Tag Archives: Leaving a Cult

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

Loss of Absolute Answers

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   In two previous posts, Janice Hutchinson’s work in her book, “Out of the Cults and Into the Church” (copyright 1994, Kregal Pub.) is referenced. Those links are here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=261 and here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2235 .  Janis, as an ex-Mormon, works mainly with ex-Mormons.  She has taken on the task of helping others make the transition from cult groups to the Christian church. While reading the first part of this book, I have been so shocked in some ways that ex-Mormons would have the same struggles as former Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) members!

    The format Ms. Hutchinson uses to present her information is a synthesis or compilation of many sessions spent with former cult members. She draws on her experience in actual real life cases to give insight for those wanting to help ex-cultists.  In chapter 3 of her book, titled “Conflict of Soul”, she explains how certain “losses” are emotionally traumatic to an ex-cultist. One way to look at the “losses” of former cult members would be to say that these are areas, which cults perform well in meeting certain needs. The items in the list may or may not be true for all former WOFF members. My belief is that not all WOFF members experience the same level or measures of mind control. There are group control efforts and individual control measures used. Nevertheless, I will comment on the areas I experienced in hopes of helping others in the same or similar situation.

    An area of “loss” for former cult members is listed as “loss of absolute answers”. “Dress standards, health habits, and moral guidelines, all the way to world problems are authoritatively answered by cults. (page 62) Ms. Hutchinson goes on the say that former cult members may feel that Christian churches don’t give them the absolute answers on the many subjects. That can leave them feeling a loss or need for direction. A need for someone to tell them what is right and wrong.

     Continue reading Loss of Absolute Answers →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Who is the Enemy?

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    During my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), there were many “enemies” depending on the season of time. A short list would include ex-members, ex-members who tell their WOFF experiences to others, “unrighteous” judges who rule against Jane Whaley or members in child custody cases, Faith Freedom Fund, anyone who supports the Faith Freedom Fund, Police or Sheriffs who carry out judges orders against WOFF members, Charlotte Observer reporters who tell “whoppers” about Jane or the church, the Daily Courier has had some reporters in the past, in this category. Shall we forget politicians who support abortion? How could I leave out the local DSS or attorneys that help them or ex-members?

     There would always be a type of “devil” to combat either in you, in the world, in the “heavens”, in your non-WOFF neighbor, in your non-WOFF relatives, in your employer (if not working for a church member owned company). Well, then there would be “devils” attacking your children, like the “math devil” or “know it all devil”, “haughty devil” or “sassy mouthed devil”, “telephone devil”, “lazy devil”, “unclean devil”, “back-talking, sassy mouthed devil”, “driving devil”, “intellectual devil”, “perversion devil”, “music devil”.  I think you get the picture. While I was attending WOFF, I heard each one of these phrases; though rarely ever grouped together as I have done. In order to support the “us versus them” attitude, there was always a devil-related crisis of some type to manage at WOFF. The many crises served as the building blocks for the fear-based message as mentioned in a previous post (https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=1310 )

    During the court case against the local DSS, I remember saying the DSS were like Nazis. Another member heard me say it and let it stand. In fact, he acted like he agreed. At that time, they were the “enemy”. Since I left and have read more about mind control and how it works; my assessment of the local DSS is much different. Now, I would say they did not know the strength of the mind control system operating in WOFF. They were trying to change the results, [children] and not the cause molding the children; that would be the parents and church leadership. Because of their outside position, it would have been difficult to change the circumstances for the children unless you somehow change the circumstances and thinking of the parents and other adults. DSS was apparently not prepared for the battle they were trying to wage. Mistakes were made on both sides. Therefore the results were negative for all parties.

     Continue reading Who is the Enemy? →

Behavior Control, Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Two Bookcases and the Gulf in Between

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     In my home, I have a four shelf cart I use as a bookcase along with another four shelf bookcase, in the main living area. In the cart on the right are books mainly purchased before my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). In the bookcase on the left are books purchased after my leaving of WOFF in July of 2008. The physical space between them is about 18 inches. The gulf of time between the groupings of book represents about 16 years. Let me explain.

    During my time attending the church in South Carolina, I bought few books. In fact, the only books I can remember buying were bicycle repair manuals and a few gardening books. My Dad also gave me a few gardening books, which at this time; I need another shelf to display them. I do remember being given a book, written by Andrew Murray, by someone in the Greenville church during the time there.

    Previous to moving to Greenville, SC in 1992, I had purchased many books which were mainly by Christian authors or Bible reference books. There began a purge in 1992 as my perception of the value of several of these books changed. The Christian books that have made it through the purges are stored on the four shelf cart on the right. The authors include Andrew Murray, Charles Finney, Leonard Ravenhill, Watchman Nee, Martin Luther, John Wesley, F. B. Meyer, R.A. Torrey, A.W. Tozer and others. There are biographies of D.L. Moody, Charles Finney, Rees Howells, John G. Lake and more. I have read many of these in years past. However, during the time in Greenville, the books were stored in boxes and only reviewed when I felt a need to read a book by Finney or Murray.

     Continue reading Two Bookcases and the Gulf in Between →

Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Why Go Back?

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    Over the years, members who have left Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC have been allowed to return and rejoin the group. While I was inside the group, it was not a major question for me as to why folks would leave and then come back. However, now that I am out, the idea of someone returning to WOFF is intriguing. Why would former members see or feel the need to return? I find answers as I read more on the subject and reflect on my years at WOFF.

    Janis Hutchinson in her book, “Out of the Cults and Into the Church” (copyright 1994, Kregal Pub.) writes about the struggles that ex-cultists go through upon leaving a cult. Her work has been mainly among the ex-Mormons. In the chapter 3, titled “Conflict of Soul”, she explains in an easy to understand format, how certain “losses” are emotionally traumatic to an ex-cultist. One way to look at the “losses” of former cult members would be to say that these are areas, which cults perform well in meeting certain needs. Ms. Hutchinson develops a list in this chapter that is too long to cover here. A few of the losses were covered in a previous post. ( see here… https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=261  )

   One of the major areas of loss that former cult members experience is the “loss of friends and community ties”. “…Enduring excommunication and losing the regard of others provokes a sense of loss that is impossible to describe. It’s one of the strongest motivations to return to the cult. It’s also why Christian fellowship is crucial.” (page 65 emphasis added) I certainly can attest to this statement. Members of WOFF certainly help each other as no other group I have been a part of in the past. There were several folks that seemed to always be available to help anyone whether day or night. The value of that support is hard to calculate or replace. When you spend hours and hours working beside someone or helping each other in various ways, there is a special friendship that develops. I had that with several folks at WOFF, or thought I did.  

    Continue reading Why Go Back? →

Behavior Control, Uncategorized

The May Seminar We Watched TV Preachers

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    One May seminar at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC; there were monitors (TVs) set up in various places in the sanctuary. There was a buzz in the congregation as this was a rare thing to allow the whole group to watch something on the monitors (TVs). In the years I attended WOFF, I can remember a few times that the monitors were put in place. We watched scenes from the 911 attack. We watched Ronald Regan’s funeral- tape delayed. We watched Tammy Faye Bakker’s last interview with Larry King. (Why?) We watched the “History of Christmas” tape from the History channel. The scenes were edited and the volume muted in certain places- “for the children” and some adults. We also watched speeches by President George W. Bush, weddings in Brazil and Africa, and a few other events. As a rule, regular members were not allowed to have televisions in the house. Some in leadership may have had televisions and Jane had one that God told her to watch. She then would come tell us what God had told her to watch, as far as I know.

    Jane Whaley came to the podium at the beginning of this service and announced that God wanted to show us “just what else is out there in the Body of Christ.” She had taped some ministry shows off Christian television and wanted us to see them. She warned us to guard ourselves so that the music or message would not “come in us”. There would be places were the volume was muted because “the music was so bad”. With those warnings and those instructions and maybe more that I can’t recall, the monitors were turned on and we all began to watch.

   After so many years, I cannot remember all of what was shown. I can remember the general impressions I had during the viewing. Jane chose to tape several African American preachers while they preached with passion the message they had been given. Not every preacher viewed was African American, but most were to my recollection. The sad part was during some parts, snickers and muffled laughter could be heard in the group. Jane Whaley sat on the front row with a microphone commenting in different places. She would admit if she knew them personally or whatever may relate to why she chose to record the preacher being watched.

Continue reading The May Seminar We Watched TV Preachers →

Books, Resources, Uncategorized

Resource for Help: Celebrate Recovery

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     In the last couple of weeks, I was made aware of a program sponsored by a church in area. The program is called Celebrate Recovery®. It is described as a help for those with “hurts, habits and hang-ups”. This program was started by John Baker from Saddleback Church. The Celebrate Recovery® program began in 1991 and has grown to serve folks in over 10,000 churches. You may have heard of Saddleback Church in California, as their Pastor Rick Warren wrote “The Purpose Driven Life”© series.

     The brochure for this program lists the purpose as helping those in need “to embrace God’s healing power by sharing our experience, strength and hope with one another. Through the process, we become willing to accept God’s grace in solving our problems, pain, shame, and addictions.”  There are explicit guidelines for what to expect and what is not included in the program. It is very clear this program is not for therapy. Leaders are not professional, licensed counselors.

    This program could be a resource for those leaving religious mind control groups. Some of the issues being addressed include: Depression, Divorce, Anger, Hurtful Relationships, Codependency, Eating disorders and Addictions. The program provides a safe place to share with others. There is respect given and expected from each participant.

     The list of things not to expect includes a place for selfish control, secrets or dating relationships. No long term commitment is required as well as no quick fixes are guaranteed. There are sharing guidelines that allow all who are willing to participate, to feel safe. Support for those in the group is expected, but no one is there to “fix” one another. What is said in the group stays in the group. Those outside the group environment need not know what is said in the group – even in the form of a prayer request!

    Continue reading Resource for Help: Celebrate Recovery →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

November Seminar 1994- What is the worst thing that can happen?

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     At the beginning of a November seminar at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)  in 1994; (could have been 1993) Jane Whaley came  in and started the service with this question- “What would be the worst thing that could happen to you?” She then listed things like illness, divorce, death of a parent or child. After some discussion, she stopped and told the congregation that God had showed her the worst thing. Reading from Matthew 7:22-23. (New International Version)

22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

    Jane went on to say that the worst thing for her would be to come to the end of her life and stand before God and having Him say to her: “I never knew you. Away…”  At that time, it was a very serious thought. Obviously, it has stuck with me all these years. Could this time have been a turning point for Jane? What happened?  How could the thoughts about this passage of scripture be so serious and yet not produce lasting changes in a person’s life? Certain things in life are a mystery.

    Continue reading November Seminar 1994- What is the worst thing that can happen? →