Institute in Basic Life Principles: Difference between revisions

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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 nothing bad can happen to them and that if something bad does happen to you, then it is because you moved out from under your umbrella.

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]],leaders whereasin womenthe home and are expectedtaught to be morekind, submissivepatient, and loving to thetheir headwives ofand thechildren house,with whethera thathumble beattitude theirand fatherwilling orto husbandlisten. ThisWomen includesare encouraged to support their husbands in thetheir home,leadership schoolroles, workplace,keep the home and marriagenurture the children. WomenThey are raisedalso to learn howtaught to becomebe]] good wives and mothers, and to raise children according to IBLPBiblical principles. ANeither woman'sthe husbandmen isor chosen by athe woman's father, and couples are matchedrequired afterto amarry complexagainst courtshiptheir overseenown bywill bothor sets of parentsconsent. Women areCourtship discouragedis fromencouraged flirtingwhich orincludes encouragingthe affectioninvolvement fromof menboth their age becausesets of thisparents system.as Womenopposed areto alsothe discouragedmodern fromconcept seekingof higher education as their role is in the homedating.<ref name="Chicago" />

The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music, and the internet, is limiteddiscouraged 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 are highly discouraged. Substances that have mentally impairing properties such as alcohol, drugs, psychedelics, etc. are notalso permitteddiscouraged.<ref name="Chicago" />

Women are expectedencouraged 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 not allowed,discouraged as it is thought to bring attention to the body. Men are expected to wear dark suits and white shirts, asfor bluechurch jeans are seen asrelated ungodlyservices. MenParents are also expectedencouraged to behave circumcised,their assons beingcircumcised uncircumcisedfor isreligious seen as being un-purereasons.<ref name="Chicago" />

Children are typically homeschooled and aretheir taughthomeschool usingcurriculum theis homeschoolsupplemented curriculumby materials 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]] other than the biology of sex is not part of IBLP teachings. Homosexuality, leadingtrangenderism, somesexual childrengradification, andthe teensuse toof notcondoms, understandas whatwell as other sexual assaultbehaviors is,are not taught andin the practicehomeschool ofcurriculum. not teachingThe sexualabsence educationof hasthese beensexual criticizedsubjects byhas adultslead whosome haveparticipants sinceto leftcriticize the IBLP and struggle withhomeschool relationshipsprogram.

The Bible is read daily, and everyone is expected to spend time meditating on its messages. Children are taught to obey God's messageWord in the Bible and the rules of their fathershousehold, 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 these harsh behaviors are not taught by IBLP which is made clear in the Men's Manual, Volume 1.

IBLP 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 many of their teachings were harsher than what IBLP teaches, these materials were removed from IBLP recommendations.

=== Teaching on Marriage ===

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.

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 authority over his wife is God-given, as is his wife's non-negotiable dutytaught to submitrespect toher him;husband sheand musthis respect hisleadership 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> 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".<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 womancouple should not seek financial independence, takefrom "mattersone into her own hands", resist her husband's physical affection, or ask for outside counsel without her husband's permissionanother.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IBLPBoth Online Store: Seven Basic Needs of a Husband Booklet |url=https://store.iblp.org/seven-basic-needs-of-a-husband-booklet.html |access-date=2023-02-02and |website=store.iblp.orgwife |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Citeare webencouraged |last=to |date=2011-10-21seek |title=Howcounseling canwhen Ineeded meetto mymaintain wife'sthe basic needs? |url=https://iblpmarriage.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" />

=== 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; unlike the Basic Seminar, itand was notalso free of charge afterfor life once the fee was paid the first attendancetime. 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 ===

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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 suggestedadvised that a patient beshould allowedask to speak with former patients of their doctor having similar conditions. (evenThis thoughcan suchbe woulddone likelywith violatethe [[HIPAA]])permission andof 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..

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.

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 (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 ==

[[Bill Gothard]] was the founder and developer of IBLP up until his removalresignation 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 ==

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== Allegations and investigations==

A number of former adherents of IBLP programs have described the organization and/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> 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 add up to IBLP being "cult-like".<ref name=Chicago />

It has been shown that IBLP is not a cult through research and investigation by outside sources. The

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 (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 absolutely loyal to him.