Bill Gothard Ousted - IBLP/ATI scandal - Merge

[formergothardite]

I read some of the threads covering the abuse over on the Recovering Grace site. One of the impressions I got from them was that the board KNEW about Gothards sexual predation and covered it up on several occasions. If so, then no board member is fit to take over.

Also, did not Gothard loose control of another ministry or church back in the 70's or 80's over similar allegations?

Frankly, now that these allegations have come to light all of ATI/ILBP could come falling down. Just as Vision Forums did.

One has to wonder what TLC's reaction to this will be? I'm sure they have a PR presence, as does the publisher for the Duggars past and future books. Is the phone at the various Duggar households (Josh too) ringing with requests for comment from the press? Will the FRC have anything to say on the subject? (did they comment about Phillips dramatic fall?)

I've always gotten the impression that the board has known about all this for a long time. I think even Alfred said that the board told Gothard to stop being alone with young women. I really don't think that they are doing this because they are worried about Gothard having molested some young ladies. I think they are doing it because they are backed into a corner and they have to at least appear to "look into it".

[HereticHick]

Well, looky here, Mr. Gothard, you've made the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ ... story.html

"Gothard’s Institute in Basic Life Principles was once a popular gathering spot for thousands of Christian families, including the Duggar family from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting.†Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute conferences were also popular among devotees of the Quiverfull movement, who promote large families and eschew birth control...He’s also rubbed shoulders with Republican luminaries. He and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee were photographed at a campaign lunch together; former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue spoke at one of Gothard’s conferences; and Sarah Palin, when she was a small town mayor in Alaska, attended his International Association of Character Cities conferences and declared Wasilla among Gothard’s “Cities of Character.â€"

:lol: Sweet. This story already has more traction than the implosion of Vision Forum.

PS I thought Wasilla was the Meth Capitol of Alaska. But I guess Mayor Palin knows these things better than I. :lol:

[formergothardite]

The way they worded that it makes it seem like the Duggars are no longer associated with them. I wish they made it clear that the Duggars are still enrolled and speaking at conferences as of last year.

[gustava]

I hope they are doing it because they regret being involved with Gothard and are ashamed that they wasted their lives on worshipping this evil, creepy old pervert, instead of are distancing themselves because they don't want to ruin their reputation.

[Mama Mia]

What I found interesting in the article is that the number of workshops they give dropped 90% in just 2 years. Over 500 in 2010, and only 50 ish in 2012. I'm sure that could partly be explained by the economy, ever increasing web use ( as opposed to in-person workshops ) etc...but that is a really huge drop in such a short time frame, wonder what that's about.

[gypsygirl22]

Well, looky here, Mr. Gothard, you've made the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ ... story.html

"Gothard’s Institute in Basic Life Principles was once a popular gathering spot for thousands of Christian families, including the Duggar family from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting.†Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute conferences were also popular among devotees of the Quiverfull movement, who promote large families and eschew birth control...He’s also rubbed shoulders with Republican luminaries. He and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee were photographed at a campaign lunch together; former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue spoke at one of Gothard’s conferences; and Sarah Palin, when she was a small town mayor in Alaska, attended his International Association of Character Cities conferences and declared Wasilla among Gothard’s “Cities of Character.â€"

:lol: Sweet. This story already has more traction than the implosion of Vision Forum.

PS I thought Wasilla was the Meth Capitol of Alaska. But I guess Mayor Palin knows these things better than I. :lol:

I just posted a link to that article on my Facebook. Gotta spread the word!

[gustava]

What I found interesting in the article is that the number of workshops they give dropped 90% in just 2 years. Over 500 in 2010, and only 50 ish in 2012. I'm sure that could partly be explained by the economy, ever increasing web use ( as opposed to in-person workshops ) etc...but that is a really huge drop in such a short time frame, wonder what that's about.

The article correlated the decline in workshops and money to the founding of Recovering Grace.

[Mela99]

I doubt David/Priscilla will back away though, even if the Duggars do...just a feeling

[floridiot]

I doubt David/Priscilla will back away though, even if the Duggars do...just a feeling

The Duggars won't...that would require Dim Bulb admitting he was wrong about something. And we all know that could never happen.

[anjulibai]

The way they worded that it makes it seem like the Duggars are no longer associated with them. I wish they made it clear that the Duggars are still enrolled and speaking at conferences as of last year.

ITA. It bothers me actually that they worded it that way.

The Dictate need to come down, too, frankly.

[Nobodysdoormat]

All I an say is yay for the internet. It reminds me of that woman that videoed her call to her former teacher that molested her... Of course there are terrible things like revenge porn but I love the outing of these bastards in such a public, not to be ignored way!

[GeoBQn]

The Duggars won't...that would require Dim Bulb admitting he was wrong about something. And we all know that could never happen.

The Duggars will distance themselves, but claim that they were never associated with Gothard in the first place. It will be like how they claim not to be Quiverfull, when their old website used to like to Quiverfull websites and literature.

[FloraDoraDolly]

The way they worded that it makes it seem like the Duggars are no longer associated with them. I wish they made it clear that the Duggars are still enrolled and speaking at conferences as of last year.

Isn't Josiah at ALERT camp right now?

[GeoBQn]

Josh Duggar â€@joshduggar 7m

Taking your calls now on #DCWatchLive talking about religious freedom ...call in at 888-589-8840! @FRCdc

I wonder how Josh would feel about people calling with questions about Gothard.

[Phoebe]

Well, looky here, Mr. Gothard, you've made the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/ ... story.html

"Gothard’s Institute in Basic Life Principles was once a popular gathering spot for thousands of Christian families, including the Duggar family from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting.†Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute conferences were also popular among devotees of the Quiverfull movement, who promote large families and eschew birth control...He’s also rubbed shoulders with Republican luminaries. He and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee were photographed at a campaign lunch together; former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue spoke at one of Gothard’s conferences; and Sarah Palin, when she was a small town mayor in Alaska, attended his International Association of Character Cities conferences and declared Wasilla among Gothard’s “Cities of Character.â€"

:lol: Sweet. This story already has more traction than the implosion of Vision Forum.

PS I thought Wasilla was the Meth Capitol of Alaska. But I guess Mayor Palin knows these things better than I. :lol:

*steeples fingers* Excellent. I hope it keeps snowballing! :popcorn2:

[FJismyheadship]

I wonder how Josh would feel about people calling with questions about Gothard.

Do it!!!!

[scc12]

There used to be a pic of JB with Goth on the D website.Not sure if it's still there,

I don't see how the D's can deny any assoc.,seeing as al the trips they've publicly made to Big Sandy,starting with 14 kac.

[scc12]

Josh would prolly just say he's not familiar with the allegations,or some such whatnot.

[CynicMom]

CanticleoftheTurning, I'm thinking one way of approaching the scandal for those who don't already know about it would be to take the Parenting Angle. As in:

These parents thought they were doing everything right, raising devoutly religious children and protecting their children from the danger of the world. Little did they know they were sending their daughters straight into the arms of a predator.

The above is the sort of line that would be most likely to get my fundie family to read the story. It reads a little like Click Bait and might get more traction that way since it doesn't obviously critique Christianity.

[feministing]

It's on reddit! Bump it up, please :)

http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comment ... is_put_on/

[gezykah]

I'm going out on a limb here and guessing Erin's wedding will be the last time the Bates family invites him anywhere.

[lemonhead]

It's on reddit! Bump it up, please :)

http://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comment ... is_put_on/

Bumped :D

[sparrow]

An interesting read I just discovered in my quick search for new news:

A STUDY IN EVOLVING FADISM: The Dangerous Leanings of Bill Gothard’s Teachings

http://www.pfo.org/evol-fad.htm

Seems to be quite old, but not sure if it's been shared on here yet.

[Ralar]

An article (by a man) on growing up in the Got hard cult. http://redemptionpictures.com/2014/02/28/bill-gothard-homeschool-cult/

[Dandruff]

Is it possible that this situation will actually boost the Duggar's ratings, at least for the next season?