Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2005, Page 61
children, testified there was nothing wrong with sex between father and daughter. (Juliana
Barbosa, AP in Fresno Bee, Internet, 6/17/05)
Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)
Children Allowed to Return to Church Couple
Two children of former Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member Shana Muse were
ordered by the North Carolina Court of Appeals to be returned to a church couple, the
Covingtons, thus overturning a District Court ruling that the children be taken from the
couple because it found the WOFF environment abusive.
Muse left the church in 2002 and went to a treatment center for former cult members. A
few months later she agreed to give the Covingtons temporary custody of her children, two
of whom were teenagers alienated from her. Subsequently, allegations of abuse of the
children in the church, through the religious practices of ―blasting‖ and ―isolation,‖ were filed
by the Department of Social Services, supported by Muse.
The Court of Appeals noted that an investigation did not substantiate abuse or neglect in the
Covington home. Therefore, the court ruled, the DSS did not have the authority to remove
the children from it. The court did not address any freedom of religion issues, including
WOFF‘s contention that its religious practices are protected by the First Amendment. Court
testimony indicates that WOFF is a closed network of some 400 members, most of whom
live in large homes with numerous residents.
The two older Muse children, ―emancipated‖ by the court at their own request, have
returned to the Covington home, while two younger siblings are still in DSS custody. (Jerry
Stensland, Daily Courier, Internet, 5/1/805)
children, testified there was nothing wrong with sex between father and daughter. (Juliana
Barbosa, AP in Fresno Bee, Internet, 6/17/05)
Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)
Children Allowed to Return to Church Couple
Two children of former Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) member Shana Muse were
ordered by the North Carolina Court of Appeals to be returned to a church couple, the
Covingtons, thus overturning a District Court ruling that the children be taken from the
couple because it found the WOFF environment abusive.
Muse left the church in 2002 and went to a treatment center for former cult members. A
few months later she agreed to give the Covingtons temporary custody of her children, two
of whom were teenagers alienated from her. Subsequently, allegations of abuse of the
children in the church, through the religious practices of ―blasting‖ and ―isolation,‖ were filed
by the Department of Social Services, supported by Muse.
The Court of Appeals noted that an investigation did not substantiate abuse or neglect in the
Covington home. Therefore, the court ruled, the DSS did not have the authority to remove
the children from it. The court did not address any freedom of religion issues, including
WOFF‘s contention that its religious practices are protected by the First Amendment. Court
testimony indicates that WOFF is a closed network of some 400 members, most of whom
live in large homes with numerous residents.
The two older Muse children, ―emancipated‖ by the court at their own request, have
returned to the Covington home, while two younger siblings are still in DSS custody. (Jerry
Stensland, Daily Courier, Internet, 5/1/805)
