I want to take a minute to recognized those who grew up fully immersed in the IBLP and Gothard's teaching. While the ideology filtered into the IFB as a whole, those deeply entrenched suffered their own kind of abuse. I hope all of you are able to find peace.
"You all look like you were dipped in a bottle of Clorox before you walked in"
If I had a dollar for every time I heard this quote from a pulpit I would be a billionaire at this point.
If only they allowed congregants to tax every euphemism or saying an "Old Fashioned IFB" pastor...that's a thought!
Watching Shiny Happy People was a weird experience. It was both nostalgic ( not in the best way) and heartbreaking.
I was just one of millions of kids affected by the extreme belief system in one of the many subcultures of the IFB.
I remember when the Duggar's show first aired. I remember being told that these are the people we wish we could be like. They are so godly and the kids are so well behaved and MODEST. I remember thinking to myself, how does one get on TV ( which is supposed to be of the devil) and still live a godly life?
I remember Josh and Anna’s “love story” being played out and it being used as the PRIME example of how pure a woman should be, and how finding a mate should play out.
I watched it, along with millions of Americans, and celebrated the ‘holy stance’ they were taking on such a national platform.
I remember thinking to myself that there’s no way I would ever live up to that. You see, as a victim of sexual abuse, you see yourself as already tainted. That holiness that we were supposed to continuously strive for was perpetually out of my reach. I had be violated, broken, discarded, and now only second hand goods at a very young age.
When the news broke of Josh Duggar’s sexual predator history, my heart instantly broke for his victims. I could so strongly empathize with how they felt. I could understand the burden of living with the shame and guilt; all while still living with their abuser.
Because, boys will be boys right ?
What I have appreciated about the documentary is that it has exposed theses sparkling clean people for the humans they are. Good, bad, ugly, they are just like anyone else. Some of them worse.
Grooming and abuse is very prevalent in the IFB. I could tell you story after story either from personal experience, or from ones I have been told, that would curl your toes in disgust.
You see, no matter how shiny the exterior, we are all still very human. The documentary has helped put a massive crack in the veneer of the IFB face. I hope it is just the beginning. I hope that every bit of the mask held up by those who have abused others is shattered into a million pieces and the evil monster is exposed.
They have done more to hurt the cause of Christ than to help it. They are all dirty, unhappy people who pride themselves on their godliness and control. Until they are all exposed, we will not ever see a true change in the church.
