Occupation Instructor, author Role Minister Name Bill Gothard | Website BillGothard.com Religion Christianity | |
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Residence La Grange, Illinois, United States Books Men's Manual, Rebuilder's Guide Parents William Whit Gothard, Sr., Carmen Gothard Organizations founded | ||
William W. "Bill" Gothard, Jr. (born November 2, 1934) is an American Christian minister, speaker, and writer, and the founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). His conservative teachings encourage Bible memorization, large families, homeschooling, aversion to debt, respect for authority, conservative dress, and extended principles related to identity, family, education, healthcare, music, and finances. In 2014 he stepped down from the IBLP after multiple allegations of sexual harassment and molestation were made against him. No criminal charges were filed.
Contents
- The Cult Next Door Official Short Film
- EXCLUSIVE Two More Women Accuse Christian Leader Bill Gothard of Sexual Abuse
- Biography
- Teaching
- Sexual harassment allegations
- Books
- References
At the height of his popularity during the 1970s, the Basic Youth Conflicts seminar with Bill Gothard was regularly filling auditoriums throughout the United States and beyond with attendance figures as large as ten thousand and more for a one-week seminar. In this way, he reached many in the evangelical community from the Baby Boomer generation during their teen years and years of young adulthood. Other seminars during this time included an advanced youth conflicts seminar and as well as seminars for pastors, physicians, and legislators.
Bill Gothard has credited a large influence to his parents. His mother, Carmen Christina Gothard (née Torres), was of Mexican-American descent. His father, William Gothard, Sr. was a speaker at many seminars during the early years, and held high positions at organizations that included the Gideons, Child Evangelism Fellowship, and Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.
The Cult Next Door (Official Short Film)
EXCLUSIVE Two More Women Accuse Christian Leader Bill Gothard of Sexual Abuse
Biography
Bill Gothard received his B.A. in biblical studies from Wheaton College in 1957, an M.A. in Christian education in 1961 from the same institution and a Ph.D. in biblical studies from the unaccredited Louisiana Baptist University in 2004.
Gothard started an organization in 1961 called Campus Teams, which in 1974 changed its name to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. Later, in 1989, the organization's name changed again to Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), of which Gothard was the president and a board member until his resignation in 2014.
In 1984, he founded the Advanced Training Institute (ATI), a homeschooling program with a curriculum that is based on the Sermon on the Mount.
Over the years, Bill Gothard has had many political connections with various Republican political leaders, including Mike Huckabee, Sonny Perdue and Sarah Palin. His ministry was also popular with the reality TV Duggar family and others.
Gothard has never married.
Teaching
Gothard's primary teaching, his "Basic Seminar," focuses on what he refers to as seven "Basic Life Principles." He claims that these principles are universal and that people will suffer consequences for violating them. Gothard's principles are called Design, Authority, Responsibility, Suffering, Ownership, Freedom, and Success.
In addition to the Basic Seminar, Gothard also has an Advanced Seminar and an Anger Resolution Seminar. He also has a 49-week "Daily Success" series where he expounds on the "Commands of Christ" found in the Gospels. Gothard's "Total Health" training seeks to bring a Biblical view of sickness. He considers that there may be spiritual aspects of illness. His organization published "Basic CARE Bulletins" and offers "Stress Resolution Seminars." Gothard teaches that dating is morally dangerous and that courtship is the better alternative. Gothard encourages parents to be involved in their children's courtship. The father, especially, should be involved in his daughter's relationships. He should at the very least have the right to say "no" when a man asks to marry his daughter. Gothard also advocates conservative dress. Gothard's teachings discourage dating and rock music, including Christian rock. Gothard teaches that women working outside the home are putting themselves under another man's authority and conflict may arise. He has warned that some toys such as Cabbage Patch dolls may cause destructive behavior in children.
Gothard has been the subject of much debate in Christian circles, and occasionally in mass media. Various books and articles have challenged Gothard's teachings on legalism, law, and grace, and questioned his handling of the IBLP ministry.
Sexual harassment allegations
On February 27, 2014 the Board of Directors of the Institute in Basic Life Principles placed Gothard on indefinite administrative leave while it investigated claims that he sexually harassed several female employees and volunteers. No criminal activity was uncovered, but an investigation found that Gothard had acted in an "inappropriate manner". The claims had been publicized on Recovering Grace, a website, Christian ministry, and support group for former followers of Gothard's teachings. As many as 34 women who worked for Gothard claim that he harassed them; four claim that he molested them, and one of the accusers claims that Gothard molested her when she was 16 years old. Gothard denied the allegations and admitted no wrongdoing but announced his resignation from the Institute in order "to listen to those who have ought [something] against him.". According to ATI administrative director David Waller, Gothard felt compelled to resign in order to comply with a directive in the Gospel of Matthew to "go and be reconciled" if "your brother or sister has something against you."
On June 17, 2014 IBLP issued a statement, summarizing the investigation conducted by "outside legal counsel". In that statement they made the claim that no criminal activity was uncovered, but that Bill Gothard had acted in an "inappropriate manner" and so "is not permitted to serve in any counseling, leadership, or Board role within the IBLP ministry".
In July 2015, Gothard re-launched his website, including testimonials from several women.