The case of Josh Duggar has taken another twist: The Daily Mail reports now that the founder of the clinic that “treated” Josh stepped down last year amidst accusations of molesting over 30 teenagers and young women.
The Little Rock, Arkansas-based clinic, Basic Life Principles Training Center, offers “faith-based” healing. Bill Gothard, the founder of the clinic, faced accusations of sexually harassing women and teens who worked at his ministry last year, as well as accusations of sweeping instances of child abuse under the rug.
If you read between the lines, you notice the repeating pattern.
Right-wing family values
Radar Online confirmed that Josh attended the facility through its informant, Harold Walker. Walker, however, refused to go into any details about the treatment that Josh received at the time.
Walker did note, however, that the entire family spent time working at the center.
“I really don’t remember the circumstances on why Josh came to our center,” said Walker, adding, “He came down … they used to work at the center, the entire family did.”
Jim Bob, the family patriarch, told investigators that Josh was there from March 17, 2003 to July 17, 2003. The clinic was founded in 1961 by Bill Gothard; Gothard, a big name in the Christian Homschool community, resigned from his ministry after winding up in his own sexual assault scandal last year.
Purity culture: A molester’s ring of Gyges
Gothard had political leverage, and close ties with politicians like Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee. Gothard was also good friends with the Duggars, and appeared on their reality show.
He played a large role in founding and defining the so-called “purity culture,” which gave the world incestuous daddy-daughter dances, where the daughters pledge their virginity to their fathers and future husbands. It also promotes the treatment of women and girls as if they were property.
Given this, it was no surprise when Gothard was accused of having molested 30 young women and teens.
In 2014, after having been buried in accusations, Gothard was eventually forced to step down from his ministry. He did not, however, face charges for the accusations. There were also reports that Gothard himself wasn’t alerting authorities to cases of child abuse.
“Faith-based” healing
According to the Basic Life website, the programs offered at the life center varies depending on which center one attends. The cost of an eleven-week program provided by the life center is $2900, but they treat children “appallingly,” according to some sources.
The stated “common goal” for the program is to “strengthen individuals and families through sound Biblical teaching and character development opportunities and to demonstrate Christ’s love through serving.”
The shortest verse in the Bible is “Christ wept,” and it’s the only Biblical teaching that applies here.
Featured inage from Daily Mail via Facebook
