Jinger Duggar says she’s 'free' from ‘cult-like’ religious upbringing: ‘It just consumed my life’

For nearly 18 years, Jinger Duggar Vuolo appeared on TLC’s hit reality shows "19 Kids and Counting" and "Counting On." She wrote a new book titled "Becoming Free Indeed."

"I would definitely say that [his philosophy] was cult-like in nature," the 29-year-old told Fox News Digital. "I can’t say, ‘Oh, it was a cult.’ I will leave that to the experts. But I will say that a lot of things make it tough for kids to leave or families to leave because the community is so tight-knit. The teachings are based on rules – man-made rules." Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com.

Gothard, who was a prominent Christian evangelist, founded the Institute for Basic Life Principles (IBLP) in 1961. His organization has conducted Bible-based seminars around the country since the ‘60s on subjects ranging from conflict resolution to achieving financial success. His so-called "chain of command" teachings promote the belief that bosses, city leaders and husbands are put in elevated positions by God.