Sweet Fellowship: Duggars and Friends (aka the Bates Family and Other Featured Families Thread)

[irisheyes]

15 hours ago, Temperance said:

Speaking of the Maxwells, it was hoped that because the site was down that Sarah Maxwell had decided not to breed her dog Ellie! But it came back and this update was given recently:

"Ellie has been bred, and we’ll be doing an ultrasound to confirm in July! If things go as expected, her litter will be due in August. Ellie’s pictured below at 8 weeks and her puppies will look very similar.

English Cream Puppies:
$2000 (plus Kansas sales tax, which is a state requirement)

We have enough interest right now to cover the first picks of male and female. But, once the litter is born, and we know how many puppies and gender, we’ll be able to take more deposits. Please contact me at this link if you’re interested in being put on the list to be notified. The deposit simply secures your puppy spot. The $300 deposit is non-refundable.

The puppy comes with limited AKC registration. The limited part simply means you won’t be able to breed your dog. 

One thing that sets KansasGoldens apart from others is this is my pet. Yep! She’s pretty spoiled and well taken care of. In fact, I’ve never boarded her at a kennel, and she sleeps in my room!

Another thing that sets us apart is we don’t require a puppy application. Since you’re investing in a puppy of this caliber, I feel you will properly take care of your dog.

English Cream Golden Retriever puppies go fast!"

This pretty much sums it up, except that I'll add a note about dog breeds. Sarah has been insisting that her almost-white blonde Retriever is it's own breed except it's not. "English Cream" is an invented term for this dog and it's possible the puppies will come out looking like a darker blonde golden retriever. The AKC doesn't recognize this "English Cream" as a breed, because genetically they're no different than regular Golden Retrievers. (Sort like a family with blonde kids and brunette kids). 

Her site is Kansas Goldens. 

So many questions:

Will Daddy Steve let her keep all of the money she earns, or is he like the Almighty, asking for a tithe of 10%?

What is she planning on doing with this windfall of around $10K?  She can’t buy a house, she certainly won’t be paying for further education or an exciting trip to Europe (unless her parents have always been wanting one 😀), and I doubt she needs that much of a wardrobe.

Inquiring minds want to know. 🤔

[Temperance]

The Maxwells are on a role with bad crap this week. I posted on this thread about Sarah's Father Day post and Sarah's dog breeding business (Kansas Goldens). Today's blog post is about a quilt they were gifted. It's beautiful and from one of their fans.  I like the quilt, but the post reminds me of Jill R. 

But the pièce de résistance this week so far is this post from Steve. Steve writes a column for men about being a dad and a husband. It's called Seriously Dads and only men should read it. (According to Steve). 

This week's column is called "The Curse of Summer". Here's the whole thing:

"A family I know has backyard neighbors who have a swimming pool. The view is close and unrestricted when washing dishes or in the backyard. The problem is that neighbor chooses to wear swimming attire that is hardly noticeable. 

What a heartbreak. For anyone who takes Scripture seriously, such a “sight” is a curse. “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids” (Proverbs 6:25). “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). 

Even if the dad is able to avoid looking and lusting, will his wife be concerned for her husband’s heart? What about sons in their home? It takes great maturity and self-control to avoid such visual temptation for men, but adolescent sons probably don’t have that. 

Clearly there is no deference shown by that woman. Likely, she considers what she is wearing to be appropriate and appears to have little concern for defrauding her male neighbors and perhaps welcomes the attention.

Sadly, today, many professing Christian women also show little, to no, deference for men and boys by what they wear to church or with family and friends, possibly seeking such attention. Most sin is private, but immodesty is “in-your-face” to those near. Sad times indeed. Summer is here dads."

Get some blinds or curtains! The backyard is a place a lot of guys probably don't bother to wear a shirt. I usually try to be somewhat respectful in my snark (even if doesn't seem that way), but Steve, this is for you. 🖕

Edited June 19, 2019 by Temperance

[ginger90]

Bunch of pictures...

[EVS]

They are in an RV together 300 days a year and home together the other 65 days. Isn’t all their time “quality family time” by their definition?  (My idea of quality time is different than theirs.)

[emma675]

Steve Maxwell is such an asshole. What people do and wear (or not wear) in their own backyard is their own business. 

[Sew Sumi]

Steve-o deserves a double bird. It would help compensate me for those times when I mutter, "Fuck you, Steve" whilst reading his drivel. 

[Ohiopirate02]

If I knew I was the woman in Steve's story, I would forgo the bathing suit and skinny dip.  It's my yard, and I have no shame.  I am not responsible for any man's reaction.  That's on him.  He can pluck out his own eye if that's what it takes.  

[McManda]

2 hours ago, Temperance said:

Most sin is private, but immodesty is “in-your-face” to those near

Is this why the Maxwells and the Duggars and like feel like they must force their modesty onto everyone else? If I was Maxwell's neighbor I would delight in defrauding anyone I pleased just because I knew it bothered him. (It wouldn't take much, god knows a tank top and shorts would be too much.) His idea that he needs to force modesty is just as bad as what he abhors, imo.

[Sew Sumi]

A major reason he quit Boeing was the temptation of women supposedly flaunting their cleavages under his nose. Well that and female superiors. Steve does not like women.

Edited June 20, 2019 by Sew Sumi

[BradandJanet]

The fundamentalists and white evangelicals are obsessed with sex, especially other people's. It's about control. Christian men are just victims who constantly need to battle the evil forces of Satan to protect their proper position of power in god's hierarchy. 

[GeeGolly]

"... perhaps welcomes the attention."

"... possibly seeking such attention."

Or maybe they think of themselves as human beings and more than tits and ass and figure most men can pull it together enough to think so too.

[Heathen]

10 hours ago, BitterApple said:

The fact that they're not taking applications or insisting on buyers signing a contract shows that they're unscrupulous, shitty backyard breeders who only care about money. 

We own a Presa Canario who's dame and sire were European champions. It took us nearly two years of getting to know the breeder before he agreed to give us a puppy. We had to do a background check, provide proof of stable housing and a fenced yard, agree not to breed, sign up for obedience training, provide evidence of regular vet care for our previous dog etc. 

The Maxwells suck.

In all fairness, Presa Canarios have a substantially different temperament and cultural history than golden retrievers. That warrants the extra caution. 

I know a vet who shows and breeds goldens (she also sells fresh and frozen sperm). I don't like her one bit, but that's a different story. She does thorough OFA and other testing on her dogs, and they can sell for thousands of dollars and are usually spoken for before conception. I don't find $2000 per dog to be an uncommon price.

Back on topic: I don't know whether to be disgusted that someone is breeding dogs for money or pleased that Sarah Maxwell has something that is hers and not "the Maxwell family's." 

Edited June 20, 2019 by Heathen

[Zella]

In regard to the Maxwells and their pettiness about the neighbor, one thing I have never got about the fundies and their uptightness about how other women dress to "entice" their men: what does it say about their headships that they are so easily corrupted by someone else? The underlying implication of what they teach is their men have no self-control, which is hardly an endorsement of their leadership abilities. 

Edited June 20, 2019 by Zella

[BradandJanet]

A hundred thousand Smiley Gospel Tracts? That's a lot of potential litter. God-botherees, please recycle.

[irisheyes]

Ok, I know it’s summer, and my brain doesn’t work as well in the heat, but it seems that Old Steve is upset that his friend’s (not his) neighbor has the audacity to sit outside by her pool, in her backyard, in a swimsuit that doesn’t meet the Steve Maxwell Dress Code.  I mean, if her husband likes that, then by Steve’s rules for marriage, the wife HAS to wear it. Then, when he went into the rant about the men and boys and not being able to control their urges, I got totally lost about whether he was talking about the friend’s kids or the neighbor’s or just adolescents in general.

Plus, he’s probably pissed that the wife is relaxing outside at a pool when she should be inside canning vegetables or making homemade tortillas for her family. 

[McManda]

1 hour ago, BradandJanet said:

Christian men are just victims who constantly need to battle the evil forces of Satan to protect their proper position of power in god's hierarchy. 

I get what you're saying and this is not and at you or your explanation specifically, but ...

If the modest Christian man is so easily tempted maybe they should stop back and revaluate themselves on why instead of condemning others. "Judge not..." and all that. Most normal people can function when exposed to a woman wearing shorts or a man roles in his own backyard. 🙄 Just a thought. 

But I'm a heathen that doesn't understand the idea of pushing morals and values and dictating the lives of others in general. It makes me angry at those that do 

[Heathen]

14 minutes ago, irisheyes said:

Ok, I know it’s summer, and my brain doesn’t work as well in the heat, but it seems that Old Steve is upset that his friend’s (not his) neighbor has the audacity to sit outside by her pool, in her backyard, in a swimsuit that doesn’t meet the Steve Maxwell Dress Code.  I mean, if her husband likes that, then by Steve’s rules for marriage, the wife HAS to wear it. Then, when he went into the rant about the men and boys and not being able to control their urges, I got totally lost about whether he was talking about the friend’s kids or the neighbor’s or just adolescents in general.

Plus, he’s probably pissed that the wife is relaxing outside at a pool when she should be inside canning vegetables or making homemade tortillas for her family. 

His hormones probably got him all discombobulated. 

Fundie men must go around hiding their wood a lot. 

[BradandJanet]

21 minutes ago, McManda said:

I get what you're saying and this is not and at you or your explanation specifically, but ...

If the modest Christian man is so easily tempted maybe they should stop back and revaluate themselves on why instead of condemning others. "Judge not..." and all that. Most normal people can function when exposed to a woman wearing shorts or a man roles in his own backyard. 🙄 Just a thought. 

But I'm a heathen that doesn't understand the idea of pushing morals and values and dictating the lives of others in general. It makes me angry at those that do 

I agree. Men should take responsibly for their own behavior, and most of the men I know do just that. I'm referring to specific groups who call themselves christians--and I question the label because they tend to ignore much of the New Testament. Men like Steve feel powerful by criticizing people he feels are beneath him for not "following the rules." It's really about control, not religion, and Stevie seems to be on a big power trip. He belongs to the church of the inflated ego, along with JB, Derick, probably Jeremy and certain people in government. 

[queenanne]

5 hours ago, emma675 said:

Steve Maxwell is such an asshole. What people do and wear (or not wear) in their own backyard is their own business. 

The key phrase, of course, is "their backyard".  Is he on permanent bikini watch in this scenario?  Unless the woman is a child or multiple children, I bet she can swim without making much if any noise (a screaming cannonballing preteen playing Marco Polo and splashing each other she's not); and thus who knows how many times she could swim without anyone being the wiser about what she is doing.  My parents couldn't tell you a fraction of the things their neighbors do, partly because they're not staring out their windows 24/7; and when they are looking out their windows it's probably because some neighborhood dog started barking and they want to figure out why.  

[Broken Ox]

16 hours ago, Temperance said:

"A family I know has backyard neighbors who have a swimming pool. The view is close and unrestricted when washing dishes or in the backyard. The problem is that neighbor chooses to wear swimming attire that is hardly noticeable. 

What a heartbreak. For anyone who takes Scripture seriously, such a “sight” is a curse. “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids” (Proverbs 6:25). “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). 

Even if the dad is able to avoid looking and lusting, will his wife be concerned for her husband’s heart? What about sons in their home? It takes great maturity and self-control to avoid such visual temptation for men, but adolescent sons probably don’t have that.

Like the dad would be the one doing dishes.

[MargeGunderson]

19 hours ago, Temperance said:

This week's column is called "The Curse of Summer". Here's the whole thing:

"A family I know has backyard neighbors who have a swimming pool. The view is close and unrestricted when washing dishes or in the backyard. The problem is that neighbor chooses to wear swimming attire that is hardly noticeable. 

What a heartbreak. For anyone who takes Scripture seriously, such a “sight” is a curse. “Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids” (Proverbs 6:25). “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). 

Hey Steve, God's exhorting men not to be horndogs in those verses. It doesn't say a damn thing about how women dress. So, suck it. 

[Ohiopirate02]

20 minutes ago, MargeGunderson said:

Hey Steve, God's exhorting men not to be horndogs in those verses. It doesn't say a damn thing about how women dress. So, suck it. 

The next verse is Jesus telling men to pluck out their eye if the eye is causing them to sin.  Nice cherry-picking by Steve there.  Even Jesus says that the man is at fault and not the woman.

[Barb23]

15 hours ago, irisheyes said:

Ok, I know it’s summer, and my brain doesn’t work as well in the heat, but it seems that Old Steve is upset that his friend’s (not his) neighbor has the audacity to sit outside by her pool, in her backyard, in a swimsuit that doesn’t meet the Steve Maxwell Dress Code.  

If I were Steve, I would be hunting down every pool in the neighborhood to take a gander of the lady owners in their summer & swimming attire. 

Teri is not the most attractive of women.  I know we shouldn't judge people by their outward appearance but Teri is in dire need of a makeover.  Her longer partly gray  hair does nothing to help her long horsey-look face, oops I mean her countenance.   Her frumpware could be replaced by more modern modest clothing.  

I'm in no way a knock out either but I think I have aged better than she has. I think a more modern haircut and/or color would do wonders for her. 

Sad to say but the girls are following in her footsteps. 

Edited June 20, 2019 by Barb23

[TresGatos]

19 hours ago, Ohiopirate02 said:

If I knew I was the woman in Steve's story, I would forgo the bathing suit and skinny dip.  It's my yard, and I have no shame.  I am not responsible for any man's reaction.  That's on him.  He can pluck out his own eye if that's what it takes.  

In Bloomington, Indiana back in the late 1980s when the "Moral Majority" was all the rage a person complained that his sons could see the lady neighbor next door sunbathing nude through cracks in the privacy fence. An overzealous prosecuting attorney actually arrested the woman for sunbathing in her own backyard surrounded by a privacy fence. It went to trial and she was acquitted. The same prosecuting attorney prosecuted members of a frat house for showing a pornographic movie. They were also acquitted on 1st Amendment grounds. 

Edited June 20, 2019 by TresGatos
Location! Location! Location!

[Dirndl]

Maybe rules are different where they live but why don't they just put up a fence or plant some bushes? I mean I don't care about what my neighbors do in their backyard but I prefer to have privacy myself, so I have a hedge around my property. Oh, and what about curtains in your kitchen room window? No one is forcing you to look!!

Oh, and please never come to Europe, Steve. You would probably go blind seeing so many women bathing topless or totally nude.

 

Edited June 21, 2019 by Dirndl

[doodlebug]

21 hours ago, Dirndl said:

Maybe rules are different where they live but why don't they just put up a fence or plant some bushes? 

Or, even cheaper, put some curtains over their windows.  If neighbor lady is out by the pool, wearing something Steve finds unacceptable, close the curtains so he doesn't have to look.  Problem solved,

Edited June 22, 2019 by doodlebug

[ginger90]

[GeeGolly]

38 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

JillR is the epitome of a judgmental asshole.

Sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up JillR.

[heckkitty]

This thing really needs an eye roll emoji. I just can’t with her 🙄

Yes, Jill. Jesus personally made the light hit the raindrops just so so that you’d know to marry an asshole & have a million emaciated children. Everybody else in the same area at the same time can just go f*ck themselves, it was for YOU. 

Homophobic bitch😡

Edited June 22, 2019 by heckkitty

[madpsych78]

47 minutes ago, ginger90 said:

The meaning of the rainbow has not changed, dumbass Jill. Rainbows = love. Your judgment of others who are not like you do not live up to the meaning of the rainbow. Dumbass.

[louannems]

So Jill prayed to god to see a rainbow if David was her GYM.  She gets up off of her knees, goes to the window and voila, a double rainbow!!!  God is personal!

Jill, what about all the people who prayed just as hard as you did and their prayers were never answered?  My dad prayed very hard to be cancer free but he still died.  And many people with illness may never pray at all and be cured.

That rainbow Jill saw would still have formed without Jill's praying to see if her first boyfriend was meant to be her future Headship.  The science behind a rainbow isn't eves-dropping in on prayers.

[McManda]

I don't really know the Bible that well but was it necessary to have the only clarification of "the sin that ruled the Earth" be sodomy? There are just ... so many other things I'd consider worse than non-vaginal sex.

[Triple P]

11 minutes ago, McManda said:

I don't really know the Bible that well but was it necessary to have the only clarification of "the sin that ruled the Earth" be sodomy? There are just ... so many other things I'd consider worse than non-vaginal sex.

To emphasize that it is "wrong" that the Pride flag is a rainbow.

[doodlebug]

35 minutes ago, Triple P said:

To emphasize that it is "wrong" that the Pride flag is a rainbow.

Exactly, it allowed Jill to toss in some homophobic rhetoric, otherwise, we might think that a gay person could look at a rainbow and realize that God wanted him/her to marry their same sex boyfriend/girlfriend.  She had to clarify that the rainbow does not apply in cases of homosexuality.

As for the rainbow's 'original meaning', it meant the sun was shining on raindrops in the air, causing its light to refract, Jill.  Still does.  Not surprising she doesn't know basic physics

Edited June 22, 2019 by doodlebug

[galaxychaser]

3 hours ago, ginger90 said:

What’s sad is that statistically one of her kids might be gay. But due to their beliefs will never live a happy life as themselves.

What an idiot to see that as a sign to marry a guy who can’t afford to feed all his 25 dependents.

[doodlebug]

1 minute ago, galaxychaser said:

What’s sad is that statistically one of her kids might be gay. But due to their beliefs will never live a happy life as themselves.

What an idiot to see that as a sign to marry a guy who can’t afford to feed all his 25 dependents.

What idiot takes a look at that guy and wants to marry him and reproduce?

[galaxychaser]

A bigot named Jill!

[Lisa418722]

Christians like JillR make me not want to admit I'm a Christian sometimes.  She prayed for rainbow and God gave it to her, not one, but a double rainbow. 
JillR, I prayed for my dad to be cured of cancer, but guess what? He still died.  I will admit before the end I was praying for his death because I hated seeing him suffer.  I'm sure Jill cannot understand that prayer.  
Also, I've been praying for some things for years, but they aren't being answered - at least not the way I'm wanting LOL.  Must be nice to be such a good Christian that God answers your prayers the way you want immediately (sarcasm). 

[Jynnan tonnix]

2 hours ago, ginger90 said:

I have to wonder whether she happened to pray that on a clear, sunny day with not a cloud in the sky. That would make a rainbow a little more miraculous (unless someone was watering the lawn next door). Though she'd probably decide it still counted if it showed up a week or two later. Or might the same prayer had been said on a day with showers and sunshine, making it all but inevitable that she could find a rainbow out there at some point in the day if she went looking?

[DangerousMinds]

7 hours ago, doodlebug said:

Or, even cheaper, put some curtains over their windows.  If neighbor lady is out by the pool, wearing something Steve finds unacceptable, close the curtains so he doesn't have to look.  Problem solved,

Doesn’t the Bible say something about plucking out your own eye if you are so tempted?

[lulu69]

1 hour ago, Lisa418722 said:

Christians like JillR make me not want to admit I'm a Christian sometimes.  She prayed for rainbow and God gave it to her, not one, but a double rainbow. 
JillR, I prayed for my dad to be cured of cancer, but guess what? He still died.  I will admit before the end I was praying for his death because I hated seeing him suffer.  I'm sure Jill cannot understand that prayer.  
Also, I've been praying for some things for years, but they aren't being answered - at least not the way I'm wanting LOL.  Must be nice to be such a good Christian that God answers your prayers the way you want immediately (sarcasm). 

Ah, but you are not the ultra super special christian that Jill is. God clearly loves her the best

On a serious note, I am truly sorry to hear about your dad. I prayed a similar prayer of mercy for my dad in his final days. It is heartbreaking.

Edited June 22, 2019 by lulu69

[Lisa418722]

1 hour ago, lulu69 said:

Ah, but you are not the ultra super special christian that Jill is. God clearly loves her the best

On a serious note, I am truly sorry to hear about your dad. I prayed a similar prayer of mercy for my dad in his final days. It is heartbreaking.

Thanks for making me laugh.  I know some people in my real life and they remind me of JillR.  I guess I'm not a super special christian.  But at least I am real.
I'm sorry you understand that prayer, it is heartbreaking.  I remember telling someone that I felt guilty for that prayer and she told me it was a loving prayer. 

[Portia]

"Dear Jill:

You foolish, foolish child. One rainbow = YES. Two rainbows = NO. 

I tried to warn you, Dumbass.

Sincerely, God."

[AUgirl]

On 6/16/2019 at 12:22 PM, PradaKitty said:

Grizzly Bears hand out tracts? 

Just another reason to run from the grizzlies.

[Temperance]

The Maxwells announced a pregnancy for Anna Marie. They did a photo shoot for all the grandchildren. Then a final photo announcing the new pregnancy.

That photo is one of my least favorite announcing a new pregnancy photos ever. Anna Marie and her three daughters all have front carry baby-carriers strapped on. The three girls have dolls in theirs. Anna Marie has sign that says "Coming February 2020" on hers. 

It seems a bit early to announce a pregnancy due in February now. She's 2 months along tops. 

[NotFundie]

1 hour ago, Temperance said:

The Maxwells announced a pregnancy for Anna Marie. They did a photo shoot for all the grandchildren. Then a final photo announcing the new pregnancy.

That photo is one of my least favorite announcing a new pregnancy photos ever. Anna Marie and her three daughters all have front carry baby-carriers strapped on. The three girls have dolls in theirs. Anna Marie has sign that says "Coming February 2020" on hers. 

It seems a bit early to announce a pregnancy due in February now. She's 2 months along tops. 

I just went over to their blog and looked.  That's a terrible picture.  Worse yet, she's barefoot and pregnant.  All the little girls are barefoot too.  What it is with fundies and barefooted girls?

[irisheyes]

All of the pictures are terrible. There’s a reason why professionals use a backdrop that extends onto the floor. 

[Sew Sumi]

Chris Maxwell is ostensibly a professional. He's photographed many fundie weddings for pay.

[Temperance]

I've never figured out how to do post a photo, but somehow I was able to bring this photo overhere. (I'm not sure how this worked or why it worked.) For one time only, here's the photo in question announcing a pregnancy for Anna Marie (OfChris) Maxwell.  I don't care about the quality of the photo, but the message it sends (beyond announcing the pregnancy). (She and Chris also have 2 sons.) 

 

Edited June 24, 2019 by Temperance

[DkNNy79]

That is a horrifying picture.  Those poor children 😢