In a previous post, I put forth the comparison of predatory lending to predatory religion. We looked at the definition of predatory lending and showed the essence of it to be “unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices”. I shared several correlations between the deception in the definition and my experiences at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Therefore, we began explaining my ideas about predatory religion, what it includes and why I believe Jane Whaley practices this at WOFF. One point made the glaring lack of full disclosure to prospective members of WOFF. Prospects are NOT told how far reaching Jane’s power in their lives will be if they become a faithful WOFF member. Before a person becomes a member of WOFF, they are not told the long list of rules for members, changes they will need to make to become a member and how this will affect their relationships to family and friends outside the group. This is all part of the hoodwinking deception.
Does Jane consider this process one of deception? My thought is probably not. She considers it telling folks what they can handle, for in WOFF there are levels of truth that are only revealed the members as they are ready. I did not progress to main leadership level and therefore there were things I was not told because, “I was not walking in that place in God”. Some of these things I have learned after I left. For instance, I learned about the jet skis and the houseboat stored at the house in Isle of Palms, SC for Jane and her leadership – AFTER I left. This would have been hard to reconcile while I was inside. After I left, I learned that Jane has/had at one time, not one, but two satellites for her television viewing pleasures. If I had been told during WOFF days that Sam had a big screen in his bedroom separate from Jane’s bedroom and television, I don’t remember it. I learned after leaving that RF had/has highly sensitive listening equipment to listen to conversations inside the homes of others. I have been told by several that RF has a gun stash, that I have no way to confirm. I learned that at least one woman in leadership struggled with her sexual orientation.
My doubt as to the total transparency of WOFF started in July of 2006. Jayne Caulder came on stage telling folks to NOT read an article in the local paper; it had a bunch of untruth in it. So, I read it and verified at least some of it as truth. (see post here.. https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=2639). Somewhere along the way the term “WOFF-spin” began to fit as describing much of what I was told and/or not told. Still today, I hear things and have a hard time believing what I am hearing that went on or goes on at WOFF. Some things I have learned about Jane the actions of her leadership have been totally bizarre.
Continue reading Predatory Religion – by Definition is Deception