Free Republic

A LINE IN THE SAND by Michael Farris The following article will appear in the Second Quarter 2014 Home School Court Report, due in mailboxes late August. Two prominent speakers on the homeschooling circuit have experienced dramatic falls from favor due to admitted sin. Bill Gothard and Doug Phillips have both been accused of serious sins involving young women. The accusations are sexual in nature. Both men have admitted to some form of sin with regard to these accusations, although each has disputed some of the details. Gothard disputes that his sins were sexual in nature. Phillips admits to an...

An Open Letter to Duggar Defenders The problem real here is that you very likely do not understand the Duggar’s subculture Written by Libby Anne | Monday, August 25, 2014 The Duggars are part of a very specific subculture of the Christian homeschooling world, one dominated by leaders like Doug Phillips of Vision Forum and Bill Gothard of ATI, whose incredibly restrictive teachings and controlling practices have earned them the adjective “cult-like.” These organizations and leaders teach that children must be trained to obey their parents completely, without question, and with a smile; that women are not to have careers...

Bill Gothard acted in an “inappropriate manner” but “no criminal activity was discovered” According to a statement by the board of directors of the Institute in Basic Life Principles posted on its website Written by Francine Knowles | Friday, June 20, 2014 1 The board said based on a review conducted by outside legal counsel, it unanimously agreed that “at this time” Gothard “is not permitted to serve in any counseling, leadership or board role within the IBLP ministry.” That leaves open the question of whether the 79-year-old Gothard may be allowed to return one day as he did after...