Institute defends teachings in wake of posts by Murray
By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Thursday, December 13, 2007
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Matthew Murray's rambling diatribes in online postings included at least two derogatory references to a home-school curriculum by a Christian institute.
But Bill Gothard, president of the Illinois-based Institute in Basic Life Principles, said Murray's killing spree was not a bad reaction to the curriculum.
Gothard said Wednesday that Murray, 24, and his family used the Institute materials for several years as part of a home-school program but stopped in 2003.
"Our curriculum is all built around the Sermon on the Mount. There are 54 verses in the sermon, and each one talks about how to love your neighbor as Christ loved us," he said.
In one posting attributed to Murray, he wrote, "Me, I remember the beatings and the fighting and yelling and insane rules and all the Bill Gothard bull---- and then trancing out . . . I remember how it was like every day was Mission Impossible trying to keep the rules or not get caught and just . . . survive."
News reports and various Web sites also have leveled criticism at Gothard's methods with allegations of corporal punishment and solitary confinement at a training center, and adherence to a divine order that places men over women.
IBLP offers a variety of programs and seminars covering subjects ranging from health care to anger management to success in marriage.
The materials the Murrays used focus on character development. The curriculum is contained in 54 "wisdom booklets," one for each verse in the sermon.
The Institute's booklets are intended to be discussed by the entire family. The books include worksheets for the kids.
Glenn Ogg, 50, of Arvada, said he and his wife have been using the curriculum for 18 years. They have eight children.
Ogg, a materials engineer who attends a nondenominational Christian church, said he was surprised to see Gothard linked to Murray in news accounts. Ogg has gone through all 54 wisdom booklets - more than 3,000 pages - several times.
"There's nothing in there that would cause that kind of reaction," Ogg said.
Comments
Posted by Friend on December 13, 2007 at 5:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Beatings? Was Murray beat at the cult institute, at home, or both?The kid was filled with hate and rage. His blind parents and the institute should be held responsible for producing a murderous monster.
Posted by blacksho89 on December 13, 2007 at 9:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
friend, do you believe everything posted on the internet? Best withhold judgement until the whole story is told. Maybe Murray was telling the truth; maybe these are the ramblings of a deranged psychopath.
Just remember: OJ says he's innocent. Doesn't make it so. GWB says there are WMD. Doesn't make it so.
Posted by JacquesDemien on December 13, 2007 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Murray's characterization of the Gothard cult is accurate according to numerous people who grew up in it.
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