Institute in Basic Life Principles: Difference between revisions

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The '''Institute in Basic Life Principles''' ('''IBLP''') is a [[nondenominational Christian]] [[Christian fundamentalism|fundamentalist]] cultorganization that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministries established by American Christian minister [[Bill Gothard]] in 1961. The stated purpose of the cult 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" /> 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 revolving sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of member's families.

==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 relocated 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>

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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 ${{inflation|US|63|2006}} million in {{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 itsit's 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, false allegations of sexual misconduct) associated with Bill Gothard, the then president of the organization.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pulliam |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 resigning in 2014. Though they didn't admit to anything more than "a violation of trust", IBLP's Board of Directors accepted his resignation and, after their own investigation, concluded that Gothard 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 in its historical section. There have never been any proven allegations against Bill Gothard for sexual misconduct or criminal activity of any kind.

==Programs and teachings==

{{more citations needed|section|date=December 2021}}

One of the core teachings of IBLP is this idea of umbrellas of authority. God is the largest umbrella, the father is directly under that, followed by 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 theirdoes 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 is meanthappen to speak to fathers about being Godly men who protect and provide for their familiesyou, wivesthen toit supportis thembecause inyou doingmoved this,out andfrom childrenunder toyour be obedient to their parents while still living in their homeumbrella.

In addition to adherence to the Bible and their idea of Christian ideals, the IBLP considers men, in particular the patriarch of a family, to be [[Biblical patriarchy|superior]], whereas women are expected to be more submissive to the leadershead of the house, whether that be their father or husband. This includes in the home, whereasschool, womenworkplace, and marriage. Women are raised to supportlearn theirhow husbandsto become good wives and nurturemothers, and to raise children according to IBLP principles. A woman's husband is chosen by a woman's 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 familiesage 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, somemost music, and the social mediainternet, is discouragedlimited due to concern about immoral content or content that doesn't align with their religious beliefs, though non-contemporary Christian music is accepted. Similarly, some toys aren't permitted for the same reasons. All music which features [[syncopation]] such as rock, heavy metal, jazz, and pop isare highly discouraged. Substances that have mentally impairing properties such as alcohol, drugs, psychedelics, etc. are alsonot discouragedpermitted.<ref name="Chicago" />

Women are raised to learn how to become good wives and mothers, and to raise children according to Biblical principles. Both men and women are encouraged to seek the advice and counsel of their parents when choosing a spouse. Neither are required to marry anyone against their will or desire.

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 text printed onto clothingdresses is discouragednot allowed, as it is thought to bring attention to the body. TheyMen are expected to bewear dark modestsuits and wellwhite groomedshirts, as blue jeans are seen as ungodly. Men are also expected to showbe respectcircumcised, foras themselvesbeing anduncircumcised othersis seen as being un-pure.<ref name="Chicago" />

Courtship is encouraged rather than modern dating. Courtship includes involving the parents in the relationship by being transparent and not being completely alone without a chaperone until engagement.

Children are typically homeschooled and theirare educationaltaught materialsusing arethe supplemented withhomeschool curriculum published by IBLP, but it isn't a requirement.<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, otherleading thansome thechildren biologyand ofteens sex. The practice ofto not teachingunderstand modernwhat sexual educationassault such as use of condomsis, sexualand gratification,the homosexuality,practice transgenderof peoplenot and otherteaching sexual behavior that is not Biblicaleducation has been criticized by adults who have since left the IBLP. Someand whostruggle no longer participate in IBLP blame the organization for their own personal relationshipwith problemsrelationships.

The consumption of media, such as television, movies, some music, and the social media, 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 is discouraged. Substances that have mentally impairing properties such as alcohol, drugs, psychedelics, etc. are also discouraged.<ref name="Chicago" />

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> Though IBLP has encouraged counseling for rebellious behavior in its participants, the other claims in the Chicago Magazine article of abusive responses are not part of IBLP teachings.

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 clothing is discouraged, as it is thought to bring attention to the body. They are to be modest and well groomed to show respect for themselves and others.

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.<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> 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.

Children are typically homeschooled and their educational materials are supplemented with curriculum published by IBLP, but it isn't a requirement.<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 other than the biology of sex. The practice of not teaching modern sexual education such as use of condoms, sexual gratification, homosexuality, transgender people and other sexual behavior that is 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.

The Bible is encouraged to be read daily, and everyone is expected to spend time meditating on its messages. Children are taught to obey God's Word and their parents, and that violation of this leads to bad consequences.

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> Though IBLP has encouraged counseling for rebellious behavior in its participants, the other claims in the Chicago Magazine article of abusive responses are not part of IBLP teachings.

It is also 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.<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> 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 "[[Sexual consent|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 her husband's 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 over his family is God-given, and he is required to be kind, patient, loving, respectful and unselfish in his dealings with his wife and children. He is also to be humble and ready to listen.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Cult Dad Debunked |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iyyf-xyMZo |url-status=live}}</ref> Men are responsible to protect and provide for their families.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marriage ceremony in IBLP |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdqjVOweZF8 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The wife is expected to respect her husband and his position, encourage and support him, keep the home and nurture her children. 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".<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> 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".<ref name=":0" />

=== 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 wasthe alsoBasic setSeminar, upit forwas not free attendanceof forcharge lifeafter oncefirst a participant paid the initial feeattendance. Other seminars offered includedinclude 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 ===

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| 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 ===

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===Former Programs===

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 actually suggested that a patient be allowed to speak with former patients of their doctor having similar conditions (even though such would likely violate [[HIPAA]]) and suggested that doctors use prior x-rays unless("to necessaryavoid tounnecessary diagnoserads", aeven currentthough the physical condition likely changed in the interim).

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>

Sometime subsequent to 2002, IBLP discontinued MTIA and it is no longer shown on their website, nor are the "Basic Care Bulletins" offered for sale.

Sometime subsequent to 2002 (when Veniot's book was published), IBLP discontinued MTIA and it is no longer shown on their website, nor are the "Basic Care Bulletins" offered for sale.

== Leadership ==

<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iblp.org/about/#Leaders_and_Beliefs|title=About - Institute in Basic Life Principles|date=January 10, 2023 }}</ref>

'''Tim Levendusky, President (2014–Present2014-Present)'''<ref name="iblp.org">{{Cite web |date=2023-01-10 |title=About - Institute in Basic Life Principles |url=https://iblp.org/about/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=iblp.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tim Levendusky became the interim president of the Institute in Basic Life Principles after the resignation of [[Bill Gothard]] and was appointed to the position of president by the boardBoard of directorsDirectors that same year. He graduated from [[Slippery Rock University]] and went on to teach physical education at [[Southern Methodist University|Southern Methodist University.]]. He attended his first IBLP seminar in 1985 and has since volunteered both locally and abroad for the instituteInstitute, and currently lives in Big Sandy, Texas with his wife Angie and son Josiah.<ref>{{Cite nameweb |date="2023-01-10 |title=About - Institute in Basic Life Principles |url=https://iblp.org"/about/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=iblp.org |language=en-US}}</ref>.

'''Gil Bates, Board Member'''

Gil Bates has been on the boardBoard of directorsDirectors for many years and owns a tree service business in Tennessee where he lives with his wife Kelly and their 19 children. He and his family started in the television show ''[[Bringing Up Bates]]'' which aired from 2015 to -2021 which aired for a total of 143 episodes.<ref>{{Citation |title=Bringing Up Bates |date=2015-01-01 |type=Reality-TV |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4857508/?ref_=tt_mv_close |access-date=2024-12-11 |others=Gil Bates, Kelly Jo Bates, Katie Bates |publisher=Figure 8 Films}}</ref>. In addition to his work with IBLP and his business, he is also the pastor at Bible Baptist Church in East Tennessee.

'''David York, Board Member'''

David York has been on the boardBoard of directorsDirectors for many years and attended his first IBLP event in 1969 in Chicago and helped launch the Advanced Training Unit along with other members of the organization. He attended the [[University of Michigan]], [[Dallas Theological Seminary]], and Trinity Divinity School in order to become a pastor in Wisconsin where he still lives with his wife Brenda and his many children and grandchildren.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David York - Family Conferences |url=https://familyconferences.org/speaker/david-york/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>.

==== John Bechtle, Board Member ====

John Bechtle is on the boardBoard of directorsDirectors at IBLP and has spent two decades as the Director of Telos Institute International, a learning program meant for homeschool families with college-age children. He has a Ph.D. in Ministry from [[Western Conservative Baptist Seminary]] and has written books and hosted seminars for IBLP. He is a pastor at his local church and churches in Japan and Austria<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dr. John Bechtle - Family Conferences |url=https://familyconferences.org/speaker/dr-john-bechtl/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Notable prior leaders===

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Though not a member of the Board, [[Mike Huckabee]] has been actively involved and has openly supported IBLP, as has [[Rick Perry]].

[[Bill Gothard]] was the founder and developer of IBLP up until his resignationremoval from the organization in 2014. He has not had any involvement with the organization since thenhis removal.

== Facilities ==

IBLP once maintained a number of facilities around the United States. However, as of August 2023, the only United States 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 various 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]], the hometown of Gothard (though it would prominently feature 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 their 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 Green, President of [[Hobby Lobby]], 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 house the ALERT program due to its size and ___location away from heavily populated areas. However, after Gothard's resignation in 2014, due in large part to declining financial support resulting from the numerous scandals surrounding IBLP, the organization would relocate its headquarters and the majority 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 participantsadherents of IBLP programs have alleged thatdescribed the organization isand/or associated circles as 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>, although this has been shown to be untrue {{Citation needed|date=February 2025|reason=this is a definitive statement made at odds with other sources and information in the article; how and where was this proven to be untrue?}}. Don Veinot, president of [[Midwest Christian Outreach]], allegedsays that Bill Gothard was athe charismatic leader, had authoritarian control, IBLP practiced isolation of members, severe punishments, and demand for absolute and blind loyalty, that this addedadd up to IBLP being "cult-like".<ref name=Chicago /> But when these allegations were investigated<ref name=":3" />, many of these claims have come into question. It came to light that there was authoritarian control from the IBLP organization over families who participated in it, isolation of members, severe punishments inflicted by IBLP (such as physical abuse), and demand for absolute or blind loyalty to the organization whatsoever.

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/amp/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 reported by [[Midwest Christian Outreach]] founders Ron and Joy Veinot (in their book ''A Matter of Basic Principles''), the board recommended that Bill resign(who fromalso theadmitted board.to Butsexual inmisconduct) truth,resign Billfrom Gothardthe requestedboard, awhich leavehe ofdid, absenceonly to allow thetake investigationadvantage of thean allegationsensuing topower conclude.struggle to Aregain fewhis weeksposition laterand hecontrol returnedof toIBLP, histhereafter positionfilling andboard continuedpositions hiswith leadershippeople roleabsolutely inloyal theto organizationhim.

The following references use sources linked to IBLP apologist groups and must be discerned with caution. The YouTube channel "Shiny Slander" is one of these said groups and has led a campaign to dismiss ongoing claims of abuse. Numerous ex-members have come forward stating their abuse and the following section does not acknowledge the abuse sustained by members of the church.

A number of former participants of IBLP programs have alleged that the organization is 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>, although this has been shown to be untrue {{Citation needed|date=February 2025|reason=this is a definitive statement made at odds with other sources and information in the article; how and where was this proven to be untrue?}}. Don Veinot, president of [[Midwest Christian Outreach]], alleged that Bill Gothard was a charismatic leader, had authoritarian control, IBLP practiced isolation of members, severe punishments, and demand for absolute and blind loyalty, that this added up to IBLP being "cult-like".<ref name=Chicago /> But when these allegations were investigated<ref name=":3" />, many of these claims have come into question. It came to light that there was authoritarian control from the IBLP organization over families who participated in it, isolation of members, severe punishments inflicted by IBLP (such as physical abuse), and demand for absolute or blind loyalty to the organization whatsoever.

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/amp/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 reported by [[Midwest Christian Outreach]] founders Ron and Joy Veinot (in their book ''A Matter of Basic Principles''), 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.

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 their 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 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."<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 |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=casetext.com}}</ref> "Besides monetary damages, they asked a DuPage County judge to bar IBLP leaders from alleged plans to liquidate resources estimated at more than $100&nbsp;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 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.

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."<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 |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&nbsp;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 even more in February 2016, bringing the grand total of complainants to sixteen women and two men. EachThe plaintiffcase was seekingvoluntarily $50,000dismissed peron countFebruary with26, an2018, averagedue totalto [[statute of $400,000 per personlimitations]].

It has now been disclosed that every count in the lawsuit was based on repressed memories<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wilkinson vs IBLP Third Amended |url=https://www.recoveringgrace.org/media/Third-Amended-Complaint-filed-08-18-2016.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transcript Wilkinson vs IBLP |url=http://www.discoveringgrace.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cs-01-10-19-wilkinson-vs.-iblp-pm.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> 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=":2">{{Cite web |title=Shiny Slander YouTube channel |url=https://www.youtube.com/@ShinySLANDER |url-status=live}}</ref>

==In the media==

[[Amazon Prime Video]] debuted the limited series ''[[Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets]]'' in June 2023 which was an accurate representation of the Duggar family, IBLP and Bill Gothard. The series centers on the Duggar family's connections with the organizationIBLP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/duggar-family-docuseries-producers-reveal-most-shocking-thing-they-discovered-what-didnt-make-the-cut-exclusive/|title=Duggar Family Docuseries Producers Reveal Most 'Shocking' Thing They Discovered — and What Didn't Make the Cut|work=People}}</ref><ref name= "LA 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==