We all sin differently: Josh Duggar and TLCs 19 Kids and Counting.

So I have this list that I put down ideas for posts that I want to eventually get to when I’m feeling inspired. About a year ago I put “19 Kids and counting” on my list of topics. I’ve gone back and forth with how I feel about the show, and the morals of the family. Now that this whole controversy came about and there is no need to explain the show, I feel this would be the perfect time to post on the topic.

I’m going to start on the show itself, and move into the news that has come about concerning Josh Duggar and his alleged molestation accusations.  Just for reference I have seen the interview on the “Kelly Factor” (FOX news…. I know..) and this post is 100% my opinion.

So I have only seen a few episodes of the show, mainly out of curiosity, and I do not agree with the way they live their lives. I feel that having that many kids can be detrimental to the growth of the children, and their ability to find their way in life. (Clearly I wasn’t far off with the current issue that has arisen.) I also have issue with their rules towards courting (dating). Only side hugs, no holding hands till engaged, and no kissing till marriage. It’s whatever with the whole “No sex till marriage,” that’s more preference, but I feel the rest is a bit over the top. Honestly it’s their life, and they can live it how they choose. AND DO NOT GET ME STARTED ON THE FACT THEY ALL HAVE J NAMES! That might cause identity issues when you have to figure out which kid is named what with 19 of them running around….

As far as the children go I don’t see how they can gain a true education being homeschooled with that many kids of varying ages being instructed by one woman who must also act as a parent. I don’t feel their education is going to be similar to those who attend school, or even those who are of a family of 5 or smaller who do choose to homeschool. I’m not against homeschooling; I just don’t see it as being a productive learning experience when there is so much going on in one home.

Because there is so many kids there is no way each child is getting enough one on one time with their parents, and they are unable to build those bonds. That being said there is a lot of relying on the older children to help raise the younger ones, something that shouldn’t be done (in my opinion). 

Because Michelle Duggar (the mother) has had so many children she lost the last one she tried to deliver. I’m guessing this is due to the fact her body is older and she can no longer give the proper nutrients to a growing fetus as she did during her 1^st -6^th pregnancy. Because of her continuous pregnancies, and belief that birth control is sinful, she has grandchildren older than her youngest child. In my opinion that’s a little weird. It’s not uncommon for some people to have a child at 16 then start having more kids when they are at an older age and their first born begins having kids. Michelle Duggar is not in this similar boat. I cannot imagine my aunt who has several grandkids having more children of her own this late in life {even if she was able to bare children at her age.}

So Josh Duggar is now parading around giving his opinion on the negatives of homosexuality and negativity of gay marriage. Something I disagree with entirely. Most concern that has floated around is that people say “How can you be against gay marriage and be a child molester.” Alright, so I’m going to preface with saying he was in the wrong for touching females inappropriately. It is a completely different ball game than homosexuality and the current issues he is preaching.

Everyone is a sinner, and people tend to judge others for how they choose to do their sinning. He was 14 (I think) when these “inappropriate touching’s” occurred, I don’t think he should be judged on something that happened so long ago. Frankly I blame his parents. They are too busy popping out kids and the inability to give each child an appropriate amount of attention could have caused these negative events.

I’m by no means saying what he did was okay, but it isn’t something worth judging him on now regardless of how closed-minded he is. According to the information given by Michelle and JimBob Duggar the inappropriate touching was done over the clothing and was touching a females breast while she was asleep. The victim did not even realize they had been touched, no one would have known had Josh not come clean to his parents about his negative activity. (Sounds like a cry for attention!) As far as I know there was no sexual intercourse, or any forced touching of genitals to his victims. Once again, it doesn’t make the act okay just because it wasn’t more serious, but I find these offenses to be rather mild. The fact it was done to his sisters makes it disgusting, but not as strong of an offense. 

The Duggar family did the right thing by getting him help, and having him confess to law enforcement, but they should have gotten a better counselor that some random family friend with no psychological degree to do the rehabilitation process.

I realize not everyone will agree with my opinion, but I think it is very important to realize we shouldn’t judge him for being a bigot because he is a “Child molestor” and against homosexuality. Those topics are not related AT ALL! Rather I just judge him for his beliefs because he is a closed minded person. I feel that God loves all his children regardless of the sexual orientation. We can twist the bible any way we like depending on the situation at hand. In the end Josh Duggar is a closed minded person who made repulsive mistakes, but we all sin differently.