UNITED STATES
Christian Post

Bill Gothard Denies ‘Sexual Intent’ in Hugs, Foot Contact With Young Ladies in Statement Following Resignation

BY NICOLA MENZIE , CHRISTIAN POST REPORTER
April 18, 2014

Bill Gothard, an influential conservative Christian leader in the homeschooling movement, has released a statement denying allegations that he sexually harassed women and teen girls. He insists in the statement that his behavior toward those whom he favored, such as holding hands or touching the feet or hair of young ladies, was never carried out “immorally or with sexual intent.”

In his statement publicized via his Twitter account Thursday night, Gothard addressed ways in which he believes he failed in his leadership of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, which he quit last month more than 50 years after founding the nonprofit organization.

“For many years I have been building the Institute but losing my first love for…