary has been posted. I found three parts and will include them in this post. There was one survivor that explained two very important characteristics of Peoples Temple which have occurred at WOFF. In this post we will share those insights which I believe help explain why things evolved as they have at WOFF.

The documentary is titled – “The People of Peoples Temple” part 1

At 7:20 in the video Grace Stoen says this about Peoples Temple:

“Jim Jones offered them something, he offered them instant friends… But …what they saw in the beginning when they came to the church and what they saw after they were a member after they were locked-in are two different things…”

There is that common WOFF term: locked-in. Yes, once inside WOFF, you see things different than a visitor. The shine comes off and WOFF reality sets in.

In part 2, at 3:19 Grace Stoen is describing the evolvement of the abuses:

“It started years before with just catharsis and having to manual labor for punishment, then having to strip your clothes… then with a twig and then okay they escalated. But, (it) was not overnight. So, what would be very shocking to someone like you (outsider) became very common place gradually in our lives.”

This explains how members within WOFF have come to accept the abuses. They have gradually grown numb to them and even excused them as “God’s will.” I know the thought pattern. Well, that person deserves it. Or, if they had not been so full of rebellion, they would not have to go through that. Common everyday compassion for the victim of abuse is swept away by the fear of making Jane upset- which is equated to making God upset. If Jane got upset at you questioning the abusive nature of her punishments, you could be next!

4:13 Grace Stoen: “We weren’t allowed to communicate. Sure I used to look at beatings and I used to wonder, you know this is gross but, I don’t see anybody leaving. I don’t see anybody speaking up, maybe it’s just me. I mean, I could never go up to someone and say- ‘Am I crazy or is this or is Jim Jones crazy?’ I could never verify it.”

It is the same at WOFF. You can’t share you doubts about Jane’s decisions or you will be “a rebel” and put out and go to hell.

In the third video at 5:22 Grace Stoen:

“We allowed him to break up our marriages, our communication which is very important. Any church which wants to divide the husband and the wife…(shakes her head-no) or the family. Jim Jones- that was his biggest thing, break down the family unit and that’s a mistake and that is where you get into trouble. That is where you make Jim Jones’. I think where we as members went wrong we just let him keep on going. I mean we did not have the courage to say no, there is not going to be anymore. We made Jim Jones.”

Well, there we have another similarity between Jim Jones and Jane Whaley. Both of them within their own systems, sought to break up marriages and families. That has been the end result inside WOFF for years. Let’s not be fooled by the marriages Jane arranges. Each person in that “family” must have undying allegiance to Jane and support her right to tell each of them how to behave inside that marriage or it will not be! So, those marriages are shams. They exist only to edify Jane – not the husband and wife and their life together free from control of Jane. A few couples have broken free from WOFF – but, as they leave Jane is sure to curse them as they “go play the harlot with the blessings of God!” Let me translate: that curse means Jane is upset that the couple took the things the church gave them at their wedding showers as their own property and left WOFF. It is as if receiving the stuff binds you to Jane and her group- forever. Does that sound like Christian giving?

So as a WOFF survivor trying to explain life inside WOFF, I could say… “So, what would be very shocking to someone like you (outsider) became very common place gradually in our lives.”

There is much more in these videos. Let me know your questions on how much would pertain to life inside of WOFF. Thank you.

And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Please, take time to read the Terms of Use for this personal blog. As mentioned, for posts written by John Huddle, any information about WOFF is from his memories and recollections as perfect as that may be or not be. Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 452.

Peoples Temple and Moore

Admin — Sat, 23 Nov 2013 05:49:51 +0000

Mass Suicide of Peoples Temple Cult at Jonestown Turns 35- The Christian Post

The Christian Post reporter, Michael Gryboski posted this article on November 19, 2013 at 3:17PM. The link to the entire article is found here. There is more insight into Peoples Temple that is worth sharing in this article. He features the reflections and insights of Rebecca Moore. Ms. Moore is a Professor of Religion at San Diego State University and site manager for the Jonestown Institute. She is also a survivor who lost relatives at Jonestown. Ms. Moore has written extensively about Peoples Temple and Jim Jones. I found an article here where she was being honored for her work.

Mr. Gryboski begins with a brief overview of the events and then begins quoting Ms. Moore. I will take a few of her comments and make comparisons to my experience at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). It is not my intent to reprint the entire article. Please, take time and enjoy it in its entirety.

From the article: Moore also told CP that it was “difficult to say what the legacy of Jonestown is,” as many messages could be taken from the tragic events.

“Certainly some people view it as symbolic of the danger of cults and new religions. I think it is evidence of the ability of good people to be led astray by their own aspirations to be good,” said Moore.

“It is painful to say this, but the victims were also the perpetrators in Jonestown. Jim Jones did not administer the physical abuse, the punishments, the tortures: it was the residents themselves who believed the rhetoric that they repeated, and thus perpetrated abuses on each other.”

In comparison, many folks see different sides of WOFF-life and take away many different perspectives. That is true in part because in order to know the entire experience – you must spend time living inside the group and witness the ongoing changing social dynamics for yourself. It is a learned experience over time. To grasp the depth and magnitude of WOFF-life, it takes more than a visit or two to a service or wedding or baby shower. Likewise, if you just view the horrible pictures from the last day of Peoples Temple in the jungle, you won’t know the entire scope of that experience.

Ms. Moore then makes a statement that I can understand as being true of Peoples Temple as it was true during my time inside of WOFF. “I think it is evidence of the ability of good people to be led astray by their own aspirations to be good,”. Yes. Good people get caught up in bad groups. They are often led astray by their own desires and aspirations to be good and do the right thing. My experience includes this as my life during the days leading up to and including the years inside of WOFF. Desiring to do right and be right at any cost can allow one to come under undue duress and situations that skew one’s judgments. What will you trade to be right or be “good”? Will you sacrifice your individual freedoms if someone you respect and admire said you must “do this” and you will make it with God and walk in holiness? Many have done so and will continue to do so in the name of religion.

Ms. Moore truthfully acknowledges that the abuse inside Peoples Temple were not solely at the hand of Jim Jones. He had help. Likewise, the abuses inside WOFF were/are not solely at the hand of Jane Whaley. She has help. “…it was the residents themselves who believed the rhetoric that they repeated, and thus perpetrated abuses on each other.” We spied on each other, we told on each other, we shunned each other, we “prayed” over each other with physical force and “helped one another” submit to God. We did everything we were asked to do to ourselves and to each other because others were doing the very same thing. To go against Jane was to admit you were “not walking with God” or “refusing the call of God” or “full of rebellion” when in actuality it could have been something as simple as you did not agree with her. Not often did someone express an opinion contrary to what Jane expressed. To do so was asking for the wrath of Jane labeled in religious terms as the “wrath of God.”

As in Peoples Temple so likewise in WOFF, these abuses were done not so much with fore-thinking or intent to “hurt” or harm your fellow member, these things were done with the expectation that the desired changes would come. The catch was that if others desired these “changes” for you – you may end up having the “correction” whether you said you wanted it or not. Because there was the understood notion that since you said you “wanted God” by being a part of WOFF, that regardless of your words at the moment, (your backtalk or sassy mouth…) you really “want God” and this is just a “devil” talking through you. So, let’s help this person get a breakthrough! “Hit it!” This “reasoning” or something similar would be used to enlist the help of leadership and other members to restrain in one location or hold down or keep someone from running away to get help and/or pray hard over a seemingly unwilling recipient. We were all convinced that everyone wanted a breakthrough no matter what they were saying at the time. Most of the time, a breakthrough meant finally settling down, admitting you were wrong and Jane was right.

At the time, it all seemed plausible, during those times of intense drama – the “flow” of the events seemed to make sense in the context Jane explained them. However, looking back in retrospect- it was at times all very surreal and dream-like. It was at times as if you were living a “delightful nightmare” with twists and turns none of which were under your control. The plot was totally in Jane’s control- though we would never admit it. To admit that Jane had total control was equal to saying she was bigger than God, and though we were required to act like it in our daily lives, we were never allowed to say it.

As I am hearing recently, the dynamics have evolved to include more physical abuses inside of WOFF. Young people and even children are hitting and punching one another. It is a sad comment, but, as you can tell not unique when it comes to control groups such as Peoples Temple and WOFF. It is the entire culture of fear and abuse that makes living in such a group a danger to society. When WOFF members treat Jane as Jane-God and set aside their rational thinking and God-given individual freedoms then dangerous fanatical behaviors can and do emerge. There is a precipice of decisions – a point of seldom return which many have crossed that allows them to rationalize extreme behaviors as the norms of “the people of God.” Applying common sense and decency are not required for many in WOFF when “driving out the devil in someone who has been taken over.” Individuality as a unique creature is sacrificed and the greater good of the “Body of Christ” as lived the WOFF-way is all that counts.

As Moore says- good people driven by the desire and aspirations to be good and right. I agree with that description for WOFF members. Many are trying to work out their personal salvation while at the same time being caught in the vortex of the WOFF-culture. WOFF contains many sincere people who are living for an elusive cause which ends up in practice being the total support of Jane’s religion and her life-style. To justify their extremism, they continue to tell themselves and others who may doubt, that they are “happy.” I remember putting on the WOFF-face to relatives and showing the “happy face.” Do others remember that required move? At times, it was sincere, but many times it was only a front while deep inside I wrestled with the many paradoxes which pervade WOFF-life.

The question is not happiness while inside WOFF for that is a mind-set contrived and defined by the leader of the group. “You are happy when you are in the will of God. You are in the will of God here at WOFF among ‘God’s people’, right? Then you are happy. If you are not happy then check your heart. Why would you not be happy here in the will of God at WOFF? What devils have you been listening to?” It was a circular logic loop which did not allow for a valid critique of the questions or a discussion of doubts one may have. After all, who would admit to “listening to the devil?” All the while, there were for many the inner struggles surrounding the questions of personal freedoms, choices and personal safety.

In the days ahead we will continue to look at other resources about Jim Jones, Peoples Temple and Jonestown. In reply to a comment left on another post, I wrote this about a conversation I had on Monday, November 18th. It is worth repeating here.

I stopped in a store on the way home from work to get a snack and struck up a conversation with the clerk. She told me she was in school, working and taking care of her children. I asked her what she was taking in school. She said Psychology. I asked her what today was and she looked at me with a blank stare. I mentioned the massacre at Jonestown 35 years ago and she had no knowledge about it. Her looked turned to a grimace as I briefly described the events and the outcome and then briefly told her about this blog. She then proclaimed that her husband was taking religion and would soon be studying cults. She was excited to be able to tell him about this blog. I had a warm feeling about the verbal exchange as well. How many people don’t know about the events at Jonestown- yet?

More specifically, how many folks don’t realize the same manipulation goes on everyday here in North Carolina?

And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

“People must learn to obey their spiritual leaders.” Jim Jones

Admin — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 07:42:56 +0000

November 18, 2013- 35 years ago today People Temple came to horrific end. The images of over 900 dead bodies bloated and rotting in the jungle were gruesome and unbelievable to say the least. Yes, lessons should have been learned in order to keep the same methods of control used by Jim Jones out of our society today. Like so many others in this country, I did not go beyond the images and learn the dangerous control dynamics used by Jones to bring that many people to a place of destruction. I had no inkling that one day my life would be turned upside down by many of the same mind control techniques used by Jim Jones. That understanding would not begin until after I left Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in July of 2008. In this post, we will continue to explore the similarities I see between Jim Jones and Jane Whaley – leader of Word of Faith Fellowship.

As a resource text, we will use some excerpts from the work by Tim Reiterman- “Raven”. Reiterman co-authored with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell “The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People”. “Tim Reiterman is a prizewinning journalist who extensively covered Jonestown for the San Francisco Examiner. He was wounded in the jungle airstrip attack that killed a U.S. Congressman, plus three reporters, and a Peoples Temple defector.” (from the back cover) We stopped at page 94 in our last post from this book. Let us pick up the drama….

Jim Jones moved many of his followers from Indiana to California in the summer of 1965. “The world conflagration would come July 15, 1967, he said, and only those in nuclear safe zones would be spared in that terrible blast and fallout.” (page 94-95) The Case family had known Jim Jones for years and had been in leadership in his church for a time. They also helped him become a part of the Disciples of Christ denomination. (page 67) The Case family did not move into the safe zone as Jones directed. This family moved further south. There was tension between Mr. Case and Jones which Jones tried to overcome.

“And during a drive down School Street, Jones declared pointedly, in discussing the unfortunate fate of an Indiana member who had failed to heed one of his warnings: “People must learn to obey their spiritual leaders.” … Rankled, Case criticized Jones. “You take too much control over people,” he said. “I have thought about that,” Jones responded with patronizing sincerity. And I’ve talked about it with my psychiatrist. He said I can’t release them too fast from their dependency or they’ll have psychological problems.” (page 96 emphasis added)

Jones’ admonition that “People must learn to obey their spiritual leaders” is not unlike Jane Whaley’s main ministry emphasis. Her members “that God has called to that place” must obey God by obeying what He says through her. That is how the dynamics work inside of WOFF. Do other former members agree?

Jones also acknowledged the dependency of his members on him and his reluctance to “release” them. Jane never says she sees a psychiatrist, but, many times she advocates destruction for those that do not obey the word of the Lord through her. She goes so far as to predict cancer, accidents and murders even untimely death on those who leave her group. So, in this example, there are similarities, right? But wait, there is more…

“On February 18, 1965, Harold Cordell, then a professional accountant, wrote Case six pages of praise for Jim Jones and criticism of the Bible. This disconcerting letter immediately confirmed Case’s suspicions about Jones’s religious plunge. It questioned the Bible’s story of creation and expressed the opinion that demons cast out by Jesus were probably germs. “Many think God spoke to these ‘prophets’ and ‘disciples’ of past history, but that he has never spoken since, Cordell wrote. I know this to be untrue. I know he has always had a man speaking his will through the ages and does have at least one that I know today, namely Jim Jones. He is a prophet of the first degree whose prophecies always come true to the minute detail…” (page 96-97)

How would this Mr. Cordell come to doubt the Bible and call Jim Jones a prophet? First, I have heard recordings of Jim Jones criticizing the Bible. That part was not a shock. I suspect that Jones also called himself a prophet and Mr. Cordell believed it.

In comparison, Jane does not question the Bible’s validity; in fact she harps on it as confirming her gift and ministry. She uses the Scriptures to confirm “what she hears from God.” And in like manner to Jane calls herself a Prophetess and in years past an Apostle. I never heard people SAY that her predictions always come true, but, she does say if a prophet’s predictions don’t come true then they are not a prophet. I have not seen a six page letter from a WOFF member praising Jane, but, I have heard people go on from the pulpit about Jane and Sam and the sacrifices they make and how much God uses them and, … and,… and. Basically, there has been Jane worship at times from WOFF members and Jane receives it very nicely. The similarity here is most obviously the adulation that Cordell gave Jones is the same type of adulation that faithful WOFF member give Jane. The EFFECT is the same.

Reading further and noting two more similarities for this post- “The Temple had become an extended family for those who had traveled west. At last, Jones had penetrated the barrier of blood relationships — and brought a sizable number through it. As a father to them all…” (page 100) We could just as easily write- Word of Faith Fellowship had become an extended family for those who had traveled north from Greenville, SC; west form Wilmington, NC; south from New York and Connecticut; south from Indiana or east from California. At last Jane had penetrated the barrier of blood relationships— and brought a sizable number through it. As a Mother or Grandmother to them all…

Jim Jones required his members to make their family relationships with family members not in his church as last place to the Peoples Temple spiritual family. Jane does the same with members of WOFF. Family members who disagree with Jane or who do not in turn worship Jane are shunned and cut off from their family members inside of WOFF.

Next, “In sermons about the evils of competition, Jones railed about the brutality in sport. “If you got hurt, then you would be dumped. The coach doesn’t really care about you.” Jones used competitive sports as a metaphor for capitalist system and inhumanity.” (page 102) Jones preached against competition and capitalism. Jane preached messages against competition and sports also included the brutality, but, she focused her metaphors on the “competition devil.” Who could forget those sermons? And yet, we find more similarities between Jim Jones and Jane Whaley. How many more will we find? It is hard to say. This book is over 600 pages. Please, come back to this blog as we continue our series.

And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

35 Years Later, Jim Jones Cult Leaves Lessons for Believers – Charisma News

Admin — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 13:44:09 +0000

Wow! This part of the Charisma® group got one right! A Google Alert® brought the notice of this article to my inbox Friday evening. The article was written by A. James Rudin/RNS and was posted on the “Opinion” page at 8:00AM EST 11/15/2013. The link for the entire article is here. I am unfamiliar with the author but at the end there is information about one his other works – “A. James Rudin, the American Jewish Committee’s senior interreligious adviser, is the co-author with Marcia Rudin of “Prison or Paradise: The New Religious Cults.” That book sounds interesting.

Recently, I mentioned to a blog reader that I planned to do a post about Jonestown and sent links to two previous posts from a few years ago. They said to be sure and include the links for others to read. We have made comparisons between Jim Jones and Jane Whaley before and we will again as we review further the material in “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell “The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People”. For now I will include the two links and then continue the review of this article.

Rudin outlines some of the basic known events surrounding Jim Jones and his rise to power, his abuses and the tragic end. For those who are unfamiliar with the events involving Peoples Temple- it is a good introduction. From the article:

It’s been 35 years since 918 people, including 257 children, died on Nov. 18, 1978, at the Peoples Temple massacre in Jonestown. The mass murder inside the South American jungle commune in Guyana was engineered by Jim Jones, a murderous cult leader, and was the only time in American history a member of Congress, Leo Ryan, D-Calif., was killed in the line of official duty.

Rudin goes on to make points that intrigued me when comparing the experience I had at Word of Fellowship (WOFF) to what is known about Peoples Temple. Here is the first paragraph that caught my eye:

“Jones employed mind control techniques, including blaring his constant sermons and speeches on loudspeakers day and night, interrupting normal sleep patterns. He physically separated married couples, controlled the community’s diet and banned communication with the outside world. He required long hours of hard labor in the tropical heat and humidity, and no Peoples Temple members were permitted to leave the jungle compound.”

Three characteristics noted by Rudin as “mind control techniques” were common during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). First, “He (Jones) physically separated married couples…” Married couples were separated at WOFF for various reasons – the outcome of which is to subvert the decisioning control and cohesion that should be between married couples. Children were also separated from their parents if Jane determined the parents “don’t have a hold of them in God.” Jane assumed custody “in the spirit” of many of the children in WOFF. Who can deny that? This euphemistic statement was her excuse to supersede the authority of the parents in many if not ALL decisions about the children inside of WOFF. From the testimony of those who have left after me, these practices have not changed.

Next, Rudin mentions- “(Jones) banned communication with the outside world…” Jane Whaley has practiced information control for YEARS! She filters, monitors and decides what her members will read or consume. This is especially true for those in the lower ranks of the pyramid structure. Her excuses for doing this included having access to magazines, newspapers, television and the Internet will cause them to “sin.” Can any WOFF member in all honesty can deny that practice?

Again, Rudin mentions this about Jones- “He required long hours of hard labor…” Would a WOFF member deny that there were and still are periods of long hours of hard labor for them? Does the term- “work project” mean anything to WOFF members? In years past, I remember some working all night into the wee hours and maybe getting a nap before getting back up to go to work at their day job. This “work project” requirement of course interrupted normal sleep patterns.

From the article: “Even as the Peoples Temple fades into history, Jonestown is a bitter reminder of what happens when people surrender their emotional and moral independence and become spiritual slaves to evil leaders who guarantee salvation, eternal life, utopia either here on earth or in outer space.”

Can this statement be true for those involved at WOFF? “…a bitter reminder of what happens when people surrender their emotional and moral independence and become spiritual slaves to evil leaders who guarantee salvation, eternal life…” I believe so since I lived it. Membership in WOFF REQUIRES you to surrender emotional and moral independence and succumb to a state of spiritual slavery that is NO different from those members of Peoples Temple. And yes, the entrapment includes promises about salvation and eternal life for those who live the “God’s way” as seen through Jane’s eyes…

Rudin concludes-“ Jones evolved into a monster when he discovered he could manipulate and dominate people with false promises. Jones was a mass murderer, but he did not have to invent lethal poison, harsh re-education camps or isolated gulags. Years earlier, Adolf Hitler, Mao Tse Tung and Joseph Stalin wrote the book that Jim Jones malevolently followed.” After noting the similarities between such obviously deviant leaders and Jim Jones, one must wonder how far into “the book” Jane Whaley will go? She has already adopted several chapters into the dynamics of her group. When will she be stopped?

As Monday approaches and the 35^th anniversary comes and goes, let us NOT forget the lessons and the reality of Jim Jones and the end of Peoples Temple members at Jonestown. May the lessons learned cause us to act in warning others and exposing the lies of the systems that employ the techniques Jones used to hurt many people in order to enhance his life. In my opinion, Jane Whaley is doing the very same things Jones did by employing many of the same methods he used. Who can deny that with a clear conscience?

Will Jane Whaley read this article or even this post to her members? As far as I can recall, the Jonestown tragedy was never discussed at WOFF. Is there a wonder why? How many of her faithful followers will never be given the opportunity to learn the lessons from Peoples Temple and the Jonestown massacre by reading about it? Will the day come when many WOFF members realize these lessons through reflection on their time inside of WOFF? We can certainly hope sooner rather than later.

We will continue our comparisons between Jim Jones and Jane Whaley in future posts from other resource material. Please, return and continue to read this blog. Share what you learn with others.

And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

“The Art of Remembering” – Charisma Magazine® (3)

Admin — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 06:30:25 +0000

Are you aware of “scandals”? Then what shall we do…?

Our last post explored an article in Charisma Magazine® about Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and their Holocaust Museum display. It was dated October 1, 2013 and can be found here. The article was written by Marcus Yoars. Here is the contact information for Mr. Yoars: marcus.yoars@charismamedia.com main tel:407.333.0600

A few blog readers have replied to me with copies of emails sent to Mr. Yoars. Also, several comments were placed in response to the article. This post will review a response written by Mr. Yoars to a blog reader. A blog reader wrote this to Mr. Yoars:

After reading your well intended article, I realized you do not know the truth behind the walls of WOFF. As a victim/survivor, I am here to tell you that what you are seeing is a well orchestrated façade. I am not bitter, just thankful I survived. However, I do want people to know the truth about what seems to be a loving, caring, God centered fellowship. My story is one of many. These people are not what they portray themselves as. They lie, cheat, steal and destroy the families, marriages etc. of those who do not accept Jane Whaley as their almighty. I know, I WAS one. Thank you for taking the time to consider my email.

And this was his reply October 28, 2013:

Thanks for your email, *****. I’ve had another person contact me with a similar message. I intentionally tried to focus on the Holocaust Museum and the students’ artwork in this story rather than the church or the Whaley’s because I was aware of the scandals surrounding WOFF. But at this point I’m seeing there’s more to this story that what one visit and a handful of interactions will reveal.(emphasis added)

What are we to make of this reply? Are we to assume that he wrote this narrow article after “one visit and a handful of interactions” …? “I was aware of the scandals surrounding WOFF.” And yet the “scandals” are glossed over by the paragraph below…

“Since 1979, Word of Faith Fellowship, a vibrant Spirit-filled church about 70 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., has endured its own history of persecution. The tight-knit congregation of 750 people houses WFCS and, for whatever reason, has been a lightning rod for controversy for more than a decade. Death threats. Drive-by shootings. Lawsuits. Investigations. Child abuse allegations. Assault charges. Boycotts.”

After considering the article and the responses from readers posted on the Charisma Magazine® website, the conclusion I have reached is that Mr. Yoars is guilty of doing exactly what so many others have done when it comes to WOFF. He took the easy road. He decided to emphasize the “glamour and the glory” and ignore the destruction that has come for so many who have been a part of WOFF. He chose to see the sparkle of the presentation and not investigate the dynamics or methods used by WOFF leaders.

Mr. Yoars, the course you took is a well traveled road. Many in local government as well as State agencies and Federal agencies have taken the easy road when it comes to seeking the facts as to what really happens behind the lily white doors of WOFF. For them, it has been easier to dismiss the stories of survivors as baseless or worse yet- unable to be proven beyond a doubt- without taking the time to do the uncomfortable task of actually performing a thorough investigation regardless of who cries foul. It has been easier to believe the framed picture that WOFF presents rather than afford the survivors and the PRESENT members- adult and child alike- what is due them- equal protection under the law.

What will it take for the proper authorities to do what is required when survivors come forth with allegations of wrong doing and criminal offenses within WOFF? Will it take some pictures of bruises to stir an inquiry? Will it take a broken arm or leg? Worse yet, will it take an unexplained death uncovered after a death certificate signed by a WOFF doctor to turn some heads? I don’t know what it will take and yet, why should it have to be blood-evidence? There are crimes committed every day against individuals in our society that don’t cause death yet, the victims are afforded their due equal protection under the law. Does the fact that these events are purported to take place in a religious environment ward off or scare certain officials from investigating? Does abuse in the name of religion get a free pass in America?

November 18, 2013 will be the 35^th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre. Can we apply the “Art of Remembering” to that event and take away some precious lessons from this enormous tragedy that could and would save lives? Jim Jones presented a framed picture and it turned out to be a fraud. In my opinion after living inside the group and seeing life firsthand; WOFF presents a framed picture and yet who will do what was done in Lake City, SC and closely examine their work to see if it truly meets the standard?

In future posts we will again review more material from “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell “The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People”. “Tim Reiterman is a prizewinning journalist who extensively covered Jonestown for the San Francisco Examiner. He was wounded in the jungle airstrip attack that killed a U.S. Congressman, plus three reporters, and a Peoples Temple defector.” (from the back cover) This book is over 600 pages. I have finished it and am astounded at the similarities between the events surrounding People’s Temple and the events surrounding WOFF.

Here is the link to the first post from the book which I wrote July 15, 2010- “Raven” by Tim Reiterman – Voice of a Survivor. This review was only covering the introduction. Soon we will delve deeper into this comprehensive work and take away some common elements that were in Peoples Temple and which exist today in WOFF. Please, return to read more from this blog.

And with that, let us remember:

“It is never too late to wake up and leave and reclaim your life!” Steve Hassan

Guest posts reflect the opinions of the writers. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of John Huddle or any other persons affiliated with this blog.

Could You Be a Cult Member?

Admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:28:01 +0000

The question is not for the present, but for looking into future. Could you be involved at some point in the future, in a controlling religious cult? Could you be considered as a “regular member”? I am not asking if you could be a cult leader. That question is for another post. Could you tell when the people around you that you love and trust are beginning to take your freedoms away? At what point would you know that what started out as benign and maybe even beneficial had morphed into a controlling environment? Are you so sure?

My experience is one that has taken me to, into and through years of a group that began as what I considered as beneficial and by no means harmful. Did I miss the changes and the signs of control? Apparently, I did. Was I susceptible before I even came into the church in Greenville, SC known first as Grace and Truth Fellowship and then Word of Life Church? That is not a question I am able to answer here, but possibly in another post. For this post, we will review several statements from those involved with cult groups on some level. After all, cult survivors should be able to give at least some insight into how they were taken into a cult group, right?

“Nobody joins a cult. Nobody joins something they think is going to hurt them. You join a religious organization, you join a political movement. Most of all you join a group of people you really like!” These are the words of Deborah Layton on the PBS Home Video- “Jonestown” (copyright 2007). Deborah Layton is a survivor of the Jim Jones cult disaster. She left the Peoples Temple communal living project in Guyana, South America five months before it became the scene of a mass murder. After she left, she went before Congress and testified in committee to her fears that there would be a mass suicide disaster. She had been in the group and worked her way up the ladder to a very important position dealing with the finances. One Congressman believed her. Congressman Leo Ryan led a team to Guyana to investigate the claims of people being held against their will. He was murdered on the airstrip as he was leaving. Many people missed the signs of serious danger.

From the “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the author writes; “Jones always said that religious people made the best members because they were the most easily conditioned to self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline” (page 137). So, from a church leader who made a regular practice of stealing of other church members, comes his perspective of who “made the best members”. Are you easily conditioned to “self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline”? How would you know? Do you consider yourself devoted to God and ready to make sacrifices? As things were changing at Word of Life, I did not see the effects of the changes. When I first began visiting Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in 1992, I did not see the warning signs. The faith there was moving from faith in God to faith and trust in the leader – Jane Whaley. Would you have been so keen to see that the folks around you that you loved and trusted were also changing their allegiance from God to a person? Would it have been so obvious? The changes came gradually and as I had been one who obviously could be conditioned to “self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline”, I allowed the changes to come in my thinking, in my relationships, in my family. I made a good cult member- for a while. I believed that the self-sacrifice of obeying all the rules; new rules, old rules, their rules, my rules, made things better. Was that true? Do you like religious based rules? Do they make you feel closer to God?

Over the years, I began seeking permission to do things, all the while under the guise of “checking things out with authority”. Was that a sign I was devoted- to God or to a system or to a person? I felt uncomfortable at first, but, for a while that eased as “everyone was doing it”. All good faithful members were checking things out with authority. Who did not want to be a good faithful member? If you wanted to be a part of the move of God, you did as WOFF members did… Yes, there was the peer pressure to conform, but somehow that does not seem like a strong enough term. When your life is engulfed by a church group, is it easy to lose perspective?

Major uncomfortable feelings came when we were required to “check it out with authority” before we spent private time (had relations) with our spouse. Yes, you read that right. Who would want to miss that deal? Then one day, I was “locking in” with GS, and he said, “John, we don’t do that anymore.” The brick he hit me with landed not too far from my feet. Suddenly, I had more questions than he had time to answer. Why did we now NOT do what was so critical to do in days past? Had we reached a “level in the spirit” that we could “hear God for ourselves”? Or was this not a priority anymore and there were other areas in our hearts that needed the peering eyes of leadership and thus Jane? Years later, “God would come back around that mountain” and Jane’s adopted daughter would say that God never intended to stop, but, we had to. (???) Now, (some time in 2007) we are going back in that place and if it feels uncomfortable and you don’t want to do it, leave now. If you plan on going and talking about this among yourselves and to the world, then don’t stay, leave now! I stayed. Why? Because you knew if you got up and left that meeting there were consequences that were known and yet unknown. Who would want to go that road when everyone else stayed in the room? Again, you went along to get along.

This next quote is from the documentary- “Join Us”. The film is presented by Interloper Films along with Lusitan and was produced by Ondi Timoner and Vasco Lucas Nunes. (copyright© Third Floor Productions, LLC 2007) Here is the link to the first post about that film – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3456 Liz Shaw from Wellspring said, “Most cults start out as something very normal. They start out as a church or a fellowship that might be a benign thing at first. Every day you are interacting with people who are involved in something dangerous or abusive or heading that direction, and they are giving up a little more and a little more control of their own life.” This quote starts at just over six and a half minutes into the movie.

When I heard that quote, it made me feel somewhat better, if that can be said. I realized that when I began attending the church in Greenville, it would be okay to say it was “normal”. Well, we met in trailers and practiced loud prayer and deliverance. But, why did I miss the signs? What “came over me” that persuaded me to give up control over my own life to another person, another system and eventually to the dictates that came directly or indirectly from Jane Whaley? In 1992, did I know of the controversies surrounding Jane and Sam Whaley? No, not in any detail. If others I knew before 1992, knew the details, they were not willing to tell them. What did that group in Greenville offer that I felt was so important to have in my life? You could say, “the move of God” or the love and acceptance and the instant friends as well as the support from the pastors. At least, as long as you went with the flow and believed and prayed and did not ask the wrong questions or express too many doubts, things went well. As I consider the last few years, I ask many questions and search for the answers. So, could you be a cult member? Are you 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. ) Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 244.

Questions and Possible Answers About WOFF-life

Admin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:31:17 +0000

For those who are new to this blog or have read just a few posts, you may know by now that I am a survivor of 16 years under the influence of the teachings and doings of Jane Whaley. She was/is the leader of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. Over the years, there developed doctrine, teachings and practices that would extend Jane Whaley’s control into many, if not all areas of her member’s lives. At WOFF, the 1990’s and earlier in this decade were filled with court battles over different issues. Some cases would be child custody suits. One case was brought by an ex-member stating Jane had brought physical harm while praying over them. Inside Edition sent in a young man to film meetings and take notes on the conduct, practices and prayer at WOFF. Life at WOFF never seemed to lack drama. Why was that? How did folks get entangled with such a group and yet stay even in the midst of all the drama and controversy?

In the previous post, I wrote this statement- “People already in church and familiar with the concept (“…self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline) and even very religious about their religion seem to flow better at WOFF. That must have been me for many years… Right?” I suggested that I was this person, familiar with self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline. Membership for the faithful at WOFF certainly did require “self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline”. There was self-sacrifice of time working for the church doing various tasks. A sacrifice of money- as Jane would check the records to see if you were tithing and there was always a fund raising project to support or multiple offerings being taken in a service, especially when there were no visitors. Devotion- faithful WOFF members lived out a devotion to Jane and the group that ran deep and cost them dearly. Discipline—the faithful regular WOFF members denied/deny themselves many activities and pleasures.

Some of the leadership seemed to enjoy pleasures that regular members were not allowed such as vacations (called “time away”) recreational vehicles such as houseboats and jet-skis, time spent fishing and other activities along the coast. Jane and others in leadership spent much time on shopping trips to “secure God’s blessings”. Yes, those were some pretty rough trips as Jane would come back and talk about haggling with the Indian lady in Atlanta for “God’s price” on the jewelry for the engaged couples. A few times, she would even pick up little treasures for herself. She was trying to be a good witness and share Jesus with the Indian lady as she bargained with her. How many services were full of shopping victories? Jane knew how to get over on those merchants- right? Do you witness to merchants in this manner?

This however is not the entire answer to the question of how a person could get entangled with a group such as WOFF. In the “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the author writes, “The exhilaration of having a family and a cause that could save the world kept them going around the clock, giving until they were spent. But, it was Jones’s personal magic– above all the black magic, webs of ideas and disguised threats – that weaned people from their pasts and tied them to the Temple’s future.” (page 148 emphasis added)

We have discussed the phenomenon at WOFF that included the replacement of a new member’s family of origin with the “family” at WOFF. Many would connect with Jane and/or Sam as spiritual parents and as they followed more of the doctrines and practices, they would disengage from their natural family and take on the WOFF family. This all was done very subtly for the most part. Each step forward in the spirit would distance many from their family while they thought they were drawing closer to God. Were we really? Did I really draw closer to God as I went for months without seeing my family? Does that make sense? Does walking with God require everyone to leave their family and walk in WOFFness? Well, possibly in the WOFF-land that is the result, when the immediate family does not enter the church and support Jane.

What was the “cause” that “kept them going around the clock”, going day after day, month after month, year after year? Yes, WOFF life was living life to the fullest as one member so insightfully put it. Sleep was not a priority when it came to doing the work of the Lord. And still I have pondered this for days. It is really hard for me to express in words. Jane claimed the goal to be “holy righteous living” or living the sinless life — like she did. For those searching for a sure ticket to heaven, this has/had quite a draw. Was that really the cause that kept regular members going? But, no one ever seemed to meet Jane’s standard. We were always hearing about more sin and getting prayer for many of the same things OVER and OVER again. Why did no one ever meet Jane’s standard? Was walking with God only something she was able to accomplish? Did it serve her purpose to never allow anyone else to claim her status of “sinlessness”? In my opinion, the “cause” was some distant elusive goal of walking without sin that Jane kept redefining as an unreachable spiritual state that only she was able to enjoy. This unreachable state was applied to the individual and to the group. WOFF members were able to sin individually and as a group which intensified the requirement to watch others for where they might bring reproach on the group with their sin. A major part of WOFF-life was taking the “correction” individually or as a group, the intense rebukes and personal searching of others into your actions and thoughts was a part of the daily life. So, there is no wonder why some could not withstand the rigors and the drama rituals.

That was your WOFF family in a nutshell. It sounds wonderful doesn’t it? Actually, when I was in the middle of it and knew nothing else, I did not see how ludicrous and insane it all was. Every day could include a new drama scene and a new “don’t” or someone else being put on church discipline or someone or a whole family being put out of the church or some new sin being discovered that would “set us back years in the spirit”. What did that mean? It translated into more years trying to gain Jane’s approval and confidence that at least some one could walk sinless like her. Truly, it never happened. We were always beneath Her Holiness.

Did Jane have a “magic” that drew others to her? Well, I could put another word on it, though some would call it a “gift”. She knew how to size people up and see if “God wanted them to be at WOFF”. She could discern the need of a person and know if she could “fill their needs”. No, her threats were not as disguised as Jim Jones, in my opinion. She would tell you straight up what to do, how to do and if you don’t do, you are out of here and on your way to Hell. Before my time was over, she had totally convinced her grandson that if he even looked at the Christmas decorations in the small town of Ruth, NC, that the devil would take him over and he would go to hell. How do we know? She let him tell us from the pulpit. He was totally convinced. They normally drove by the lights to get to the church. No disguised threats there. Does that sound like a safe and normal thing to teach a small child?

Were WOFF members ever “weaned” from their past? Yes, yes and yes. As previously mentioned, when the family of origin was replaced with Jane and other WOFFers, the family relationship was reset and redefined. WOFF became the family of many thus forgetting the past was easy as in member’s thinking because the natural family tied you to the past. Your past was equal to SIN. (Odd, your present and future life translated to SIN also.) The pre-WOFF identity was one to put behind you. Was this true devotion to God or true devotion to a religious controlling group? Was it emotionally safe or even spiritual to require such intense devotion to Jane that required members to deny time with their parents, uncles, aunts, cousins, grandmothers and grandfathers?? Why did Jane and Sam always go see Sam’s family at the holidays? Because Jane said “knew how to take hold of them.” Did she have her magic going? No, Jane did not believe in “magic”, that was no-no word. She called it “being in the Spirit”.

What is the difference in walking in WOFFness versus true devotion to God? Some inside WOFF would say they are the same. In my opinion, they are very different. The true test of any religion is how it is incorporated into or affects your everyday life. A person could be religious about their religion and not disregard devotion to God. But, a person could be very religious and in that fervor replace devotion to God with devotion to a person representing God. That happened over time to many at WOFF. I never heard Jane Whaley outright claim to be God. But, I did see and hear her require that members checked with her to get approval before making decision or doing MANY things. But, we have already covered that. It was part of the foundation for WOFF-life. There are so many questions to ponder. We shall keep going.

“Sheep Stealers”? Jim Jones and Jane Whaley?

Admin — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 11:02:32 +0000

During the last few weeks, I have been considering some further questions about Peoples Temple and Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Did Jim Jones, leader of Peoples Temple, participate in the recruitment of church members from other congregations? How do we know? (This is commonly referred to as “sheep stealing”.) Did/does Jane Whaley, leader of WOFF participate in recruitment of church members from other congregations? How do we know? If both leaders did recruit other church members, were the techniques similar or different?

From the “Raven” by Tim Reiterman with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell of several attempts of Jim Jones to recruit members from other churches. Let’s look at a few examples.

“Jones’s expansion attempts were those of an impatient and aggressive man. While on a quest for new organizational techniques in the late 1950s, he had read extensively about Father Divine, spiritual father of the gigantic Peace Mission movement. In typically direct fashion, Jim Jones drove to Philadelphia to meet the black cult leader in person.” (page 59) Father Divine has been mentioned previously on this blog. Here is another link to read about the sharecropper turned “self-proclaimed “Dean of the Universe,”..(page 58) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_Father_Divine

Father Divine had tens of thousands of followers and was reportedly “lord of a religious empire worth millions of dollars….Jones hoped to acquire Divine’s throne; he was acutely aware that the elderly evangelist soon would be departing this earth.” (page 58) Reiterman writes of Jones’ first attempt to secure the Peace Mission kingdom. He failed in his first attempt. Jones left the encounter with a new excitement about the doctrines and teachings of Father Divine. “Jones prepared for his inheritance by studying the tape recordings of Divine’s sermons.”(page 59) The encounter with Father Divine affected Jones for years to come.

In July 1971, years after Mother Divine succeeded Father Divine on the throne of Peace Mission; Jones took several buses of followers back to Philadelphia. He attempted to secure his “inheritance” one more time. Temple members began “jotting down names of Mother Divine’s followers.” (page 139) Later, when arriving at the elaborately decorated burial chamber of Father Divine, Jones made a sarcastic comment which Mother Divine glossed over in an effort to keep the situation in check. “Then as the others cleared out, Jones informed Mother Divine that his five-foot-ten white body was in fact the reincarnation of the cherubically black Father Divine. Jones was staking his claim to the Kingdom of Peace.” (page 139) Sounds ludicrous- right? Mother Divine denied Jones’s twice spoken claim, “No one can take Father’s place…. You’re no more [special] than anyone else. (page 140) Jones would later repeat his claim openly in a joint meeting of the groups and be asked to leave the meeting. Peoples Temple would later take in about a dozen members from the Peace Mission. This attempted “coup” would prove to be a failure for Jones.

Before 1971, Jim Jones had other ventures in recruiting members of other churches. Between the two attempts on the Peace Mission, he had attempted to steal members from the Church of the Golden Rule. “During the summer of 1966, the Temple moved a piano to the Golden Rules school and started to hold services there… Like the early visits to Father Divine, the relationship between the organizations was harmonious at first, with swimming for the children and communal dinners. But it soon became apparent the Jones had designs on the Golden Rule… Then the Temple tried to recruit more. That violation of the “Rule”, made elders suspicious of Jones’s motives when he made a gradual merger move. The church voted down the merger proposal, partly because the Temple revolved around the worship of Jones’s personality.²⁵” (page100)

Reiterman documents another attempt of Jones to recruit members from other churches. In 1968, after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “…Rev. George L. Bedford, black pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church invited members of Caucasian churches to come and worship…. Jones brought fifteen of his Temple members to services and asked Bedford for permission to continue the fellowship. (page 138) Next time, Jones showed up “… with about 150 in all.” (page 138) From here, Reiterman describes how Jones went into his healing act at one service and wooed several members away from the church. Temple members openly recruited netting “an estimated 150 to 200 of Bedford’s people… Jones committed “sheep stealing” on other black congregations in San Francisco, though not always so brazenly.”(page 138)

Reading the paragraphs about Jim Jones combined with this statement he made, “Jones always said that religious people made the best members because they were the most easily conditioned to self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline” (page 137); caused me to consider my time in WOFF. Had I seen Jane Whaley do the same thing to other churches? We can start with the obvious facts known about the members of WOFF. When my time was up at WOFF in June of 2008, I had these observations about the membership. Only a small percentage was from the surrounding area. Most were from other cities in North Carolina, other States in the U.S. and other countries from around the world. For years, this observation was recounted with awe as a badge of honor and a certain stamp of endorsement by God. We must me doing something right. Look at all these folks that have come from all over the world. God must approve of what we are doing…

In my thinking, I thought that this was true because Sam had traveled into so many countries with Kenneth Hagin Ministries and made contacts in those places. As God had given him the new message of deliverance through Jane, others had heard and then been led to WOFF, right? That is all that happened, right? It was by some leading of the Holy Spirit, right? Folks were just hungry for Jane’s gift, right? In my open-hearted, religious thinking, I never asked any further questions and thus never learned any more accurate answers. How had so many folks from so many different churches decided to pick-up and leave their homes and come to the mountains of North Carolina?

First, let me make a few statements about the locals that attend WOFF. Many are somehow related to Jane or have known her or one of her relatives, for years. Few are “new Christians”, as I suspect that the lengthy rules and heavy-handed controls are hard for new believers to stomach. How can this be “Freedom in Christ” when I am told what to do and how to think and what emotions I should have and where to spend my money? And furthermore, don’t read your Bible too much; you could give over to a religious devil? Can the majority of new believers take all that in so quickly? In retrospect, WOFF burned through several new believers and they ended up leaving for whatever reason. Maybe they are not yet “religious” enough according to Jim Jones, – who knows?

Now, about the WOFF members from other places; those from other cities in North Carolina were mainly from the Wilmington area. Just as I was leaving, Jane had convinced another church from the Wilmington area to move and be a part of WOFF. As second church from that area had collapsed a few years ago and a few of those members had come to WOFF. This process had/has been a regular occurrence over the years at WOFF. After all, I came from the Word of Life Church in Greenville, SC. Almost everyone in that group sold homes, changed jobs and moved to WOFF in 2002. A few were spared.

Concerning the WOFF members from other parts of the United States, I remember meeting folks from New York, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, California, Indiana, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Oregon, Illinois and of course South Carolina. Many, if not most, came out of churches in those states. Each had their story that went something like this:

Sam and Jane (or just Jane) came to our church and preached about loud prayer and deliverance. The pastor did or did not go along at first. Right away or eventually, the pastor denied that Jane was teaching Truth. I talked to Jane and I felt like God told me to come here, get deliverance and be a part of WOFF.

The other version included Jane hearing from God that the whole church needed breakthroughs and needed to move to WOFF. So the methods may not be exactly like Jim Jones, but what about the net results? Was this “sheep stealing”? Could it be wrong even if you got the whole church and the pastor, too? What do you think? Does this “feel right”?

For the folks that came from other countries, I will list a few countries of origin that I remember. Members were from Ireland, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, Ecuador, Germany and others. When you speak to these folks, many times the story goes like this:

Sound familiar? While I was inside WOFF, I never put this together as being less than an honorable way to recruit new members. My thoughts on this subject have changed. WOFF is for the most part full of stolen sheep. As mentioned, new believers seem to have a hard time with the rules (don’ts) and intense “…self-sacrifice, devotion and discipline”. People already in church and familiar with the concept and even very religious about their religion seem to flow better at WOFF. That must have been me for many years… Right?

So, the methods may differ, but Jim Jones and Jane Whaley had/have yet another thing in common- sheep stealing. I doubt if they are the only ones and I am sure there are other methods. Also, I am sure there are incidents of sheep stealing to fill WOFF chairs that I know nothing about. But, the skill does come in handy when you are running a tight-knit religious community that many have labeled a “religious cult”. I must add that this is not the best information that I have gained by learning about this technique. The question of Jane’s closed pulpit has now been answered! Jane does not allow other preachers to come in and preach because she is afraid she will reap what she has sown. If another preacher comes in, he or she may steal some of her stolen sheep. Then what would happen to the tithes and offerings? Who would pay for her $600 a month salary? How would she buy all those clothes? How many times would she have to pass the plates to “meet the budget” then? If/when WOFF runs behind in offerings, what could/would Jane resort to in order to raise money? That could be an interesting subject for another post. For now, we press ahead in the search for answers.

More From The “Raven” (2)

Admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:29:42 +0000

In two previous posts, we have reviewed some excerpts from the work by Tim Reiterman- “Raven”. Reiterman co-authored with John Jacobs (copyright ©1982 Tim Reiterman, Introduction copyright 2008 by Tim Reiterman, ISBN 978-1-58542-678-2); the authors tell “The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People”. “Tim Reiterman is a prizewinning journalist who extensively covered Jonestown for the San Francisco Examiner. He was wounded in the jungle airstrip attack that killed a U.S. Congressman, plus three reporters, and a Peoples Temple defector.” (from the back cover) The link to the most recent post is here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3281 . There are more similarities in the story of Jim Jones and Peoples Temple when comparing them to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).

In following our theme of questions, we must ask a few more on the subject of this post. Why are there similarities in the practices that Jim Jones used and those of Jane Whaley and her leadership at WOFF? We will list more similarities in this post. Do the similarities speak of the same goals or just the same methods used in governing and/or controlling the members of each group? The two leaders had very few similarities in their message; but in their methods, we find likenesses- why? What was the goal of Jim Jones and was that goal the same or similar to Jane Whaley’s goal(s)? Regardless of the differences in the messages of the two leaders, what were the outcomes of the control methods used in each case? What was the key ingredient that allowed Peoples Temple members to sacrifice their own life for Jim Jones- some willingly, some not…? Is that same ingredient found in the lives of WOFF members today? Hopefully, we will find some answers to these questions. If the answers cannot be found here, we will keep searching and asking more questions. I believe the key to understanding WOFF and groups like WOFF is in learning about the practices that are used on the members and also between the members.

We ended the last post sharing that WOFF-life was by definition all-consuming. This was the same way Reiterman characterized life inside the People Temple. As a review, my weekly at schedule at WOFF could/would include the following activities. Sunday, there was a morning service from 9:30AM until about 12:30PM. If your household did not have church clean-up duties, then you could leave when the service was over. Otherwise, it would be between 1:30PM and 2:00PM when you could leave for lunch. Generally, members rested on Sunday afternoon as Jane encouraged that in the later years. We were back at the church by 6:00PM for prayer before the evening service at 6:30PM. This service lasted until at least 8:30PM or later. After Sunday evening service, there were usually meetings to attend of one nature or another. When I worked for the property management company owned by a family in the church; we had meetings after the service MANY times. A few times, these meetings were begun with no break and no opportunity to eat. Many times, I would feel the effects of not eating as the meetings could last to 11:00PM or later. When you worked for that company, you were subject to the call of duty- 24/7- 365. To balk at such a requirement would be construed as “ungrateful for the job God had provided”. There were many times I would go from an “after-meeting”, home to change and then back to a shift on the overnight watch at the church. The week at WOFF was just getting started.

Monday and Tuesday were usually filled with work from 8:30AM or so until after 6:00PM. A couple nights a week, I would go work a part-time job in Marion, NC. This was not because I was paid too much money from the day-time job. There was a season of time that I would see other WOFFers going to Marion at night to work in a furniture making shop owned by a WOFF member. We were all just going to the second shift to keep working.

Wednesday, maybe work was cut a little short to be to the church on time. Rarely did I make it to church by 6:00PM for prayer, but I was usually on time for the 6:30PM meeting. After a Wednesday meeting, there could be—that is right—more work related meetings! Do you see a pattern here? When you worked for a company owned by a church-member, there was little to no definition between “job-time” and your time. Just work 40 hours a week? You are joking—right?

Thursday was another long work day. Again, you would/could see other WOFFers going up the road at night time to other jobs. Friday, after work, you may cut off a little early because there was usually a “fellowship” meeting at the church. This usually consisted of some type meal at the church (if you got there soon enough and the food did not run out…) with “play time” afterwards. Some meals, you brought food from home and then paid to eat it. That was a “donation” of course. WOFF had/has many creative ways to “raise funds”. After eating, there was usually time for parents to enjoy watching their children play games and the singles having relationship class or some other activity. This ended about 9PM and then there was clean-up. You might get home about 10:00PM unless you had another meeting or “work project” to go to.

Saturday, we usually spent taking care of things around the house, shopping and getting ready for Sunday. If you did not have to go to work or help with a yard sale, carwash or some other project on Saturday, you could have time with your family. Of course, you were expected to be back home to get ready for Sunday by 9:00PM or so. Then it all started over. This schedule was all subject to change and of course during a seminar week there were 2 meetings a day during the week, at the church plus Friday fellowship plus Sundays. When we first attended seminars in the early 90’s, there were three meetings a day which usually included LONG prayer sessions. There were seminars in November, May, July and August as well as special meetings and of course- weddings. For those members who did not work a regular job, there was prayer every weekday morning at the church from 11:00AM to noon. Does it seem as if WOFF-life could be all consuming? When you are in the middle of it- it seems “normal” since everyone else in WOFF-land is doing it or faking doing it — real well.

From the “Raven”, Reiterman writes about Jim Jones and his two year sabbatical in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Jones had certain leadership back in Indiana running his church and required all available church funds to be sent to him in order for him to continue in Brazil. As a coincidence, who else goes to Brazil a lot and stayed there for a while when one of her court cases was in session? What was Jane trying to avoid or say during that time? Anyway, while in Brazil, Jim Jones met Rev. Malmin and his family. This man returned with the Joneses from Brazil to help in the church in Indiana. “The older minister (Malmin) also resumed his role as counselor. Jones asked him to point out any personality flaws or traits indicating mental illness or emotional instability. Yet, every time Malmin did point out something, Jones would rationalize his behavior… He (Jones) deceived and manipulated people; he showed signs of tyranny; he encouraged his congregation’s adoration…Whenever someone took a position contrary to his, Jones would take the extraordinary step of criticizing the person from the pulpit, of accusing the person of going against God. To support his contention, the minister (Jones) would say the Holy Spirit told him this or that.” (page 86) Honestly, I am not certain that Jane Whaley ever asked someone to point out her personality flaws. But, for sure, I have seen her treat those who oppose her in ANYTHING, the way Jones is reported to have treated those who opposed him. I could name names and subjects that were disputed. But, the outcome was always the same. Jane would “win” and others would be “put in their place”- below her.

Later, Reiterman writes about the move for Peoples Temple from Indiana to California. “The move to California represented far more than a search or a haven from nuclear holocaust and racism. Jones also envisioned a unifying experience; he was already interrogating members to test their loyalty and squelching dissenters. A change of location would be an acid test. Removing people from their Midwestern roots, having them sell their homes and quit their jobs, would make them more dependent and thus more receptive to total commitment.²¹” (page 94 emphasis added) I have not only seen others move into WOFF from other places and witnessed their total dependency on Jane and WOFF folks; I have been a part of that myself. In 2002, I moved my family from Greenville, SC to Spindale, NC and moved into a WOFF household. The distance was not that great. Others have moved into WOFF from greater distances. But, the effect would be the same. When you move into that area, you only know WOFF members. You get your directions, insights from Jane, Sam and other WOFF leaders. During that time frame in 2002, for Greenville folks, Jane approved the living arrangements and approved of and helped many find their jobs at companies owned by church-members. She was the source that helped new folks come into WOFF and thus the dependency was part of the package. I knew NO other people in the county except WOFFers. At first, my work in property management allowed me to meet other county folks. But, that never overcame or replaced the dependency on Jane Whaley and WOFF. Again, as Jim Jones and People Temple- so like Jane Whaley and WOFF. Both leaders knew how to cause others to depend on them- by design and for their ultimate purposes. We will share more from the “Raven” in future posts.