It was either you were in this community and you were in this church and you were in this school either all in, or you kind of disobey the rules, Rebekah Chatfield explained in a video interview with City Pulse about her experience in the church and school. Former IFB church . We have a FAQ! (n.d.). Arel, D. (2015, July 8). I agree that lot people have no clue (even other Christians) just how crazy they are and damaging it is growing up in them. Welcome, earthmama514. Gothards curriculum was used by the Duggar family of the television show 19 Kids and Counting. In 2003, the couples eldest son admitted to touching two of his sisters. Skwarczynski heard sermons and teachings about rape. The Duggars endorsed Lee Chatfield in 2014. If sexual abuse or any harm ever occurs, its because a victim did not stay in the role God had commanded they be in. In the Midst of Infighting, Anti-LGBTQ Church Network's Website and When the child didnt stop, Pearl directed him to pull over and get a switch from a tree. zoneId = '14'; Fundamentally Reformed | Reforming Fundamentalism (IFB) through A lot of people ask how this could have happened. You served the church, its pastor, your parents, your husband . One way the Christian Law Association receives financial funding is from independent fundamental Baptist churches across the country. Gothard resigned from his ministry in 2014 after allegations of sexual harassment in his operations arose. I would love if they came. document.write ('&cb=' + m3_r); It was into this world that Lee Chatfield was born and raised. control.If you don't take action nothing will change. var width = jQuery(window).width(); Recovering fundamentalist ?" because this probably sounds more like something you'd . Her two sisters were sent to Gaylord, in northern Michigan, to a program run by Grace Baptist Church. Pearl advised the father to tell the child to be quiet or he would be spanked. According to the Pew . : Freedom, liberty, history, politics, psychology, medicine, arts, sciences, games, sensational sex, jamming with friends, good food, drink, and conversation. (2015, September 10). Please go on over to FundamentallyReformed.com. Male authority is an essential tool in IFB teachings. Non christians committed suicide because they were joyless, had depression because they were selfish, and drank too much to ward off the feeling that they were missing God in their lives. I quoted Blood's quote of Ps. During this time, many of the largest churches in the United States were IFB congregations. I know of a couple of websites that may be helpful for people (esp. Yet no matter how much they despise the church they attend they keep goin back because the Bible says "forsake not the assembling together of believers" I never hear anything positive from them about church but that doesn't stop them. I suppose they would call it "tough love" or some such. (yeah cause that always helped!). I was brought on board to write about music, but the job quickly got out of hand. Josh Duggar was treated with a program whose co-founder supports a sex offender. if (document.context) document.write ("&context=" + escape(document.context)); Well actually 90% of my parents church experiences have been negative even when pastoring. Steven Anderson (pastor) - Wikipedia That sealed the deal that "original sin" couldn't exist and as such what else was wrong that I had been taught was true? Unlike the Duggar family, I never had a TV crew following my every move, documenting or glorifying a life that often was horrendous, filled with abuse and supposed Christians who were responsible for the trauma I experienced. Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://www.patheos.com/blogs/danthropology/2015/07/details-have-emerged-about-the-faith-based-counseling-josh-duggar-received-after-molesting-five-girls/?fbclid=IwAR0luoxgzOQWLmJ60E-KYB659hYj4cqJmtUT1OWoHOFEtZYqxOSctOjyKRg. document.write ("Investigation Uncovers More Than 400 Allegations of Sexual - Jezebel Retrieved December 10, 2021, from https://people.com/tv/josh-duggar-in-rehab-reformers-unanimous-treating-addiction-in-a-biblical-way/. We were not allowed to date at all. By the mid-1970s SBC fundamentalists were rejecting the fundamentalist label completely, arguing it was no . As a young girl, I was to be covered or Id tempt a boy or man to sexually assault me. Women were pretty much only good for making babies to keep your quiver full and for cooking/cleaning/housework etc. My husband is still a Christian and as of now I havent really approached the subject with him as its still so new to me that I dont feel that I have enough education yet to help him understand why and give him the logical reasons why god isnt real. Holding hands, kissing and hugging are all strictly prohibited. You've been through a lot. No, I never am surprised by the Josh Duggars of the world because as a former independent fundamental Baptist, I survived them. Former independent fundamental baptist church members what was - Reddit In response to the concerns, some local Baptist churches separated from their former denominations and conventions and reestablished the congregations as Independent Baptist churches. or For me it was being impure cussing and having a beer. Theyre instead expected to wear dresses and skirts that hang below the knee. Gothard was known for his controversial counseling sessions for childhood sexual abuse victims. Again after more reading, connecting with a counselor that has been showing me a different path, and finally acknowledging that I was happier without god and Christianity in my life, a few weeks back I stopped going to church and the past week and a half have declared myself an atheist. Aaron Chatfield has hired East Lansing attorney Mike Nichols to represent him. Thank you for this! Former independent fundamental Baptists share their stories | Fort I remember a man of 40 chuckling and asking me as a 12-year-old victim waiting for the court date of my abuser, Did you hold your dress for him while he did it?. Although, if Westboro is any indication, I might have guessed. She confirmed that the strict authoritarianism of Chatfields church and school was a contributing factor to her alleged abuse and exploitation by Lee Chatfield. I didnt follow the Duggars when I was an independent fundamental Baptist. It made me happy to realize that no one would end up burning in hell for eternity. Theologically, this conception of the temptress is biblically based on the story of mans fall in the Garden of Eden. 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." Apparently that type of physical contact was ok) before finding my now husband. When she refused to stay quiet, her home and vehicles were vandalized. Your story is so moving and I'm glad you made it out! At the movements core is a fundamental set of beliefs, seasoned by the personalities of each individual pastor, and most important is what is referred to in IFB circles as The Umbrella of Authority. This teaching is key to understanding how abuse mentally, physically and sexually can go undetected and unreported for years while the survivors hide the trauma out of shame and threat of exposure. 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. I didnt know anything about anatomy. Former independent fundamental baptist church members what was the craziest thing you heard was a sin did you do it before and after. Gothards teachings are very prominent among the independent fundamental Baptists, with an emphasis on submission by women to men. (they dont realize about me yet.) He graduated and we moved to a different state for him to begin his first position as a youth/assistant pastor. We are here to support all questioning or former Christians and encourage you wherever your path may take you. They were also distanced themselves further from the Independent Baptists because the latter were increasingly tempted by the King James Only view of the Bible and riven with debates over how much separation was required to be faithful. I could never under any circumstances I can conceive cut off contact with my child. Questions: Bruce, Is the IFB Church Movement a Cult? Click to hear their stories. I'm glad there are resources for you. Both Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have spoken at the IBLPs conferences and promote Gothards teachings and homeschool curriculum. They married when both were 19. To many Americans, the Duggar family was known as an example of traditional values, treasuring the life of the unborn, protecting the purity of their unwed children, bearing a strong religious influence not only in ultraconservative Christian circles, but also among homeschooling parents. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. My husband worked 12-14 hour days and was gone M-F. My family still doesnt really talk to me.