Ken Ham — The Evolution of a Bully: Jeri Lofland’s Thoughts

“Ken Ham was banned from speaking at a homeschool convention in Cincinnati after making ‘mean-spirited’ remarks about another speaker, a Bible scholar and theologian who approaches the Old Testament very differently than Ham does. AiG also used its deep pockets and legal staff to bully a smaller Christian ministry with a similar name, threatening them with charges of trademark infringement.”

Bill Gothard on Education: Jeri Lofland’s Thoughts

“My parents began homeschooling me in third grade, and enrolled in Gothard’s Advanced Training Institute, a curriculum exclusively for alumni of his Advanced Seminar, before I started seventh grade. Our family was part of ATI until I reached my mid-twenties. The following statements are the main points from a session of Bill Gothard’s Advanced Seminar.”

The Political Reach of Bill Gothard: Jeri Lofland’s Thoughts

“With Bill Gothard’s ceaseless emphasis on authority, obedience, and chain-of-command, it should be no surprise that he is compulsively attracted to men (and more rarely, women) whom he perceives to be in a position of power. He believes without question that his organization has answers that can solve the problems faced by any public official, if they can only work together to promote Gothard’s vision. This characteristic has resulted in an extensive mycelial network whereby Gothard silently influences public policy across the country.”

David Noebel, Summit Ministries, and the Evil of Rock: Jeri Lofland’s Thoughts

“In 1974, David Noebel was staggered when students confided to him that Billy James Hargis, ardent promoter of traditional morality and father of four, had had sex with several of them…In 1976, Hargis was forced to resign, and the school closed its doors the following year. Noebel went on to effectively ‘fold’ Christian Crusade into Summit Ministries, building it into a successful international worldview training/brainwashing center targeting all ages, but teenagers in particular.”

His Quiver Full of Them: Jeri Lofland’s Thoughts

“These days, stories of ex-Quiverfull moms and their ‘quivering daughters’ are multiplying on the Internet like rabbits in the spring. The fruit of the movement has not turned out to be sweet; we deal with health problems, poverty, anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, cutting, sexual abuse, emotional incest, and divorce.”

Of Isolation and Community: Jeri Lofland’s Story, Part Two

“We embarked on the new ATI adventure. Our social circled narrowed even more from that point, consisting of church acquaintances and conservative homeschooling friends…There were no trusted adults in my life that didn’t defend my parents’ beliefs and lifestyle choices.

Generational Observations: Jeri Lofland’s Story, Part One

“Family dynamics are the primary reason I decided against long-term homeschooling. Put simply, my daughter appreciates me much more when she doesn’t have to spend all day with me! Though we spend less time together, we use that time more efficiently.”