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Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events


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Remembering how MulIet and the patriarch tried to spin the whole in-house molestations as 'just a boy a little too curious about girls,' I won't be surprised if the Duggars play it off as the opposite - Joshley was FINE until he wandered away from the reach of his oh-so-godly parents, and then fell to the wiles of the evil unbelievers in DC.

Oh, absolutely. Josh will be held up as a cautionary tale of what can happen when you go against Mommy and Daddy's wishes. It doesn't matter if the facts don't support the logic, Boob will grab at whatever straws he can to tighten the reigns on his children.

FWIW, I believe he probably did the same when Anna's sister left the cult and was knocked up and dumped within a year. "Bad" things happen when you leave Daddy's Umbrella of Oppression, oops, Protection!

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Brought over from Lonely Js' thread -- reply to Fun in Fundieland about Anna. 

 

All I can say is that -- Everybody's a little different, clearly!  .... So while I don't know that I exactly understand what Anna's doing, I think what allows people to do things and what hinders them is kind of inscrutable...

I questioned things and consciously my beliefs now are completely different from my indoctrination. But I still have essentially zero self confidence or self belief and whenever some opportunity presents itself that requires self-belief to undertake, I'm viciously bombarded from inside my own brain with all the negative things that were implanted in me as a child. I've lived away for many decades now, live a completely different life than the one I was expected to live, gone through psychological probings for years and have -- by superficial appearances -- moved on completely.


But the convictions about myself that were implanted when I was a kid have crippled me -- beyond repair, I now think -- when it comes to actually living up to my own potential and ambitions professionally, creatively, and, perhaps even more so, when it comes to friendships and other relationships.

I fully believe in not selling yourself short and have counseled -- successfully in some cases -- many others not to do so! When it comes to myself, though, there are hurdles that I just can't seem to get over.


I have gotten over one that Anna isn't getting over of course, the one about leaving the situation and going out on your own -- but I did that as a childless 18-year-old. I like to think that I would have done it also as a 20- or 30-something with kids, saving them as well as me. But I can't say for sure that I would have, because I was never in that exact situation. ....

What I can say for sure is that I now believe that just because something's doable for one person doesn't mean it's doable for everybody. ....


I know it's possible that Anna's just being lazy or otherwise holding herself back when she really could do it.

But I also don't think it's impossible that it's just too damned hard for her, given all her circumstances. I'd love to believe that we can do anything at all if we put our minds to it -- as all the self-help books say -- but I know that many of my own conditioned responses are so far below and beyond thought that I feel, after long trying, that I just can't conquer them. So I think that's probably true of others, too.

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Brought over from Lonely Js' thread -- reply to Fun in Fundieland about Anna. 

 

All I can say is that -- Everybody's a little different, clearly!  .... So while I don't know that I exactly understand what Anna's doing, I think what allows people to do things and what hinders them is kind of inscrutable...

I questioned things and consciously my beliefs now are completely different from my indoctrination. But I still have essentially zero self confidence or self belief and whenever some opportunity presents itself that requires self-belief to undertake, I'm viciously bombarded from inside my own brain with all the negative things that were implanted in me as a child. I've lived away for many decades now, live a completely different life than the one I was expected to live, gone through psychological probings for years and have -- by superficial appearances -- moved on completely.

But the convictions about myself that were implanted when I was a kid have crippled me -- beyond repair, I now think -- when it comes to actually living up to my own potential and ambitions professionally, creatively, and, perhaps even more so, when it comes to friendships and other relationships.

I fully believe in not selling yourself short and have counseled -- successfully in some cases -- many others not to do so! When it comes to myself, though, there are hurdles that I just can't seem to get over.

I have gotten over one that Anna isn't getting over of course, the one about leaving the situation and going out on your own -- but I did that as a childless 18-year-old. I like to think that I would have done it also as a 20- or 30-something with kids, saving them as well as me. But I can't say for sure that I would have, because I was never in that exact situation. ....

What I can say for sure is that I now believe that just because something's doable for one person doesn't mean it's doable for everybody. ....

I know it's possible that Anna's just being lazy or otherwise holding herself back when she really could do it.

But I also don't think it's impossible that it's just too damned hard for her, given all her circumstances. I'd love to believe that we can do anything at all if we put our minds to it -- as all the self-help books say -- but I know that many of my own conditioned responses are so far below and beyond thought that I feel, after long trying, that I just can't conquer them. So I think that's probably true of others, too.

Well said Churchie. And all of us are no different to some degree. It just that many of our learned behaviors aren't as obvious to us when we struggle because there is not always a loud and shining root cause.

 

None of us really know how or who we would be in different situations. I'm pretty strong willed and my husband has often said I would have been a Schoolmarm back in the day because he couldn't imagine me  "sweeping anyone's dirt floor", but who knows, I may have had the 'cleanest' dirt floors in the county under certain circumstances.

  • Love 5

Brought over from Lonely Js' thread -- reply to Fun in Fundieland about Anna. 

 

All I can say is that -- Everybody's a little different, clearly!  .... So while I don't know that I exactly understand what Anna's doing, I think what allows people to do things and what hinders them is kind of inscrutable...

I questioned things and consciously my beliefs now are completely different from my indoctrination. But I still have essentially zero self confidence or self belief and whenever some opportunity presents itself that requires self-belief to undertake, I'm viciously bombarded from inside my own brain with all the negative things that were implanted in me as a child. I've lived away for many decades now, live a completely different life than the one I was expected to live, gone through psychological probings for years and have -- by superficial appearances -- moved on completely.

But the convictions about myself that were implanted when I was a kid have crippled me -- beyond repair, I now think -- when it comes to actually living up to my own potential and ambitions professionally, creatively, and, perhaps even more so, when it comes to friendships and other relationships.

I fully believe in not selling yourself short and have counseled -- successfully in some cases -- many others not to do so! When it comes to myself, though, there are hurdles that I just can't seem to get over.

I have gotten over one that Anna isn't getting over of course, the one about leaving the situation and going out on your own -- but I did that as a childless 18-year-old. I like to think that I would have done it also as a 20- or 30-something with kids, saving them as well as me. But I can't say for sure that I would have, because I was never in that exact situation. ....

What I can say for sure is that I now believe that just because something's doable for one person doesn't mean it's doable for everybody. ....

I know it's possible that Anna's just being lazy or otherwise holding herself back when she really could do it.

But I also don't think it's impossible that it's just too damned hard for her, given all her circumstances. I'd love to believe that we can do anything at all if we put our minds to it -- as all the self-help books say -- but I know that many of my own conditioned responses are so far below and beyond thought that I feel, after long trying, that I just can't conquer them. So I think that's probably true of others, too.

I always love your reasoned, well thought-out and fair impressions of the Duggars! I think you absolutely 100% got their ticket. I SHOULDN'T judge Anna because I'm not in her situation and can't even imagine it, but I can't help judging her a little. I get brainwashing, been there myself, but we all have our lines. Isn't her childrens' safety enough of a line? Her own dignity? As I said, I know I shouldn't judge, I can't help it. I want to take her by the shoulders and ask her what the hell she's thinking.

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I always love your reasoned, well thought-out and fair impressions of the Duggars! I think you absolutely 100% got their ticket. I SHOULDN'T judge Anna because I'm not in her situation and can't even imagine it, but I can't help judging her a little. I get brainwashing, been there myself, but we all have our lines. Isn't her childrens' safety enough of a line? Her own dignity? As I said, I know I shouldn't judge, I can't help it. I want to take her by the shoulders and ask her what the hell she's thinking.

 

Yeah, I can't help judging her a little either! Same as you, in fact!

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He started his online dating accounts when he was still living in Arkansas!!!  Also, the account where all of the people he followed were local strippers.

I didn't realize this & wonder how it worked for Josh. It has me questioning how did Josh & Anna handle their own finances in Arkansas ? Did he have to pay to be on these on line accounts? Was he on Ashley Madison then? How much do these sites charge? I just assumed most if not all of Joshley & Anna's financials had to go thru Jim Boob when they lived in Arkansas. Were J & A allowed to have their own checking account without Boob overseeing it & wanting to know about each dollar coming in & going out? It's one thing Josh saying he needed $250 for the VIsa bill but I can picture Boob wanting to see the bill with breakdown of the charges. Plus, I thought they only used bank debit cards which I'm sure Boob would have control over. IIRC, Josh didn't even use a separate credit card account for his after school activities. Does anyone know or could venture a guess?

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(edited)

Prior to the scandals, I can imagine that Joshie enjoyed a lot of independence from Jim Boob because he was their first experiment in terms of pushing one of their creations out into the actual world. And things were going, at least in Boob and MeChelle's eyes, swimmingly. Joshie was yukking it up with fundie superstars and using his smug, fat little face to further bolster the holier-than-Jesus-himself Duggar brand.He found a dutiful and obedient muppet in Anna and she commenced popping out soldiers for his Jesus army immediately and unquestioningly. They probably didn't feel like they had any reason to worry. As far as they knew, they'd successfully buried the molestations years before. Even when Josh was still living at home, there was a sense that he was the golden boy who was catered to and adored for being the cherished oldest male. I doubt Boob concerned himself too much with the details of Pugsley's spending. He probably will NOW, though. The Duggar brand can't afford to get covered in Josh manure again.

Edited by Aja
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Prior to the scandals, I can imagine that Joshie enjoyed a lot of independence from Jim Boob because he was their first experiment in terms of pushing one of their creations out into the actual world. And things were going, at least in Boob and MeChelle's eyes, swimmingly. Joshie was yukking it up with fundie superstars and using his smug, fat little face to further bolster the holier-than-Jesus-himself Duggar brand.He found a dutiful and obedient muppet in Anna and she commenced popping out soldiers for his Jesus army immediately and unquestioningly. They probably didn't feel like they had any reason to worry. As far as they knew, they'd successfully buried the molestations years before. Even when Josh was still living at home, there was a sense that he was the golden boy who was catered to and adored for being the cherished oldest male. I doubt Boob concerned himself too much with the details of Pugsley's spending. He probably will NOW, though. The Duggar brand can't afford to get covered in Josh manure again.

This is an excellent and well-written synopsis.  It's also terrifying, because it's true.

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(edited)

I wonder, though. In their belief system, you express repentance and it's like a reset button, right? Jish's punishment for the molestations "worked" in their eyes since AFAWK, that particular behavior hasn't recurred. I wonder if they think the porn and side women are a whole new problem, and Jesus Jail was a much more elevated response (in their eyes). I have no idea if they really possess the blind faith in Jesus that they express but, if so, Josh should be good to go - especially as a married headship.

OTOH, maybe the Duggars have actually begun to question their belief system, especially with all the Gothard dirt coming to light.

Since they also claim to feel victimized by the media, they may think keeping Jish off TV will help keep things copacetic. I dunno. This all gross. I had to start watching The Little Couple more often, for brain-cleansing purposes.

Edited by Tabbygirl521
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I always love your reasoned, well thought-out and fair impressions of the Duggars! I think you absolutely 100% got their ticket. I SHOULDN'T judge Anna because I'm not in her situation and can't even imagine it, but I can't help judging her a little. I get brainwashing, been there myself, but we all have our lines. Isn't her childrens' safety enough of a line? Her own dignity? As I said, I know I shouldn't judge, I can't help it. I want to take her by the shoulders and ask her what the hell she's thinking.

I'd like to bake her a cake.

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 I just assumed most if not all of Joshley & Anna's financials had to go thru Jim Boob when they lived in Arkansas. Were J & A allowed to have their own checking account without Boob overseeing it & wanting to know about each dollar coming in & going out? It's one thing Josh saying he needed $250 for the VIsa bill but I can picture Boob wanting to see the bill with breakdown of the charges. 

 

Most fundie families that I know expect a couple to be pretty much independent in areas like finances once they move out.  Men are expected to provide and control the finances.  I doubt Jim Bob was doing more than cutting the occasional check as a payment for being on the show.  With the girls, it is very likely a different story, but I really doubt he was overseeing any of Josh's financials.  And Anna wouldn't be involved with them either as it "isn't her place."

Okay, I'm responding to Fun in Fundieland's post over in Lonely Js again.

 

Quote: "Indoctrination, even brainwashing, can't be blamed entirely for failure to at least TRY a different life strategy. Her brother has offered her a ticket to ride, which is more than many women get in such dire circumstances."

Well, here's my take. You won't be surprised! (And I didn't say that indoctrination was the whole answer -- As I said, there's indoctrination of people who are hard to indoctrinate, and indoctrination of people who, by nature, are easier to indoctrinate, obviously! My guess is that Anna's among the easy to indoctrinate. I sympathize with that, because I believe that I am, too, in a lot of ways. Others aren't -- but I chalk the ability to resist up to one's biology, although that may be special pleading on the part of somebody who, like Anna, is just lazier than others!)   Anyway, on Anna -- I'd say she's been conditioned to be very afraid, and she's probably a fearful person by nature. So it's not "indoctrination," period. But indoctrination of someone with some character traits that make it easy (that was my point with the dogs.)

 

In addition, though, what, exactly, has Anna ever seen that tells her she could actually protect and care for and support those four kids? Seems to me she's seen nothing. She's never done things on her own, even gone to school each day or on her own to Girl Scout meetings or whatever. She's never earned a dime in her life or done anything at all on her own, let alone lived alone with four kids. Hell, even when she had Josh around, she also had quite frequent visits from the extra nannies, Jana and Jinger. And at that point she only had three kids and plenty of money coming in. All of those things were powerful teachers schooling her in an unconscious conviction that she's better off under some umbrella of protection, even one provided by a possible devil that she knows. It's not just that she was told these things about life. She was shown them -- and shown no alternatives, really, every day for years and years. It's in the constant demonstration of it that I think the brainwashing comes in -- not the telling.

 

And while her brother has provided an option, maybe it's not the great option that it may seem to us. After all, what do we know about her brother? How well is he doing? Does he always keep his promises? Can he support five additional people? He may be a great bet, but we certainly don't know that.

 

I especially doubt whether she sees "at least try" as one of her options. I'm sure she's been told -- truthfully or not --  that if she walks and goes off with the brother, then there's no "try" about it. If she's gone, she's gone. She can't come back and pretend she didn't do that. She'll be held to have abandoned her husband and her religion, most likely. I doubt that the Duggs would hold to that in the end, but I don't doubt at all that this is what they'd tell her. They're not people who lose easily or who give up their control easily. They'd say anything.

 

And, sure, there are absolutely people who would walk away anyway, for exactly the reasons you say. And that's the best thing to happen, obviously.

 

But to say that you can't imagine any woman falling for all of this and not leaving -- that just seems to me a big failure of the imagination! Seems to me that when you say that you're failing to imagine about half the women on earth, really. Look at all the women, including women with independent money, who stay for years and even decades with men who not only cheat on them but beat them, even with men who beat and molest their children. That's no small number of women. .... All I'm saying is that it's just not that easy to leave, for many people. And -- as someone who has many many weaknesses of my own, and who doesn't have the strength that you're so justly proud of in yourself -- it's hard for me to be too hard on those people. I agree that it's possible Anna's just being a jerk, or lazy or staying out of greed or something. But I think it's just as possible that she -- or anybody else who does this -- is staying because of fears that she might like to get past but can't.

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In an ideal world Anna would base her decision to stay or leave solely on her feelings for Josh, but reality is more complicated, and she has to consider how she would fare as a single mother of 4, with an education that's worth less than a GED. How would she support her family financially? How can her escaped siblings support her financially for more than a month or so? The Duggars are lazy, rich and hate Josh's guts. I think they are her best bet in the short term and the long term.

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But to say that you can't imagine any woman falling for all of this and not leaving -- that just seems to me a big failure of the imagination! Seems to me that when you say that you're failing to imagine about half the women on earth, really. Look at all the women, including women with independent money, who stay for years and even decades with men who not only cheat on them but beat them, even with men who beat and molest their children. That's no small number of women. .... All I'm saying is that it's just not that easy to leave, for many people. And -- as someone who has many many weaknesses of my own, and who doesn't have the strength that you're so justly proud of in yourself -- it's hard for me to be too hard on those people. I agree that it's possible Anna's just being a jerk, or lazy or staying out of greed or something. But I think it's just as possible that she -- or anybody else who does this -- is staying because of fears that she might like to get past but can't.

Dangit, Churchy, with your compassionate reasoning! I struggle SO much with my opinion of Anna (when I'm staring at these boards--otherwise don't think about it, ha.) I am a smart person, and I am a worldly person, and I have one of them elite ejumacations, and I was in a stupid situation for 20 years and then AFTER that I was in a more brief situation that ended in me getting physically assaulted (with a virtual CARNIVAL of warning signs happening for 10 months previously.) Do I know from staying put out of terror? Yes I do. And my heart ACHES for anyone who feels trapped, because it's about as low as you can go. It really is. On the other hand, the night my insignificant other crossed the line and kicked me in the ribs when I was lying on the floor, I knew, at least LOGICALLY, that that was it. That was the line I couldn't ignore. I'm not saying that's the line for every woman--obviously, sadly not. But there IS a line. There ALWAYS has to be a line. I'd been living in Europe for 20 years previously--I was located in Tennessee at the time, 39 years old, had only just learned how to drive for the first time in my life, had no idea how to adult in the USA and was totally confused by EVERYTHING and, like Anna, had a family member--an UNCLE, not even a sibling--say "well, if you're in trouble, you can stay in my basement but for no more than six months and here is a list of rules that you must abide by as if you were fourteen years old and not an adult woman who has just been through hell." So I had a shitty option--far shittier than the ones Anna has, I think--and I took it, because BRAIN. So I know it is awful, terrifying, hellish, profoundly depressing to have to leave everything you know, knowing you'll probably never see it again or at least things will never be the same and dive headfirst into the unknown. And I ALSO know that people do what they have to do to survive!! I totally get that she's been brought up a certain way, and Joshie humiliating and endangering HER ALONE might not seem terribly out of place to her. But she has kids! I can't fathom it. Further, I can't fathom considering having MORE kids with him. I'm sorry to get all rambly about my life, and I only do so to illustrate the reasons behind my inability to cope with thoughts of Anna without going a teensy bit nuts. :)

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Dangit, Churchy, with your compassionate reasoning! I struggle SO much with my opinion of Anna (when I'm staring at these boards--otherwise don't think about it, ha.)  ... illustrate the reasons behind my inability to cope with thoughts of Anna without going a teensy bit nuts. :)

 

 

Yeah, me too! Thanks for sharing the stories. Awful. And I'm very glad that you took your out! 

 

I do judge Anna. But what I can't do is feel any security in my judgments! Plus -- I can judge people who do mean things or selfish things. But I find it a lot harder to judge people who do weak things (and I'd put Anna in this category) -- because I never can tell when somebody's looking weak because they're lazy or whether they're looking weak because they're weak by nature and from circumstance, which may be beyond their control!

 

In this case, the weakness clearly affects the children's futures, so in a way that makes it seems as if she's definitely to be judged. But then I don't think she would be able to understand what we do about what the kids are learning from all this, since unlike most -- or all -- of us here I think she truly continues to believe in their dumb cult.

 

Plus, I truly don't think she's actually seen any harm to her children from living with Josh and with the Duggars and in fact I think we've had some evidence in the past that Josh may actually have been a fairly good dad in at least some ways, no matter what he was as a husband. So is she being mostly weak and greedy, and obviously acting to the kids' detriment? Or does she think she's learned things from experience that actually tell her that the kids are better off staying in Duggardome?

 

I find those questions impossible to answer as a complete outsider who knows -- really -- nothing about her situation. So I don't feel competent to judge her one way or the other even though I'd like to be able to call it one way or another!

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WHAT would it take, if not the Joshley Madison humiliation, to spur an Anna to RETHINK all those years of indoctrination?

My thought is Josh's second, third, or fourth rounds of infidelity.  There is only so much forgiveness for that in the human heart and only so many times a person can hear the usual fundie platitudes before realizing this does not work.  She's only completing round one and hasn't seen it fail yet.

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My thought is Josh's second, third, or fourth rounds of infidelity. There is only so much forgiveness for that in the human heart and only so many times a person can hear the usual fundie platitudes before realizing this does not work. She's only completing round one and hasn't seen it fail yet.

I think this, too. Right now she is likely thinking that Jksh has done his penance and it's time for everyone to forgive and start again from scratch and things will work out. That's what she was taught, and she may actually love Josh enough to be perfectly willing to be where she is. But if he does cheat again, that may change things up.

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<sigh> http://www.etonline.com/news/183727_josh_duggar_parents_share_birthday_message_while_he_remains_in_rehab/

 

Apparently Josh is still in Jesus Jail, but his parents lovingly posted a message to him on Facebook. Is he the only person allowed FB access from rehab?  Or, will he never even see it but the Duggars still want people to leave them alone? (haha) Anyway they said "Today is our son Josh's birthday. The heartache of the past year cannot surpass the joy 28 years ago on this day when we first became parents!"

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I don't think there's anything in that message that indicates where Smuggar is. It's just a lame attempt to tell the humpers that Smuggar may be a loser, but he's THEIR loser. 

 

True. The FB message was definitely posted today (sadly I checked the actual FB page), but it's hard to tell where he really is based on that.

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Not to mention, the ET Online is relying on a link from DECEMBER to "prove" that Smuggar is still in Jesus Jail. As I said on the Media thread, it's lazy reporting (if we say it, it MUST be true) for an equally lazy audience. Too bad that they can't provide any actual PROOF of his whereabouts. 

 

Neither can I, but at least I own it. Let's face it, Mechelle posts equally impersonal birthday wishes to the kids still living under her roof (again, for their adoring leghumpers to slobber over), so there's really nothing that can be read about his location based on that post. 

 

Meh.

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<sigh> http://www.etonline.com/news/183727_josh_duggar_parents_share_birthday_message_while_he_remains_in_rehab/

 

Apparently Josh is still in Jesus Jail, but his parents lovingly posted a message to him on Facebook. Is he the only person allowed FB access from rehab?  Or, will he never even see it but the Duggars still want people to leave them alone? (haha) Anyway they said "Today is our son Josh's birthday. The heartache of the past year cannot surpass the joy 28 years ago on this day when we first became parents!"

 

I don't think any of their "birthday greetings' are intended for the birthday people. They're all pr pieces to be read by their media fans.

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My thought is Josh's second, third, or fourth rounds of infidelity.  There is only so much forgiveness for that in the human heart and only so many times a person can hear the usual fundie platitudes before realizing this does not work.  She's only completing round one and hasn't seen it fail yet.

I still wonder if he'll be able to pull it off. I know he wants to -- I don't believe for a second that he's repentant. He was caught, which is far different from just confessing! But I can't even imagine the tight leash Boob is going to have him on now. No more traveling for his gravy train job. No more being in DC and away from Boob and the family's prying eyes. He's going to agree to having an "accountability partner" and getting away on his own is going to be next to impossible, I think. So he may basically be forced into line.

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I don't think any of their "birthday greetings' are intended for the birthday people. They're all pr pieces to be read by their media fans.

I couldn't agree more. And this one especially reads that way. Dear Viewers: Even our two-faced, backslapping creeper firstborn could stay on the television gravytrain if we all pretend together!

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So I read " I Fired God" this weekend and now I completely totally 100% understand why NONE of these women leave. It was a total eye opener into the cult. Everyone on this board should read it. These people are dangerous and crazy and I don't think Boob is the biggest threat to Anna or any of the J slaves- the cult network is huge and insane.  I have been following the Duggars for years and thought I had a good handle on the cray but nope. The book is amazing. Go read it.

 

I think Anna will need a complete mental breakdown to even consider leaving. I think she will though one day, maybe when Josh gets into trouble again,  with the support from her escaped siblings. Prissy has no chance,

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So I read " I Fired God" this weekend and now I completely totally 100% understand why NONE of these women leave. It was a total eye opener into the cult. Everyone on this board should read it. These people are dangerous and crazy and I don't think Boob is the biggest threat to Anna or any of the J slaves- the cult network is huge and insane.  I have been following the Duggars for years and thought I had a good handle on the cray but nope. The book is amazing. Go read it.

 

I think Anna will need a complete mental breakdown to even consider leaving. I think she will though one day, maybe when Josh gets into trouble again,  with the support from her escaped siblings. Prissy has no chance,

Awesome. I have less than 100 pages to go on my current novel and was having end-of-book panic because I don't have another one lined up...UNTIL NOW! I'm really looking forward to reading this. 

 

And still no sign of the Quiverfull Garbage Pail Kid (tm MichaelK)? How are we supposed to witness the power of Christ's forgiveness if they're keeping him under wraps? Probably they're just waiting until the premiere gets closer. It's all pretty impeccably timed. 

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(edited)

So I read " I Fired God" this weekend and now I completely totally 100% understand why NONE of these women leave. It was a total eye opener into the cult. Everyone on this board should read it. These people are dangerous and crazy and I don't think Boob is the biggest threat to Anna or any of the J slaves- the cult network is huge and insane. I have been following the Duggars for years and thought I had a good handle on the cray but nope. The book is amazing. Go read it.

I think Anna will need a complete mental breakdown to even consider leaving. I think she will though one day, maybe when Josh gets into trouble again, with the support from her escaped siblings. Prissy has no chance,

I've also read I Fired God. Another good read about cult-driven patriarchal religion, also told from a daughter's perspective, is "Girl At The End Of The World"". By Elizabeth Esther Edited by louannems
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(edited)

And still no sign of the Quiverfull Garbage Pail Kid (tm MichaelK)? How are we supposed to witness the power of Christ's forgiveness if they're keeping him under wraps? Probably they're just waiting until the premiere gets closer. It's all pretty impeccably timed.

Perhaps Josh still has a heart for side women. He may not yet be broken down enough to be freed.

I watched a bit of a documentary today about "conversion therapy" for gay men. One horrifying account told of the aversion techniques that were attempted. God was invoked a lot by the "therapists." I wonder if anything similar happens at Jesus Jail. I mean, I could just lock myself in a room with a bunch of hell fire preaching on an endless loop and save myself a whole lotta dough, if that is all the "treatment" they offer.

Edited by Tabbygirl521
  • Love 5

So I read " I Fired God" this weekend and now I completely totally 100% understand why NONE of these women leave. It was a total eye opener into the cult. Everyone on this board should read it. These people are dangerous and crazy and I don't think Boob is the biggest threat to Anna or any of the J slaves- the cult network is huge and insane.  I have been following the Duggars for years and thought I had a good handle on the cray but nope. The book is amazing. Go read it.

 

I think Anna will need a complete mental breakdown to even consider leaving. I think she will though one day, maybe when Josh gets into trouble again,  with the support from her escaped siblings. Prissy has no chance,

I read it last week. It absolutely does show why someone like Anna would think she should not even entertain thoughts of leaving, not feel she's able to leave, not want to live outside the cult - I mean family - and not feel she's entitled to demand respect from Josh, even for her children. When the author was dissatisfied, she tried harder to be a good wife/woman/mother. Since the idea has been raised that Anna feels guilty and responsible (at least partly) for Josh's behaviour, it would follow that she'd think that the way to make it better for her and M1-4 would be for her to improve and become even more extreme in her thoughts and behaviours.

  • Love 2

Where the heck is Josh Duggar?

Is he hidden away in some jail cell? Remember the Get Smart show where Max walked through all those doors? I think jim Bob has Josh hidden away like that...he wants Josh to disappear, at the very least, while J&JCO is airing.

The new Josh (a double) is still healing from his Smuggarplasty.
  • Love 7

 I could just lock myself in a room with a bunch of hell fire preaching on an endless loop and save myself a whole lotta dough, if that is all the "treatment" they offer.

 

But then you wouldn't be performing free labor and providing object lessons about the goodness of the RU Jesus off of which the owners of this scamatorium could profit.

  • Love 4
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