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The '''Institute in Basic Life Principles''' ('''IBLP''') is a [[nondenominational Christian]] [[Christian fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] organization that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministriesorganisation established by American Christian minister [[Bill Gothard]] in 1961. The organization's stated purpose of the organization<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.irs.gov/app/pub78 |title=IRS, Search for Charities, Online Version of Publication 78 |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> is to provide instruction on how to find success in life by following biblical principles. This involves programs that include seminars for ministry, community outreach, troubled youth mentoring, and an international ministry.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iblp.org/about-iblp/what-we-do |title=IBLP: What We Do |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref> <ref name="Chicago">{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Bryan |date=June 20, 2016 |title=The Cult Next Door |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/July-2016/Institute-in-Basic-Life-Principles-Hinsdale/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |work=[[Chicago (magazine)|Chicago]]}}</ref> Since its inception in 1961, the organization has grown rapidly, both in the United States and internationally, but lessened in popularity due to recent controversy.
==History==
IBLP was originally organized in 1961 under the name Campus Teams. The organization changed its name to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts (IBYC) in 1974 (consistent with the title of its founder's seminar) and adopted its current name in 1989 (to reflect its expansion beyond the seminars). From its inception until around 2015, IBLP was headquartered in the Chicago area, after which, according to ''Chicago Magazine'', it relocatedmoved its headquarters to a facility east of the small [[East Texas]] town of [[Big Sandy, Texas|Big Sandy]].<ref name="Chicago" />
IBLP started promoting Basic Youth Conflicts seminars in areas around the United States and other nations, which, according to its own history, saw attendances of up to 20,000 individuals during the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iblp.org/about-iblp/iblp-history |title=IBLP History |date=September 5, 2012 |access-date=February 13, 2013}}</ref>
In 1976, the Institute published its first book titled, ''Character Sketches'' which later became, the first in a series of books meant to provide instruction on the character of God.<ref name="Chicago" /> The Institute continued to publish books and pamphlets and in 2006, ''[[In These Times (publication)|In These Times]]'' reported the IBLP earned {{US$|63 million}} (equivalent to about $95{{inflation|US|63|2006}} million in 2023{{inflation/year|US}}).<ref name="ITT">[[Silja J.A. Talvi]] [http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2450/ "Cult of Character"] ''[[In These Times (publication)|In These Times]]'' January 9, 2006</ref> IBLP is a [[501(c)(3) organization|501(c)(3)]] tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-20 |title=Trusting the Lord with Our Finances - Institute in Basic Life Principles |url=https://iblp.org/trusting-the-lord-with-our-finances/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=iblp.org |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2008 the rise to celebrity status of one group of IBLP followers, the [[Duggar family]], through the [[TLC (TV network)|TLC]] series ''[[19 Kids and Counting|17 Kids and Counting]]'' and its subsequent shows, brought a new wave of interest in the organization and its teachings.<ref name= "LA Times 2023" />
From 2009 to 2012, the Institute in Basic Life Principles began a steady decline, losing money, assets, and greatly reducing the number of annual seminars it conducted, as the public became increasingly aware of controversy (more specifically, allegations of sexual misconduct) associated with Bill Gothard, then the thenorganization's president.<ref>{{Cite ofnews the|last=Pulliam organization|first=Bailey |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/religion/conservative-leader-bill-gothard-resigns-following-abuse-allegations/2014/03/07/0381aa94-a624-11e3-b865-38b254d92063_story.html |title=Conservative leader Bill Gothard resigns following abuse allegations |date=March 7, 2014 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 11, 2014 |___location=Washington, DC}}</ref> The controversy led to Gothard's resigningresignation in 2014. Though theyit didn'tdid not admit to anything more than "a violation of trust", IBLP's board of directors accepted his resignation and, after theirits own investigation, concluded that Gothard had not committed any criminal activity but had "acted in an inappropriate manner" and therefore was "not permitted to serve in any counseling, leadership, or Board role within the IBLP ministry".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iblp.org/time-transition/|title=A Time of Transition - Institute in Basic Life Principles|date=June 17, 2014 }}</ref> Since that time, Gothard has not been involved in IBLP in any manner, and the organization's website only mentions him only in its historical section.
==Programs and teachings==
{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2021}}
One of theIBLP's core teachings of IBLP is thisthe idea of umbrellas of authority. God is the largest umbrella, the father is directly under that, followed bythen his wife, and finally their children. The idea is that if each person stays under their umbrella, then theynothing willbad becan protectedhappen fromto Satanthem and histhat destructiveif activitysomething inbad their life. This is taught in the context of the father being a Godly man who treats his family with love and respect and follows Biblical principles himself. The umbrella concept isdoes meanthappen to speak to fathers about being Godly men who protect and provide for their familiesyou, wivesit tois supportbecause themyou inmoved doingout this,from andunder childrenyour to be obedient to their parents while still living in their homeumbrella.
In addition to adherence to the Bible and theirits idea of Christian ideals, the IBLP considers men, in particular the patriarch of a family, to be leaders[[Biblical inpatriarchy|superior]]. Women are expected to be submissive to the homehead of the house, towhether that be kindtheir father or husband. This includes in the home, school, patientworkplace, and lovingmarriage. Women are raised to theirbecome good wives and childrenmothers, withand ato humbleraise attitudechildren and readyaccording to listenIBLP principles. AllA thesewoman's traitshusband is chosen by her father, and couples are clearlymatched taughtafter ina bothcomplex thecourtship IBLPoverseen Men’sby Manual,both Volumesets 1,of Sectionparents. 5Women whichare statesdiscouraged “Thefrom onlyflirting wayor toencouraging effectivelyaffection buildfrom Godlymen charactertheir andage scripturalbecause convictionsof inthis yoursystem. personalWomen life,are marriage,also anddiscouraged familyfrom isseeking tohigher beeducation kindas andtheir lovingrole is in allthe thathome.<ref youname="Chicago" do.”/>
The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music, and the internet, is discouragedlimited due to concern about immoral content or content that doesn't align with their religious beliefs, though non-contemporary Christian music is mostly accepted. All music which features [[syncopation]] such as rockSimilarly, heavysome metal,toys jazz,are andprohibited popfor arethe highlysame discouragedreasons. Substances that have mentally impairing properties such as alcohol, drugs, and psychedelics, etc. are alsonot discouragedpermitted. <ref name="Chicago" />▼''From the Men's Manual, Volume 1, page 133:''
Women are encouragedexpected to wear dresses or skirts that are knee-length at a minimum, and wear loose -fitting, opaque shirts and blouses . and the presence of textText printed onto dresses is discouragednot allowed, as it is thought to bring attention to the body. Men are expected to wear dark suits and white shirts ; forjeans churchare relatedseen as servicesungodly. ParentsMen are encouragedalso expected to havebe theircircumcised, sonsas circumcisedbeing foruncircumcised religiousis reasonsseen as impure. <ref name="Chicago" />▼''Be committed to the success of each family member.''
Children are typically homeschooled using the curriculum published by IBLP, but it is not required.<ref name="news.google.com">{{Cite web |title=Ocala Star-Banner - Google News Archive Search |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ihgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0w4EAAAAIBAJ&dq=bill-gothard&pg=2953,5145077 |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=news.google.com}}</ref> [[Sex education|Sexual education]] is not part of IBLP teachings, leading some children and teens to not understand what sexual assault is, and the practice of not teaching sexual education has been criticized by adults who have since left the IBLP and struggle with relationships.
''Earn the right to be heard --- do not demand it.''
The Bible is read daily, and everyone is expected to spend time meditating on its messages. Children are taught to obey God's message and the rules of their fathers, and that violation of this leads to bad consequences, such as contracting a cold or other sickness. According to ''Chicago'' magazine, "Real-world consequences at IBLP included scolding, intense counseling, demotions, and even being kicked out altogether."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Cult Next Door |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/July-2016/Institute-in-Basic-Life-Principles-Hinsdale/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Chicago Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>
''Demonstratte a servant's heart and a learner's spirit.''
IBLP endorsed the teachings of [[Michael and Debi Pearl]] on [[Corporal punishment|physical discipline]], which have come under scrutiny over the last several years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Horton |first1=Adrian |title='Insidious organization': a reality TV family and the dangers of fundamentalism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jun/01/shiny-happy-people-duggar-family-amazon |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 2023 |access-date=12 June 2023}}</ref>
''Give whatever time and energy is necessary.''
''Learn to see situations from your family's viewpoint.''
''Find out what offends your family and correct it.''
''Always watch for pride and conquer it''
''Refuse to be angry or disappointed when your family fails.''
Women are taught to be good wives and mothers, and to raise children according to Biblical principles as interpreted by IBLP. Neither the men or the woman are required to marry against their own will or consent. Courtship is encouraged which includes the involvement of both sets of parents as opposed to the modern concept of dating.
▲The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music, and the internet, is discouraged due to concern about immoral content or content that doesn't align with their religious beliefs, though non-contemporary Christian music is accepted. All music which features [[syncopation]] such as rock, heavy metal, jazz, and pop are highly discouraged. Substances that have mentally impairing properties such as alcohol, drugs, psychedelics, etc. are also discouraged.
▲Women are encouraged to wear dresses or skirts that are knee-length at a minimum, and wear loose fitting, opaque shirts and blouses and the presence of text printed onto dresses is discouraged as it is thought to bring attention to the body. Men are expected to wear dark suits and white shirts for church related services. Parents are encouraged to have their sons circumcised for religious reasons.
Children are typically homeschooled and their educational materials are supplemented with curriculum published by IBLP, but it isn't a requirement. [[Sex education|Sexual education]] is not part of IBLP teachings other than the biology of sex. The practice of not teaching modern sexual education such as use of condoms, sexual gratification, homosexuality, transgender ideology and other sexual behavior that are not Biblical has been criticized by adults who have since left the IBLP. Some who no longer participate in IBLP blame the organization for their own personal relationship problems.
It is not possible to be "kicked out" of IBLP because there is no membership that can be revoked. ATI, or the Advanced Training Institute, is the homeschool program and families that did not want to adhere to the standards they agreed to when they applied could be removed from the homeschool program for violations.
IBLP, at one time, endorsed the teachings of [[Michael and Debi Pearl]] on [[Corporal punishment|physical discipline]] which have come under scrutiny over the last several years for their methods. When it came to light that some of the teachings of the Pearls were overly harsh and therefore not in line with other IBLP teachings, the endorsement of those materials was removed along with the books and materials from their ministry.
=== Teaching on Marriage ===
IBLP's curriculum focuses heavily on the roles and responsibilities of men and women within a marriage covenant. A husband's authority over his wife is God-given, as is his wife's non-negotiable duty to submit to him; she must respect his position regardless of his "deficiencies".<ref>{{Cite news |last= |date=2011-10-10 |title=How can I help my husband take on spiritual leadership? |url=https://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-help-my-husband-take-spiritual-leadership |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Institute in Basic Life Principles |language=en |author1=Admin }}</ref><ref name="news.google.com"/><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-10-21 |title=How can I make an effective appeal? |url=https://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-make-effective-appeal |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Institute in Basic Life Principles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202001533/https://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-make-effective-appeal |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Within marriage, IBLP teaches that God "grants spouses [[Marital rape|full access]] to each other's bodies for sexual gratification" and warns against "resistance or indifference to a husband's need for physical intimacy".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-10-21 |title=How can I meet my husband's basic needs? |url=https://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-meet-my-husbands-basic-needs |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Institute in Basic Life Principles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202001533/https://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-meet-my-husbands-basic-needs |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |language=en}}</ref> Wives and children are occasionally referenced as "goods" belonging to the husband, which may be subjected to torment by Satan himself should the husband remove the home's spiritual protection by harboring unconfessed sins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Speed |first=Paul and Jenny |date=2011-10-08 |title=Can my moral failures cause problems in my child's life? |url=https://iblp.org/questions/can-my-moral-failures-cause-problems-my-childs-life |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Institute in Basic Life Principles |language=en}}</ref> A married woman should not seek financial independence, take "matters into her own hands", resist her husband's physical affection, or ask for outside counsel without his permission.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IBLP Online Store: Seven Basic Needs of a Husband Booklet |url=https://store.iblp.org/seven-basic-needs-of-a-husband-booklet.html |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=store.iblp.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2011-10-21 |title=How can I meet my wife's basic needs? |url=https://iblp.org/questions/how-can-i-meet-my-wifes-basic-needs |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Institute in Basic Life Principles |language=en}}</ref> Inwardly, married women are admonished to nurture a meek and quiet spirit, while outwardly maintaining beauty, remaining "well-groomed", and striving to dress to "please their husbands".<ref name=":0" />
IBLP's curriculum focuses heavily on the roles and responsibilities of men and women within a marriage covenant. A husband's leadership authority is in the home. He is expected to provide and protect his family. The husband's role of leader in the home is God-given. He is to be loving and patient at all times, humble and willing to listen.
A wife is taught to respect her husband and his leadership position regardless of his "deficiencies" and he is to love his wife regardless of her failures. Within marriage, IBLP teaches that God "grants spouses [[Marital rape|full access]] to each other's bodies for sexual gratification" and warns against "[[Sexual consent|resistance]] or indifference to a husband's need for physical intimacy". A married couple should not seek financial independence from one another. Inwardly, married women are admonished to nurture a meek and quiet spirit, while outwardly maintaining beauty, remaining "well-groomed", and striving to dress to "please their husbands".
=== Seminars ===
The Basic Seminar is the organization's introductory program, and in 2020 the organization reported that more than 2.5 million people had taken the Basic Seminar.<ref name="NBC 2020" /> Originally, once a person attended a Basic Seminar, they could attend it free of charge for life in the following years. The Basic Seminar was endorsed by [[Mike Huckabee]].<ref name="NBC 2020" />
The Advanced Seminar built upon the teachings in the Basic Seminar; andunlike the Basic Seminar, it was alsonot free of charge for life once the fee was paid theafter first timeattendance. Other seminars offered include one on Anger Resolution, and the "Financial Freedom Seminar" (taught by Jim Sammons, a Fort Worth-based businessman), which mainly taught that families should stay debt-free, avoiding all forms of debt including college debt and mortgages. All materials are available for purchase through IBLP's online store; the organization no longer hosts in-person seminars.
=== Advanced Training Institute ===
The Advanced Training Institute (ATI) is the IBLP's homeschool curriculum; it began operations in 1984.<ref name=Chicago /> and was originally composed of 54 pamphlets called "wisdom booklets", and was based on the [[Sermon on the Mount]].<ref name="NBC 2020">
{{cite web |last1=Radnofsky |first1=Caroline |title=Ministry that once nourished Duggar family's faith falls from grace |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ministry-nourished-duggar-familys-faith-falls-grace-rcna14024 |website=nbcnews.com |date=February 6, 2022 |publisher=NBC |access-date=6 June 2023}}</ref> In order toTo enroll in ATI, a family had to have attended both the Basic and Advanced Seminars and meet other requirements (ATI curriculum was, not available at the time, not available to the general public for use by other homeschool families). According to theirits website, ATI ceased to be an "enrollment program" in 2021.<ref name="ATI site">{{cite web
| url = https://atii.org/
| title = Advanced Training Institute International
| access-date = 2023-07-16
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609191235/https://atii.org/ |archive-date=2023-06-09 |url-status=live
}}</ref> Of the original 54 booklets, 15 are now available for purchase by the general public from IBLP's online store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://store.iblp.org/wisdom-booklets|title=IBLP Online Store: Wisdom Booklets}}</ref>
=== ALERT ===
The Air Land Emergency Rescue Team (ALERT) is a training program for young mento learn search and rescue skills that can be used for public servicemen.<ref Thesename=Chicago skills can also help young men go into associated fields for employment./> It consists of two components (one does not have to be involved in both to complete the program):
* ALERT Cadet,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alertcadet.org/|title=Home - ALERT Cadet |date=December 13, 2019|website=alertcadet.org}}</ref> a program for [[nuclear family]] fathers and sons (though boys with no father can participate through other relatives or family friends) structured similarly to [[Boy Scouts of America|Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts]] (there is no similar structured program within IBLP for young ladies similar to [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts]]) ▼* International ALERT Academy,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://alertacademy.com/|title=Home | International ALERT Academy |date=May 7, 2019|website=alertacademy.com}}</ref> a program for young men structured similar to military boot camp, consisting of Basic Training, Intermediate Training, and Advanced Training, during which the young man can choose from several disciplines such as [[Aviation]], [[Construction]], or [[Emergency medical technician|Emergency Medical Technician]], and receive training in that area. ▼
▲* ALERT Cadet, a program for [[nuclear family]] fathers and sons (though boys with no father can participate through other relatives or family friends) structured similarly to [[Boy Scouts of America|Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts]] (there is no similar structured program within IBLP for young ladies similar to [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts]])
IBLP previously provided "medical advice" through the '''Medical Training Institute of America (MTIA) '''. MTIA issued numerous pamphlets , called "Basic Care Bulletins" (similar to ATI's Wisdom Booklets) whichthat were heavy on spiritual advice but lacked virtually non-existent onany actual medical advice. In his very first pamphlet, Gothard advisedsuggested that a patient shouldbe askallowed to speak with former patients of their doctor having similar conditions . This can be done with the permission of the former patients. It was, alsoand suggested that doctors use prior x-rays ("to avoid unnecessary rads", even though the physical condition likely changed in the interim) unless another was needed. ▼▲* International ALERT Academy, a program for young men structured similar to military boot camp, consisting of Basic Training, Intermediate Training, and Advanced Training, during which the young man can choose from several disciplines such as [[Aviation]], [[Construction]], or [[Emergency medical technician|Emergency Medical Technician]], and receive training in that area.
One of the more interesting aspects of MTIA was Gothard's heavy emphasis on the issue of "constipation", leading Don Veniot (leader of [[Midwest Christian Outreach]]) to ask "[w]ill God's judgment be thwarted by a regular helping of shredded wheat every morning?"<ref>Don Veniot, Joy Veniot and Ron Henzel, ''A Matter of Basic Principles: Bill Gothard and the Christian Life'', ISBN 0-9717009-2-3, p. 289</ref>
It was falsely claimed that the ALERT program is a militia of homeschool boys in the docuseries Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets.
Sometime after 2002 (when Veniot's book was published), IBLP discontinued MTIA , and it is no longer shownappears on theirits website, nor are the "Basic Care Bulletins" offered for sale. ▼
▲IBLP previously provided "medical advice" through the '''Medical Training Institute of America (MTIA)'''. MTIA issued numerous pamphlets, called "Basic Care Bulletins" (similar to ATI's Wisdom Booklets) which were heavy on spiritual advice but virtually non-existent on actual medical advice. In his very first pamphlet, Gothard advised that a patient should ask to speak with former patients of their doctor having similar conditions. This can be done with the permission of the former patients. It was also suggested that doctors use prior x-rays ("to avoid unnecessary rads", even though the physical condition likely changed in the interim) unless another was needed.
▲IBLP discontinued MTIA and it is no longer shown on their website, nor are the "Basic Care Bulletins" offered for sale.
== Leadership ==
[[Bill Gothard]] was the founder and developer of IBLP up until his removal from the organization in 2014. He has not had any involvement with the organization since his removal. Tim Levendusky has been president since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iblp.org/about/#Leaders_and_Beliefs|title=About - Institute in Basic Life Principles|date=January 10, 2023 }}</ref>
== Facilities ==
IBLP once maintained a number of facilities around the United States., However,but as of August 2023, the only United StatesU.S. facilities shown are the organization's headquarters in Texas, a retreat center on 3,000 acres near [[Watersmeet, Michigan]],<ref name=Chicago /> and a post office box in [[Conway, Arkansas]], for its prison ministry. IBLP also lists several locations (some of which are mailing facilities only) in variousother countries worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iblp.org/contact-us/|title=Contact Us - Institute in Basic Life Principles|date=April 21, 2023 }}</ref>
Their former headquarters was a 223-acre compound in [[Hinsdale, Illinois|Hinsdale]], theGothard's hometown of Gothard (though it would prominently featurefeatured its "Box One, Oak Brook, Illinois" mailing address on its promotional materials). At its peak the Hinsdale headquarters had 200 to 300 staffers. Staffers were housed in nearby buildings owned by the organization. In the 1980s and 1990s IBLP repeatedly proposed expansions of theirits presence in Hinsdale with office buildings, dozens of houses, and a hotel, but was unable to do so due to community opposition.
In 2000, David[[Hobby Green,Lobby]] President of [[HobbyDavid LobbyGreen (entrepreneur)|David Green]], purchased the former Texas campus of [[Ambassador College]] located east of [[Big Sandy, Texas]], and subsequently leased the facility to IBLP. The facility would initially househoused the ALERT program due to its size and ___location away from heavily populated areas. However,But after Gothard's resignationresigned in 2014, due in large part to declining financial support resulting from the numerous scandals surrounding IBLP, the organization would relocatemoved its headquarters and the majoritymost of its remaining operations to the Texas facility, and no longer has any operations in the Chicago area.
== Allegations and investigations==
A number of former adherents of IBLP programs have called the organization and/or associated circles a [[cult]].<ref name=Chicago>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Bryan |title=The Cult Next Door |url=https://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/July-2016/Institute-in-Basic-Life-Principles-Hinsdale/ |access-date=September 11, 2020 |work=[[Chicago (magazine)|Chicago]] |date=June 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='I broke away from a strict homeschooling community cult' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42701297 |access-date=September 11, 2020 |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=February 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tracy |first1=Jenna |title=My childhood in a cult is hard to imagine - but my survival is truly unbelievable |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/01/childhood-in-cult-hard-imagine-survival-truly-unbelievable |access-date=September 11, 2020 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=June 1, 2015}}</ref> Don Veinot, president of [[Midwest Christian Outreach]], says that the charismatic leader, authoritarian control, isolation of members, severe punishments, and demand for absolute and blind loyalty make IBLP "cult-like".<ref name=Chicago />
A number of former participants of IBLP programs have alleged that the organization is a [[cult]], although this has been shown to be untrue. Don Veinot, president of [[Midwest Christian Outreach]], falsely alleged that Bill Gothard and IBLP had authoritarian control, practiced isolation of members, severe punishments, and demand for absolute and blind loyalty, and that this added up to IBLP being "cult-like". But when these allegations were investigated, it came to light that there was no authoritarian control from the IBLP organization over families who participated in it, no isolation of members, no severe punishments inflicted by IBLP, and no demand for absolute or blind loyalty to the organization.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IBLP Cult debunked |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ndEtVmbVlM |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SHINY SLANDER - exposing the lies in Shiny Happy People regarding IBLP, Gothard & the Duggar Family |url=https://www.youtube.com/@ShinySLANDER |url-status=live}}</ref>
It has been established the IBLP by definition is not a cult. It is an organization that promotes Biblical principles for success in life as interpreted by its founder and leadership.
In the 1980s, the organization faced "a major sex scandal" when Gothard's brother, Steve Gothard, resigned as administrative director after having affairs with several secretaries of the institute. According to some accounts, the board recommended that Bill resign from the board. But in truth, Bill Gothard requested a leave of absence to allow the investigation of the allegations to conclude. A few weeks later he returned to his position and continued his leadership role in the organization.
In 2014, Gothard resigned as President of IBLP after reports that he had sexually harassed multiple women and failed to report allegations of child abuse in the organization which he believed would damage the organization if he remained although he denied any sexual misconduct or criminal activity. An investigation into these allegations by the IBLP board concluded he did not act "criminally" in any way including sexually, but did act "inappropriately" by not avoiding the appearance of evil, and notified him that he would not be returning to the organization in any capacity. The board was concerned that it would appear to condone sexual harassment in the age of "me too" and therefore did not want Gothard to return to his position.
On October 20, 2015, a civil lawsuit based on repressed memories alleging a sex-abuse cover-up involving several minors was filed in DuPage County, Illinois against IBLP and its board of directors. ''Gretchen Wilkinson et al. vs. Institute in Basic Life Principles and William W. Gothard Jr.'' was brought on behalf of five female plaintiffs in order to "seek redress and damages for personal injuries based on the negligent and willful and wanton acts and omissions of the defendants with regard to sexual abuse and sexual harassment and similar allegations of malfeasance suffered by the plaintiffs."
In the 1980s, the organization faced "a major sex scandal" when Gothard's brother, Steve Gothard, resigned as administrative director after having affairs with several secretaries of the institute.<ref name="newrepublic.com">{{Cite magazine |last=Pease|first=Joshua|url=https://newrepublic.com/article/151787/bill-gothard-fundamentalist-trap |title=The Fundamentalist Trap |magazine=[[The New Republic]] |date=22 October 2018|access-date=22 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601163818/https://newrepublic.com/article/151787/bill-gothard-fundamentalist-trap|archive-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> According to accounts by [[Midwest Christian Outreach]] founders Ron and Joy Veinot (in their book ''A Matter of Basic Principles''), the board recommended that Bill (who also admitted to sexual misconduct) resign from the board, which he did, only to take advantage of an ensuing power struggle to regain his position and control of IBLP, thereafter filling board positions with people loyal to him.
"Besides monetary damages, they asked a DuPage County judge to bar IBLP leaders from alleged plans to liquidate resources estimated at more than $100 million while they close the institute's headquarters near Oak Brook and relocate to Texas, the lawsuit states." Five additional accusers joined the suit in January and February 2016, bringing the grand total of complainants to sixteen women and two men. Each plaintiff was seeking $50,000 per count with an average total of $400,000 per person.
In 2014, Gothard resigned as President of IBLP after reports that he had once again sexually harassed multiple women and failed to report allegations of child abuse in the organization. Gothard allegedly selected young women for administrative positions within the organization, then manipulated and harassed them while in his employment.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/bill-gothard-quits-institute-he-founded-after-allegations-of-rampant-sexual-harassment-cites-bible-passage-on-reconciliation-115795/ |title=Bill Gothard Quits Institute He Founded After Allegations of Rampant Sexual Harassment; Cites Bible Passage on 'Reconciliation' |last=Menzie |first=Nicola |website=The Christian Post |date=March 7, 2014 |access-date=March 19, 2014}}</ref> An investigation into the allegations by the IBLP board concluded he did not act "criminally" but did act "inappropriately", and (notwithstanding its loyalty to Gothard) notified him that he was permanently disqualified from returning to the organization in any capacity.<ref name="christianitytoday.com">{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2014/june/results-bill-gothard-harassment-investigation-released-iblp.html |title=Results of Bill Gothard Harassment Investigation Released |work=Christianity Today |access-date=March 27, 2020}}</ref>
It has now been disclosed that every count in the lawsuit was based on repressed memories.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilkinson vs IBLP court documents |url=https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Resources/bfd5d20f-09c3-429c-9c67-72bcd6699687/2190254_R23.pdf}}</ref> The claims made by the women involved have been disputed due to their lack of evidence, the fact that repressed memories have been shown to be false, and in many cases testimony of family members, friends and personal correspondence several of the women sent to Gothard that shows a completely different picture than the one described by their complaints.<ref name=":0" />
On October 20, 2015, a civil lawsuit alleging a sex-abuse coverup involving several minors was filed in DuPage County, Illinois, against IBLP and its board of directors. ''Gretchen Wilkinson et al. vs. Institute in Basic Life Principles and William W. Gothard Jr.'' was brought on behalf of five female plaintiffs to "seek redress and damages for personal injuries based on the negligent and willful and wanton acts and omissions of the defendants with regard to sexual abuse and sexual harassment and similar allegations of malfeasance suffered by the plaintiffs."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilkinson v. Inst. in Basic Life Principles, 2020 IL App (2d) 190254 {{!}} Casetext Search + Citator |url=https://casetext.com/case/wilkinson-v-inst-in-basic-life-principles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207213304/https://casetext.com/case/wilkinson-v-inst-in-basic-life-principles |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 7, 2024 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=casetext.com}}</ref> "Besides monetary damages, they have asked a DuPage County judge to bar IBLP leaders from alleged plans to liquidate resources estimated at more than $100 million while they close the institute's headquarters near Oak Brook and relocate to Texas, the lawsuit states."<ref name="chicagotribune">{{Cite news |last=Gutowski |first=Christy |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dupage-ministry-lawsuit-update-met-20160218-story.html |title=More former followers of DuPage ministry allege abuse, harassment |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=April 18, 2017}}</ref> Five additional accusers joined the suit in January 2016, and more in February 2016, bringing the total of complainants to 16 women and two men. The case was voluntarily dismissed on February 26, 2018, due to [[statute of limitations]].
The lawsuit was dropped by the plaintiffs on the day that the contents of a secret online chat group was to be released to the court. Although the judge in the case had already waived the statute of limitations due to the claims of repressed memories in order to allow the suit to go forward, the plaintiffs have falsely claimed that they dropped the legal action due to the statute of limitations.
==In the media==
[[Amazon Prime Video]] debuted the limited series ''[[Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets]]'' in June 2023. The series centers on the Duggar family's connections with the IBLP.<ref>{{cite andweb|url=https://people.com/tv/duggar-family-docuseries-producers-reveal-most-shocking-thing-they-discovered-what-didnt-make-the-cut-exclusive/|title=Duggar hasFamily beenDocuseries shownProducers toReveal beMost full'Shocking' ofThing misrepresentationsThey Discovered — and lies.What Didn't Make the Cut|work=People}}</ref><ref name= ":0LA Times 2023" >{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-05-30/shiny-happy-people-duggar-family-highlights-amazon-studios|title=What 'Shiny Happy People' reveals about the Duggars: 'We were taken advantage of'|newspaper=LA times|date=May 30, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/06/02/duggar-family-documentary/|title=The new Duggar doc is the cold, hard 'reality TV' we needed all along|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref>
==References==
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