The Duggar family's religion was their entire identity, but the new documentary Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets unravels the mystery behind their controversial, faith-based lifestyle. Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar proudly raised their 19 children in a conservative and strict household. Their Independent Baptist viewpoints, accompanied by Fundamentalist principles, were the driving forces behind their family, fame, and wholesomeness.
When the Duggar family appeared on 19 Kids and Counting, they were excited to share their family values in such a high-profile way. Their reality show focused on how they raised their children according to their beliefs, and how they managed a household effortlessly. They did this although there were so many children living under one roof, and typically always smiling. It seemed almost too good to be true, and until now, the details of the Duggars' religion were barely known. Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets shatters their holier-than-thou image, and reveals it to be an illusion.
What Is The IBLP?
The IBLP is an acronym for Institute in Basic Life Principles, and according to their website, it was founded in Chicago in 1961, by Bill Gothard. His outreach ministry was originally called Campus Teams, and it focused on people sharing basic scriptures with people in the surrounding area. The IBLP transformed into focusing on bringing Biblical principles to families, with Bill spearheading seminars and teachings.
The IBLP wasn't in a centralized location, so families would attend to hear his message, and take what they learned back to their families and churches. It wasn't long before he had a following. Ultimately, he grew his ministry to include ATI (Advanced Training Institute), which focused on education. It gave parents material to homeschool their children, and education was centered on God and the scriptures. Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets brought the IBLP's questionable and deceitful actions under Bill's leadership into the spotlight.
Why The IBLP Is Considered A Cult
The IBLP is considered a cult because it took away its ' ability to think for themselves, and have control over their lives. Bill influenced families by promoting what he called the umbrella of protection, which followed a chain of command. He ultimately held a position of authority and power. Children were particularly vulnerable in this dangerous environment, and were expected to be obedient to their parents (and other authority figures) at all times.
Everything from how people dressed, what they listened to, what they read, and what they watched were all controlled under the guise of following Biblical scriptures. In Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, ex-IBLP spoke of the trauma (triggered by emotional, and mental anguish) that they endured while involved with the ministry. Bill was forced to step down from his position on the IBLP board of directors in 2014, when allegations were made that he sexually harassed and molested multiple women.
Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets focuses on the victims of IBLP, and how the ministry negatively impacted their lives. While Jim Bob and Michelle felt they had a life-changing experience because of the organization, that was just one side of its history. The organization was doing more behind the scenes, under Bill's leadership, in order to obtain a powerful position in the religious community.