Journey into IBLP and ATI Cult: Marcy's Story

Marcy goes into greater detail about her family's history with ATI/IBLP leading up to where we met at headquarters. She details her homeschool experience, some of the experiences and differences of growing up in the cult.
Umbrella Rebellion is a podcast where we share our experience in the ATI/IBLP and fundamental cults. We are on a journey of healing and exposing the teachings that lead to and justify abuse. It is our hope that those that are experiencing abuse can find support and escape from it.
We hope that you will join the Umbrella Rebellion.
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[@nancynorris9822]

What does ATI and IBLP mean?

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Institute in Basic Life Principles - It is the organization/cult started by Bill Gothard. ATI - Advanced Training Institute. It's the homeschool curriculum umbrella of the organization.

[@glendagai]

I just stumbled into your Chanel from another Chanel . The name just grabbed me, because of my history with the IBLP during my previous marriage. It has been 50 years that i have been out of the IBLP but to this day when I hear the Umbrella Theory, it is like fingernails on a chalkboard. I have spent the majority of my life to this day in the fundamental world of religion, but far more liberal today so that I can survive. I went to a private Baptist College where I met my previous husband . To this day my brother is a Baptist minister in the fundamental world. The difference is now I can think for myself. I have been alone for so many years, Happily! This is such an interesting podcast.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

So glad that you found us. We knew it would be important to incorporate the umbrella into our name or channel somehow. It is crazy to think how that one image and teaching has done so much damage. I'm so glad you have been out so long. So happy to have you as part of our community.

[@AmandaPaige71]

I just finished watching Dee's story that popped up on my KZbin feed and I'm glad it did! can't wait for part 2. I love the name of your channel btw and I'm looking forward to hearing your story Marcy. I'm fascinated with all things culty especially the IBLP/ATI.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thanks for watching! -Dee

[@rteegar78]

The OK to LA park skirt story😂!! One of the girls that used to babysit for me was working at Target, and one of the workers asked her why she always dresses like a “pheasant”. To which she said, “Do you mean a peasant?” He said “yeah, a peasant” lol! Those long skirts made us all stick out like sore thumb weirdos!

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

So many 👀 ! -Dee

[@deespence8629]

This is fascinating! I wasn’t raised in a Christian household, although I became a Christian as a young adult! I didn’t realize this fundamentalist baptist even existed! I went to a non denomination church. When I married we started going to southern baptist church- but still had no idea this Gothard business existed! Not until this josh Duggar case came out did I start looking into this!! It’s like a train wreck and I can’t look away.. I feel so bad for you and how you were raised!! I’m enjoying your channel as I feel I’m discovering a different reality that I had no idea existed! ❤️✝️✝️

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thank you for watching. I'm glad you found us.

[@deespence8629]

@@UmbrellaRebellion I should clarify by saying I wasn’t raised in a Christian home but my grandmother took me to her church - she went to the worldwide church of God ( Herbert W. Armstrong) it was a very legalistic cult and how you were raised reminds me of a lot of things that went on in that church! That’s another reason I’m looking into all of this! I’m really shocked that it could happen in a baptist setting!

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

The typical "baptists" that people know are usually Southern Baptist. They are more mild than the Fundamental Baptist. I consider the IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptist) the extremist of the Baptists. -Dee

[@delethielfein]

I remember a specific thing from the Knoxville breakout sessions. All the girls in the session were required to sign a contract promising to never marry a divorced man. Since the man had broken a covenant, God would never bless him or any marriage made after his divorce. It was designed to “protect” all of us young ladies. I was probably 13 or 14 at the time.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Oh wow. I honestly have no words for how messed up that is. Just so controlling and limiting. I wonder verse(s) they used to justify that. -Dee

[@HarvardChickie]

Thank you guys for sharing your stories; I imagine while it must be difficult it must also feel really good to release all of this. Thank you for sharing.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thank you for watching. It is our hope to connect with those that are in need of healing as well as continue in our journey of healing.

[@HarvardChickie]

@@UmbrellaRebellion It’s very brave and I’m sure it will help… as long as it helps you.

[@delilahhart4398]

Marcy looks kind of like Karen Grassle, the actress who played Ma Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie.

[@mollyallen1359]

You guys rock. ❤

[@myrawest]

I related to a lot of this. My family was really into IBLP. I especially appreciate you guys talking about the dress code for women... It's something I have a lot of anger and damage from.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thanks for watching. I hope our podcast helps you find some healing.

[@pandah1869]

My husband's family did IBLP and when I started dating my husband I was taken to a Basic Seminar in 2008. I spent from then till 2020 brainwashed that I had to follow that teaching so I would be the best wife for my husband. It was so harmful to our marriage since my husband didn't believe that stuff. One of the most trying times in my life.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Sorry you had to go through that. It is tough trying to be something that is seemingly impossible to achieve. Welcome to the healing journey of life after a cult. I hope you find help through our channel, or at least a community... you are not alone. -Dee

[@jesm1776]

I wish you would have asked Marcy when she realized the whole system was off, and how she came out of it. Also I would be very interested to know where her parents are now spiritually, if they realize how off the whole system was and if they have any regrets about participating in such a corrupt religious system.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thanks for watching. I do believe we get into that in our leaving the cult video.

[@Melissa0774]

Did any single women ever approach this cult in the hopes of finding a husband and if so did they get one? I'd like to hear stories from women who got themselves and/or their kids and husbands into this cult, if there ever were any, because I'm curious what attracted them to it, since it's such a misogynistic culture. When I clicked this video, I thought that was going to be what it was about. I'd like to hear from more people who got into it as adults and then left, as to what their thought process was as to why it appealed to them.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

I (Dee) was an adult that joined, and I guess there was always an underlying hope that you would meet a guy somewhere who would want to "court" you. I do have an episode on my story, sake title, but Dee's Story. We are hoping to bring more stories as survivors start spraking out. A lot of the "adult" that joined are our parents' age, and many of them are either still in it or don't want to talk about it publicly. Thank you for watching and I hope you stick around to see what we have coming soon.

[@Melissa0774]

@@UmbrellaRebellion How old were you when you joined? Do they usually do arranged or at least semi-arranged marriages, or is that just more of a Duggar thing? Because I bet there are so many girls in it who secretly hope and pray every day that their father will still somehow manage to set them up with a guy who is actually loving and normal, if their father is not that way, himself. I could kind of see how life in this cult could actually seem really good for some women if they're lucky enough to have healthy pregnancies and be married to a good man who really loves them, makes good money, and doesn't have the natural inclination to be a narcissist or misogynist, even if he was taught to act that way from childhood. Are there any families like that in the group at all, or is the whole thing, just 100% a front for misogynist and narcissist to hide in plain sight?

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

So the thing with this cult is that there are many types of families there were a part of it. Some were deep and some just "dabbled" in some of the stuff. A good friend of mine had a completely different experience with IBLP because their family didn't follow everything and wasn't as deeply involved in the cult. A lot of the particulars of how women were paired of and matched was dependent on the family. I see a few people who married other IBLP members and they seem to be doing well, but they have all deconstructed as far as I can see. We have an episode on courtship that we talk about a lot of this, it may answer more than I can in a comment.

[@MarciaDurkee-pk7sx]

What attracted one to the teachings of Bill Gothard? I often thought about this and came to one conclusion in that one was prone to a : religious spirit and were confused about " works" and God's approval.

[@Melissa0774]

@@MarciaDurkee-pk7sx That's what attracts any good person to any Christian cult.

[@martitathecatmum5892]

Marcy, what is the youngest female you saw working in head quarters? I read that Gathard liked having 15 year old young ladies around. Not sure if I'm referring to the same organization?

[@martitathecatmum5892]

*Gothard

[@n.artoff2210]

West coast girl…never made it to Knoxville. I did attend a few things in Chicago & Dallas, just for the girls…can’t remember what they called it? Then about 6 months in Moscow, which will always have a very special place in my heart but SO happy to be out of that program

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Count yourself lucky you didn't get to Knoxville. 😉 I assume one of them was probably Excel. How long have you been out of that world? -Dee

[@Mercillville]

We were a 2nd year family too but my first year I was in 7th grade.

[@ashlieleavelle]

I am curious, with families like the Bates and Duggars, large families, do they have to pay for all the ATI events, or does the IBLP pay for them because they speak?

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

It is our belief from our experience that it largely depended on how well you negotiated and if you were a favorite or keynote speaker. It is possible that there was a discount or rate negotiated, Those things really wouldn't be publicly known or shared.

[@AmandaPaige71]

@@UmbrellaRebellion knowing what I know about Jim Bob Duggar I'd bet money his family was comp'd. My opinion only.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

@@AmandaPaige71 JB did love a deal!

[@wr1380]

So interesting!! So, I’m so curious if you both have a relationship with Jesus? Would love to hear that part of the story.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Keep watching, we do talk about that in a future episode. Thanks for watching. Hope you can join us for the live tonight.

[@kenyonbissett3512]

I went to a private Christian school. Every week there was a story about either disobedience/consequences or miracles that happened to Christ centered families and children. I’m 62 and I still remember a story from when I was 8yrs old when a brother and sister didn’t obey their parents and played in a meadow. They got home, had dinner and then it was bath time. Mother came into the bathroom and sister had her shirt off, mother saw 30-50 tics attached to her back, they checked brother and he had the same. Removal was, of course, painful. This is what happens when you disobey your parents. Ugh! I also remember one of the miracle stories! Every week we did this, I remember terrible nightmares related to those stories.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Oh, that sounds awful and familiar. Thank you for watching.

[@annabusby1781]

I wish we could see pictures so we can follow the story with visuals! I bet you both were so cute!

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

I have some pictures from my days at headquarters. I will try to see if I can locate some with me and Marcy.

[@OrthodoxChristianBeliever]

I wonder what the Church you were raised would think of JD Greer, Steven Furtick, and Andy Wood.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

I am not familiar with any of those people. I will have to look them up.

[@OrthodoxChristianBeliever]

@@UmbrellaRebellion , they're all seeker sensitive, Saddleback used to be Southern Baptist, they were kicked out of the SBC, these people are also in the charismatic movement, because the rest of the SBC is holding hands with the charismatic movement, Steven Furtick stood up and shouted, "I am god almighty!!" in front of his Southern Baptist, megachurch!! JD Greer is the current president of the SBC, and yes, he's got very woke theology!! Andy Wood was playing dress up after Saddleback got kicked out of the SBC, and the theme was church at the movies, yes, very woke and seeker sensitive!!

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Imho The IFB would look down their noses at that type. Although, some of the preachers act like they are gods, they wouldn't say it outloud, and would call it blasphemy if someone does that. The guy that dressed up would probably be called slurs from the pulpit. Any "woke" preacher would be the target of many a sermons about not being of the world and the like. That's what I imagine would happen, from my experience.

[@OrthodoxChristianBeliever]

They'd would look at The Church I'm Part Of and probably condemn it!! I'm not even part of a seeker sensitive church, but they still would, because we're very Liturgical!!

[@rms5993]

Dee, you are Extremely hard to hear in all your videos. In contrast, Marci or whoever is on the other side is louder. I know it's not my laptop as other vids today have been fine audio wise.

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

Thanks for letting me know. I did notice that my volume was a little lower on my end on playback. I have a very loud voice so I'm always afraid of hurting people's ears if I turn up my mic too much. I'll try turning it up next time we record. Appreciate your feedback. -Dee

[@jessica.845]

Bill was sometimes was found stealing ice cream in the kitchen, more to that story

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

I worked in the kitchen, and remember something about him and ice cream, just not the particulars. Ha ha. I would be interested in knowing the full story. -Dee

[@jessica.845]

When y’all can , i think it would be so great if my husband Zach could visit for an episode 😊 .. he loves talking to head quarters friends And you need to hear why Zach almost got sent home . zach is the best at telling it. 😂

[@UmbrellaRebellion]

@@jessica.845 does he have Facebook or Instagram? He can reach out to me or Marcy on either of those platforms. I would love to get a man's perspective of their experience in ATI/IBLP -Dee

[@kellymills5484]

Just move on past the date already

[@nikkio.9990]

No running because it would hurt your women parts??? FFS!