Several news websites reported late yesterday that the Duggars — the face of the Quiverfull movement, with a sexual predator in their midst — are mulling over a spin-off television show that will focus on the next generation — though the new show won’t include the sexual predator, one would suppose.
(Did everyone see this? Where Josh Duggar sued the state of Arkansas when officials there began investigating his sexual assaults?)
(How about this, a change.org petition calling for an investigation of parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar for not reporting the child molestation in their midst?)
Or should one suppose anything with this group? Probably not.
Here’s what I plan to do: Cheerfully continue my boycott of the show and of TLC, and vow never to let an opportunity go by to remind people just what this family stood for even before the sexual molestation of some of their daughters and other young girls who came into their clutches. So while you pop your popcorn and anticipate the fun you’ll have with the next generation, remember that the Quiverfull movement embraced by the Duggars includes:
- No birth control
- Heavy dependence on military rhetoric, with the notion that children are enlisted in the Lord’s army to go win more converts to this very fundamentalist sect of Christianity (which, it must be said, most Christians would not recognize)
- Uniform ideology, from parents to children
- “Literal” interpretation of the Scriptures, and I put literal in quotes because no one is uniform in their “literal” interpretation of the Bible. No one.
- And a deep love of (let’s call it a worship of) patriarchy
Perhaps you can see how sexual molestation of girls would rather easily follow these teachings. If a woman is there strictly as a vessel for a man — or for any children the man believes he’s due — then it’s not a big leap to assume the woman is there for the man’s pleasure, period. Or for the boy’s. She is, after all, to be submissive in all things.
That Josh Duggar would assume his sisters or their friends or any young girl, really, would be available for his sexual grooming just makes sense when viewed through the prism of this completely twisted view of the Scriptures.
That this happens is criminal and disgusting, and hiding behind the robe of Jesus won’t save their souls. And yes, I believe I shall use the same crying angel picture [above] for the duration, thanks. It suits me.
Dating Jesus 
I didn’t know Jim Bob and Michelle used oral contraceptives early in their marriage, and again after Josh was born. They only stopped after Michelle conceived while on The Pill, and later miscarried. They blamed the contraceptive for the miscarriage.
I’m not surprised TLC is thinking spin-off. The Duggars are their most profitable program. Earlier specials featuring the two married daughters were very popular.
The original show hasn’t been cancelled yet. And Jim Bob and Michelle have been busy on spin control: “We did the best we could….We’re not a perfect family…It’s brought us all closer to God…” I’m sure, with the help of TLC, a few friendly sponsors, and all the free publicity, Jim Bob, Michelle and all the kiddies will be back in their regular TLC lineup come fall. Maybe a little less emphasis on their “buddy system” of child rearing…but they’ll be back.
I doubt a change.org petition to the State will be of much use, since most of what the petition demands has already been done. Targeting TLC might get some results, depending on demands. Advertisers are already jumping ship.
The only real hope for any change in the hold the Duggars have on popular culture is for Josh’s victims to take everybody…the Duggars…their church…TLC…Arkansas DHS and related services…to court. Hit them where it counts in America…the wallet. Use the exposure they crave against them. Still risky business…no guarantees…and not for the weak-willed…but without victims, media attention will continue to focus on The Duggars® in ways controlled by The Duggars® for the ultimate benefit of The Duggars®, their sponsors and benefactors.
You know I love you DJ. I agree with all you said and a spin-off is no different than continuing the show, in my view. But, the very end of what you said gave me pause. I know your heart goes out to every child, but as people read this, I have to say this: That this happens at all is criminal AND disgusting, whether under the banner of Jesus or not.
Yes, it is disgusting that any group, the Duggars, the Fundamentalists, the Catholic Church, or other, would be judgmental of others (LGBTQ, anyone using birth control and choosing to abort a fetus, atheists…), when there are sex offenders among them and the group harbors and protects them. It is disgusting that any group does not hold women and men as true equals. It is disgusting to use the Bible to put women down and to teach that to the young. And when those that claim to be above the rest of us, “chosen ones”, “on the list”, prove to be lower than low by sexually abusing/assaulting another, it is disgusting for sure. I am right there on being angry about these things.
But, it is also disgusting that any person in a position of power over a child use any means possible to abuse that child and silence that child. Any way it happens, it is a terrible betrayal and that child often ends up suffering, sometimes for a lifetime. More often than not, the child has no choice but to submit, is put in a position of feeling there is no way to get help, feels terrible about him/herself because the child knows what the perpetrator did was wrong, and feels powerless. Whether a patriarchal religion was involved in that child’s life or not, ultimately she was harmed by someone she trusted, and she may feel like damaged goods. Even if religion was not a part of that child’s life at all, that child knows good and bad, and every child wants to be good. What every child wants is to be loved and that these terrible things happened, even though beyond their control, it shatters the child’s view of being lovable.
Yes, it is disgusting to abuse a child and use Jesus in the process. But, it is also disgusting any way it happens.
You’re right. And I would never want to act like there are gradations of hurt or pain or ugliness. I respect and love you, and am going back in to reword that. I want there to be no misunderstanding. Childhood sexual abuse is wrong. It’s evil. Period.
That is exactly what they try to do, “hide behind the robe of Jesus”. Thank you. I respect and love you, too!
Well said.