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Has the Arndt family avoided the scrutiny of the www?


circularlogic

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My gateway fundie family were the Duggars, which led me into learning about Gothardism and the IFB. That was a deep and twisted rabbit hole! I have taken sideways glances at a few other families of a different ilk. One of which is the Arndts'. I've attempted to search the world wide web for some type of clue as to what their distorted worldview is and how that would make it feel natural to (a) continue living at home into your 30's; (b) have what appears to be an unnatural lack of sexual desire or curiosity; and © shout to the world all of this strangeness in the name of the lord. I don't find much else besides their own published videos and information about the businesses they have.

I have read many of the threads we have here about them, but am really curious as to what happened to these men and why they don't feel a need or have a desire to seperate from mom and dad. Can anyone point me to that information or thread where this is covered? Or, does anyone know the why, what, how? Thanks.

 

p.s. I know. My grammar stinks. Apologies.

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It's extremely strange. I agree that their current website and videos don't get you too far in figuring them out. I have started a long process of reading Dad's Diary from the beginning, taking notes on strange things, etc. So far, I've only done 4 months as it get very tiring and boring. I'm starting to think that both Rick and Cathy have somehow brainwashed them into staying at home, but they do an excellent job at keeping whatever they say or do under wraps. I'm assuming you've been through the entire section here on them under Individuals & Familes > Arndts?

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As the Arndts are one of my favourite families to creep on, I would say that there have been many, many theories on FJ as to why they haven't yet moved out. Saltpeter, brainwashing, guilt tripping, Cathy's drives any woman that comes close away; you name it, I think it's been said about the Arndts. Honestly though, no idea. Your guess is as good as most people. They are oh so fascinating with their website, their penguins, and their pictures in Mama and Papa Arndt's bedroom. :wink-penguin:

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One thing's for sure: Erika Shupe would not approve of Cathy Arndt's hair. It's short, but there are no "whisps." How unfeminine!

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One thing's for sure: Erika Shupe would not approve of Cathy Arndt's hair. It's short, but there are no "whisps." How unfeminine!

Cathy has always had long hair, but it's always french braided.

fpmom.jpg

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Yes. I have read about them under Inividuals/Families. As well as more than several threads. Like all of you, I am stunned that there isn't a "Let Them Live" site or something like that about these younger Arndts. Forgetting about being in any of the kids shoes for a moment, would you really want ALL of your children living with you into their 30's? Now, I love my son more than anything in this world...but HELL NO! I'll keep digging around but have done searches with all types of variants and continue to only come back with famteam, court reporting and wedding photography. Unless you count those couple of tv shows, but not much was said about them after those aired. Its all very strange.

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Yes. I have read about them under Inividuals/Families. As well as more than several threads. Like all of you, I am stunned that there isn't a "Let Them Live" site or something like that about these younger Arndts. Forgetting about being in any of the kids shoes for a moment, would you really want ALL of your children living with you into their 30's? Now, I love my son more than anything in this world...but HELL NO! I'll keep digging around but have done searches with all types of variants and continue to only come back with famteam, court reporting and wedding photography. Unless you count those couple of tv shows, but not much was said about them after those aired. Its all very strange.

It is because the are probably the most unfundie fundies! They may have been homeschooled, although some of them did attend a Catholic school for a while, but they are out and about in the world for the most part. They're court reporters and wedding photographers and computer people (repairmen possibly ?) and they don't need a chaperon for any of this! But yet...they're all still at home, a lot of them are still in bunkbeds, and on the surface they're as happy as anything! :wtf:

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Cathy has always had long hair, but it's always french braided.

fpmom.jpg

WHERE ARE THE WHITE SHORTS?!

She is a good looking woman, for her age and having popped out all those ... robots.

There is something afoot with the entire family still at home (...or are they?! Is there a recent update?) I would be irritated if my 5 kids, ages 25 - 32, were still at home. Good gravy.

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Since they did a sort of purge/change of their website (I don't think they post as much of the family birday videos, etc) it is harder to get new material.

Reading the Dad's corner gives a bit of dirt , but it is a slog, as is listening to him preach from behind the steering wheel or standing in whatever yard, porch or wooded glade while he rambles on. The eternal movie is an easy target, but not much new with it.

I think they wanted more exposure than they got, after they were on tv a few years ago... but they are just either too nice or too bland for media coverage.

Has any FJ member ever met them in person-- they may be too normal seeming OR too bland in person.

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I don't understand how all the kudlts have the same interests. The Seven Sisters are starting to go out on their own and do things that interest only them. Why don't we see that with this family?

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Cathy has always had long hair, but it's always french braided.

fpmom.jpg

Oh wow. I thought it was short since it's always pulled back. Thanks for pointing that out :)

No whisps though. :'( Apparently that's the measure of feminine hair.

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They are fairly good-looking boys. I honestly think the answer is as simple as they don't know how to have normal relationships with women. Having so many brothers and only their mom in the house meant no friendships with girls growing up. And now as grown men, I think they just don't know how to have a relationship. Imagine a 25 year old woman being attracted to one of the 28 year old Arndts and realizing that being with him is like being with a 13 year old boy.

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They are fairly good-looking boys. I honestly think the answer is as simple as they don't know how to have normal relationships with women. Having so many brothers and only their mom in the house meant no friendships with girls growing up. And now as grown men, I think they just don't know how to have a relationship. Imagine a 25 year old woman being attracted to one of the 28 year old Arndts and realizing that being with him is like being with a 13 year old boy.

I swear, I'm really not a movie person, but...

[bBvideo 560,340:pxldr7ty]

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Regarding the original point of this thread, it is quite surprising that you can't find much at all regarding them on the Internet. (at least anything recent) Back when Rick started publishing his diary, they really embraced the www and were very "encouraged" about how they could reach the world with their message being just a family in the central US. (150 hits per day on their website 15 years ago sent Rick practically into an endless orgasm) They were going full steam ahead on the website, adding features, etc. Then something must have happened. Either they started to get bombarded by detractors, of one or more of the manboys discovered porn, then the entire effort was scaled back. I would assume that these days, the majority of the web traffic going in and out of the Arndt compound is highly monitored.

It's also baffling that the manboys haven't branched out on their own a bit more since the take-off of the successful photography business. Seeing hundreds of happy couples getting married must be very conflicting to whatever hogwash they have been or are being fed at home that keeps them there. I have a feeling that it's plain old guilt frosted with some twisted scripture. It seems like they have not been able to think independently at all. I can imagine that if one of them meets a female that they are interested in, it must be prayed over and discussed ad nauseum as a group. I'm still trying to figure out the dogma behind the "Safe At Home" concept and what it all truly means. I know Rick has a huge disdain for all things "worldly" but there has to be a much deeper force behind it.

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Since they did a sort of purge/change of their website (I don't think they post as much of the family birday videos, etc) it is harder to get new material.

Reading the Dad's corner gives a bit of dirt , but it is a slog, as is listening to him preach from behind the steering wheel or standing in whatever yard, porch or wooded glade while he rambles on. The eternal movie is an easy target, but not much new with it.

I think they wanted more exposure than they got, after they were on tv a few years ago... but they are just either too nice or too bland for media coverage.

Has any FJ member ever met them in person-- they may be too normal seeming OR too bland in person.

bbm -- I have *not* met them (just want to be clear), but I *have run across them here and there since we live in the same geographical area, which is not exactly small but definitely organized in such a way that you are constantly running into people you know or recognize. So ... I've seen the mom out and about a couple times, and my husband's coworker has a second job at a local restaurant (did you follow that? lol, sorry), and she's waited on them and said they are all super nice.

idk ... it's weird. They're seemingly as normal and typical as apple pie. The local paper used to write them up pretty frequently -- it was an especially exciting day when the girl was born after however many boys, lol, and iirc, that got a pretty big spread. But I haven't read the local paper in forever so don't know if they' still do or not.

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They stopped basically talking on their website which is kind of sad because those exchanges were quite funny. I don't know if they just got sick of it or were discouraged from doing it because someone over there reads here. The birthday pictures and talk of penguins as well has ceased and generally speaking it is harder to find information on them. I don't know if Rick things that we are going to swoop in and save the man boys or something but...who knows what's going on in that head of his.

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The Arndts kind of puzzle me. I think they avoid a lot of scrutiny because they're so damn boring. They must be expert brain washers though with all those unmarried adult children at home.

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Aren't the Arndts filming a movie or something? Is this for themselves or to be released to the world? :think:

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Aren't the Arndts filming a movie or something? Is this for themselves or to be released to the world? :think:

The never ending Vine Valley is the movie that they have been filming forever and a day. I would imagine that Rick will be attempting to release it upon the world, if they should ever finish it.

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He always claims that they are nearing the end of filming the footage for "Vine Valley". This includes years of trips to NY state as well as local filming. I'm assuming the next step in the process, editing it all together, will take years. I wonder what will happen when it isn't the blockbuster that rocks the world like Rick seems to think it's going to be? Will his world implode? Will he melt?

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He always claims that they are nearing the end of filming the footage for "Vine Valley". This includes years of trips to NY state as well as local filming. I'm assuming the next step in the process, editing it all together, will take years. I wonder what will happen when it isn't the blockbuster that rocks the world like Rick seems to think it's going to be? Will his world implode? Will he melt?

Do we know what it's about? Vine Valley is a vague title.

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Do we know what it's about? Vine Valley is a vague title.

A man named Joseph finding god as he walks through the forest? Something like that. Cathy is in it too with a basket, not sure if she's leading him to God. Although I have seen pictures of Wizzy dressed in like huge 1800s or earlier style dresses. So I'm not quite sure how that fits in.

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A man named Joseph finding god as he walks through the forest? Something like that. Cathy is in it too with a basket, not sure if she's leading him to God. Although I have seen pictures of Wizzy dressed in like huge 1800s or earlier style dresses. So I'm not quite sure how that fits in.

They may not exactly know either--

there is more to read (link below) but this seemed pertinent

We envision the series (at present we are at work on the pilot program) to be a blend of drama, comedy, romance, action, and inspiration. In an effort to keep our website visitors apprised of our efforts, we have decided to present, on a weekly basis, segments of footage that have been culled from our filming sessions.

These clips are being offered in a random fashion, without reference to any larger context or story line. (That’s a fancy way of saying that we don’t yet have an actual script!) In an effort to provide our visitors with some background or structure, we include a link to the yet-to-be-completed Winter on the Mountain manuscript, upon which the Vine Valley pilot episode has been loosely based.

Considering the fact that the project involves a great plunge of faith, we ask that our FamTeam friends keep the show — and all of us — in their prayers!

(Click here to read Winter On The Mountain.)

(Sadly, the link seems to no longer be active.... )

famteam.tv/wordpress/vine-valley-project

I would suggest that finishing the manuscript or finishing a script would help move the filming forward. As it stands it seems they are creating tons of stock footage and eventually will just mesh them all together into -- something.

I did find this... it is very odd, it appears to be Daddy Ardnt playing his Vine Valley character. The first part of the video is stuck on one frame, but once you get to about 2:44, you get to see Dad acting... can't wait for the whole movie after this!! :lol:

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They may not exactly know either--

there is more to read (link below) but this seemed pertinent

(Sadly, the link seems to no longer be active.... )

famteam.tv/wordpress/vine-valley-project

I would suggest that finishing the manuscript or finishing a script would help move the filming forward. As it stands it seems they are creating tons of stock footage and eventually will just mesh them all together into -- something.

I did find this... it is very odd, it appears to be Daddy Ardnt playing his Vine Valley character. The first part of the video is stuck on one frame, but once you get to about 2:44, you get to see Dad acting... can't wait for the whole movie after this!! :lol:

I would say that it's going to be snarkable from start to finish! :wink-penguin:

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Lately Dad has been waiting, hunting and praying for the exactly right moment in which to shoot some scenes. The sun has to be in perfect position on the horizon, the light must be filtered through the trees in a very particular way, and the leaves on the trees must have just the right color. And it sounds like they'll be heading to NY state again this winter.

In other words, despite assurances early this year, he is never going to finish Vine Valley.

How can he? It's his sole purpose in life and the thing he uses to keep the un- and underemployed offspring occupied all day.

I am sad that they've gone into hiding though. No more amusing manboy bantering, no day-before-your birthday photos and videos, no more stories about stuffed penguins or being served birthday cake on mom and dad's bed. :cry:

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