Institute in Basic Life Principles: Difference between revisions

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One of IBLP's core teachings is the idea of umbrellas of authority. God is the largest umbrella, the father is directly under that, then his wife, and finally their children. The idea is that if each person stays under their umbrella then nothing bad can happen to them and that if something bad does happen to you, it is because you moved out from under your umbrella.

In addition to adherence to the Bible and its idea of Christian ideals, the IBLP considers men, in particular the patriarch of a family, to be [[Biblical patriarchy|superior]]. Women are expected to be submissive to the head of the house, whether that be their father or husband. This includes in the home, school, workplace, and marriage. Women are raised to become good wives and mothers, and to raise children according to IBLP principles. A woman's husband is chosen by a her father, and couples are matched after a complex courtship overseen by both sets of parents. Women are discouraged from flirting or encouraging affection from men their age because of this system. Women are also discouraged from seeking higher education as their role is in the home.<ref name="Chicago" />

The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music, and the internet, is limited due to concern about immoral content or content that doesn't align with their religious beliefs, though Christian music is mostly accepted. Similarly, some toys are prohibited for the same reasons. Substances that have mentally impairing properties such as alcohol, drugs, and psychedelics, are not permitted.<ref name="Chicago" />

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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>

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]].

==In the media==