Cancel this show

[Imagine20]

I would rather see an expose on another network, one that shows what these people actually believe. Theyre not just a nice Christian family. If I were Christian, I would be offended that they call themselves that.

[nelliebelle1197]

Nope. I love the show. :disgust:

Really? Because you know this is not a fan site, right?

[Becket70]

I want the show to die a natural death rather than be yanked off the air. I was telling myself that it was crazy that people are not bored watching the show since it is essentially the same story over and over again but then I snapped back to my own reality in which I can watch the same movie or show over and over and not get bored. So there is a built in audience for this show which will keep the numbers propped up. Surprisingly, when they show 19 Kids on other nights (often on Fridays and Saturdays) they don't have enough viewers to break the top 100. I think the support for this show is great in numbers but not likely to grow any higher than it is now. TLC inundates the airwaves (including radio) with ads for this show so it gets much more support than any other TLC show. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain their numbers, though I have no doubt that TLC will carry this show much longer regardless of how low the numbers get. Perhaps once it goes below 750,000 they will take a second look.

[BlackSheep]

Anxiously awaiting the demise of the show. It can't last forever. No show does. When it's over, then things will get really interesting.

[FundieFarmer]

TLC cameras might not be following them around all the time, but I'd hardly equate that to gaining any privacy. They'll still be followed intermittently by magazines and tabloids, they'll still have individuals wanting to marry them for the connections, and they'll still be high-profile in the fundie world. It may not be quite to the extent it is now, but the damage is done: privacy is pretty much out the window for these kids.

[BlackSheep]

TLC cameras might not be following them around all the time, but I'd hardly equate that to gaining any privacy. They'll still be followed intermittently by magazines and tabloids, they'll still have individuals wanting to marry them for the connections, and they'll still be high-profile in the fundie world. It may not be quite to the extent it is now, but the damage is done: privacy is pretty much out the window for these kids.

Agreed. And I wish them luck. They'll probably need it.

[gemma]

Really? Because you know this is not a fan site, right?

I love the show, too. I love the Duggars as well, although I do keep a critical eye open! I come here because you guys manage to get WAY more info about the Duggars than anywhere else. You also get updates faster. Obviously some people here are always scouting out info about the Duggars or know people who are already on that task. I think the perspectives here are interesting as well and I like reading people's ideas, although I often disagree.

[formergothardite]

I love the show, too. I love the Duggars as well, although I do keep a critical eye open! I come here because you guys manage to get WAY more info about the Duggars than anywhere else. You also get updates faster. Obviously some people here are always scouting out info about the Duggars or know people who are already on that task. I think the perspectives here are interesting as well and I like reading people's ideas, although I often disagree.

What exactly about the Duggars do you love? I'm always interested when people say that, especially people who have read Free Jinger and have been informed about how dangerous their beliefs are. I can understand people who only have a passing knowledge of the Duggars and still think they are this happy, wholesome family, but most people don't say they love a family that are active members of a dangerous cult and who sided with a man who spent decades grooming and sexually harassing young teen girls.

[BlackSheep]

I love the show, too. I love the Duggars as well, although I do keep a critical eye open! I come here because you guys manage to get WAY more info about the Duggars than anywhere else. You also get updates faster. Obviously some people here are always scouting out info about the Duggars or know people who are already on that task. I think the perspectives here are interesting as well and I like reading people's ideas, although I often disagree.

At first I tuned in for the spectacle. 18 kids, no way, what is their life like?

After the initial spectacle wore off, I realized that the show was a rare thing - family values, religion, modesty, etc. How novel compared to most of what's on tv.

That phase didn't last long.

I began to notice how some of their trips seemed hokey and staged. The kids seemed to be watching each other. The cracks were starting to show. I googled them. Found out about Gothard and IBLP and related matters. Fast forward a bunch. I found FJ, started reading, couldn't believe what I was reading. Lurked and read for a while before signing up.

When you see the info here and put the pieces together, the complete picture isn't so rosy. And sometimes it's scary.

[gemma]

What exactly about the Duggars do you love? I'm always interested when people say that, especially people who have read Free Jinger and have been informed about how dangerous their beliefs are. I can understand people who only have a passing knowledge of the Duggars and still think they are this happy, wholesome family, but most people don't say they love a family that are active members of a dangerous cult and who sided with a man who spent decades grooming and sexually harassing young teen girls.

Not that it matters, but I'll answer briefly. I believe largely as the Duggars do, although my background is not the same at all. I'm in my 40s, city born and bred, and as educated as one can be. The ideas presented by those here who dislike the Duggars are basically nothing new to me. I knew what to expect when I came here. Basically, you guys make me laugh at times ("Leg humper", born on the toilet", etc.) and you are all an excellent source of quick information. Like I say I also enjoy reading different perspectives here and occasionally I come across something new. Enough about me.

[formergothardite]

You know what, you got the life that is denied to so many ATI students and are okay with that. That is disgusting. Let us not sugar coat what you are saying you believe. You are you saying you believe dangerous things like are taught in IBLP/ATI and that you think that there is nothing wrong with siding with a man who spent 40 years grooming and sexually harassing young teen girls, some of who he knew had been molested since childhood? Because that is what the Duggars believe.

And actually your beliefs do matter a lot to me if you believe like the Duggars because then you aren't just the sort of person who would condone abuse you are also the sort who will deny me, my daughters and my friends who are gay rights. You are the sort of person who isn't content to just live your beliefs and leave others alone, you must force them on the rest of us. And discussing that is exactly what Free JInger is about. It isn't about you getting to stick your head in the sand and ignore the harmful impacts of your belief system.

[SassyPants]

Not that it matters, but I'll answer briefly. I believe largely as the Duggars do, although my background is not the same at all. I'm in my 40s, city born and bred, and as educated as one can be. The ideas presented by those here who dislike the Duggars are basically nothing new to me. I knew what to expect when I came here. Basically, you guys make me laugh at times ("Leg humper", born on the toilet", etc.) and you are all an excellent source of quick information. Like I say I also enjoy reading different perspectives here and occasionally I come across something new. Enough about me.

An educated person who believes as the Duggars do? The Duggars purposely limited and exploited their kids, sad that an educated person would have similar aspirations/beliefs.

[halcionne]

There are some very devout people here, gemma. They talk about their faith and practices here and it's wonderful. I have been harmed by organized religion and am quite bitter, yet I enjoy reading their posts because it helps me to remember that all religious folks aren't abusers. And I don't think many folks here, even active SBC or IFB people, believe like the Duggars.

[formergothardite]

The thing about most people who believe like the Duggars(perhaps gemma will prove me wrong and be one bold enough to discuss such beliefs) is that they won't even try to discuss the impacts of their beliefs. They don't want to hear from the people who have been harmed by their beliefs. They want to just pretend that everything is awesome and wonderful. And IME the reason is because deep down they know how awful their beliefs are and they know they can't actually defend them. So when confronted with the harm caused by believing like this they do the only thing they can do, they run.

I would actually respect fundies more if they would at least be willing to discuss their beliefs. But most won't.

[formergothardite]

There are some very devout people here, gemma. They talk about their faith and practices here and it's wonderful. I have been harmed by organized religion and am quite bitter, yet I enjoy reading their posts because it helps me to remember that all religious folks aren't abusers. And I don't think many folks here, even active SBC or IFB people, believe like the Duggars.

I sometimes wonder if people who feel like they believe like the Duggars realize the awful things the Duggars believe. They aren't just conservative Christian Baptist family who homeschools and wears dresses. They are full fledged cult members who follow the teachings of a man who spent most of his life using religion to abuse and manipulate vulnerable people and his teachings reflect that.

Also, I have found that most people whose beliefs resemble the Duggars have never been forced to really think about the impact of those beliefs on others and it can be a shock when people point it out to them. It is an uncomfortable thing to consider and most don't want to do it. It is easier to stick their fingers in their ears and sing "LA LA LA! EVERYTHING IS JUST FINE!"

[nastyhobbitses]

Eventually, one of them will say, post, or do something bigoted that TLC's PR machine can't excuse, cover up, or spin. A scandal involving Gothard will come out, and they won't be able to shake the close relationship they have with him. Something will crack. It might take some time, though. Though with the publicity machine being cranked into overdrive, that big crack may come sooner than it would have if they'd just stayed a sort of obscure curiosity on TLC instead of plastered on the cover of People and in all the celeb gossip blogs. I do think that the Josie episode may be a tipping point.