“
I'm shocked, shocked to find that
gambling is going on in here” - Claude Rains
Only WOFF can try to put out a fire
with gasoline.
For the last few months, WOFF and it's
members have paid for and appeared on local Rutherfordton, NC radio
station WCAB, AM 590, from 8:30am to 9am, Mondays, Wednesdays, and
Fridays, under the guise of “responding to the negative news reports”
as heard in the awkwardly crafted disclaimer that opens the program.
The radio program attempts to deliver
positive light about the Spindale faithful, perhaps intending to
avoid addressing abuse allegations against members and ex-members, as
documented in the Associated Press investigative pieces first
reported in March of 2017. Meanwhile, video features slickly produced
exclusively for WOFF's website and Youtube page, unabashedly exploit
current WOFF members by viciously denouncing former family members
who have left. One such example is the family of John Huddle,
Religious Cults Info blogger, activist, and face of the awareness
movement warning of the congregation's dangers.
WOFF's campaign of attack, deflect,
and defiance is troubling. The choice of contrasting messages in the
two mediums is bizarre, if not confusing.
Their approach cancels itself out and
further distorted by feigning outrage at the accusations against them
and cries of persecution. Their unwillingness to discuss specific
incidents is not only conspicuous, it is breathtaking dishonesty,
magnified by their lack of remorse or accountability.
This Public
Relations campaign addressing the prevailing curse of controversy is
further compounded by having a member who is a LAWYER, Mark Morris,
who is presumably at some level of counsel for WOFF, to conveniently
steer the content and message away from further controversy, but to
also ignore, edit out or end run the real matters of concern. This
approach resembles state controlled media tactics, as in North Korea,
where the only message is the one their government sees fit for its
citizens.
So, listeners are just supposed to take
WOFF's word on these programs?
From a legal viewpoint, I understand
that any admission or counterpoints discussed on this program may be
considered evidence toward any future formal legal proceeding. And
the potentially costly fumble committed on February 5th's WOFF
RESPONSE, where member Sandra Norris’ reference to the Matthew
Fenner case was deleted after the initial broadcast because it may
have violated the gag order imposed on discussing this case, was
brazenly egregious. If this situation indeed causes penalty, it
should not be ignored that this sloppy piece of broadcasting, that
is,violating a gag order and then editing out the content for future
broadcast, may also interest the FCC.
This program has stumbled in its
evolution from the prevailing technically challenged on-air audio
levels in its very production, featuring nervous, seemingly stream of
consciousness and ramblings of Karel Reynolds and other storytellers
with accounts of people with troubled lives finding redemption and
comfort in the arms of the WOFF community.
But that is all it is. “Here is my
story, Isn't this place great? How about a song?” I hear no
mention of negative reports or accounts of specific incidents.
I have no doubt that people's lives
have changed. I have seen SOME, NOT ALL, people who are fully
embedded there and would never consider moving on.
That's great. We're sincerely happy for
you. We are not against you loving and serving God.
I believe we can agree that WOFF is not
for everybody.
I am not a former member, but it has
been my personal experience with WOFF is that if these people SMELL
even the slightest doubt that you're fully in, they can make your
life hell.
I have personally witnessed WOFF
leadership and members all treating you with love and kindness and
smiles and hugs and pats on the back and loving eye contact. However,
some of these same people, mostly in leadership, also have a gear
that goes in reverse without even shifting, resulting in behavior
that defies description.
I say this because the people IN that
congregation can get a bit carried away. Take the WOFF members
awaiting their day in court for the Fenner incident.
Just recently a WOFF self destructive
suck up was caught stealing campaign signs. His picture has lit up
Facebook and even faces a court date for his trouble. It turns out to
be the same “soldier” that was one of the names in the Michael
Lowry beating complaint.
Wait, isn't this place about control?
In the WOFF system, followers pick on the innocent, and the guilty
get the lawyers. And, when you get called on it, we are all liars,
attackers, and you clam up when it suits you.
And Pastor Jane Whaley, you have been
curiously absent from these broadcasts.
Perhaps it is her doctrine, a fear
based message, a culture dependent on secrecy, control, and unequal
distribution of wealth. One where every member is a source of WOFF
revenue, resulting in a congregation with now more ex-members than
members. It is understandable that she may not be the ideal messenger
to helm this broadcast. It might confuse the listeners hearing from
an established, profoundly reckless woman of seemingly questionable
sanity, making WOFF'S case in public.
So, in your words, WOFF: the denial
devil will lead you to submit to legal authority. Take hold, dear
leadership, justice is charged with locking in the truth and will
further subject you to open rebuke.
WOFF, in squandering your chance to
truthfully address these pending matters, work against your campaign.
Your broadcasts are just air, with no significant content, but denial
and silence. Future trips to the courthouse will compel you to change
your tune.
Otherwise, all you are doing is
Preaching to the Choir.
-WOFFWATCHER
