Jill Duggar Reveals How Her Family’s Church Resembles A Cult

Jill Duggar Dillard has cut her connections to her family’s religion, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP).

And the Counting On alum feels ready to explain why she views IBLP as a cult.

Find out what Jill said about the controversial Christian organization. And learn what her husband shared. Keep reading for all the details.

Jill Duggar – Calls IBLP A Cult

The Institute In Basic Life Principles (IBLP) became known as the chosen religion for the 19 Kids And Counting clan. But the extremely conser

vative Christian organization also urged its members to follow strict rules that encouraged women to submit to men’s authority.

And its founder Bill Gothard resigned due to sexual harassment allegations, according to People.

But for Jill Duggar Dillard, the organization that her family chose represents a cult in many ways. And she shared, “I really do think that IBLP is a form of a cult. I think that even if you remove the person in leadership, a lot of those same values and principles are still being taught, so it doesn’t fix the problem,” added the Counting On alum. 

And Jill pointed out that some thought that with Gothard gone, the church had improved. “No, it changes and maybe adds a nice storefront to the picture,” she said. “But it doesn’t change the overall principles that are still being taught and held to.”

Why Jill Duggar Dillard Considers Her Family's Church a 'Cult': 'It's Fear-Driven' (Exclusive) https://t.co/S8cctzQJi6

— People (@people) September 8, 2023

Jim Bob Duggar  – Scolds Jill Duggar Dillard About Religion

And Jill revealed that her father used a family group text to scold her about cutting her ties with his church.

“My dad even said somewhat recently on a family group text, he was like, ‘You owe your life to Mr. Gothard.‘ I’m like, ‘No,’ I think that you just have to not look at the sugarcoating,” she shared. 

And Jill feels that the organization tries to “gloss it up and repackage it. But you have to look at the long haul, how it really flushed out. What do these principles look like.”

And Jill warns others to “be careful not to get sucked into something because it looks great or because you see a family that you’re like, ‘Oh, I want to be like that,’ and ignore the warning signs.”

The 19 Kids And Counting alum and her husband, Derick Dillard, authored a memoir, Counting the Cost.

And Jill shared that she struggled with criticizing her upbringing in the book. “But I feel called to do this,” she added. “I feel passionate about empowering other people to find their voice.”

Derick Dillard – Compares IBLP To Cult

And Jill’s husband Derick agrees with her. “I’ll call it what I think it is, a cult,” he said. “A lot of verses in the Bible are taken out of context and manipulated for people who are not desiring to follow Jesus but wanting to control and manipulate and see this as an opportunity. The organization has attracted people who have that goal and see the ability to use it for that.”

But Derick also cautioned those who might find IBLP appealing. And he pointed out that the organization can seem “attractive to people who are vulnerable or looking to fix certain problems, and it takes ’em down to a completely different path that’s harmful.” And Jill called the group “fear-driven.”

Tell us what you think. How do you feel about Jill comparing IBLP to a cult? And after you share your views, check back on our site for more reality TV news.