In my opinion, this just looks like a lame attempt to associate Huckabee with a scandal within an organization he's very indirectly involved with.

If Huckabee has to account for the sins of every individual or organization he's spoken in favor of he might as well grab a razor and jump in the warm tub of water his opponents have been sitting in.

All I see here is a Christian leader in Mike Huckabee looking at and giving credit to the cause of a Christian organization whose cause (at face value) is very worthy and acceptable.

The original message suggested Huckabee was a "huge supporter of Gothard" however, none of the links suggested such a thing.

There were a few alleged sex scandals (adultery and groping of women) inside Gothard's ministry. Nothing we can excuse, but nothing that invalidates all of the good they accomplished. (I can think of some civil rights leaders/pastors who led less than spotless lives, but nonetheless did much that was heroic and good).

In any case, Gothard's books have the approval of some of the most brilliant and ethical members of the Evangelical community.

Sadly, the ministry must recruit from the human race, sinners all.

Mud sticking on Huckabee? None from this.

_________________
"A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues." - Theodore Roosevelt

http://iblp.org/iblp/news/2004/04/001/

http://iblp.org/iblp/about/whatwedo/community/prison/

This and the news article that the guy got as a PM are the only links I can find.

The link Huckabee has to this group is through the prison ministry. He's not friends with the guy, nor does he have any other ties to the ministry.

_________________
Leave no question in anyone's mind as to where you stand. --L. Aldin Porter

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I'm done with winter now.

I have personally been involved with IBLP, and attended their law school for a year. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Bill Gothard and his exposition of Biblical principles, and the good he has accomplished through IBLP.
I am surprised that there was any sexual misconduct within the IBLP ranks, but I don't think that the offenders were necessarily committed to this ministry, but were probably plants.
The aformentioned letter and such is so lame it isn't even worth considering for a second. It's so sloppy, it invalidates itself.

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"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
-Ronald Reagan

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
-Edmund Burke

I attended Bill Gothard's seminar when my children were small. The principles that he puts forth are excellent, and we followed the principles, not the "human".

My children are awesome young adults now, and I'm proud of them.

I think ANY organization is subject to hiring individuals who, in hindsight, were bad choices. Background checks are fallible.

I didn't totally agree with Gothard on everything he taught, but almost all of the principles are sound.

There is so much "celebrity worship" going on in this country. Sometimes we look at Christian leaders as if they are celebrities. Christian leaders are human just like we are.

Whose entire life could stand up to minute inspection? Not mine! I don't throw stones.

What I really respect about Mike Huckabee is that he is so "real". I'm tired of elitist politicians. I don't have any more patience with elitist Christian leaders, either.

Mike Huckabee is humility and conviction personafied. I perceive Gothard as being the same type of person, and an endorsement by him would please me, not make me cringe.

Jane

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North Carolina Grassroots Coordinator lafsmuch@gmail.com
F3 Coalition [Faith, Family and Freedom]
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