The Duggars: In the Media and TLC

[Zella]

1 minute ago, WinnieWinkle said:

Man do I live in the wrong place!  How does a family on one income (presumably not affluent people)  afford 3 properties?  

Arkansas property prices can be pretty low. I have a friend who lives in Oakland, and I still have residual trauma from when she told me about real estate prices where she was. LOL 

[Future Cat Lady]

1 hour ago, WinnieWinkle said:

Man do I live in the wrong place!  How does a family on one income (presumably not affluent people)  afford 3 properties?  

God apparently does provide! I should start praying.

[Churchhoney]

On 5/5/2021 at 9:33 PM, JoanArc said:

This petition is growing.

 Please consider signing it! 

Signed back when it only had a couple thousand signatures. Glad to see the numbers now! 

Edited May 7, 2021 by Churchhoney

[Clawdel]

Since this is the media thread, I would like to share today's video from Fundie Fridays. 

Jen Talks About TLC

Description of her channel: 

Quote

 

Hi, I'm Jen, I am fascinated by the world of Christian Fundamentalism. On my channel I talk about different topics while doing my makeup poorly. Disclaimer: I am an atheist and the opinions expressed on my channel are my own.

 

Edited May 7, 2021 by Clawdel
additional info

[Churchhoney]

I made Mp3s of the two podcasts/youtubes by the reddit AMA guy who knew the Duggars, including Josh. Been listening when I had some time over the past couple days and finished the whole three-plus hours.

They're called "I pray you put this journal away," and he bases them off reading a journal he kept back in the 2004-2007 era when his family when to the Duggar home church. 

He (and his wife, who doesn't know any Duggars) are campaigning against media's whitewash of Duggar-type extreme views -- I guess I'd call them patriarchal fundamentalism.

He describes this patriarchy as -- "It's a machine powered by trauma that spits out power for a very exclusive group." And the exclusive group here is the patriarchs == "the dads" he said. "People building nice systems that get them what they want, at other people's expense." THe other people being the women and children. Yikes. 

He said  DUggars always saw Josh as a person with a very big destiny for God and who's therefore been attacked by Satan all his life, so the leghumpers who are writing that on the Duggar's official media are certainly in tune with the family's early messages, at least, whether or not they would say exactly that now or not. 

Interesting stuff including how he perceived the Duggars when he was a teenager -- interesting to me to hear the Duggar language coming from another person who's left their brand of religion and to hear somebody's perceptions of the family's operations from up close.

He's between Josh and Jana & John David in age and had a major teen crush on Jana, which he wrote about in his journal. He's on the spectrum but didn't know it as a kid, when I guess he was always characterized as too loud and clumsy with people. a bit rebellious. And he says he knew that characterization and felt that Jana would be a good balancing element to him -- because she hardly said a word and when she did it was hardly above a whisper. I think his family must have left the Duggar orbit before he got up the nerve to try to make actual friends with her, though. 

He and his wife are both very committed to speaking out against media whitewash of the patriarchy stuff. Their view is that having the Duggars or other people with similar extreme views on tv shows that portray them as normal or harmless or funny or fun is doing damage.... "The least that can be done in this situation is TLC can fucking put the microphone down" is the way he put it. 

Well worth a listen, I think, especially if, like me, you're not a native speaker of patriarchal fundie yourself. Not speculation but recollection and reflection with inside experience. 

Edited May 8, 2021 by Churchhoney

[JoanArc]

5 minutes ago, Churchhoney said:

He said  DUggars always saw Josh as a person with a very big destiny for God

 I agree, it’s just it the destiny is to destroy the empire!

[Churchhoney]

7 minutes ago, JoanArc said:

 I agree, it’s just it the destiny is to destroy the empire!

😁

 

[BitterApple]

13 minutes ago, JoanArc said:

 I agree, it’s just it the destiny is to destroy the empire!

I guess it's true what they say: we all have a calling!

[JoanArc]

35 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

I guess it's true what they say: we all have a calling!

 He’s the Anakin Skywalker of Fundamentalism!

[Clawdel]

19 Kids and Counting Parody by JillianBillion: Michelle Impression

Quote

 

"19 Kids and Counting" star, Michelle Duggar, is back to answer some of your burning questions!

 

[GeeGolly]

While I don't think any type of extremists should have a platform, I don't see a lot of folks scrambling to be like to Duggars. The viewers seem to fall into three categories: like minded, meh and haters.

I see families like the Kardashians as doing more widespread damage, especially to women. Because folks do scramble to be like the Kardashians and I'm guessing they have way more fans.

I'm not saying the Duggars are harmless, I just think they make far less of an impact as many think they do.

[Chicklet]

The problem is the Kardashians don't think they need to control everything and those of the Duggar ilk do. Look up the Seven Mountains Mandate.

Now the Kardashians have tried to wreck fashion (someone please explain them and Kanye to me) and have tried to convince their followers that if it didn't get documented on social media it didn't happen so yea they have influence. 

[GeeGolly]

1 hour ago, Chicklet said:

The problem is the Kardashians don't think they need to control everything and those of the Duggar ilk do. Look up the Seven Mountains Mandate.

Now the Kardashians have tried to wreck fashion (someone please explain them and Kanye to me) and have tried to convince their followers that if it didn't get documented on social media it didn't happen so yea they have influence. 

I was more talking about body image, sex, privilege, etc. 

 

[Chicklet]

13 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

I was more talking about body image, sex, privilege, etc. 

 

Well yes they do that. But Duggars subvert societal (non-religious) norms. Or attempt to. 

Maybe the Kardashians do that also considering the acceptance of sex tapes by young people. Ok they are both horrible people.

[GeeGolly]

5 minutes ago, Chicklet said:

Well yes they do that. But Duggars subvert societal (non-religious) norms. Or attempt to. 

Maybe the Kardashians do that also considering the acceptance of sex tapes by young people. Ok they are both horrible people.

IMO, the Kardashians have more 'success' at influencing folks' behaviors. The Duggars, not so much, they can barely sell a book, never mind their brand of Christianity.

[satrunrose]

I suppose this should go in the Old Time Religion thread, but I'm so curious to know how the Duggars deal with the cognitive dissonance of "God has great things planned for Josh, so the devil is targeting him" and "Clearly, with these past revelations, the devil has won and God hasn't gotten out of the tub". Do they try to convince themselves that they never believed that Josh was super special and chosen (we have always been at war with East Asia) or that he's somehow going recover from this?

[Zella]

49 minutes ago, satrunrose said:

I suppose this should go in the Old Time Religion thread, but I'm so curious to know how the Duggars deal with the cognitive dissonance of "God has great things planned for Josh, so the devil is targeting him" and "Clearly, with these past revelations, the devil has won and God hasn't gotten out of the tub". Do they try to convince themselves that they never believed that Josh was super special and chosen (we have always been at war with East Asia) or that he's somehow going recover from this?

Oh I wouldn't be surprised if they think he is still being targeted. Like he's walking around with the devil's bullseye on his back. 

[doodlebug]

9 minutes ago, Zella said:

Oh I wouldn't be surprised if they think he is still being targeted. Like he's walking around with the devil's bullseye on his back. 

I think JB and M have come too far to turn back now.  They will continue to insist that the devil is torturing poor Joshy because he is so special and destined for greatness.  To admit that they were wrong about him and that they spent decades favoring him and buying his way out of trouble for no good reason is not going to happen. I would hope that some of the older kids have gotten a clue, especially those with spouses and are no longer buying the myth that Josh is God's chosen.

Edited May 9, 2021 by doodlebug

[MMEButterfly]

54 minutes ago, satrunrose said:

I suppose this should go in the Old Time Religion thread, but I'm so curious to know how the Duggars deal with the cognitive dissonance of "God has great things planned for Josh, so the devil is targeting him" and "Clearly, with these past revelations, the devil has won and God hasn't gotten out of the tub". Do they try to convince themselves that they never believed that Josh was super special and chosen (we have always been at war with East Asia) or that he's somehow going recover from this?

Have the Duggars ever read about the lives of the first century Christians post-Pentecost? Nothing in Josh's behavior remotely resembles them. Wouldn't a follower of Jesus bear a greater resemblance? 

[WinnieWinkle]

1 minute ago, doodlebug said:

 I would hope that some of the older kids have gotten a clue, especially those with spouses and are no linger buying the myth that Josh is God's chosen.

Aside from being born first what on earth did Josh Duggar ever do to give him this golden child status?  I mean was he healing lepers?  Speaking 5 languages at the age of 3? Solving world hunger?  I just do not get it.

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, doodlebug said:

I think JB and M have come too far to turn back now.  They will continue to insist that the devil is torturing poor Joshy because he is so special and destined for greatness.  To admit that they were wrong about him and that they spent decades favoring him and buying his way out of trouble for no good reason is not going to happen. I would hope that some of the older kids have gotten a clue, especially those with spouses and are no linger buying the myth that Josh is God's chosen.

Yep! They have doubled down for him so many times that I don't think they will ever admit they were wrong. 

2 minutes ago, WinnieWinkle said:

 

4 minutes ago, WinnieWinkle said:

Aside from being born first what on earth did Josh Duggar ever do to give him this golden child status?  I mean was he healing lepers?  Speaking 5 languages at the age of 3? Solving world hunger?  I just do not get it.

My phone screwed up my reply. What was interesting to me in the Reddit AMA with the verified childhood friend of Josh is that Jim Bob and the other elders in the church apparently really liked that Josh was "a good talker" and felt that would be an asset. 

[MMEButterfly]

9 minutes ago, doodlebug said:

I think JB and M have come too far to turn back now.  They will continue to insist that the devil is torturing poor Joshy because he is so special and destined for greatness.  To admit that they were wrong about him and that they spent decades favoring him and buying his way out of trouble for no good reason is not going to happen. I would hope that some of the older kids have gotten a clue, especially those with spouses and are no longer buying the myth that Josh is God's chosen.

BBM, thus enhancing their ego-centric views of self. 

[ozziemom]

JimBoob ever admitting he is wrong about anything seems highly unlikely. They will continue to “pray on it” and do whatever it takes for Josh. Meanwhile they barely know a thing about their other kids or grandkids. I have little hope that the grown kids who depend on JB for everything will have any other thoughts but what JB tells them.

[Tuxcat]

8 hours ago, ozziemom said:

JimBoob ever admitting he is wrong about anything seems highly unlikely. They will continue to “pray on it” and do whatever it takes for Josh. Meanwhile they barely know a thing about their other kids or grandkids. I have little hope that the grown kids who depend on JB for everything will have any other thoughts but what JB tells them.

Agree they will never admit publicly. Agree also that JB is just the center around which the other kids orbit. He doesn't know them and I think that was true of Michelle when she was still birthing.

Though now, I think she is closer to her adult girls. I also think she still secretly talks to Jill. Michelle's world view was funneled to her through JB. But now the adult daughters might be opening up different discussions and ideas for her. If true, that could be pretty interesting down the line - though we would never hear about that publicly. Over time, these new exposures might also cause her to feel guilty about choosing the Gothard ways.

They say a parent is only ever as happy as their least happiest child. Not true for JB. But perhaps devastatingly true for Michelle.

[Churchhoney]

On 5/9/2021 at 11:16 AM, WinnieWinkle said:

Aside from being born first what on earth did Josh Duggar ever do to give him this golden child status?  I mean was he healing lepers?  Speaking 5 languages at the age of 3? Solving world hunger?  I just do not get it.

He was the first loin fruit of JIm Bob Duggar (who I think also believed for a long long time that he might be the person sent by the correct Jesus to save America from its heathen satanic modern self) and Meeechelle, the cheerleader Jim Bob Duggar snagged. 

I have a feeling that's all it took to make Josh a Very Special Episode from birth. 

[Churchhoney]

Just think, if "reality tv" were actually a thing, we'd already have had special episodes about the banning of Jill from the TTH and about every single incredibly sexist and ill-advised word of Katey's and Jed!'s engagement and wedding vows. 

And next up there'd be a special episode about the bond hearing. 

Because then rather than taking real, very messed-up people and casting them in an utterly whitewashed, false, scripted, Disney-princess fantasy version of their lives and convincing a lot of naive people that it's "reality," they'd show the actual "reality" of the 21st-century, fundamentalist Christian patriarchy gone completely haywire when two lunatics decide to have 19 children come hell or high water and set themselves up as national role models. 

[BigBingerBro]

Talk about wild speculation and rumors.  Wow!

[WinnieWinkle]

I saw that in the store last night.  If this is where a lot of people get their "news" well I just give up.

[JoanArc]

 Please let bankruptcy be true! 

[Albanyguy]

Well, we know the “It’s Jim Bob and Michelle’s fault” part is true. If only the “40 years in prison” and “divorce bombshell” parts could be true as well!

[Gigi43]

Amy's probably reading message boards and selling the tabloids what she thinks people want to hear most. Lol at the picture JB looks like he's taking a dump.

[emmawoodhouse]

Some good news: Amazon has removed all seasons of 17-19 Kids from their show selection. Not sure if they carry Counting On.

eta Apple TV has also removed X Kids, but Counting On remains.

Edited May 15, 2021 by emmawoodhouse

[JoanArc]

13 minutes ago, emmawoodhouse said:

Some good news: Amazon has removed all seasons of 17-19 Kids from their show selection. Not sure if they carry Counting On.

This is probably related to it going onto discovery’s own service, Hulu did the same to counting on.

[emmawoodhouse]

4 minutes ago, JoanArc said:

This is probably related to it going onto discovery’s own service, Hulu did the same to counting on.

Counting On remains on all platforms. 

eta X Kids had never been on Discovery + just CO.

Edited May 15, 2021 by emmawoodhouse

[Zella]

I just checked, and Counting On is on Amazon Prime, but you need a discovery+ subscription to watch the episodes. 

[emmawoodhouse]

Yeah, it looks like everyone has kept Counting On but taken down anything Smuggar appeared in.

[ginger90]

Not really sure where to put this:

[Cinnabon]

1 hour ago, ginger90 said:

Not really sure where to put this:

How are they helping India? If this is a scam, where can we report it?

[awaken]

4 hours ago, ginger90 said:

Not really sure where to put this:

In what way could they possibly help India with COVID?  They wouldn’t even mask, limit travel, or social distance to help keep their own families and friends safe. 

[cmr2014]

1 hour ago, awaken said:

In what way could they possibly help India with COVID?  They wouldn’t even mask, limit travel, or social distance to help keep their own families and friends safe. 

I would imagine that the lion's share of the money will go to "administrative costs," but there will be some left over to buy Bible tracts to mail to someone in Dehli.

[emmawoodhouse]

5 minutes ago, cmr2014 said:

I would imagine that the lion's share of the money will go to "administrative costs," but there will be some left over to buy Bible tracts to mail to someone in Dehli.

They could send blatant covid denier Lawson Bates over to deliver the tracts personally. He still wouldn't put on a mask. 🙄

[Nysha]

1 hour ago, emmawoodhouse said:

They could send blatant covid denier Lawson Bates over to deliver the tracts personally. He still wouldn't put on a mask. 🙄

I might have coughed up a couple of dollars to see that happen, but then I decided I do not want this asswipe representing my country.

[ginger90]

[GeeGolly]

I have no idea how legit (or not) the Duggar/Bates organization is, but what makes me suspicious is, for the last year many US states were suffering and clamoring for help. Where were they then?

I guess it could be because there wasn't enough supplies and donations to go around during that time, but it seems to me MedicCorps only show their faces when its other countries.

Or is it a white savior thing? Or maybe they 'help' unsuspecting countries that initially appreciate the help. Help that turns out to be a Mickey Mouse operation?

Or maybe they're legit?

[Chicklet]

13 minutes ago, GeeGolly said:

Or maybe they're legit?

I wouldn't trust a Duggar or Bates with any amount of money and I would demand transparency which is not going to happen as Grift is their blood type.

[Albanyguy]

1 hour ago, Chicklet said:

I wouldn't trust a Duggar or Bates with any amount of money and I would demand transparency which is not going to happen as Grift is their blood type.

My guess is that it's partly a fundraising scam and partly a clumsy attempt to deflect attention away from Josh and all the bad publicity he's brought down upon them: "See, no matter what Josh may have done, we're all really good people! We care about human suffering!".

[Chicklet]

Next will be "we have seen the Duggars but we don't really know them and they aren't our type of Christian."

[BigBingerBro]

Was Josh ever part of Medi Corps?

[Spazamanaz]

They're probably looking for money to help with Josh's defense.

[SMama]

12 minutes ago, BigBingerBro said:

Was Josh ever part of Medi Corps?

Not to my knowledge.