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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 ministries established by American Christian minister [[Bill Gothard]] in 1961. The 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==
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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, 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
==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
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
''From the Men's Manual, Volume 1, page 133:''
''Be committed to the success of each family member.''
''Earn the right to be heard --- do not demand it.''
''Demonstratte a servant's heart and a learner's spirit.''
''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.<ref name="Chicago" />
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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
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. 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 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"
=== Seminars ===
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=== ALERT ===
The Air Land Emergency Rescue Team (ALERT) is a training program for young men
*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.
It was falsely claimed that the ALERT program is a militia of homeschool boys in the docuseries Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets.
===Former Programs===
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== Allegations and investigations==
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 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". But when these allegations were investigated, many of these claims have come into question. 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.
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 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.
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."
It has now been disclosed that every count in the lawsuit was based on repressed memories 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.
▲On October 20, 2015, a civil lawsuit 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 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. The case was voluntarily dismissed on February 26, 2018, due to [[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
==References==
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