The Duggars Respond to Reports That Josh Duggar Was Accused of Child Molestation

[ToeInTheWater]

Don’t think you have to worry about that because they have stopped showing them. I am shocked at how fast some are to condemn even before they know all the facts. ( Can’t trust the media to tell the truth). We look the other way from same sex activity, abortion, porn and many other serious problems, (mostly done by ADULTS) in our society to pound one young family man into the ground because of something he did as a young boy and has repented, asked forgiveness from his God and made a good life for himself since. His family, (including the sisters), seems to be more forgiving than most of us are. We should be praying for them and also for ourselves for being so judgmental. God Bless, Memaw

Memaw, you can’t seriously believe that EVERYONE who is critiquing the Duggars “look the other way from same sex activity, abortion, porn”. In the secular press, sure, but most of the posters critiquing the Duggars in the topic have NOT done so. Look especially at the posting history of Gordon Sims and Hoosier Daddy, they have consistently spoken out about those issues as well.

Also, if you do not trust the media to tell the truth, then how can you be so sure that Josh Duggar has repented and made a good life for himself? You can’t have it both ways.

JonNC, you do realize that the “age of consent” already IS 14 in many jurisdictions? Including the Vatican City State, at least for girls. From what I recall, 14 year old girls can marry there with parental permission. So harping on whether Josh Duggar was legally old enough to consent to sex himself is really irrelevant, to me.

ETA: Also, to those who are assuming people who critique the Duggars must hate them, or at least dislike them, just because we are critiquing people does NOT mean we hate them, that is the same argument gay-rights activists use against conservatives and it is just as valid - that is, it’s not.

Personally, while I did have reservations about some of the Duggars’ beliefs, I have also defended them to other posters, such as one (now banned) who kept insinuating the parents were physically abusing their children, with no proof. (As in, they never admitted doing so like Josh has admitted to what he did).

I have also defended their “don’t kiss before marriage” stance, many even on CAF ridiculed them for this and even implied that their children would have sexually dysfunctional marriages by following this rule. However I thought people taking this tack weren’t much different from more secular people who ridicule practicing Catholics and conservative evangelicals for not having actual sex before marriage.

I don’t hate or dislike the Duggars, Indeed, I am not even angry at most of them, I feel horrible for what the kids must be going through now. I am angry mostly at Josh himself, and his parents. Not just for what Josh initially did, or how the parents handled it. I am angry that Josh joined the FRC knowing this was in his past, and most likely withheld that from the FRC. I am angry that Jim Bob chose to put his family in the public spotlight, not just by doing the show itself but agreeing to interviews with People, becoming very involved with national politics, all the time knowing this story was out there. Because by doing so, they gave a lot of people on the other side motivation to dig up dirt on them.

I guess I’m disappointed that the Duggars (and by this I mean the parents and Josh, NOT the younger kids) essentially turned out to be hypocritical politicians in the end. But I guess this shouldn’t surprise me, Jim Bob was a politician (he served in the State House) way before the show started.

 

[Maxirad]

Check out what Bette Midler has had to say about the situation.

 

[Memaw]

Even if you change the age of consent that doesn’t make incest any less illegal. I fear that we might be getting to a place where morality is a numbers game and its just a matter of playing with the numbers so that what was once immoral and illegal will become a mere technicality that can be “fixed” through the legislative process.

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

 

[QuestLove]

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

It was all three.
According to the law it was not rape and I have not seen one person on this thread on either side of the debate state that it was such. However, it is appropriate to use any of those three terms to describe what Josh did to his sisters.

 

[ToeInTheWater]

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

Says the same person who has been happy to judge everyone who’s appeared on the Discovery “Naked and Afraid” show as well as anyone who’s ever watched it, as sinning.

Not that I’m a fan of that show, either, but you don’t know the real stories behind the people who get on that show, anymore than you do the Duggars, yet you’re happy to condemn THEM as sinners.

So come and join the hypocrite club, Memaw. And while you’re at it, why don’t you stop adding “God Bless” to every one of your posts, including the ones in which you attack people who disagree with you? That strikes me as hypocritical, too. Or at least insincere.

 

[elsker]

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

Some of the girls JD molested were his sisters so it was incest. Accounts state that he touched his sisters while they were asleep. Yes, we will know more if his victims decide to speak out so No there is no proof to say he did anything at all but since he himself made a statement we know some inappropriate sexual activity took place. Either way JD molested children he had access to and that is horrific. If the concept of incest is uncomfortable, I apologize. Being a survivor of incest makes me not as uncomfortable talking about it as it would a person who had no experience with it. Again, I apologize.

 

[Gordon_Sims]

I have noticed many in this thread who seriously dislike the Duggars but seem to have seen every episode of their show. Is the dislike solely because of the revelations about their son or were you watching them even though you disliked them?

I hope you don’t think that anything I’ve posted in here reflects a dislike of the Duggars. My family and I love the show. We haven’t seen every episode but we’ve seen the bulk of them. While I don’t agree with some of what they do, their show was always one we could watch as a family. I’ve specifically avoided talking about any motive or wrongdoing around how this information became public, about any hypocrisy on the part of anyone involved, or how other celebrities have responded to or compare with this situation. Why? Because I think it’s far more important to talk about the actual facts of child sexual abuse and how it pertains to this family and what they went through. Prayer, mercy and forgiveness are not adequate responses to something like this, although I’ve spent the last few days praying that at least one person reading this thread will take to heart what I and a few others have said about child sexual abuse, and realize what a horrible, complicated issue it really is. I may feel some anger about how this was mishandled but I don’t dislike or hate anyone involved.

 

[Gordon_Sims]

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

Sexual assault of your siblings is incest. And we already know at least some of what really happened (it’s extremely likely that it’s only the tip of the iceberg). Please go back and read the details of what happened. Then please, please, please go back and re-read what some of us have been saying about child sexual abuse and how it affects both the victims, the offenders and the families. And then I beg you to read up on it on your own. This is a horrible and misunderstood crime. Every parent, grandparent, and anyone else who cares about children needs to educate themselves on it.

 

[Lou2U]

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

Josh molested his siblings. That IS incest, like it or not.

I don’t think we’ll ever know what “really” happened. As the Duggars tried to cover up Josh’s actions, I doubt they’ll say any more. Part of me considers this to be a good thing - his victims will be spared from recounting their experiences for the media. However, a larger part of me thinks that even if one of his victims wanted to speak out, they would be severely discouraged (at least).

As well, I don’t think it’s fair of you to say that posters will be judged exactly as the Duggars are being judged. Does this mean that those posters who are suggesting Josh was “immature” may be one day judged less harshly than those who say the Duggars handled it badly and Josh needs counselling? I think that the only judgement I have made against the Duggars is the fact that they may not allow the victims to speak out, and based on their previous actions, I think this is a fair assessment to make.

Lou

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Memaw, you can’t seriously believe that EVERYONE who is critiquing the Duggars “look the other way from same sex activity, abortion, porn”. In the secular press, sure, but most of the posters critiquing the Duggars in the topic have NOT done so. Look especially at the posting history of Gordon Sims and Hoosier Daddy, they have consistently spoken out about those issues as well.

Also, if you do not trust the media to tell the truth, then how can you be so sure that Josh Duggar has repented and made a good life for himself? You can’t have it both ways.

JonNC, you do realize that the “age of consent” already IS 14 in many jurisdictions? Including the Vatican City State, at least for girls. From what I recall, 14 year old girls can marry there with parental permission. So harping on whether Josh Duggar was legally old enough to consent to sex himself is really irrelevant, to me.

ETA: Also, to those who are assuming people who critique the Duggars must hate them, or at least dislike them, just because we are critiquing people does NOT mean we hate them, that is the same argument gay-rights activists use against conservatives and it is just as valid - that is, it’s not.

Personally, while I did have reservations about some of the Duggars’ beliefs, I have also defended them to other posters, such as one (now banned) who kept insinuating the parents were physically abusing their children, with no proof. (As in, they never admitted doing so like Josh has admitted to what he did).

I have also defended their “don’t kiss before marriage” stance, many even on CAF ridiculed them for this and even implied that their children would have sexually dysfunctional marriages by following this rule. However I thought people taking this tack weren’t much different from more secular people who ridicule practicing Catholics and conservative evangelicals for not having actual sex before marriage.

I don’t hate or dislike the Duggars, Indeed, I am not even angry at most of them, I feel horrible for what the kids must be going through now. I am angry mostly at Josh himself, and his parents. Not just for what Josh initially did, or how the parents handled it. I am angry that Josh joined the FRC knowing this was in his past, and most likely withheld that from the FRC. I am angry that Jim Bob chose to put his family in the public spotlight, not just by doing the show itself but agreeing to interviews with People, becoming very involved with national politics, all the time knowing this story was out there. Because by doing so, they gave a lot of people on the other side motivation to dig up dirt on them.

I guess I’m disappointed that the Duggars (and by this I mean the parents and Josh, NOT the younger kids) essentially turned out to be hypocritical politicians in the end. But I guess this shouldn’t surprise me, Jim Bob was a politician (he served in the State House) way before the show started.

It’s as if you and I are the same poster!

 

[estesbob]

Says the same person who has been happy to judge everyone who’s appeared on the Discovery “Naked and Afraid” show as well as anyone who’s ever watched it, as sinning.

Not that I’m a fan of that show, either, but you don’t know the real stories behind the people who get on that show, anymore than you do the Duggars, yet you’re happy to condemn THEM as sinners.

So come and join the hypocrite club, Memaw. And while you’re at it, why don’t you stop adding “God Bless” to every one of your posts, including the ones in which you attack people who disagree with you? That strikes me as hypocritical, too. Or at least insincere.

Okay I’m almost afraid to ask but what is “naked and afraid”

 

[elsker]

I just wanted to add that I know that the age of JD at the time of the alleged molestations has caused some concern as to whether or not he could be truly held responsible for his behaviour. I am an incest survivor and my abuser was 14 when he victimized me at 5 years old. He was fully aware of what he was doing, planned his attack and had the forethought to try to cover up his actions. He was in full possession of his mental faculties. He had no remorse at the time and I pray everyday that he will seek forgiveness from our lord. I have forgiven him but have not seen him since becoming an adult.

It is tempting to view young people as incapable of grave sin and some of us have a hard time wrapping our minds around how young people can commit grave sin that is usually committed by adults but sadly it is possible and does happen in even the best families. A good religious upbringing goes a long way but does not guarantee that a child will not engage in sin. An upbringing without faith or well defined moral expectations can definitely contribute to inappropriate behaviour, especially in households where addiction and other abuses are already present, such is the one I grew up in.

My heart goes out to the family and the victims inside and outside the family. This is terrible that it has come out in the media. I wouldn’t wish whats happening on my worst enemy. I would just ask that people look at this situation for what it is and not be so quick to dismiss the influence that the enemy can have on our young people. Now is a good time to have those discussions about good and bad touching and respect for our bodies and the bodies of others. Also it might be good to reach out to survivors and assure them of our prayers, compassion and understanding.

Blessings, Elsker

 

[ToeInTheWater]

Okay I’m almost afraid to ask but what is “naked and afraid”

Check out this topic in Popular Media, Is it okay to watch Naked and Afraid?

I’ve only watched literally 5 minutes of it before deciding I could spend my time more productively. It’s a “reality show” on the Discovery Channel where they send people into the wilderness and film what they do to survive. Yes they do send them out naked, but the genital regions are blurred out and so are the breasts of the women.

I’m sure the title “Naked and Afraid” is meant to titillate and draw people in who think they’ll be seeing more, but the show itself is pretty tame IMHO.

I brought it up because Memaw, the poster who keeps encouraging everyone NOT to judge the Duggars, has made numerous posts in the topic where she states as fact that everyone involved in the show, and everyone watching it, is sinning by doing so. Most of her comments there are very judgmental. She even stated THIS in Post #94 in that topic:

And yes the sight of someone naked can and does lead some people to impure thoughts, and sometimes they take it out on an innocent victim, such as a child even.

I figured I’d bring it up since she was so gung-ho about assuming everyone who didn’t agree with her was a hypocrite who “look the other way from same sex activity, abortion, porn”. Yet, while she is telling people not to “throw stones” in THIS topic, she seems perfectly comfortable throwing stones at people in THAT topic, with apparently no worry that those stones will be coming back to her.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Okay I’m almost afraid to ask but what is “naked and afraid”

At this point I think you should just get cable…



Naked and Afraid is a show about just what it says. Two people have to “survive” in wilderness situations without clothes…

Now can you see why some people really liked the Duggars. It was a nice reprieve in a sea of junk.

The Duggars have friends who are on a different network called The Bates. They have 19 kids as well. Technically she has had more term pregnancies because she has no multiples. The Duggars helped them build their home. Too bad this show is also tainted for me and my family now too. Seeing as it is kind of a spin off from 19 kids…

 

[LightBound]

This goes from bad to worse. First it was inappropriate touching, then it went to molesting and now incest. Good gosh, next it will be rape. Why don’t we wait till we know what REALLY happened before we add fuel to the fire!!! I think we should all keep in mind, we will be judged the same way we judge others. God Bless, Memaw

Good Grief Woman! Have You Not Read the Police Report?

That should tell you what you need to know about what kind of molesting of his sisters was done! Are you related to the Duggars? Because that’s the only reason I can possibly see for your continuing to stick your head in the sand about what actually happened and keep up with your hopes that this was all just some misunderstanding. Please read the police report and STOP minimizing what he did. It’s an insult and a cheap shot at all who have disclosed their own experiences on being molested as a child!

Start here, they have posted a copy of the police report. I can do nothing about the story that precedes the report, so don’t start in on me about that! intouchweekly.com/posts/bombshell-duggar-police-report-jim-bob-duggar-didn-t-report-son-josh-s-alleged-sex-offenses-for-more-than-a-year-58906

 

[Memaw]

Says the same person who has been happy to judge everyone who’s appeared on the Discovery “Naked and Afraid” show as well as anyone who’s ever watched it, as sinning.

Not that I’m a fan of that show, either, but you don’t know the real stories behind the people who get on that show, anymore than you do the Duggars, yet you’re happy to condemn THEM as sinners.

So come and join the hypocrite club, Memaw. And while you’re at it, why don’t you stop adding “God Bless” to every one of your posts, including the ones in which you attack people who disagree with you? That strikes me as hypocritical, too. Or at least insincere.

First of all, I didn’t ever condemn anyone. those are your words not mine. Nor did I ever call anyone a sinner. I may have said something was sinful but I don’t judge the person doing it. Like I said, that’s God’s job, not mine. Second, the actors are not 13-14 year olds, and I’m not aware that any of them have asked forgiveness for what they have done. Didn’t Our Lord say for us to take the plank from our own eye?
And just because I add “God Bless”, why in the world would that bother you ? This is a Catholic Forum after all. God Bless, Memaw

 

[LightBound]

Here is the police report- it’s available on several sites, so this is just one of many out there with the same report. I get some of you might not feel comfortable reading it, but if you have been defending the Duggars and the way they handled their son’s molesting of his sisters and another little girl, please read it. It’s an official police report, not some media spin against the Duggars, although the site I have linked to for the report has definite outrage against the Duggars brushing it under the rug for so long.

intouchweekly.com/posts/bombshell-duggar-police-report-jim-bob-duggar-didn-t-report-son-josh-s-alleged-sex-offenses-for-more-than-a-year-58906

 

[gracepoole]

As a Catholic I am shocked that you would decide that because of this incident the “Quiverfull culture” is to blame. Sounds a lot like the anti religious who rail against the Church for sex abuse cover ups.

I understand your concerns about generalizing but check this out and tell me if the quiverfull movement doesn’t actually promote some cultural and religious concepts that facilitate problematic power relationships between men and women: gawker.com/quiverfull-of-****-a-guide-to-the-duggars-scary-brand-1706557073

 

[Memaw]

Check out this topic in Popular Media, Is it okay to watch Naked and Afraid?

I’ve only watched literally 5 minutes of it before deciding I could spend my time more productively. It’s a “reality show” on the Discovery Channel where they send people into the wilderness and film what they do to survive. Yes they do send them out naked, but the genital regions are blurred out and so are the breasts of the women.

I’m sure the title “Naked and Afraid” is meant to titillate and draw people in who think they’ll be seeing more, but the show itself is pretty tame IMHO.

I brought it up because Memaw, the poster who keeps encouraging everyone NOT to judge the Duggars, has made numerous posts in the topic where she states as fact that everyone involved in the show, and everyone watching it, is sinning by doing so. Most of her comments there are very judgmental. She even stated THIS in Post #94 in that topic:

I figured I’d bring it up since she was so gung-ho about assuming everyone who didn’t agree with her was a hypocrite who “look the other way from same sex activity, abortion, porn”. Yet, while she is telling people not to “throw stones” in THIS topic, she seems perfectly comfortable throwing stones at people in THAT topic, with apparently no worry that those stones will be coming back to her.

This is exactly what I said in Quote 94

I can hardly believe that Catholics are defending this program! You are speaking with a forked tongue. Can’t have it both ways. "Nudity can be representative of our Modesty??? Really??? And yes the sight of someone naked can and does lead some people to impure thoughts, and sometimes they take it out on an innocent victim, such as a child even. Why do you think pornography is such a horrendous problem in our society today. Comparing a Dr’s. visit to nudity in a TV program, now that’s quite a stretch, I’d say!! I have been to a Drs. office many times in my nearly 80 years and I have NEVER been asked to parade around nude!!. I have had 9 babies and not a one was born while I was nude. Good gosh !! They have always done everything possible to protect my modesty. Nothing wrong with my thoughts! God Bless, Memaw
Reply With Quote

God Bless, Memaw

 

[Walking_Home]

Check out this topic in Popular Media, Is it okay to watch Naked and Afraid?

I’ve only watched literally 5 minutes of it before deciding I could spend my time more productively. It’s a “reality show” on the Discovery Channel where they send people into the wilderness and film what they do to survive. Yes they do send them out naked, but the genital regions are blurred out and so are the breasts of the women.

I’m sure the title “Naked and Afraid” is meant to titillate and draw people in who think they’ll be seeing more, but the show itself is pretty tame IMHO.

I brought it up because Memaw, the poster who keeps encouraging everyone NOT to judge the Duggars, has made numerous posts in the topic where she states as fact that everyone involved in the show, and everyone watching it, is sinning by doing so. Most of her comments there are very judgmental. She even stated THIS in Post #94 in that topic:

**Quote:
And yes the sight of someone naked can and does lead some people to impure thoughts, and sometimes they take it out on an innocent victim, such as a child even. **

---

I got to say — I would be troubled having as a neighbor – someone who voices that kind of thinking.