Owners of Big Sandy Campus (ALERT Academy) Being Sued

When the Worldwide Church of God started to loose income because of its doctrinal and tithing changes, one of the fist things to go was the Big Sandy Campus. It was not a quick sale though, it drug on and on while it drained money from the Worldwide Church of God's pocket book. Eventuality it was sold to ALERT Academy, the right wing fundamentalist sect that Bill Gothard dreamed up because he thought the churches around him were too liberal.

Over four decades ago Gothard formed the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP). Since that time the belief system he started has been hit with one scandal after another.  From child abuse and pedophilia, to sexual misconduct by Gothard.  Numerous lawsuits have been field over the years which forced Gothard to resign from the board of his various "charities."

The biggest public face of the movement was the Dugger family who let the world into their fundamentalist family with 19 Kids and Counting.  That world came crashing down after their son was discovered to be a serial adulterer and pedophile.  Instead of send the guy to jail, he was sent to ALERT Academy where he received "counseling" from its leaders.  These were not professional counselors that were experienced with working with pedophiles, but men who tried to "pray" the pedophile demon out of Dugger.

Gothards main headquarters was based in Chicago.  There is a 10 part series (Dark Secrets) here detailing the child abuse and sexual improprieties that went on at that HQ.  Listening to it is like listening and reading about the Worldwide Church of God HQ in Pasadena.  When powerful corrupt men who claim to speak for God take on power they end up abusing that power by abusing members, sexually, mentally physically and spiritually.

The Institute in Basic Life Principles, a Chicago-based organization, has operated the Indianapolis Training Center on the city’s Northside for a decade. Its Bible-based learning program has been praised as an example of how state and church can work together to help troubled youth.

But the Eyewitness News Investigators found shocking allegations of child abuse at the center. After we began looking into the allegations, the state Child Protective Services agency opened an investigation into the claims of abuse and confinement of children in a so-called prayer room.

Gothard has announced that they are selling the Chicago HQ and moving  the entire operation to Big Sandy, Texas.  This came soon after 5 women came forward two says ago and filed a lawsuit against Gothard and the group for sexual abuse.

Five women sue Bill Gothard’s ministry that has ties to the Duggars
Five women have sued the Institute in Basic Life Principles, once a leader in the Christian homeschooling movement, charging that the organization and its board of directors enabled and covered up sexual abuse and harassment of interns, employees, and other participants in its programs.

Attorney David Gibbs III Discusses the IBLP Lawsuit and Answers Important Questions 

 No Longer Quivering: Bill Gothard’s IBLP Sued

The IBLP was hugely instrumental in the push in the Homeschooling Movement here in the United States. Along with the public face of the Dugger's, the other prominent face of this movement is Hobby Lobby.  Gothard's group is also heavily into Christian Reconstructionism.

Reconstructionism, which is closely related to Dominionism, found a niche with homeschoolers, especially conservative Christians who bought the idea of being fruitful and multiplying (Quiverfull Movement) in order to take over or subdue the earth. 

I am sure the residents of Big Sandy are groaning again about another cult taking over the campus with weird doctrines and teachings.  After ridding themselves of the craziness of Armstrongism they are now going to be taken over by an even more aberrant cult.

The Fearful Churches of God in Big Sandy

There was a comment recently on Facebook about the Big Sandy area of Texas that was at one time filled with thousands of church members and college students.  With the implosion of the Worldwide Church of God, those numbers have declined dramatically.  There are however still a remnant few who live in the area and attend various Church of God's.

The comment mentioned how with the relatively small population of Big Sandy, it has 10 churches in the the area.  Several of them are Church of Gods of various flavors.  There is one big difference between these Churches of God and those harlot daughters of Babylon that are filled with so-called Christians.  The harlot daughters keep their churches open and gates unlocked while the Churches of God in the area have padlocks on their gates to keep everyone out.

Armstrongism has always been dominated by fear.  That is why deacons and strong men were stationed by the entrances of all the COG's.  They were to keep out the unwashed masses of the daughters of the great whore. God forbid if any of these heathens ever wanted to come and attend a service without first readying Mystery of the Ages or some other poorly researched booklet.

Rebellious Women Who Refuse to Wear Head Coverings in Church are Failing a TEST Commandment!

For several years now the Chief Pharisee of the Churches of God has required the few women who attend his cult services to wear head coverings.  Every once in a while a rebellious woman comes along and dares to question God's most important man this side of Dave Pack.

One acolyte writes:

James, Regarding “veils & head coverings” that you are convinced that women should wear, when attending Church Services. In fact, as I understand, you even require that women cover their heads with a hat or otherwise, if they wish to attend your Feast site. It is widely believed by the women I’ve discussed this issue with & our husbands, that a women’s hair is her covering. Several have commented that they would not attend with your group, because of this requirement. With all due respect to you, I ask that you consider lifting this requirement, as folks would appreciate being able to meet with others of like mind. I mean no disrespect to you, as you are doing a wonderful Work & I believe you are a very Godly man. Please DO NOT take this as a put-down, in any way. Thank you for your consideration.

God's unemployed professional moocher answers back with this. As usual it is the policy of the god he claims to follow instead of has poor biblical interpretations.  Apparently still stung by his wife divorcing him, he has to lash out at all women to force them into submission.

It is God’s word that requires this, not me. I have no authority to do as you request. If the hair is the covering, why must the head be shaved for not wearing the hair? That is the ridiculous reasoning of HWA which people have been brainwashed with. This is one of those TEST commandments and some are stumbling at it. If some would reject such a small thing to follow Christ; it is the same as Naaman rejecting bathing in Jordan to cure his leprosy. As Jesus said: “Faithful in little, faithful in much.”

It's amazing how the god of Armstrongism is eternally pissed at everyone and everything.  The uneducated wannabe biblical scholars in the Churches of God have created a god that matches the domineering patriarchal attitudes of its leaders.  Their anger permeates their sermons, booklets, and web postings.  Malm sets himself up as the most unhappy man that the Church of God has ever had as a member.  When law trumps grace, joy and happiness cannot be found.

See an earier blog entry on this subject:  James Malm: God Is Not Limited By Head Coverings for Women...HOWEVER... It Is A Test To See If You Really Care