If you have conservative homeschooling friends who talk about Michelle doing the same, then youve probably heard of the fundamentalist curriculum the Duggars used called Advance Training Institute. During this time, many of the largest churches in the United States were IFB congregations. A lot of people ask how this could have happened. The Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) church movement is a group of autonomous local churches that trace their lineage back to the liberal/modernist vs. Evangelical/Fundamentalist controversy in the 20th century. Parents of adults primarily use religion and/or money as ways of controlling and, manipulating their adult children. How come many Americans haven't heard of the Independent Fundamental Baptist church movement? We are still married, and while hes still a great decent guy, looking back, if I hadnt been so crazed to get away I dont think I ever would have married him. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/josh-duggar-trial-jury-guilty/. I forgot to mention in my OP that a couple months ago I was diagnosed with bipolar and PTSD. As a religious abuse survivor, this is my message to Baptist pastors, The weakness of complementarian theology on display in Duggar trial. Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here. . 'https://citypulsebanners.creativecirclemedia.com/www/delivery/ajs.php':'http://citypulsebanners.creativecirclemedia.com/www/delivery/ajs.php'); Unfortunately, so is the mishandling of sexual crimes. document.write (document.charset ? No matter what she does I would never treat her that way. She quickly reprimanded me and informed me that god would be severely displeased if we left and to just pray and read my bible more. '&charset='+document.characterSet : '')); This teaching tells members, especially women, that as long as they stay under their umbrella, stay in their submissive and rightful role, nothing no sin, no harm, not even sexual assault can hurt them. Victims of abuse always will have a target on them. Offers of religious liberty drew many Baptists to settle in New Jersey. Josh Duggar in rehab: Reformers Unanimous Treating addiction in a biblical way. It had changed, or maybe I just had, and it was an awful experience. If so, who or what? I havent seen you here before. Bill, I wrote them a letter in November telling them in no uncertain terms would I let them run my life anymore and I was done being scared of what they thought or would do. Woodbury, the teenage abuse victim, said that the use of an implement was designed to separate the hand from the act and leave it only to be seen for a loving embrace. Just as they must accept your decisions you must accept theirs. The 30 . I reached out to our church for help. Birding, Bird photography, art, reading, keeping my small zoo of salamanders, reptiles, and plants; and cultivating a good heart. She also volunteers for a nonprofit helping victims of religious abuse. 01 May 2023 19:52:34 Its a strict reading of the Bible that places women in servitude people to be seen but not heard. Women were pretty much only good for making babies to keep your quiver full and for cooking/cleaning/housework etc. As a victim of the Independent Baptist Church I fully related. I was raised catholic, but I have some relatives who are independent baptist because southern baptists are just too liberal. I kept hearing in church over and over again that being a Christian was joyful; not being a Christian was well, not. Big mistake. You served the church, its pastor, your parents, your husband . 2 people showed up with meals and that was it. The sooner you are able to take this responsibility upon yourself and act, the better off you will be, regardless of their reaction.I hope I don't sound too harsh, but on this issue, I know what I am, talking about.I truly hope it goes smoothly for you, but you will be better off however it goes once, you assert your rights to your parents. I was raised in an independent fundamental Baptist household. The messages from those teachings was not men shouldnt be raping. It was women shouldnt be going to parties, he said. The same applies to children. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/b6fbfe77/files/uploaded/RyderJoyComplaint02172020.pdf. At least, he got the dress part right, right? Other accusations by former members and followers speak to the mistreatment and harm they experienced through his teachings, the ATI curriculum, the groups conferences, their facilities, and more. including your religion. KJV, "Aquiveris a container forarrows,bolts, ordarts.". In other churches, pastors are the head of the church and a direct conduit to God. I didnt follow the Duggars when I was an independent fundamental Baptist. The suffering of so many little girls is hidden in the independent fundamental Baptist movement. All of the people interviewed in this story said that interracial relationships, or relationships with someone from a different religion, even other Christians, were either banned or discouraged. Its definitely something that is imprinted to childrens brains that the females responsible for purity and for modesty.. My family members are some of the most miserable people on the planet. Theyre the people that can mess up a guys chance at being pure. Rusty Chatfield among others quickly welcomed the lone visitor with a smile and a handshake. My husband worked 12-14 hour days and was gone M-F. Marlene Winell, Ph.D., psychologist and author, has been working in religious recovery for over 25 years. I look forward to learning more from you all and not feeling so very alone in all this. I am the daughter of an IFB missionary/evangelist, sister of an IFB pastor, and granddaughter of an IFB pastor. : Freedom, liberty, history, politics, psychology, medicine, arts, sciences, games, sensational sex, jamming with friends, good food, drink, and conversation. That means you must be, willing and able to accept the consequences of your informing them that, while you love them and always. My parents like to brag that their kids were in church from the time of conception and still are today! New IFB Pastor Adam Fannin, the now former pastor of Stedfast Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, received international attention in August 2019 after a video clip of him verbally attacking comedian Sarah Silverman went viral online. Holding hands, kissing and hugging are all strictly prohibited. or It was into this world that Lee Chatfield was born and raised. Jim Bob and Michelle had been members of the Institute in Basic Life Principles since the early 1990s. I'm glad you are out of the cult. hahaha. zoneId = '16'; Bruce Gerencser, 65, lives in rural Northwest Ohio with his wife of 44 years. [1] The origins of the Independent Baptist movement are sketchy. Deva, I'm sorry you suffered the same childhood. The problem is I am being drug down from this happiness whenever I discuss this issue with my wife or other family members. Editors Note: The Independent Fundamental Baptist Church movement is separate from the New Independent Fundamental Baptist Church, which the Anti-Defamation League has designated as a hate group. I went through several guys that ended up being jerks (one was severely abusive and knocked me around a bit. I suppose they would call it "tough love" or some such. David Gibbs Jr. has been listed as a defendant in a federal lawsuit brought by a victim of one of the most prominent independent fundamental Baptist churches and colleges located in Hammond, Ind. Its hard to find the time to sit and type a huge intro when you have a very busy toddler needing your attention. For more information, please see our Rebekah Chatfield, 26, said she found herself thrust into the middle of this culture in the fourth grade. I didnt know anything about anatomy. That doesnt include my culottes, my flannel nightgown, or the rest of my fundamentalist little girl dress code though. One way the Christian Law Association receives financial funding is from independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country. By the mid-1970s SBC fundamentalists were rejecting the fundamentalist label completely, arguing it was no . 127 because it struck me now - though it didn't when I was a Christian - that the psalm talks about children from the point of view of what power or prestige they confer on the parent. It is taught from a young age that you, as a woman, as a girl, should dress modestly. Independent Fundamental Churches, for those who dont know, is a very extremist form of Christianity. They then sent Josh to a faith training center located in Little Rock, Ark., that belonged to an independent fundamental Baptist organization called the Institute in Basic Life Principles created by Bill Gothard. If you are a fan of shows where large quiverfull families have strict courting rules for their children and purity culture is promoted, then youre likely familiar with TLCs 19 Kids and Counting. She's kind hearted gentle sweet and has a moral compass already that was there when she was born and we are just helping her hone it. Women are definitely positioned as the temptress, Skwarczynski explained. Gothard was known for his controversial counseling sessions for childhood sexual abuse victims. The co-founder, Paul Kingsbury, recently was forced to leave his position at North Love Baptist Church in Rockford, Ill., for his role in helping a sex offender avoid prosecution by supporting him overseas as a missionary. A group for those who have formally been associated with the Independent Fundamental Baptist movemen Former Independent Fundamental Baptists - IFB KJV It became an independent church in 1746. No.. if( width > 480 ){ 4. A community for former Christians of all denominations. Courting between young couples also requires them to have another person in the room. In fact, in my own former church of 15 years, the church supported them as if they were missionaries. Interview with a former member of a bible based destructive cult organization called Independent Fundamental Baptist. They practice the biblical teachings of separation as taught in Ephesians 5:11, which states, "Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Hi, im new here. My point, though, is for you to use your timing. They dont do drinking, said Eric Skwarczynsk, the host of the Preacher Boys podcast, which is dedicated to uncovering mental, physical, sexual and emotional abuses in the IFB church movement, often through the direct stories of its survivors. My heart goes out to you. Pearl responded: Its supposed to. Pearl also said the physically abusive training for kids should begin as early as 9 months. zoneId = 'Array'; Heiler wasnt even taught the basics about menstruation. Actually the only churches considered not to be in error are other Independent Baptist Churches, and even some of them are suspect. Constantly negative and joyless and somehow I get told that I shouldn't be happy like I am unless I'm attending church regularly and reading my Bible and praying. When she was born she was perfect. She confirmed that the strict authoritarianism of Chatfields church and school was a contributing factor to her alleged abuse and exploitation by Lee Chatfield. Having my daughter is ultimately what started me down the path to deconverting. That firm was Gibbs & Associates, founded by David Gibbs Jr. of the Christian Law Association. Challenging the decision of male authority is considered a grave sin and an act of rebellion. Even after lifting the ban, the university still required parental permission for interracial relationships. (n.d.). It was when Josh molested one of their very young daughters, who was under the age of 12, that they sought counsel. I did know about them, though, because I thought they were trying to make a profit off the very things we preached, while the rest of us independent fundamental Baptists were truly following God. I was judgey from afar and annoyed that they would be praised for doing what I and so many other people did live the life of a fundamentalist Christian. Yes "tough love" is their favorite way to accomplish their goal of getting you in line. Only the witch-doctor can protect you from the evils of the world. "A Course of Love" with Lucille Olson- 7 p.m. Zoom ID: 177 417 886. And thanks for educating the rest of us on that circumstance. A 2017 study from the University of Michigan which had included more than 8,300 people of all ages determined that being spanked was linked to adulthood mental health issues. I had no joy, no life, was miserable and depressed. I watched a morning newscast running clips of the interview with Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar discussing why they didnt do anything to hold accountable their son, Josh, for sexual abuse. I looked at her and thought "there is no way this little person is evil. Yes. When I had the realization that the god of the bible was a myth, I suddenly felt so free. I was miserable, scared, alone, and hungry. My blog aims to: 1) Spread a passion for Jesus Christ 2) Help people harmed by extreme fundamentalism 3) Encourage wider reform in fundamentalism & 4) Defend my theological positions. No comments on this item For me, after years of questioning, the realization that I -- a mere mortal -- am a better parent than biblegod was my major step toward atheism. Somehow, I made my hands call a loved one to tell them to hurry up and turn on the TV because, our story is on.. zoneId = '14'; Homes and schools such as those run by Grace Baptist were designed to reform rebellious children and develop them into better Christians, Heiler said. I definitely understand where you are coming from. In one volume, Michael Pearl repeats the tale of teaching parents to control their toddler. Fundamental Independent Baptists churches will remain separate from unsound churches, as well as other Baptists groups who join in with the unscriptural churches. Two pages of a curriculum distributed by homeschool guru Bill Gothard. Then Arkansas state Rep. Jim Bob Duggar and his wife, Michelle, lead 12 of their 13 children to a polling place in Springdale, Ark., on Tuesday, May 21, 2002. Both Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have spoken at the IBLPs conferences and promote Gothards teachings and homeschool curriculum. This continued for miles. Nichols declined to explain why he is representing him, confirm this story or facilitate interview requests with Chatfield. You deserve to be free from all that unnecessary mental baggage. Their. After doing some reading lately, I realize we fell into the Quiverfull/Christian patriarchy family types as well, though we didnt adhere strictly to either one as my dad prided himself on following God only and not any one man. It was difficult. Courtesy And breaking a childs rebellious spirit is a philosophical construct throughout the IFB faith. In one memo that Skwarczynski reported on his podcast, a minister encouraged students to pray about Gods intent (and seek parental input) before engaging in exotic relationships. So Why Are Luther Bibles Selling So Well? I had a brother (well, more than one) just like Josh. But do I think wailing on a kid in the office with a ping pong paddle is raising a kid? (517) 999-5065. }else{ That control must be severed if you are to become or remain an, adult.If isn't you will not grow emotionally nor will you mature as you should. and our Independent Fundamental Baptist isn't a denomination; it simply identifies certain major characteristics of a type of church. Gothards homeschool curriculum and philosophies gained wide distribution after being featured on 19 Kids and Counting.. We were not allowed to date at all. Bible contradictions, all sorts of stuff. Inside Duggar cult: we were taught our bodies dont belong to us. (517) 371-5600 Rebekah Leonard with her then high school boyfriend Aaron Chatfield after a soccer tournament. Chatfields church is only one of hundreds of IFB churches scattered across the U.S. Nearly every person interviewed for this report, both on the record and off the record, referred to IFB as a cult. From what I read in your extimony, they will challenge you and probably abandon you (though hopefully your husband will not). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. My brother is very enmeshed with them and is hook, line, and sinker into Christianity and I dont know if he will ever come out of it. My family still doesnt really talk to me. var m3_u = (location.protocol=='https:'? You dont want people looking at her in 10 years, when shes 15, and singing her heart out in the choir and saying, Oh, thats that poor girl who was abused, she said a pastor had told her. if (document.context) document.write ("&context=" + escape(document.context)); Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://talkingpointsmemo.com/theslice/josh-duggar-bill-gothard-institute-in-basic-life-principles. But Josh Duggars confession of molesting children, of sexually abusing family members, never has made it to a courtroom due to numerous factors. Theologically, this conception of the temptress is biblically based on the story of mans fall in the Garden of Eden. Gothard has been convicted of sex crimes, including transporting a 16-year-old girl to northern Michigan. First of all, I admire your courage in speaking out. I believe this kind of idea is also what led to my acceptance of the reality of "biblegod's" non-existence. var m3_r = Math.floor(Math.random()*99999999999); My answer as a survivor of similar abuse, from the same movement the Duggar family embraced, and as a volunteer of a nonprofit that helps support victims of religious abuse: The environment itself creates safe places for sexual abusers to thrive. Numerous of Pearls books, including the infamous To Train Up a Child, is promoted in these independent Baptist circles, even though the book advocates physically beating children and babies with a rod. document.write ("'><\/scr"+"ipt>"); Male authority is an essential tool in IFB teachings. In the independent fundamental Baptist community, pastors are the ultimate authority and council: "Any issues, even legal issues, go to the pastor first, not the police. It was all addressed in a way to somehow place her at the center and the cause, Emily said in a phone interview. Being raised pentecostal myself, I understand the shunning part of the independent baptist denomination and what it does to families. We were there for 3 years. History [ edit] A police report was released to the media, and Josh had admitted to molesting five underage girls, including some of his very own sisters. The Independent Fundamentalist Baptist (IFB) Church McDonalds is ubiquitous and everywhere, with small variations between franchises. //]]>-->, With only two incumbents running for four seats, the Lansing City Council is facing , MONDAY, May 1 Hes bringing down the Ax (Emanuel Ax), bringing out the Blow . The woman who runs the site is an atheist. After a stay at one of the groups facilities where Josh was taken under the wing by a mentor there, Gothard said Josh had been cleansed, and he was returned home to his family. document.write ("'><\/scr"+"ipt>"); The New Independent Fundamental Baptist network, most prominently associated with anti-LGBTQ pastor Steven Anderson, appears to be in turmoil as infighting again erupts, this time between Anderson and fellow pastors in the network. After all, bare skin on a woman at IFB churches is seen as an impure temptation for its men. Welcome, earthmama. One other thing, take your time about coming out to your husband, family and others until YOU are ready. When we asked for more help to put the baby things together as my husband had surgery on his wrist and was in a cast and I was on strict restrictions NOT to lift anything, we had zero people show up. Even as a young child, I knew intuitively that Mom was right. console.log("Calling zone: " + zoneId); Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFB) is a loosely-affiliated, cultish denomination of Christian fundamentalists. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://nypost.com/article/duggar-cult-enabled-sexual-abuse-former-members-say/. They then enforce the teachings of submission to women. Thats where Heiler met her abuser, who has already been convicted in Washington state for sexually assaulting her and is awaiting trial in Michigan for another alleged assault. OpinionLydia Joy Launderville | December 13, 2021. He is pastor of Faithful Word Baptist Churchin Tempe, Arizona. If your parents were wrong, God would still protect you from anything bad happening because you are under that umbrella of protection, Woodbury explained. The flagship university of IFB, Bob Jones University, also banned interracial dating until 2004. Former independent fundamental baptist church members what was the craziest thing you heard was a sin did you do it before and after. BTW why do so many extimonies of women have the theme of an abusive Christian husband or boyfriend? Josh Duggar found guilty of federal child pornography charges. What they fail to realize is that manipulative individuals can use their presumed spiritual purity as a cloak under which they can commit offenses without being suspected or reported, he said. When they did that, my siblings followed suit. Each week, Rusty Chatfield, the father of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, stands at the pulpit behind a humble wooden cross no flashy jewelry and gold; only a Bible and a few pages of notes guide him through a sermon. Many parents try to control their adult child as though she were a minor.And many adult children, haven't reached the emotional maturity to know how to avoid that. CBS News. CT previously covered the scandal involving Jack Schaapformer pastor of the largest independent Baptist congregation, First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indianawho was fired in 2012 and. Rusty Chatfield, father of former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, speaks to a Sunday morning congregation at Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church. It didnt work. Independent Baptist churches (some also called Independent Fundamental Baptist or IFB) are Christian congregations, generally holding to conservative . He said that congregants and leaders simply do not expect such abuses to happen in their midst not under Gods eye. Jim Bob Duggar formerly served in the Arkansas House of Representatives and announced recently that he is running for Arkansas State Senate in the 7th District. By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines. }else{ If you don't step forward to sever the control it will last their lifetimes and have a damaging effect upon your maturity. Hyles-Anderson College ( HAC) is an private independent Baptist college in unincorporated Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana. United States District Court Northern District of Illinois (n.d.). Chatfields church was created in 1987. Gothard), (F. B. (AP Photo/April L. Brown), Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell, Lost Boys of Sudan: St. Johns Baptist Charlotte, Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church, Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center, Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio, Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window). That introduction to the Northern Michigan Christian Academy and the Northern Michigan Baptist Bible Church, in turn, put her into an orbit with the Chatfield family. Steven Lee Anderson(born July 24, 1981) is an American preacher and founder of the New Independent Fundamentalist Baptistmovement. Gothards teachings are very prominent among the independent fundamental Baptists, with an emphasis on submission by women to men. The duo have published four books and volumes of articles on the topic, starting with their 1994 book, To Train Up a Child. It was updated and republished in 2015. if (document.referrer) document.write ("&referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); '&charset='+document.charset : (document.characterSet ? Hi guys! So despite feeling like *I* was probably not a Christian by that definition, I struggled to follow the prescribed plan and get joy. David Gibbs Jr, like Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, has been a regular speaker at IBLPs conferences. You must be made to constantly feel that you are nothing and cannot survive without the village witch-doctor. Strangely, unlike other families, my mom did work outside the home (and typically brought in the majority of the money) and we were not homeschooled until my sophomore year in high school. I am glad you are here and look forward to reading more of your posts. What struck me the most was your family's willingness to ostracize you. The books present spanking as a benevolent act of love by a parent. It is such an annoyance. That lawsuit was dropped in 2018; neither party will discuss why, according to NBC News. The anger is slowly fading toward them. She is a jezebel. Driven by an idea of life drawn from the pages of the King James version of the Bible, which they believe to the only word of God without error or omission, the leaders of these churches are deities of sorts, who nurture a cult-like sphere of influence prone to extreme sexism, purity constructs, bans on interracial or inter-religious marriages and education that fail to address anything beyond the insular communities in which they live.