Tag Archives: Leaving a Cult

Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Adolph Hitler – “I am also religious, deeply and intrinsically religious.”

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    On November 8, 1943; Adolph Hitler gave a speech which was broadcast over The Greater German Radio. My resource text for this speech is “Classic Speeches” (Copyright 1965, Philosophical Library Inc.) Hitler’s speech would not warrant mentioning except that the text reveals what I consider some large presumptions. Before we discuss those, let’s review some background to the setting. “Adolph Hitler was born on April 20, 1889, in Braunau-am-Inn, Austria.” (page 237)  Many know some of what happened in World War II. The most recognized tragic event accredited to Hitler would be the extermination of six million Jews. However, this resource puts Hitler’s career in a more defined perspective. “Hitler’s historic achievements, as head of the Nazi Party, chancellor of the Third Reich and commander of the German armed forces, can best be measured in the terms of rape of independent nations, the destruction of cities through aerial bombardment, the suppression of German domestic liberties, the seas of bloodshed in battle, the enslavement of the women and children of conquered territories and their removal to German labor camps, the extermination of six million Jews, etc. Measured in such terms his achievements were unparalleled. (page 237) From this list, I can admit that the “suppression of German domestic liberties” caught my eye. This could be one of the parts of the tragedy that gets overlooked in comparison to the horror and death he inflicted on those in other nations. As Hitler came to power, he had to first gain control of the German people by denying “domestic liberties”. What did that include? Read more about the process here- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolf_Hitler#Appointment_as_Chancellor 

   In 1923, Hitler was a part of a failed coup and was imprisoned for his part. Others in the failed move were not so fortunate. During his prison stay, he wrote “Mein Kampf” – My Struggle. This work included his political ideology. Eventually, Hitler would ascend to power ten years later in 1933 as Chancellor of the Germany. The events following his move into power are well documented and make for a fascinating study.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

By The Consent of the Governed

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   During the last few days, this phrase has been uttered within certain political commentaries. It has been in reference to the idea that our governmental leaders are given their power to lead and govern “by the consent of the governed..”. This is a basic premise of our system of government found here in the Declaration of Independence. ( http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/ )

    This phrase has led me down a trail of ideas and thoughts that reflect on my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC. This group is led by Jane Whaley. From the beginning, there will be those who would argue that we cannot compare political and social government directly to the organization of a church. And previously, for a time, I would agree. Just why I would agree, I do not know. Does the question focus on the organization of a church or the governing of that group of people or local church?

    On the one hand, there are churches that have an autonomous leader. He or she answers to no one in any capacity and totally rules on every level. This is evidently the structure at WOFF. There are other churches which operate within an organizational structure and their leader is afforded very little “decision” power. They may only provide counseling, preaching, teaching and spiritual guidance; while also performing the weddings, funerals and baptisms as needed. Also, I feel sure in America, we have the full spectrum between each of the examples with some church leaders having limited autonomy that would have elders or a board of directors and others having much decision power even within a denominational setting.

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (9) “The Dispensing of Existence”

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   We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the ninth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). This work has been from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The eighth post explained the “Doctrine Over Person” and how that affected members within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- “The Dispensing of Existence”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF. My experience within the group is a “normal” one as far as I can tell.

   In this post, we will examine the last characteristic of the totalist environment as explained by the author- Robert Jay Lifton. Before we go on, let it be known that by writing this series, I am not claiming to have the depth of understanding that the author possesses on this subject. Also, in no way will I pretend to have written a complete argument of the thesis that I experienced these same thought reform techniques while at WOFF. I found that each time I sat down to write, more remembrances from the past came forth in relation to previously mentioned thought reform techniques. So, in short, the aim of explaining the author’s observations in comparison to my experience is in reality – a work in progress. At this time, I cannot give a methodical explanation how Jane Whaley and her leadership took on these devices that were/are also found in Chinese thought reform. The author’s ideas on the origins of thought reform should be restated here: “…the coming together of immoderate ideology with equally immoderate individual character traits—an extremist meeting ground between people and ideas. (page 419) The first post in this series is worth a reread… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3225

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Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Thought Reform, Uncategorized

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (6) “Sacred Science”

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    We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the sixth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). This work has been from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The fifth post explained the “Cult of Confession” and how that affected members within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- The “Sacred Science”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF. My experience within the group is a “normal” one as far as I can tell.

    When I first read this part of the author’s work, it was hard to adjust to the term “science”. While at WOFF, there were conferences dealing with history and science. However, it was clear that at WOFF the main source of “truth” was not science or balanced reasoning with evidence, but, it was the Scriptures as interrupted by Jane Whaley. It would be difficult to understand this enigma and its resulting characteristics unless you have been in WOFF or another religious controlling group. Outsiders are accustomed to several sources of information, opinions and viewpoints. These are ideally used for an individual to review and assess, then form their individual views and opinions. This process is totally foreign to the environment inside of WOFF. Jane Whaley interprets the limited information that is given to the members. She uses her self-proclaimed authority as the basis for these actions. As a WOFF member, if you dare form your own opinion which may run contrary to Jane, you would learn not to express it. Expressing opinions different from Jane was not a common occurrence at WOFF. That of course does not mean that individual opinions do not exist. In order to stay in the group, there has to be a level of denial of your own opinions and views and a level of pretending that Jane is always right and is the only source of “Truth”. As I reread Lifton’s work, this is exactly the scenario he was explaining.

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (5) The Cult of Confession

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    We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the fifth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). This work has been from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The fourth post explained the “demand for purity” and how that affected members within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- “The Cult of Confession”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF. My experience within the group is a “normal” one as far as I can tell.

    Lifton begins by explaining his ideas on the subject by telling how close this aspect of confession is to the “demand for purity”. He tells in greater detail the effects of the written and public confession that were required in the Chinese thought reform environment. It has continued to astound me the correlations and similarities between Chinese thought reform and life at WOFF. Lifton writes, “Closely related to the demand for absolute purity is an obsession with personal confession. Confession is carried beyond its ordinary religious, legal, and therapeutic expressions to the point of becoming a cult in itself…In the totalist (cult leader) hands, confession becomes a means of exploiting, rather than offering solace for, these vulnerabilities.” (page 425)

    He lists three special meanings that confession takes on in the thought reform that he studied. In my opinion, these meanings are the same in WOFF life. “It is first a vehicle for the kind of personal purification which we just discussed, a means of maintaining a perpetual inner emptying or psychological purge of impurity… Second, it is an act of symbolic self surrender, the expression of merging of individual and environment. Third, it is a means of maintaining an ethos of total exposure – a policy of making public (or at least known to the Organization) everything possible about the life experiences, thoughts, and passions of each individual, and especially those elements which might be derogatory.” (page 425-426)   

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (4) The Demand for Purity

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     We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the fourth in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior is evidence of a thought reform environment. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). I will work from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The third post explained the “mystical manipulation” and how that affected people within WOFF. Next, we will review another characteristic of thought reform- “The Demand for Purity”. Did I see this characteristic of thought reform during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? WOFF is run by Jane Whaley. As a review, I spent 16 years being involved in WOFF.

    While reviewing the material in this section and comparing it to incidents and events I experienced at WOFF, I do not want the readers to confuse the issues at hand. By exposing the systems set-up at WOFF which were meant to control members through the WOFF-defined demand for purity; I am not advocating that as Christians there is no purpose for allowing the desire for purity to exist and change our lives. For Christians, following Jesus and all that includes should change lives. The resulting change of desires will be for His glory and not another person’s enrichment. Each person should apply the understanding of everyday guidelines from the Scriptures according to their convictions. We are encouraged to keep them to ourselves.

     WOFF teachings include heavy emphasis on verse 23, not so much if any on verse 22.   Romans 14:22-23 — 22Your personal convictions [on such matters]–exercise [them] as in God’s presence, KEEPING THEM TO YOURSELF [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, [a]to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].  23But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].(Amplified Version- emphasis added)

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (2) Communication

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    We are continuing on the subject of thought reform. This post is the second in a series which will tell what thought reform is and what behavior(s) is evidence of thought reform. Our reference book is “Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism” by Robert Jay Lifton (original copyright 1961, later published again in 1989, ISBN 0-8078-4253-2 [alk. Paper]). I will work from Chapter 22 titled “Ideological Totalism”. The first post explained the environment for such Ideological Totalism. Next, we will review the characteristics of such environments and how I saw these characteristics during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). WOFF is lead by Jane Whaley; I spent 16 years being involved in that group. 

    Just what kind of influences and/or pressures does Lifton claim are brought to bear on someone to begin or continue the process of “thought reform”? He writes: “The most basic feature of the thought reform environment, the psychological current upon which all else depends, is the control of human communication.” (page 420) Lifton calls this “milieu control”.  A simple definition of “milieu” is the “physical or social setting in which something occurs” – found here: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milieu. So, the purpose of a totalistic group leader is to control the environment that he or she has created and more specifically the communication or flow of information within that group or environment.

    Before we go further with Lifton’s writings on the effects of such control, let’s stop and reflect about what we know of WOFF and Jane Whaley. Could this even be true at WOFF? Is there an attempt to control the communication at WOFF? One may note there are so many cell phones at WOFF, how could Jane control their use? It should also be noted that WOFF folks ideally stay around WOFF folks most ALL the time. How could Jane control the conversations and communications between members?

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