Tag Archives: Word of Faith Fellowship

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

Thought Reform? At WOFF? (1)

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    A term such as “thought reform” is not a common one in our country. Many may wonder what exactly “thought reform” is. Isn’t that something that only occurs in some Communist or third world countries? Certainly, something such as “thought reform” would not occur in the United States of America? Our country is built on the foundation of personal freedom and at least some pretext of freedom of expression and “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. How could and would anything such as this happen here in America?

   If I had heard of such a term as thought reform before leaving Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) – I don’t remember. I may have heard of it in college, but do not remember studying it to any degree. In a previous post titled Movies and Thoughts on “Thought Reform”, I introduced the subject from a reference book titled “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]). The previous post is found – https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=3040 .

   Before we get too far into the subject, let me just explain my thoughts on going forward with something that sounds as ominous as thought reform. Could this really have gone on during my time at WOFF under the teachings and preaching of Jane Whaley? As I started learning about the process of thought reform, it became clear that it was a lot more complicated than just attempting to reform or change someone’s thoughts. It is apparent to me in some degree that teaching or preaching the Scriptures has the intent of informing and thus attempting to change the thoughts of the hearers. For it is obvious that if you can teach someone and change their thoughts, that then in turn there should be a change in the actions of that individual. Does that seem plausible? Can we agree on that? When other teachers and preachers in other churches stand up before their members, do you hope to affect their thoughts and in turn their actions? That seems likely, doesn’t it?

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

“Vatican Probing Cult-Like Group of Women” Sept 26, 2010

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      This headline was brought to my attention recently. The article was an Associated Press article written by Nicole Winfield and picked up by several newspapers. I first saw it in The Herald-Sun out of Durham, NC. A link to the entire article at another source can be found here… http://www.startribune.com/world/103776194.html?page=2&c=y.  Why would I take time to review this article here? What caught my attention?

   First, this post is not the place to write about the differences between groups such as Protestants and Catholics. One main theme of this blog has been noting the characteristics of religious controlling groups. Some of these groups have been called “cults”. Over the years, these controlling religious groups or “cults” have been found within many “Christian” groups as well as other groups who claim no Christian foundation or background. The basis for these comparisons has been from my experiences during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley and certain references books. Many of these books have been accounts of cult survivors or books from experts on the subject.

   Therefore, it should be no surprise that I found this article of great interest. The opening paragraph – “It’s a life regimented in excruciating detail, down to the way they eat an orange. Silence is the norm, information is limited, e-mail is screened, close friendships are discouraged and family members are kept at bay— all in the name of God’s will.”  Several of the things mentioned here struck a note in me as I remembered my time at WOFF.

    Nicole Winfield writes that the “consecrated women” group is a part of a larger order called Legionaries of Christ. This larger group has been under investigation by the Vatican after alleged abuses by the founder/leader- Rev. Marcial Maciel of Mexico. He founded the group in 1941. Maciel had been accused of sexual abuses and fathering at least three children. From the findings, the Vatican in 2006 did sanction the founder to a lifetime of penance and prayer. Only after his death in 2008, did the order admit that the leader had fathered the children in question and that the abuse allegations were true.

Continue reading “Vatican Probing Cult-Like Group of Women” Sept 26, 2010 →

Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Grace? After WOFF?

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      During my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in Spindale, NC; the subject grace was often defined in its simplest terms as “God’s unmerited favor”. There is no way for me to recount how many times that definition was used. Like many subjects preached by Jane Whaley or one of her approved ministers on the inside, the subject matter was applied in a way to build up, reaffirm or confirm or whatever term you want to use, in order to paint the predetermined picture  of WOFF. What do I mean by that?

   No matter the subject, whether it was prayer, or love, or money or health or relationships or jobs or holidays or any Scripture or an attack from the outside – each interpretation or translation ended up with Jane being right and regular members yet to have attained her level of righteousness with God or her level of holiness or her sanctification or her knowledge of God’s will or her love or her peace. In addition, outsiders of any group always came up short in any area compared to those seeking God’s will at WOFF and especially to Jane – herself. She rarely admitted a mistake. If there were times she repented for anything- I cannot remember. She did apologize for mispronouncing names or other words. She never admitted that another minister had anything on her. She portrayed herself to WOFF members and I presume to outsiders as having things all together, arrived or shall we dare use the term – perfected? Has this changed since my time ended in 2008?

   Let me be clear, she would approve of different folks in the church as being the “authority” in a certain area. This was code for the regular members to know that they needed to inquire of or do business with that person. Why? Because Jane said so. She said that person was the authority in that area – whatever that may be. But, rest assured, that approval was subject to that person being locked-in and doing things as Jane approved or meant for them to be. Jane could withdraw her approval whenever she wanted to do so.

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Books, Resources, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Exclusive Brethren – Similar to WOFF?

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     This week, I was made aware of information about a group called the “Exclusive Brethren”. The information given about their practices sounded eerily familiar. Before I proceed and as a review, I spent 16 years either direct or indirectly under the teachings of Jane Whaley. She leads the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) of Spindale, NC. In comparison, I have much more knowledge about WOFF than the Exclusive Brethren. That is almost too obvious to mention except that if a reader accuses me of an error in my comparison, then my deficiency would be in knowledge about the Exclusive Brethren. My intimate working knowledge is of WOFF. Does that seem plausible? Can that WOFF knowledge be easily disputed?

   In reality, I do not consider Wikipedia® to be the know all, tell all, rock solid source for information. However, the article was sourced and I did follow the links and read the sources for the information in this post. I found the correlations between the two groups amazing to say the least. In this post, I will list main points and encourage you to follow the links toward the end of this post for further reading.

   “The Exclusive Brethren are a subset of the Christian evangelical movement generally described as the Plymouth Brethren. They are distinguished from the Open Brethren from whom they separated in 1848, the Exclusive Brethren movement subsequently evolving into two main branches.” This is the opening line from Wikipedia.com found here.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exclusive_Brethren#cite_note-bbc.co.uk-6  Exclusive Brethren have been around for much longer than WOFF. I do not find that comforting knowing they have had many more years to treat people in the manner described in these source articles. The Wikipedia article goes on to explain the characteristics of the two main branches. The one which is described as the “Raven/Taylor/Hales group” have had the most criticism concerning “cult” like practices.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Truth? After WOFF?

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    There are some things that are stressed at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). One thing is the subject of “Truth”. There is supposedly a constant search for the “truth – in the matter”. Or a search for the “truth” in what just happened. Or helping someone see “truth” in what they just gave to. Let us not forget that Jane Whaley has seen to it that she gives others outside of WOFF- “truth” on different subjects or on what happens at WOFF. When you are on the inside, it is evident that the final voice of “truth” always rests with Jane Whaley. Another person in leadership could offer their take on what “truth” is or was or should have been or will be next time. But, it does not take a new member long to learn that Jane Whaley settles the matter- any matter, always, no questions asked, for sure that is it- take it to the bank.

    If you doubt what I have written taken from my time at WOFF, just ask any member “who hears God’s voice” at WOFF? Who is the person who is the final say in everything? Who sets the rules and ultimately has the final say in everything? Well? What are the possibilities you will get the “truth” about that?

    That set-up caused several things to happen while inside WOFF and it led to several things happening when my time there was over. When you are inside, it is taught either directly or sometimes indirectly that you know nothing. There is a favorite WOFF scripture to prove you know nothing. John 5:30– 30I am able to do nothing from Myself [independently, of My own accord–but only as I am taught by God and as I get His orders]. Even as I hear, I judge [I decide as I am bidden to decide. As the voice comes to Me, so I give a decision], and My judgment is right (just, righteous), because I do not seek or consult My own will [I have no desire to do what is pleasing to Myself, My own aim, My own purpose] but only the will and pleasure of the Father Who sent Me.

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Behavior Control, Criteria for Cults, Uncategorized

Prayer? After WOFF?

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    There is no doubt that no matter what I write on this subject, members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) will take it personally and may even call it an “attack”. It is not my intention to “attack” with this subject. Is it possible that WOFF members see this blog as an attack because I am doing what they are forbidden to do? I can express doubt while trying to work things out. Do WOFF members want to express their doubts but know that in doing so they would be chided, berated or attacked themselves? At WOFF, expressing doubt as to the validity of WOFF-life is not allowed.

    I will endeavor to share my observations on the subject of prayer from my time inside WOFF and my time since leaving WOFF in 2008. After 16 years of being indirectly or directly under the teachings of Jane Whaley, it must be obvious that much of the teaching centered on prayer. Loud prayer, blasting and deliverance prayer are signature practices of WOFF as discussed previously on this blog. I have shared on this subject in the past. (here is a link from March 21, 2010- https://religiouscultsinfo.com/?p=599 )

    After leaving WOFF, how did the previous teachings and activities affect my view and practice of prayer? First, let me make it clear that participating in forms of WOFF-prayer does not assure that a member believes in the WOFF prayer 100% – day and night. Yes, it is hard to conceive, but, as powerful as Jane Whaley is with her persuasion and control; deep inside, every individual has to decide if WOFFness and WOFF-prayer are as critical to salvation as is portrayed during WOFF-days. That is up to each individual. Certainly, it is close to impossible to remain at WOFF for any length of time and not participate in loud prayer, blasting and deliverance. So, a WOFF member will participate. But, is it vital to pray the WOFF-way in order to be saved, born again or know Jesus or make it to heaven? When put in that context, the answer should be obvious. Is it?

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