On April 23, 2015, I had the honor to address a religion class studying “Extreme Religions” at Rollins College, my alma mater. I’ve made sharing my cult story a service to the college. Dr. Todd French, Professor of Religion, had invited me to speak about my 17-year commitment to the fundamentalist cult, The Way International™ that recruited about 100,000 followers in its heyday.
The students were assigned to read, An Affinity for Windows, that touches on my cult experience (you can download it on the Essays and Poetry page on this website). This essay gave us a common text to talk about.
I livened up my presentation with photos and stories, and we enjoyed a lively Q&A session. Students were insightful, respectful, and intelligent. One said she’d seen the recent HBO special, “Going Clear,” the documentary on Scientology. She pointed out similarities between The Way and Scientology, like manipulation and abuse of power.
Part of my responsibility when making this presentation, as I see it, is to clarify why The Way is a cult and what makes it Fundamentalist.
What makes The Way International a cult?
I discussed two cult features:
1) A “guru’s” claim of special knowledge not found anywhere else. The Way was founded in 1942 by Victor Paul Wierwille, our “guru,” who claimed: “God told me He would teach me The Word like it had not been known since the first century if I would teach it to others.” This claim was published in many Way materials, and for years Wierwille taught Bible classes he said gave us the “accuracy of the Bible.” That hook held me to the cult for a long time.
2) Control over behavior, emotion, and thoughts. Wierwille’s control methods included standard ones like intimidation, manipulation of people and Scripture, the power of suggestion, and indoctrination often called brainwashing. Although he was charismatic and could be gentle and considerate when he wanted to be, I also witnessed his dark side: a combination of bully, liar, and psychological abuser.
Many women have testified in private and in print that he was a sexual predator who used them. A few were my friends. When I woke up from the illusion that Wierwille was our unique “man of God,” I discovered him to be a plagiarist, propagandist, and religious bigot.
He said that either the Bible was God’s Word, or it was not. Period. So, if what you believe is not according to the Scriptures—actually his interpretation of them—then you are wrong. Period again. See for yourself. You can Google his teachings and hear them.
Wierwille died in 1985, but many loyalists continue to believe his teachings and will tell you, all over the Internet, how great a man of God he was.
Challenge them.
What makes The Way International a Fundamentalist cult?
Wierwille’s belief in the inerrancy of the original copies of Scripture makes The Way a Fundamentalist group. Inerrancy, a hallmark of Fundamentalist Christianity, is impossible to prove. Why? The originals of Scriptures are long gone. We have some pretty good copies, but, when you think about it, inerrancy is really a moot point.
Even if someone reconstructed the originals of the four Gospels, for example, there would still be contradictions between them. For more info on inerrancy and the mirage that it is, check out a couple of my favorites: Jesus, Interrupted, by Bart Ehrman, and Fundamentalism, by James Barr.
The Rollins Religion class
“You are the future of our country,” I told the students, “so please, soak up your education. And think critically. Don’t just go along with the crowd or with whatever you hear about religious groups.”
I pointed out that cults, often called high-control groups, wear away a believer’s ability to exercise the critical thinking “muscle,” the muscle that a liberal arts education, like the one offered at Rollins, trains people to make strong.
My advice to students and everyone else: when encountering a cult recruiter, ask tough questions. Who knows, you may cut off a cult’s power to usurp a naïve recruit like I was.
Update on Undertow: Seventeen Years in a Fundamentalist Cult
Undertow is the book I have written about my Way years. I’ll be sending queries to agents and small presses this summer. Wish me luck!
See you next time.
Chris Cushingham
So many doors to open.
Thanks for sharing.
Joe
Enjoyed the read. Your winds have landed you in a good place.
Maryly
I applaud your courageous and candid efforts sharing your experiences and exposing the cult, and wish you all the best with the publication of your book.
Athena
I too recently watched the HBO Scientology documentary and found many similarities with TWI. one being “disconnect” and “mark and avoid”. I was with TW beginning ’75 for many many years as WC and am looking forward to plugging in to all your writings. Thank you.
Jo Belt
Bravo!! I am just a couple of weeks new to Facebook. The reason i held out so long is the very reason you mentioned in your writing: I have no desire to rehash/regurgitate the belief system that held us down for so many years. You go, girl!!!
Charlene L. Edge
Wow. Thank you for being brave enough to write this comment on this particular post. Hearing from you is quite a joy because I had the notion only yesterday to try to reach you. I’ll send you a private message on FB.