Duggar Interview

[Memaw]

Yes, I follow his instagram and he is very very evangelical and anti Catholic.

So what else is new with many protestant denominations. I have a stack of leaflets they put out against the Catholic Church that I find in many Catholic Books at Thrift stores. I just take them out and bring them home. I have even talked about it to the owner, (gave him a few to prove it.) but that doesn’t stop it. I never find them in non-Catholic books. Every time I find one I say a Hail Mary for the one who puts it there and ask the Blessed Mother to help them find the TRUTH. Maybe we will meet in Heaven some day and celebrate the TRUTH together !! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Convert_in_99]

True

I have seen articles and media posts also where the secular culture states they are ready to forgive anything and everything except child molestation, which true it is most horrible but God does still forgive.

I think that is so absurd because while child molestation is a grievious crime, killing the child is even worse. But it’s okay to kill an unwanted kid, so long as you don’t molest them.

Also I believe that God can forgive all things, even this. He was a young teenage boy and everything regarding anything sexual was so under lock and key and taboo that he very well might have thought this was the only way he could find out about what girls look like down there. If only they had just let him have a good christian book on human sexuality and anatomy. That doesn’t make it right at all, but obviously the parents didn’t take the first offense seriously enough.

 

[Memaw]

As long as “normal life” does not include the “normal life” they had before TV…

That remark is totally unnecessary! Shouldn’t we be above that kind of stuff! God Bless, Memaw

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

That remark is totally unnecessary! Shouldn’t we be above that kind of stuff! God Bless, Memaw

What was unnecessary? I simply expressed a wish that the normal life they go back to does not involve elements of the “normal” life they had before TV. However I doubt that can be achieved given the absolutely sick nature of the interview and the brainwashing that still goes on. I have no idea how one could have daughters and not be absolutely sickened by this brand of “family” No, remorse, apologizing for Josh and blaming everyone else.

Jim Bob has not owned up to his mistakes. And as the proclaimed leader of all brains involved here, he needs to. I don’t think they should be allowed to go back to “normal life” without serious investigations and legitimate therapies.

 

[gracepoole]

I don’t care how popular the Duggar family and their TLC reality show “19 Kids & Counting” is with Christian conservatives.

I don’t care how many Republican presidential hopefuls Josh Duggar posed with in Iowa, or how important his celebrity was to the Family Research Council, the conservative Christian lobbying group.

When the Duggar family’s oldest son admitted he had molested and fondled five little girls — including some of his own sisters — when he was 14, it was time for conservative Christians to hold Josh and the Duggar family accountable for their actions.

Most didn’t.

wiscnews.com/opinion/columnists/article_5b592c3f-184f-5c50-943a-803a3b95b392.htm

 

[ComputerGeek25]

The Duggars biggest problem is that they willingly bit the bullet and signed their children up to be a part of the Hollywood nonsense in the first place. Very few people would have known about this otherwise. Hollywood destroys everyone and everything in its path if not in one matter then in another. Sooner or latter this was bound to happen (a big scandal of some sort against their family.) The mistake was signing their own children entrusted to them by God up for this drama in the first place. Why would anyone in their right mind do such a thing to their children? And them being good Christians and knowing better?

I think this is a good point. Didn’t the show start shortly after the incidents happened? And wouldn’t the Jim Bob and Michelle know that since their views are not fully accepted by even mainstream Christianity that they would be under a microscope?

 

[ComputerGeek25]

I didn’t realize Jessa’s husband had issues with the Catholic Church. Did he specify what teachings he had issues with?

Mary.

IIRC it was the common complaints that Protestants have about Catholics.

 

[pensmama87]

IIRC it was the common complaints that Protestants have about Catholics.

Not that it excuses it, but he’s also very young (IIRC only 19 or 20.) While his beliefs may not change, I would not be surprised if his method of delivery softens a little bit as he gets older. Many people his age can be quite the know-it-alls.

 

[Magdalena59]

I think this is a good point. Didn’t the show start shortly after the incidents happened? And wouldn’t the Jim Bob and Michelle know that since their views are not fully accepted by even mainstream Christianity that they would be under a microscope?

According to the interview it was over five years from the time they had dealt with the situation and were approached to do the television show.

 

[Magdalena59]

IIRC it was the common complaints that Protestants have about Catholics.

This is true. If someone is protestant more than likely they have issues with the Catholic church. Most protestants do.

 

[Xantippe]

According to the interview it was over five years from the time they had dealt with the situation and were approached to do the television show.

They had just had an appearance on Oprah cancelled and dealt with the police in the previous year, so it should have been clear to the Duggar parents that it was still a live issue.

Who thinks it a good idea to put their whole family on TV after their oldest child has molested five different girls (including several of their daughters)? Somebody with lousy judgment, that’s who.

Although, putting your whole family on reality TV for a decade already qualifies as pretty lousy judgment, without the molestation issue. How many of us would have done that? Think why you wouldn’t do it–the intrusion, the broadcasting of private personal moments, kids’ not being able to make mistakes without millions of people watching, the well-known dangers of fame. And then think what it says about the Duggar parents’ judgment that they went and did it to their kids anyway.

Oh, and on top of that, think what it says about Jim Bob’s sensitivity and parenting judgment to then make such a big legalistic hullabaloo about courtship rules and limits on touching and kissing. There was a particularly regrettable quote from the mom, apparently, where she talked about how premarital sexual activity left you left like a used bicycle:

"Imagine that your parents are going to surprise you and give you a brand-new bike for Christmas. Two weeks before Christmas, they buy your bike and hide it in the storage shed in the backyard. But then the boy next door sneaks into the shed and borrows your new bike; he stunt-rides it up and down the back alley.

“On Christmas morning your parents lead you out to the shed to reveal the special gift they bought for you, and as they open the door and say, ‘Surprise!’ they’re just as surprised as you are. You’re all shocked to see that the bike looks like it’s been thrown off a cliff. The front fender is missing, and the front tire is warped so it rubs on the frame. It’s dirty, the paint is all scratched and chipped, and the seat has a big rip in it. It looks worse than something you would have bought at a garage sale."

washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2015/05/22/the-duggars-dangerous-cult-of-purity/

It’s a terrible analogy for many reasons, especially because of the molestation history. The bicycle had no culpability in the neighbor boy’s shenanigans, and yet the bike is permanently wrecked because of what the neighbor boy did to it.

I think that was a really insensitive story to tell to girls that had been molested.

 

[ComputerGeek25]

They had just had an appearance on Oprah cancelled and dealt with the police in the previous year, so it should have been clear to the Duggar parents that it was still a live issue.

Who thinks it a good idea to put their whole family on TV after their oldest child has molested five different girls (including several of their daughters)? Somebody with lousy judgment, that’s who.

Although, putting your whole family on reality TV for a decade already qualifies as pretty lousy judgment, without the molestation issue. How many of us would have done that? Think why you wouldn’t do it–the intrusion, the broadcasting of private personal moments, kids’ not being able to make mistakes without millions of people watching, the well-known dangers of fame. And then think what it says about the Duggar parents’ judgment that they went and did it to their kids anyway.

Oh, and on top of that, think what it says about Jim Bob’s sensitivity and parenting judgment to then make such a big legalistic hullabaloo about courtship rules and limits on touching and kissing. There was a particularly regrettable quote from the mom, apparently, where she talked about how premarital sexual activity left you left like a used bicycle:

"Imagine that your parents are going to surprise you and give you a brand-new bike for Christmas. Two weeks before Christmas, they buy your bike and hide it in the storage shed in the backyard. But then the boy next door sneaks into the shed and borrows your new bike; he stunt-rides it up and down the back alley.

“On Christmas morning your parents lead you out to the shed to reveal the special gift they bought for you, and as they open the door and say, ‘Surprise!’ they’re just as surprised as you are. You’re all shocked to see that the bike looks like it’s been thrown off a cliff. The front fender is missing, and the front tire is warped so it rubs on the frame. It’s dirty, the paint is all scratched and chipped, and the seat has a big rip in it. It looks worse than something you would have bought at a garage sale."

washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2015/05/22/the-duggars-dangerous-cult-of-purity/

It’s a terrible analogy for many reasons, especially because of the molestation history. The bicycle had no culpability in the neighbor boy’s shenanigans, and yet the bike is permanently wrecked because of what the neighbor boy did to it.

I think that was a really insensitive story to tell to girls that had been molested.

maybe if Jim Bob handled it better

 

[Xantippe]

According to the interview it was over five years from the time they had dealt with the situation and were approached to do the television show.

I also think that that approach is also problematic–believing that dealing with your oldest son molesting five girls (including several sisters) is a one-and-done type deal.

Aside from the question of whether Josh was “fixed” by whatever they did (and even reading it very charitably, there were a number of molestation episodes while the parents were figuring out what to do), there’s the question of the girls. I’ve read a number of threads on this now, including testimony from people who dealt with molestation, and while I know some people are able to just put it behind them and move on, other people have mentioned that issues related to the molestation pop up from time to time (for instance in a romantic relationship, having a child, having a child the same age as one was at the time, etc.). Given the number of victims, it seems reasonable to suspect that at least one of the girls is having lingering issues related to the molestation, and that it’s way too early to declare that everything is fine. And it was certainly way too early in 2006.

(I know somebody’s going to say, “but they were asleep!” but that wasn’t true in all of the cases. Also, they were all told afterward what had happened. So aside from the molestation itself, for a number of years, the sisters were all dealing with the fact that 1) their brother had molested them or might have molested them 2) if he hadn’t molested them, he might still in future 3) they were going to have to keep living with him under the same roof for the indefinite future.

 

[grasscutter]

(I know somebody’s going to say, “but they were asleep!” but that wasn’t true in all of the cases. Also, they were all told afterward what had happened.

This is one of many things they said that were inconsistent. If all the victims were asleep or otherwise “unaware”, how did they know in 2006 to answer official questions about how and where they were forcibly fondled. One can not simply, in an official enquiry, state that I was told such and such happened - but I was asleep and do not know. That would never be entered into record.

 

[Xantippe]

This is one of many things they said that were inconsistent. If all the victims were asleep or otherwise “unaware”, how did they know in 2006 to answer official questions about how and where they were forcibly fondled. One can not simply, in an official enquiry, state that I was told such and such happened - but I was asleep and do not know. That would never be entered into record.

Right. Although, by that time, there was presumably some contamination of testimony–the girls’ evidence would have been affected by what they had been told.

Also, come to think of it, at the time time the show started, the girls had only very recently spoken with the police.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Right. Although, by that time, there was presumably some contamination of testimony–the girls’ evidence would have been affected by what they had been told.

Also, come to think of it, at the time time the show started, the girls had only very recently spoken with the police.

Yep. The more you lay it out, the sicker it gets and the more Jim Bob looks bad…

 

[Memaw]

They had just had an appearance on Oprah cancelled and dealt with the police in the previous year, so it should have been clear to the Duggar parents that it was still a live issue.

Who thinks it a good idea to put their whole family on TV after their oldest child has molested five different girls (including several of their daughters)? Somebody with lousy judgment, that’s who.

Although, putting your whole family on reality TV for a decade already qualifies as pretty lousy judgment, without the molestation issue. How many of us would have done that? Think why you wouldn’t do it–the intrusion, the broadcasting of private personal moments, kids’ not being able to make mistakes without millions of people watching, the well-known dangers of fame. And then think what it says about the Duggar parents’ judgment that they went and did it to their kids anyway.

Oh, and on top of that, think what it says about Jim Bob’s sensitivity and parenting judgment to then make such a big legalistic hullabaloo about courtship rules and limits on touching and kissing. There was a particularly regrettable quote from the mom, apparently, where she talked about how premarital sexual activity left you left like a used bicycle:

"Imagine that your parents are going to surprise you and give you a brand-new bike for Christmas. Two weeks before Christmas, they buy your bike and hide it in the storage shed in the backyard. But then the boy next door sneaks into the shed and borrows your new bike; he stunt-rides it up and down the back alley.

“On Christmas morning your parents lead you out to the shed to reveal the special gift they bought for you, and as they open the door and say, ‘Surprise!’ they’re just as surprised as you are. You’re all shocked to see that the bike looks like it’s been thrown off a cliff. The front fender is missing, and the front tire is warped so it rubs on the frame. It’s dirty, the paint is all scratched and chipped, and the seat has a big rip in it. It looks worse than something you would have bought at a garage sale."

washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/wp/2015/05/22/the-duggars-dangerous-cult-of-purity/

It’s a terrible analogy for many reasons, especially because of the molestation history. The bicycle had no culpability in the neighbor boy’s shenanigans, and yet the bike is permanently wrecked because of what the neighbor boy did to it.

I think that was a really insensitive story to tell to girls that had been molested.

Imagine a perfect world full of perfect people and no one has a need for understanding, compassion or even the slightest degree of forgiveness. We’re Not a perfect world, full of perfect people and many are not even concerned what all this “trashing” does to the family. Like Jill and Jessa said, this trashing is a thousand times more painful than even the incidents that everyone is making out to be far worse than they actually were. They have forgiven, they have moved on. We may not agree with their religious beliefs but whatever counseling they had for Josh, WORKED, and he has lived a good, respectful life since. He has a nice young family, and what is all this doing to them? Does anyone even care!!! Tear them apart, that’s the name of the game today. Judge every word or action and place ourselves way about them so maybe we can feel “good” about ourselves. The world may not be perfect, but I am so I can judge others.Jesus said He came to save SINNERS. I believe we’re all one of them. God Bless us all. Memaw

 

[Darryl_Revok]

We may not agree with their religious beliefs but whatever counseling they had for Josh, WORKED, and he has lived a good, respectful life since.

We don’t know if it worked. Their entire image has heretofore been carefully measured and crafted; we only have their testimony that it worked. And how much is that testimony worth?

He has a nice young family, and what is all this doing to them? Does anyone even care!!!

I think the main effect to Josh’s family is that they’ll have to move back to Arkansas; at least the cost of living is more affordable, and they’ll find more comfort and protection in the Duggar bubble than in DC. Staying in Washington is pointless. He has no political future. Who would vote for him as a representative, or even dog catcher? Who would hire him as a lobbyist?

 

[Xantippe]

Imagine a perfect world full of perfect people and no one has a need for understanding, compassion or even the slightest degree of forgiveness. We’re Not a perfect world, full of perfect people and many are not even concerned what all this “trashing” does to the family.

**That’s exactly why the bicycle story is so lousy.

It eliminates the idea of forgiveness or repentance or reparation for sin. If MD had wanted to, the bicycle in the story could have gotten repainted and reupholstered and generally renovated so it was almost good as new. But no, it had to be a story about how once anybody touches you, you are garbage.

Do you not see why that was a lousy thing to tell those girls who probably had some anxiety about their history of molestation by Josh?
**

Like Jill and Jessa said, this trashing is a thousand times more painful than even the incidents that everyone is making out to be far worse than they actually were. They have forgiven, they have moved on.

**Josh Dougar has little children at home.

Are we quite sure that they are safe? Probably, but who knows?

Michelle and JimBob did this to their kids by putting them on TV and making their “pure” no-kiss courtships the subject of minute public commentary. Had they not gone on TV, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. They would be able to enjoy a private life.

Also, come to think of it, there were three other girls that were molested. Are you quite sure that they have also forgiven and forgotten and that they feel exactly the same way? Perhaps not–especially the five girl that was a non-family member.
**

We may not agree with their religious beliefs but whatever counseling they had for Josh, WORKED, and he has lived a good, respectful life since. He has a nice young family, and what is all this doing to them?

**We do not know that.

Up until several weeks ago, most of us would have thought it absurd to be told that Josh molested FIVE girls as a teen. That kind of compulsion does not disappear easily.
**
Does anyone even care!!! Tear them apart, that’s the name of the game today. Judge every word or action and place ourselves way about them so maybe we can feel “good” about ourselves. The world may not be perfect, but I am so I can judge others.Jesus said He came to save SINNERS. I believe we’re all one of them. God Bless us all. Memaw

What if you find out (say 10+ years from now) that Josh has been molesting his own children?

Oh, and come to think of it, I think it’s very unlikely that there was full disclosure to Anna and her parents about everything Josh had done before their marriage. The Duggars said that there was disclosure, but I wonder if it wasn’t vague and euphemistic and uninformative. It’s quite possible that Anna married him without knowing how many girls there had been and what he did.

 

[Xantippe]

I think the main effect to Josh’s family is that they’ll have to move back to Arkansas; at least the cost of living is more affordable, and they’ll find more comfort and protection in the Duggar bubble than in DC. Staying in Washington is pointless. He has no political future. Who would vote for him as a representative, or even dog catcher? Who would hire him as a lobbyist?

Given his history, it was ridiculous of him to take a big job with the Family Research Center.

If you had that history, had repented, and believed in the cause, how could you take that job, knowing what damage your past could do to the cause you so passionately believe in?

But, he’d have a lot more choices if his family had raised their children with adequate educations. As it is, he’s a guy with a GED, a wife and about to have four kids. In today’s world, that’s a tough row to hoe.