This past week, it was reported that Josh Duggar, who is the son of Jim and Michelle Duggar from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting” reality show, molested several girls, including some of his sisters, when he was a teenager.
Duggar, who is now 27, has reportedly admitted to his actions and has resigned from his executive-director position with the Family Research Council. It also has been reported that TLC has canceled production of the hit show amid the controversy.
What Duggar did was wrong. There is no sugarcoating it, no glossing over it and no justifying it. Any type of child molestation is horrible, and to some degree, probably affects those involved for their entire lives. Fortunately for Duggar and these victims, they received counseling and apparently moved on with their lives — or at least they had until this past week.
Since the story broke, Duggar and — believe it or not — the other members of his family have been under a brutal attack by the media and many people on social-media outlets like blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
I will say I don’t have a problem with TLC canceling the show, or Duggar stepping down from his Family Research Council position. Independent organizations have a right to act accordingly to protect their brand when a controversy like this takes place.
But what I do have a problem with is the self-righteous hypocrites out there who are screaming the loudest to take Duggar out and lynch him, in a manner of speaking.
The cold reality is that the majority of these people could care less about what Duggar or his family did in regards to this incident. What these people are enjoying is that fact that a prominent Christian fell in his walk with Christ and that his parents didn’t divulge the matter in an attempt to protect and hold their family together. Duggar-family members have been very vocal over the years about their faith and have spoken out on what the Bible says in regard to topics such as premarital sex, abortion, drug abuse, alcoholism, homosexuality, divorce, working, financial responsibility, teen pregnancy and tithing. Family members, including Josh, also have said that the only way to be a Christian is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
The onslaught of attacks on Duggar and his family are, for these reasons, not for the inappropriate actions of a teenager 12 years ago nor to seek justice for the victims, as the attackers would have you believe.
To be honest, I am not a fan of the Duggars’ show, “Duck Dynasty” or just about any other reality series. The only one I like to watch is “Survivor.” But what I am a fan of is any television show, radio show, family, political candidate or or anyone who pushes and promotes what is said in the real word of God. The Duggar family has been doing this.
For all of you out there who are writhing with animosity and hate toward Josh Duggar and this guest editorial, why don’t you take a couple of deep breaths and try to slow down your heart rate? Then think about your own life and those skeletons in your closet that you hope never come to surface.
I will be the first to admit, I have a few and I am ashamed of a lot of things I have done in the past. I am sure Josh Duggar is ashamed, too. But Duggar and I have been forgiven for these sins, and the ones we will do tomorrow and the next day. And now that some of you have calmed down, go open that dusty black Bible in your desk drawer and look up John 8:7. Then you might not be so quick to cast judgment on Duggar.
Christianity under attack in Duggar scandal
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