Vision Forum
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Vision Forum was an evangelical Christian organization based in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1998; its president was Doug Phillips, son of U.S. Constitution Party leader Howard Phillips. Vision Forum Ministries was a 501(c) non-profit organization which was closed by its board of directors in November 2013 after Doug Phillips' confession of marital infidelity and allegations of sexual abuse.[1][2][3] The associated commercial operation, called Vision Forum, Inc., continued to operate until January 2014, when it was announced that it too was shutting down operations. Vision Forum advocated Biblical patriarchy, creationism, homeschooling, Family Integrated Churches, and Quiverfull beliefs.
Events[]
The organization sponsored the Christian Filmmakers Academy and the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.[4][5]
In 2007, the group organized an alternative celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, saying that the official celebration did not give enough emphasis to the Christian perspective of the settlers.[6]
Criticism[]
Vision Forum was criticized for holding views that demean women and view them as property. Don and Joy Veinot of Midwest Christian Outreach interpreted Vision Forum's statement on "The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy"[7] to imply that "women really cannot be trusted as decision makers" and "unless a daughter marries, she functionally remains pretty much the property of the father until he dies."[8] They also argued that Vision Forum promoted a "pagan top-down view of authority".[9]
Similar criticisms were voiced when a lawsuit was filed against Doug Phillips and Vision Forum, Inc. by a woman who had worked as the Phillips family's nanny. Her suit alleged that Phillips had sexually abused her for years.[10] Phillips acknowledged an "inappropriate relationship" but denied all charges of sexual abuse, calling them "sensationalist and suggesting that they are motivated by a desire for financial gain."[1]
References[]
- Citations
- ^ a b Ingersoll, Julie, Doug Phillips' Biblical Patriarchy Scandal Moves to the Courts, Huffington Post 17 June 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "The Closing of Vision Forum Ministries". Vision Forum.
- ^ "An Infidelity Scandal Just Shuttered a Major 'Biblical Patriarchy' Organization". The Wire.
- ^ "Christian filmmakers to discuss replacement industry for Hollywood". Catholic News Agency. July 23, 2007. Retrieved January 24, 2010.
- ^ Kimball, Josh (January 4, 2009). "Over 700 Students to Converge Ahead of Top Christian Film Fest". The Christian Post. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
- ^ Geroux, Bill, "An alternative Jamestown fete: Christian group says it wants to shine more light on role of God", Richmond Times-Dispatch, April 11, 2007.
- ^ "The Tenets of Biblical Patriarchy". Vision Forum. Archived from the original on March 5, 2010.
- ^ Veinot & Veinot 2007, p. 4 – emphasis original.
- ^ Veinot & Veinot 2007, p. 7
- ^ http://extras.mysanantonio.com/pdf/2014CI05999.pdf
- Bibliography
- Veinot, L. L. (Don); Veinot, Joy (Spring 2007). Midwest Christian Outreach Journal (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 19, 2009.
External links[]
- Vision Forum Ministries – non-profit organization
- Alternative education
- Christian organizations based in the United States
- Calvinist organizations established in the 20th century
- Christian organizations established in 1998
- Organizations based in San Antonio
- Religious organizations disestablished in 2013