That doesnt include my culottes, my flannel nightgown, or the rest of my fundamentalist little girl dress code though. They are a growing group in the United States who are trying to take over the country by "soul-winning," which, in reality, is them telling people they want . I am just so happy that you are atleast mentally free from that, (dare I say it? Praise the lord! I just nod and say yep, we put out positive energy and it came back to us!. 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. Those who were particularly devout and raised in Fundamentalist denominations, however, are more inclined to suffer from what Dr. Marlene Winell, author of Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former. If so, who or what? 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. This organization and its founder created the fundamentalist Christian homeschool curriculum the Duggar family used to teach their large family. When they did that, my siblings followed suit. By using this site, you agree to our Guidelines. In fact having a child is what started me really opening my eyes. Some might have a council of deacons who work at the direction of the pastor. zoneId = '12'; Former Independent Fundamental Baptist church member Jennifer Waggoner tells her story of being molested at age 4 and how she used to think it was normal. 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. The clip showed Fannin preaching from the Stedfast Baptist pulpit: " [Silverman] is a witch. A swat on the behind is not what Rebekah Chatfield witnessed during her time there. And his spankings would include an entire discussion of what the bad actions were, followed by additional discipline. If you ever have confusingly come across strangers street preaching, separating themselves from the rest of the Christian world, dressing a bit odd, and having strict rules for their churches and their families, then youve likely met an independent fundamental Baptist, a follower of the movement the Duggar family belongs to. I must assume that their church experiences had been mostly positive their entire lives, and so it made sense to them to share this "blessing" with their children. You've been through a lot. A cult is generally a group with an ideologically driven belief system and adoration of one person as their leader. It made me happy to realize that no one would end up burning in hell for eternity. Note: This page was developed from Atheism Wiki's page: Hardpreaching.com The New IFB (a.k.a. So often, predators and abusive behavior by men in the independent fundamental Baptist world are firmly swept under the rug labeled the cause of Christ, forgive and forget, and she tempted him, and never see the light of day. Gothard resigned from his ministry in 2014 after allegations of sexual harassment in his operations arose. And while it was certainly better then the IFB churches I had attended growing up, something about it still didnt set right with me. Not to mention of course the psychological impact of the repressive and abusive environment fostered by the philosophy. Lawrence@lansingcitypulse.com During this time, many of the largest churches in the United States were IFB congregations. I would love if they came. A few years later we moved again to a new state where he once again was a youth/assistant pastor and after a few years there, he resigned, we moved again (this time in the same state), and he started his own church. 'Men of God' Current and formers members say many independent fundamental Baptist churches rule by fear. First, they create a problem that doesn't exist, then they offer a fake solution to the problem that doesn't exist. Chatfields solution was to tell the pupils to beat up the offending child if he assaulted any of them. including your religion. She can't be." Lol And so we went, sun school, sun morning and evening, and Wednesday night, trying again and again to feel right doing this. I am not in the least surprised by the PTSD, because I have it to an extent. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. 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. You may be thinking, "I think she is on the wrong site" or "Get real. Your story is so moving and I'm glad you made it out! Rebekah Chatfield, 26, said she found herself thrust into the middle of this culture in the fourth grade. Having sex out of wedlock, Rebekah Chatfield explained, was tantamount to being married in the eyes of God. if (document.referrer) document.write ("&referer=" + escape(document.referrer)); A group for those who have formally been associated with the Independent Fundamental Baptist movemen Former Independent Fundamental Baptists - IFB KJV By Jennifer Waggoner. Men are given a free pass to abuse or mistreat women, and women are said to be responsible for it occurring in the first place. Ten months into his tenure as the fourth executive director of the , This weekend offers a plethora of nature- and space-themed activities and events to learn more about the , WEDNESDAY, April 26 NASA astronaut and Space Station commander Terry Virts is a thumbs-up, can-do , As Michigan State University wraps up its school year, the College of Musics large ensembles are , Friday evening (April 28), as part of National Library Week, the East Lansing Public Library will hold , Think you have what it takes to out-spell other high schoolers in the area? https://www.reddit.com/r/exchristian/wiki/faq. We had lived in this town previously and so went back to the same church. I am glad you have been helped with therapy. We followed the courtship model of finding a spouse and were heavily guarded by our parents the entire time to make sure we didnt touch the other person, kiss, or in any way have any kind of untoward contact. Bill Gothard cleared of criminal activity but chastised for lack of discretion after sexual harassment claims. Women and yes, little girls are said to be temptresses who tempt men to lust after them sexually and are responsible for that sin. When she refused to stay quiet, her home and vehicles were vandalized. And I have never thought more clearly and rationally in my life. Young boys in these homes and churches are taught to be authoritarian leaders, mean and aggressive men when they grow older. The fundamental belief: All people are born into sin and rebelliousness against God, so children require a firm hand to be saved from this sin-stained existence. Josh never was at risk of being held responsible for his actions in the independent fundamental Baptist movement; however, his victims always would be at risk for being held responsible. Gothard has been convicted of sex crimes, including transporting a 16-year-old girl to northern Michigan. I saw the paddle, Skwarczynski said. The ones in Amish country have buggy tie ups outside and. There are so many young boys I knew who were sweet and kind as young children only to grow into cold and unkind men who ordered women about. Jim Bob and Michelle had been members of the Institute in Basic Life Principles since the early 1990s. I kept hearing in church over and over again that being a Christian was joyful; not being a Christian was well, not. FORT DODGE Baptist missionary Jordan Webb didn't tell his wife he'd had extramarital affairs until after both he and a 4-year-old family member tested positive for gonorrhea. Some of these factors include that once Josh told his parents about sexually abusing his sisters and another victim, Jim Bob and Michelle went to seek the counsel of their church leaders, but only after this occurred three times. New York Post. My husband worked 12-14 hour days and was gone M-F. console.log("Calling zone: " + zoneId); At this point, I would be okay with that. He advocates for the death penaltyfor homosexuals, and prayed for the deaths of former U.S. president Barack Obamaand Caitlyn Jenner. Independent Baptist churches (some also called Independent Fundamental Baptist or IFB) are Christian congregations, generally holding to conservative . Its definitely something that is imprinted to childrens brains that the females responsible for purity and for modesty.. Inside the duggars deep ties with a once-powerful, now-scorned ministry. The Christian Post. Thank you for this! 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. (517) 999-5065. Later, when it was known that Josh Duggar had an affair, he spent time in a nonprofessional rehab center called Reformers Unanimous. largest independent fundamental baptist churches. No matter what she does I would never treat her that way. Ruthie Heiler was steeped in IFB culture from birth. The messages from those teachings was not men shouldnt be raping. It was women shouldnt be going to parties, he said. Welcome, earthmama. Archived post. I am glad you are here and look forward to reading more of your posts. Pearl advised the father to tell the child to be quiet or he would be spanked. It became an independent church in 1746. Its hard to find the time to sit and type a huge intro when you have a very busy toddler needing your attention. That lawsuit was dropped in 2018; neither party will discuss why, according to NBC News. Gothard was known for his controversial counseling sessions for childhood sexual abuse victims. (also have an uncle who is a pastor, and an aunt who married a pastor!) Glad you stumbled upon Ex-C and hope you enjoy your time here. Didymus, J. T. (2021, February 17). so despite still going to church I refused to mention God at home, didnt tell her bible stories (they are morbid anyway! 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 was born into a Christian family. 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." In fact, in my own former church of 15 years, the church supported them as if they were missionaries. 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. She can't be." We have a FAQ! My parents like to brag that their kids were in church from the time of conception and still are today! No, I never am surprised by the Josh Duggars of the world because as a former independent fundamental Baptist, I survived them. For more information, please see our document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r); I agree. Courting between young couples also requires them to have another person in the room. I'm glad you are out of the cult. //]]>-->, 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 . As a religious abuse survivor, this is my message to Baptist pastors, The weakness of complementarian theology on display in Duggar trial. The investigation by his law firm found no sexual harassment by Gothard. The IFB church movement is on the far right of the Baptist spectrum. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://nypost.com/article/duggar-cult-enabled-sexual-abuse-former-members-say/. Even after lifting the ban, the university still required parental permission for interracial relationships. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N8_5KPUC8A. General The psychologist said that he believes with little doubt that my crazy religious upbringing caused the PTSD and that while I probably had a propensity for bipolar already that my parents unbringing pulled the trigger. [1] The origins of the Independent Baptist movement are sketchy. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://people.com/tv/josh-duggar-in-rehab-reformers-unanimous-treating-addiction-in-a-biblical-way/. PEOPLE.com. var m3_u = (location.protocol=='https:'? Counting on s Jim Bob Duggar is running for Arkansas State Senate-and Derick Dillard has thoughts. Women, on the other hand, are taught if something happens to you, its your fault, Skwarcyznski said. When the child didnt stop, Pearl directed him to pull over and get a switch from a tree. Birding, Bird photography, art, reading, keeping my small zoo of salamanders, reptiles, and plants; and cultivating a good heart. He was repeatedly struck with a wooden paddle so hard that his buttocks were bruised, she said. Looking for a professional? if (!document.MAX_used) document.MAX_used = ','; In a homeschool curriculum produced by former evangelical IFB lead Bill Gothard, theres a two-page explanation and justification about why a 4-year-old boys molestation by a teenage male neighbor was ultimately good for God. 2023 Baptist News Global. or It was stifling to say the least. and our Former independent fundamental baptist church members what was the craziest thing you heard was a sin did you do it before and after. Still have any Gods? ), "cult". You must be made to constantly feel that you are nothing and cannot survive without the village witch-doctor. They are presented as extensions of the father. 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. We ended moving when my daughter was 6 months old to a new town several hours away for my husbands work. Hi guys! When I had the realization that the god of the bible was a myth, I suddenly felt so free. Two pages of a curriculum distributed by homeschool guru Bill Gothard. (n.d.). 0:36. Having only been raised in those and informed if we ever went to a different church then God would strike us dead, we attended the same even after marriage, despite all the anxiety it caused. 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. (2015, September 10). Caitlin, C. (2021, December 9). Your story is very well written and I found it moving. The leading practitioners of spanking as training your children into godliness are Michael and Debi Pearl. 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. (AP Photo/April L. 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Enjoy your small, cosey family! document.write ("?zoneid="+zoneId+"&block=1&blockcampaign=1"); var width = jQuery(window).width(); I was brought on board to write about music, but the job quickly got out of hand. A community for former Christians of all denominations. Especially about. They sting and you can hit somebody really hard and a glue stick wont leave a mark, Woodbury said. Itll make you red, but it wont leave a bruise so theres no evidence..