And I am Free

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.  Galatians 5:1 (NLT) The past couple of weeks have been revelatory to me, particularly after watching Shiny Happy People Documentary on Amazon Prime. It is the story of the Institute In Basic Youth Conflicts or as the name was later changed to Institute in Basic Life Principles led by Bill Gothard. There has been a lot of controversy around the teaching of those seminars. I attended it in the summer of 1972 while pregnant with my first child. It was held at the Oakland Arena to a full audience. Churches all over the area were there in full force. I have grown up in the church, a very legalistic one, so the teaching didn't seem that unusual to me. But it was more of the same, full of a bunch rules with the promise that if the rules were followed life would be good. The story is surrounded by the TV show 19 Kids and Counting because the family was actively involved with the Institute. Many interviewed told their story of how it negatively affected them and how they eventually got out. But you know something? Life doesn't always follow what you hoped and dreamed it would be no matter how well you follow the rules. There are hard times, too, but that doesn't mean that God isn't in them with you. There is more to Gothard's story and in 2014, after more than five decades in power, Bill stepped down amid a series of allegations made against him that charged with inappropriate behavior. What I have realized in thinking back over all these years is that grace was missing in the teachings, I was "tied up in the slavery to the law." The idea that Jesus came to fulfill the law and bring a new covenant of hope and grace was never mentioned. He is the one that brings us freedom and breaks the bondage of the law. So many of the rules from that seminar still pop up occasionally. Recently, one of my children said at a family dinner that I wouldn't let them play rock music. That was true. I immediately turned and said that I was so sorry. I just didn't know. It has taken many years to get out from under the bondage I was put under -- by my parents, my church, and this seminar. I have learned that there is joy in the Lord and with Him I am free to enjoy His people, His creation, His Word, and His purpose in my life. I am His Beloved. Read the full article

#Book 6 in the #23booksin2023 #challenge #BecomingFreeIndeed My Story of Disentangling my Faith from Fear by #JingerDuggarVuolo and #CoreyWilliams I had intended to read this and another book last weekend but ended up not being able to speed read through this as intended. I’m familiar w/ the #Duggars in general because I did watch #19KidsAndCounting and a little bit of #CountingOn years ago and read the book the Duggar sisters wrote years ago. I wasn’t familiar with the actual #FreeJinger movement but did see Jinger as the one who’d be the most rebellious one and likely to break away from the strict family values. She wears pants now and lives in LA! Most of the book is about how #BillGothard (I’ll refrain from making the obvious joke here), who led the #IBLP basically did so w/ a bastardization of what the Bible actually says (Jinger provides plenty of Bible passages). I think I’m like lots of people who maybe felt jebaited by the book thinking Jinger would spill the tea about her now convicted felon older brother because of obvious parallels w/ Gothard & his hypocrisy, but of course we barely got like one page on it. #reading #memoir #23booksin2023challenge #weekend #lategram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp_9cmbuuFR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Across the month of December, I will be highlighting the various authors who have contributed to the show by sharing their writing. @backsliddenharlot story is so important for many reasons. Notably, it highlights the need for better oversight and intervention for every child to receive an adequate education in a safe and encouraging environment. This book is an education in itself and a % of every book sold goes towards organisations working towards changing the education system for the better. Get a copy here - https://amzn.to/3h5yXFa And listen back to our chat on episode 172 #iblp #exfundie #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs_of_childhood #cult #cults #ati #billgothard #cultpodcast #truecrimepodcast https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl1blXBI3Nq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Have you noticed our warrior/rebel includes rainbow rain? Well, that was intentional when we designed our logo. As we kick off Pride Month we want to show our support of all the LGBTQIA+ community. The cult teaches that this community are just a bunch of sinners on their way to hell.

As Marcy and Dee have shared on the podcast, they do not support this narrative and we believe LOVE is LOVE. We want to show our support and pride along with the LGBTQIA+ community. We love you! You are enough!

#pridemonth #pridemonth2022 #lgbtqia #lgbt #lgbtpride #lgbtcommunity🌈 #lgbtqiaplus #lgbtqiap #loveislove🌈💖 #escapingacult #cultsurvivor #ATI, #IBLP #AdvancedTrainingInstitute #exposingabuse #advancedtraininginstitute #duggarsiblp #duggarsreligion #fundamentalist #iblp #instituteinbasiclifeprinciples #religiouscults #religioustrauma #umbrellaofprotection #whatisiblp #whatisiblpcult #womeniniblp #ati #billgothard #cult #cults #iblpheadquarters #headquartersati #headquartersibl #atiheadquarters #womeninati #leavingcults #leavingati #leavingiblp #leavingifb #umbrellarebellion #jointherebellion #bearebel

Bill Gothard’s Ambassador Hotel (IBLP) in Dallas Burns in 4 Alarm Fire

#AmbassadorHotel … at some point in time ‘housed’ 3 US Presidents. A 4 alarm fire broke out at approximately 1:00 AM ON 5/28/2018. The building is owned by Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) 🤦🏻‍♀️https://t.co/Ki7uS1BTjA pic.twitter.com/7qztUionb0

— ☆ KELLI ☆ (@kelli_fustos) May 28, 2019

In 2014 #BillGothard resigned after there were allegations reported of #SexualAbuse and #Molestationo…

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Dios usa a padres imperfectos como canales de protección, provisión, corrección, y dirección para sus hijos e hijas

Bill Gothard

Across the month of December, I will be highlighting the various authors who have contributed to the show by sharing their writing. @backsliddenharlot story is so important for many reasons. Notably, it highlights the need for better oversight and intervention for every child to receive an adequate education in a safe and encouraging environment. This book is an education in itself and a % of every book sold goes towards organisations working towards changing the education system for the better. Get a copy here - https://amzn.to/3h5yXFa And listen back to our chat on episode 172 #iblp #exfundie #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs_of_childhood #cult #cults #ati #billgothard #cultpodcast #truecrimepodcast https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl1bU89o3_k/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Where to begin with this week’s post. Firstly, I am so grateful to @backsliddenharlot for this book. For her exposure of these programmes and practices and abuse and neglect. I am also extremely thankful for her time in coming to talk about these experiences with me for episode 172 and for allowing me to feature her book - as pictured here - as this month’s memoir giveaway. Our conversation took place before we knew that ATI had seemingly stopped existing in the ways Heather experienced during her childhood. It also took place before the Roe V Wade leak made its way to the public. Today is Mother’s Day in some parts of the world. And the title of Mother is a precious one. It’s the hardest job I’ve ever had but it’s also the best. However, parenthood isn’t for everyone. Whether through choice or through impossibility. How can this be respected during the current political and somewhat unethical climate? Without taking into consideration what this means for those encouraged to create their own quiverfull. Or those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Or those who suffer with extreme issues pre-during-and-post pregnancy. Heather’s book is a testament to all that we should watch out for. For all that we should be wary of. For all that has happened to hundreds and thousands of innocent and vulnerable people and what will continue to happen if we don’t realise that this is only the beginning. I liked the Handsmaid’s Tale as a fictional book. But perhaps Margaret Atwood was onto something. Because her writing and themes that lead up to the establishment of Gilead sound similar to today’s headlines. Think. People. And read books like this to understand it all so much more!! Thank you @backsliddenharlot for everything. You’re a force of nature and I’m glad to be standing with you. ❤️ #ati #iblp #billgothard #exfundie #quiverfull #roevswade #nifb #ifb #educationalneglect #educationneglect #cult #cults #cultawareness #cultsurvivors #cultsurvivor #cultleader #podcasthost #podcasthosts #womensrights #womensrightsarehumanrights #equalrightsforall #lovinglyabused #monthlymemoir #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirsofmotherhood #memoirs #bookgiveaway https://www.instagram.com/p/CdTrCbpoCKY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’ve recently had the absolute honour of sitting down with @backsliddenharlot to talk at length about her life growing up in Bill Gothard’s “Advanced Training Institute” as depicted in her incredibly powerful memoir “Lovingly Abused” I cannot wait to bring this interview to you all. And I really hope you all order your own copy of Heather’s work!! #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirsofmotherhood #memoirs_of_childhood #cult #cults #billgothard #advancedtraining #advancedtraininginstitute #iblp #educationalneglect #lovinglyabused #podcasthost #duggars #fundamentalistbaptist https://www.instagram.com/p/CbkbU7jIAL7/?utm_medium=tumblr

Has anyone else been following the Duggar trial? The Duggar family - made famous from the TLC reality TV show - were not a family I was familiar with until I started looking into ATI and IFB. Their show must have never ‘made it’ over here in the UK. Now I have my copy of “Lovingly Abused” by @backsliddenharlot on the way and we will be sitting down to chat about her book as well as feature it on the #monthlymemoir giveaway project in the upcoming months. I am incredibly excited for this collaboration. Are you?! #duggar #duggarfamily #duggars #duggarfam #ifb #independentfundamentalbaptist #instituteinbasiclifeprinciples #ati #billgothard #religioustrauma #religioustraumasyndrome #guiltyverdict https://www.instagram.com/cultvaultpod/p/CXUEej1AUWo/?utm_medium=tumblr

What is better than 1 amazing book? 2!! I loved this book by @backsliddenharlot so much. And I feel it’s going to be so prevalent in the rest of my work that I ordered a second copy for the #monthlymemoir giveaway. Also, did you know that a large % of “Lovingly Abused” goes to various organisations that are working to tackle the issues explored in this book? The Coalition for Responsible Homeschooling The Vashti Initiative The Amish Heritage Foundation 3 orgs that exist to combat educational neglect, spiritual abuse and deconstruction after leaving such an insular and confined environment. As if Heather’s work was not already advocacy enough - more reasons why I am in awe of this woman. For a chance to win your own copy of “Lovingly Abused” by Heather Grace Heath simply do the following 3 things: FOLLOW LIKE COMMENT (all handles included so tag friends!) Ends May 31st. #memoir #memoirwriting #memoirs #memoirgiveaway #memoirsofmotherhood #memoirsofmotherhood #bookstagram #bookgiveaway #bookgiveaways #giveawayuk #cult #cultsurvivors #cults #cultawareness #culteducation #cultpodcast #podcasthost #truecrimecommunity #truecrimepodcast #truecrimebooks #spiritualabuse #religioustrauma #exfundie #iblp #ati #billgothard #educationalneglect #backslidden https://www.instagram.com/p/CddLP3tosEn/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=