Institute in Basic Life Principles

Institute in Basic Life Principles

Abbreviation	IBLP
Founded	1961
Founder	Bill Gothard
Type	501(c)3 non-profit religious
Location	Big Sandy, Texas, U.S.
Area served	U.S., 12 countries
Website	iblp.org

The Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is a nondenominational Christian 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 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. 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 relocated its headquarters to a facility east of the small East Texas town of Big Sandy.

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.

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. The Institute continued to publish books and pamphlets and in 2006, In These Times reported the IBLP earned US$63 million (equivalent to about $95 million in 2023). IBLP is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization.

In 2008 the rise to celebrity status of one group of IBLP followers, the Duggar family, through the TLC series 17 Kids and Counting and its subsequent shows, brought a new wave of interest in the organization and its teachings.

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. 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 birectors 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". 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.

Programs and teachings

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 leaders in the home and are taught to be kind, patient, and loving to their wives and children with a humble attitude and willing to listen. Women are encouraged to support their husbands in their leadership roles, keep the home and nurture the children. They are also taught to be good wives and mothers, and to raise children according to Biblical principles. 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 homeschool curriculum is supplemented by materials published by IBLP, but it isn't a requirement. Sexual education other than the biology of sex is not part of IBLP teachings. Homosexuality, trangenderism, sexual gradification, the use of condoms, as well as other sexual behaviors are not taught in the homeschool curriculum. The absence of these sexual subjects has lead some participants to criticize the IBLP homeschool program.

The Bible is read daily, and everyone is expected to spend time meditating on its messages. Children are taught to obey God's Word in the Bible and the rules of their household, 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." 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 physical discipline which have come under scrutiny over the last several years for their methods. 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.

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 full access to each other's bodies for sexual gratification" and warns against "resistance or indifference to a husband's need for physical intimacy". A married couple should not seek financial independence from one another. Both husband and wife are encouraged to seek counseling when needed to maintain the marriage. 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. 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.

The Advanced Seminar built upon the teachings in the Basic Seminar; and was also free of charge for life once the fee was paid the first time. 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. and was originally composed of 54 pamphlets called "wisdom booklets", and was based on the Sermon on the Mount. In order to enroll in ATI, a family had to have attended both the Basic and Advanced Seminars and meet other requirements (ATI curriculum was, at the time, not available to the general public for use by other homeschool families). According to their website, ATI ceased to be an "enrollment program" in 2021. Of the original 54 booklets, 15 are now available for purchase by the general public from IBLP's online store.

ALERT

The Air Land Emergency Rescue Team (ALERT) is a training program for young men. It consists of two components (one does not have to be involved in both to complete the program):

• 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 Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts (there is no similar structured program within IBLP for young ladies similar to Girl Scouts)
• 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, and receive training in that area.

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 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 resignation from the organization in 2014. He has not had any involvement with the organization since his removal. Tim Levendusky has been president since 2014.

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, 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.

Their former headquarters was a 223-acre compound in 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 adherents of IBLP programs have described the organization and/or associated circles as a cult. 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".

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. 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.

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. 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.

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." "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." 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.

External links

• Official website