When someone leaves a cult or spiritually abusive religious group, it often means they will be abandoned by everyone who was their friend when they were inside the group. This practice is called shunning, and cult members take very seriously their spiritual “duty” to shun former friends and even family members who leave the group. So, for many former cult members, the statement “they were my friends” brings on terrible sadness and angst. Were they … Continue reading
Category Archives: Spiritual Abuse
Recovering Grace is a website which hosts discussions of the teachings of Bill Gothard and his Institute in Basic Life Principles. They do this in an effort to help those who have been hurt by Gothard’s legalistic and authoritarian teachings. On February 19, 2016, Recovering Grace was forwarded a letter which had been sent to an attorney representing a number of individuals who have filed suit against Bill Gothard and the Institute. This letter was … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the Winter 2001 edition of the MCOI Journal beginning on page 13) I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters; for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother … Continue reading
(This originally appeared in the March/April 1998 edition of the MCOI Journal beginning on page 6) On December 4, I997, three members of Midwest Christian Outreach, Inc. (Ron Henzel, Marty Butz, and Don Veinot) met with seminar minister Bill Gothard at his offices of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) in Oak Brook, IL. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Gothard’s concerns about an article entitled “Bill Gothard’s Evangelical Talmud” which had … Continue reading
Intimidation comes at us on a variety of fronts and sometimes in subtle ways. It might come from the political arena or religious groups. Sometimes it is family or work associates. In some cases intimidation can be a good thing but is most it can be destructive and is used to manipulate. “Where can it be good?” you might wonder. During the Cold War era the U.S. and Russia instituted MAD or Mutually Assured Destruction. … Continue reading
As many are aware, IBLP issued a statement titled A Time of Transition which was posted on June 17, 2014. In the statement we read: In response to allegations against Bill Gothard, the Board sought the facts through a confidential and thorough review process conducted by outside legal counsel. Many people were interviewed, including former Board members, current and past staff members, current and past administrators, parents, and family members. As I read the response something … Continue reading