Institute in Basic Life Principles facts for kids
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| Abbreviation | IBLP |
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| Founded | 1961 |
| Founder | Bill Gothard |
| Type | 501(c)3 non-profit religious |
| Location |
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Area served
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U.S., 12 countries |
The Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) is a nondenominational Christian fundamentalist organization that serves as an umbrella organization for several ministries established by American Christian minister Bill Gothard in 1961. The stated purpose of the organization is to provide instruction on how to find success in life by following biblical principles. This involves programs that include seminars for ministry, community outreach, troubled youth mentoring, and an international ministry. The IBLP has been described as a cult.
History
IBLP was originally organized in 1961 under the name Campus Teams. The organization changed its name to Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts (IBYC) in 1974 (consistent with the title of its founder's seminar) and adopted its current name in 1989 (to reflect its expansion beyond the seminars). From its inception until around 2015, IBLP was headquartered in the Chicago area, after which, according to Chicago Magazine, it relocated its headquarters to a facility east of the small East Texas town of Big Sandy.
Programs and teachings
In addition to adherence to the Bible and their idea of Christian ideals, the IBLP considers men, in particular the patriarch of a family, to be superior, whereas women are expected to obey men in every way. This includes in the home, school, workplace, and marriage. Women are raised to learn how to become good wives and mothers, and to birth and raise children for the IBLP men chosen by the women's fathers to be their husbands; couples are matched after a complex courtship overseen by both sets of parents. Women are not allowed to wear makeup, perfume, nail polish and high heels. Women are also discouraged from attaining higher education.
The consumption of media, such as television, movies, most music and the internet, is not allowed, though non-contemporary Christian music is accepted. All music which features syncopation is banned. Dancing is not allowed, and the consumption of alcohol is also banned.
Women are expected to wear ankle-length dresses and to never cut their hair.
Children are homeschooled, and do not often leave the complex, if at all.
Children are taught to obey God's message and the rules of their fathers, and that violation of this leads to bad consequences, such as contracting a cold.
