Exposing the IFB: Micheal and Debi Pearl

I haven't spoken lately about the cult known as the Independent Fundamental Baptist denomination. A group that my sister was once a part of, and I had some exposure to first hand as a child. I attended a private school from Kindergarten to 5th grade that was part of this origination. My personal contact with this group thankfully was limited,(and I actually can't remember much of it) but there are many people, especially women and children still trapped in this abusive group.

Within the Independent Fundamental Baptist denomination are a pair of authors, a husband and wife, Micheal and Debi Pearl. Though the two may look like a happy family, the devastation the books they have written, and the affects of people who followed their atrocious advice is incredible.

Their books are considered the how to manuals for everything related to domestic life by many in the Independent Fundamental Baptist cult. Their book "To Train Up a Child" has sold over 670,000 copies, and is even available for sale on Amazon.com.



Their advice on raising children, especially on their ideas of disciplining children are abusive and cruel.
Here's just a small sample of their horrendous advice (which by the way has lead to the murder of least 4 children by their followers):


On punishing children:

Never reward delayed obedience by reversing the sentence. And, unless all else fails, don’t drag him to the place of cleansing. Part of his training is to come submissively. However, if you are just beginning to institute training on an already rebellious child, who runs from discipline and is too incoherent to listen, then use whatever force is necessary to bring him to bay. If you have to sit on him to spank him then do not hesitate. And hold him there until he is surrendered. Prove that you are bigger, tougher, more patiently enduring and are unmoved by his wailing. Defeat him totally. Accept no conditions for surrender. No compromise. You are to rule over him as a benevolent sovereign. Your word is final.

 Their advice to women about marriage is no better:

“Has your husband reviled you and threatened you? You are exhorted to respond as Jesus did. When he was reviled and threatened, he suffered by committing himself to a higher judge who is righteous. You must commit yourself to the one who placed you under your husband’s command. Your husband will answer to God, and you must answer to God for how you respond to your husband, even when he causes you to suffer

.Just as we are to obey government in every ordinance, and servants are to obey their masters, even the ones who are abusive and surly, ‘likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands’…You can freely call your husband ‘lord’ when you know that you are addressing the one who put him in charge and asked you to suffer at your husband’s hands just as our Lord suffered at the hands of unjust authorities…When you endure evil and railing without returning it, you receive a blessing, not just as a martyr, but as one who worships God.” 

 Anderson Cooper, the day time talk show host, and CNN newscaster has done reports on the Pearls, and consequences of their advice, this two part series is on the murder of a California girl, Lydia Schaatz, at the hands of her adopted parents, followers of the Pearls, their books were found in the home during the course of the investigation into her death by local police, and the county prosecutor. Lydia's beating was so severe that her injuries were nearly identical to people who had been killed in explosions.

For more information about Micheal and Debi Pearl, check out these sources:

No Longer Quivering Blog on Patheos (all posts related to the Pearl family)

Why Not Train a Child? (A blog dedicated to exposing their teachings)


The Independent Fundamentalist Baptist  organization is not something I enjoy talking about, believe, but it's necessary to do so. Their abuse of children, treatment of women as second class citizens, and their extreme isolation from the outside world needs to be exposed to the world.

For more information about the Independent Fundamental Baptist organization read my past posts on them:

Bob Jones University

Jack Hyles and First Baptist Hammond (part 1)

First Baptist Hammond (part 2)

 The Horrors of Hezbipah House (part 1)

The Horrors of Hezpibah House (part 2)