Apparently now that the National Enquirer has their Pulitzer nomination they can go ahead and kick back and run some crazy, crazy stuff. I miss the days when Elvis and Jim Morrison were spotted together in some grainy photo while enjoying a peanut butter and banana sandwich in a Paris cafe. Anyway, this week, The Enquirer says that The Duggar family is intent on taking over the world. In certain interviews, The Duggars have said in the past they are members of QuiverFull which sounds like some kind of Renaissance Faire game but is actually a religious movement that is attempting to take over the world by having as many kids as possible.
"The idea is that if Christian couples breed and indoctrinate enough children, they can take over both houses of Congress, 'reclaim' sinful cities like San Francisco and launch massive boycotts against companies that do not support conservative Christian beliefs."
One of the things I don't understand is that supposedly this group is against television and says you should never watch it. Why then do they sell Duggar DVD's on their site? I wasn't even going to write about this, but this past weekend I watched some TLC show about brides picking dresses. For a second I thought it was going to be some type of Bridezilla show which are always fun. It turns out this episode did kind of have a Bridezilla but it also had Michelle Duggar picking out a wedding dress for her renewal ceremony. I thought they seemed really nice and sincere and I also get the feeling that when their show ends they will disappear. You are not going to see Jim Bob on Dancing With The Stars or The Surreal Life or something.
I don't buy this. Their son said that him and his wife don't expect to follow his parents example and will probably only have 3 or 4.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I agree with Enty's comment about fading away after the show is over. You certainly won't see them behaving like Kate "I do it all for my kids" Famewhore Gosselin.
ReplyDeleteLol @ "sinful cities like San Francisco"! Oh, homophobes. You are so ignorant.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but no one should inflict that woman's hair gene on anyone. It's just cruel.
ReplyDelete"I also get the feeling that when their show ends they will disappear. You are not going to see Jim Bob on Dancing With The Stars or The Surreal Life or something."
ReplyDeleteReally? Will the show end if they keep having children and the public keeps watching because they keep having children?
Just because they are nice and good Christians doesn't mean they won't stay on television for the right price or whatever the heck it is that drew them toward agreeing to a paid reality show in the first place.
don't believe it, i just don't. maybe someone in there church said that, but not the duggars.
ReplyDeleteThese people give me the willies for some reason. Maybe they remind me of the FLDS. Which this QuiverFull BS is ominously reminiscent of, only scarier.
ReplyDeleteAnd who is that quote about the QF attributed to?
I feel worse for the girls than I do for the boys. The girls end up raising the younger siblings, have zero education and you can tell some of them just want out (Jana, Jinger and Johannah, run while you can!)
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, if I were forced to choose between TLC moms I'd rather have Michelle Duggar than Kate Gosselin. At least Michelle seems sincere.
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ReplyDeleteThe parents might go away but I bet a different generation of Duggars will be on tv. Too many kids for not a single one to have the fame whore gene!
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with many things the Duggars have done (i.e., the amount of children they've produced) but I repsect what they've done. Their children are well-behaved; they've figured out a way to afford all those children (before TLC came into the picture); and they seem like nice people.
ReplyDeleteThey could be much, much, worse.
margarita, you know their names! my hat goes off to you
ReplyDeleteNot gonna lie, I love that family and I watch their show(s) all the time. I have nothing at all in common with them or most of their beliefs, but they seem so sweet and loving towards each other, it gives me the warm and fuzzies.
ReplyDeleteas if the world weren't overpopulated already.. people just don't realise this, imo. Humans are endangering animals and other natural ecosystems because they take over territory increasingly. There is overcrowding, humans are using up resources, particularly finite ones, which I can very easily see creating problems in the future. It should be about quality and not quantity.
ReplyDeleterant over.. lol.
@Treesap. I agree with you. All the children are very well behaved. They all play a musical instrument. This is no small accomplishment
ReplyDeleteThe family doesn't believe in carrying any debt. Michelle still shops at the thrift store for their clothes. If/when the TLC money goes away, the Duggers won't have any financial concerns. Unlike Kate who had to buy a million dollar house and now needs to make mortgage payments.
Fundamentalism in ANY religion isn't good. I run from people who are crazy for any religion. Somethin' ain't clean in the milk about that.
ReplyDeletei can't believe the National Enquirer has a Pulitzer nod!
ReplyDeleteteehee, marisa, i had the very same thought.
ReplyDeletewhile i think these people are sweet, and don't buy the enquirer quote...i do think that people/movements/religions like quiverfull give normal mainstream non-extremist christians a bad name.
Not much to say on this nutty story but this line killed me:
ReplyDelete...QuiverFull which sounds like some kind of Renaissance Faire
ok, first of all I think that this family is cute and sweet and kind and I hope that their last baby is alright and many many blessings to them.
ReplyDeleteNow, about people over-populating the earth: I am from a big Catholic family and many people in my family have numerous kids. I am not counting the Duggers, because technically they opened the doors by going on tv, but since when have people lost their sense of decorum enough that they need to comment on other unassuming people? My aunt will be in a grocery store and people will say, "wow! get another hobby!" or "guess I know how you spend your Fridays!" or something to that effect. I say, "STFU!" Who the eff do people think they are? As for "OVER-POPULATING"...find something else to bitch about. That is L.A.M.E.
overpopulation is LAME? uh, ok. actually, it's an enormous and very real, looming disaster in the making. how do you think the planet will support the 9 billion people who will be on it in about 30 years? you think there's enough water? enough energy? food?
ReplyDeletenow, about the duggars---i DO believe this is the stated mission of quiverfull. they're doing their part, having one baby after another. as for why they're on TV if it's such a bad thing? money, plain and simple.
I think these two are jerks. They rob the older kids of a childhood because the older ones have to raise the younger ones. Jim Bob particularly looks like an a-hole. And I don't see how Michele's cervix could still hold up. That is probably why the last one was so premature.
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ReplyDeleteIf my name were Jinger I would run as fast as I could to get out of there.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is LAME. The world does have a lot of people in it, and people are trashing it, but if I want to pop out a baseball team I'll tell the first and last person that has comments for me to fuck off. How's that for decorum? All I am saying is that people say some uncalled for shit, and unless they are on a tv show (i.e. Duggers) no one should comment on how a woman's uterus is holding up or how often that couple gets it on.
ReplyDeleteI'm Irish R.C myself and my parents stopped at one. However, I have lots of Irish R.C friends who come from large fam's (8-10) and I would never put them in the same sphere as the Duggars. I mean, what's 8-10 when you're rocking 19 and will probably consider a 20th?
ReplyDeleteAlso, what nancer said is absolutely true. Even if all 19 of them only have 2 kids that's almost 40 extra people roaming around cause of two people who are part of a movement that is attempting to "christian-ize" the United States Congrss. Are you effing serious?! THAT ISN'T NORMAL BEHAVIOUR! What they do will NEVER be legitimized to me.
"Fundamentalism in ANY religion isn't good."
ReplyDeleteSue Ellen you are so right. I have a close associate who joined a "fundamentalist" church and now they don't have a mind of their own.
Talk about extremist. Jeez!
@ not on my dollar.
ReplyDeleteDamn straight. Wars are fought over religious extremism and I'm not about to die because of other people's blind faith in something that may/may not exist. No thanks.
They are members of an evangelical Christian movement called Quiverful, which holds that children are a blessing from God and that husbands and wives should gladly accept all the children they are given.
ReplyDeleteCouples in the movement also believe that the husband is the head of the household and the wife is submissive to him, while the children are submissive to both. The girls wear long dresses or skirts and tops, while the boys wear slacks and polo shirts.
What up chihuahuense-
ReplyDeleteI think you made some good points about privacy and reproduction rights, but there comes a point when one's personal rights encroach upon other's rights and the greater good.
It's no coincidence that areas that suffer from overpopulation also face serious challenges like deforestation and the depletion of natural resources. According to the UN, as the 21st century begins, more than A BILLION people lack basic needs. Almost a 3rd of the 4.8 billion people in developing countires lack access to clean water, 1/4 no adequate housing.
We're talking about the potential for a future marred with seroius ecological collapse due to overpopulation. I don't want to offend you by talking about safe sex, etc., so for God's sake, at least try the pull-out method once in a while.
I would rather have 40 extra people roaming the earth than live in a country that dictates how many children I am allowed.
ReplyDelete@chihauhuense
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't want to live in a country like that either, but Marisa's right, there comes a point when what someone else's actions do enroach upon everyone else's freedom. You know? It's a slippery slope and fine line between serving individual freedom and collective freedom.
They deny being in Quiverfull, and I actually believe them, just because from what I know, they just seem to be open about who they are and what they believe. I watch every episode and LOVE them, even though I'm pretty much their definition of their worst nightmare.
ReplyDeleteOne thing though: I really want to ask if they're willing to let any of their kids go to college? Time will tell, but so far the 3 kids of age haven't gone. That would be Josh and the twins John David and Jana. How bad am I?? ;-P
Let's pray that 1 in 10 number is and and 1.5 of their kids is gay. I wonder if the .5 would be bi?
ReplyDeleteNo fan of the Duggars- in fact, have never watched the show. at least Michelle isn't spending money on over priced haircuts, color, and extensions. (like our favorite multiple mom). on second thought, it would be interesting, if she looked like she lives in the 21st century!
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's not just that the people are here physically, it's the garbage they create, and the shelter they need and the heat to warm that shelter, or to cool it. It's not just as cut and dried as being free to have as many kids as you can. (not to accuse them of actively trying to have as many kids as possible.)
ReplyDeleteSorry to go on about this, I just forgot to put this in my last comment. And sorry if it looks like/feels like I am attacking you, I'm not. We have differing opinions and it's about trying to compromise so everyone can be happy and live peacefully.
Sorry for the (continued) length.
point taken, Marisa and Sue Ellen.
ReplyDeleteMy point is that you are missing the trees for the forest.
The average US family size is 3.14. If, in this census, all of a sudden it shoots up to 20, then we might have an overpopulation issue. Until then I think there is a very small percentage of people that want AND have a large family.
Maybe we could stop making medical advances so we could decrease population. Or MAYBE we could have some big ass war that kills off half of us.
Point is, the Duggers or anyone with a big family play NO FACTOR in the raping of our forests. No more than the rest of us overeating, overspending, selfish bastards.
Exactly, we are all assholes. :)
ReplyDeletethere's really no 'fine line' when it comes to being responsible and taking the capacity of the earth to support life into consideration. calling overpopulation LAME just shows ignorance of the very real situation facing us in fairly short order.
ReplyDeletei don't feel like the duggars are immune from being judged for having all those kids. they put themselves out there. shit, i wouldn't even know who they are if they weren't on TV. so yes, i think they're nuts. i think having children to fulfill a religious goal is wrong---period. it's a form of fanatacism and that's never a good thing.
Way back when, (before people had birth control) they had as many kids as they were "given". But then half their kids died of ear infections, whooping cough and from being stabbed with a spear while hunting. Those were the days.
ReplyDeleteoh, Sue Ellen, please, you won't offend me. And I use crude language, but I ain't mad at'cha. I love a good debate.
ReplyDeleteCalling overpopulation "lame" isn't ignorance on my part. I might be stupid, but not ignorant. I feel there are much worst things in the scheme of things.
AND my most important point was possibly lost. I said, except the Duggers (meaning they CAN be judged because they put THEMSELVES out there) a RANDOM person shouldn't go up to another RANDOM person and tell them their opinions on their lifestyle. Kids, sexuality, earpiercings, etc. People have gotten to the point where they think they can say anything about anyone (again, I am excluding celebrities--because we all talk about them on here) and think it is ok, because it is "just their opinion." I say "keep it to yourself."
Voluntary Human Extinction Movement.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.vhemt.org/
Right now the miscarriage bill they are trying to get the Utah govenor to sign into law is scaring the heck out of me. So I suppose that it is possible that the religous zealots out there want to take over the world.
ReplyDeleteQuiverFull? Sounds like a cereal to me.
ReplyDeleteI've never watched this show, so I had no idea the mom had such a GLORIOUS mullet!
chihuahuense-
ReplyDeleteDon't call yourself stupid. I don't think you're stupid and fuck anyone who says you are. I think it's cool of you to bring this up for debate.
Something that bums me out is that religion can't/doesn't evolve as people evolve. Religions/societal beliefs have sociological roots. Many of the most popular religions' rituals/beliefs are based on ideas about the world at large that have been proven false as we've evolved (scientifically- I agree we're all useless fatties). Just wish the powers that be could evolve the "rules" accordingly. To be less abstract, I'm talking about condoms and sex education and.... (well, i could go on and on)
I also love a good debate/conversation about real issues, but religion and beliefs thereof are a touchy subject, so you never know who you're going to offend. I also see your point about going up to random people and making comments, that's just rude and a sign of poor upbringing.
ReplyDelete@nancer
I think it's a fine line between serving individual rights and the rights of the collective. You have to be careful about that stuff, people will revolt over rights of freedom and then you have anarchy.
the procreation issue doesn't evolve with time, because it is not a time sensitive issue. It is about believing that God will not give you more than you can handle, trust, and surrendering "control." That said, the Catholic church says it is okay to use birth control if the life of the mother or child would be at risk. I fall into that category after my second child. However, even though I am "okay" in the Catholic church now that I am taking birth control, I don't fully understand how that is okay, and why it still wouldn't be considered not "trusting" even with my life at stake.
ReplyDeleteOh, and one more thing. I think that it is nice when people believe in something deeply and truly. When they push those opinions on others is when I think it is very uncool. Also, I think that some environmentalists are as pushy and loco as some fundamentalists.
If the brides picking dresses show is the one set in Kleinfeld's called "Say Yes To The Dress", then I watch it too! (I have a secret passion for it as well).
ReplyDelete'Idiocracy' was a freaking documentary about The Duggars.
ReplyDeleteHaving been raised around fundies, I can tell you what those nice, smiling Osmandish faces say to the camera and what they say to each other are two different things entirely. I'm sure they mean to be good people but good intentions and all that.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I thought "QuiverFull" was about what their pictures makes me feel.
I hate their politics and am 100% atheist, but I have an odd crush on Jim Bob. I wouldn't want to talk to him -- I just want to **** him and then have him install a new kitchen floor for me on his way out.
ReplyDeleteHaaaaah, Lauren! Same thing I thought--I mean, WTF... JINGER?
ReplyDeleteWhich I am hoping is a "J" take on "Ginger," which was an elegant yet exotic-seeming name when I was little. And was so wonderfully portrayed on TV by *gasp* that sinner Tina Louise.
Ok...getting heated-up here...
ReplyDeleteWhat silder1964 said--I knew it!
Same basic thing as FLDS! Sick, sick, sick. Gross! CanNOT fathom living such a life.
Hell...I always say live and let live, but I personally store plenty of bullets.
Sorry--I am a pale, educated, middle-aged, libertarian, independent small business owner, but I say stockpile all the GD ammo we can for when the crazies attack or when the establishment comes to collect their cut.
All fundamentalism creeps me the hell out and has since pre-school. Been surrounded by "Christian" freaks my whole life and I am sick of them.
Sorry, y'all, I had to rant.
-I do like chihuahuense's comment about the end of life *hanging on, keeping us all alive for-freaking-ever* comment.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree on that aspect.
I can't read about the Duggars without thinking of that scene in, "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life" in which the worn out housewife is standing at a kitchen sink doing dishes when she drops (as in gives birth to) her 40th kid. "Get that, would you dear?" she says to one of her daughters.
ReplyDelete(And that leads to a rousing sound from the Dad about being Roman Catholic and not practicing birth control...)
I don't think there should be a limit on how many kids one can have but I wish people had to take an IQ test before reproducing. Too many stupid parents out there.
ReplyDeleteSorry if that offends anyone....
How do these people get by financially? I've never seen the show.
@mango Every sperm is saaaaacred
ReplyDeleteJim Bob was a state senator and bought property which has now has a cell tower which is rented out, the car lot is co-owned with another church member as is their "rental" property (which is rented to Anna & Josh).
Their church is the lesser seen end of the house with the public kitchen. that part of the house is literally written off as church property on their taxes. the children are slave labor. every time they are seen going to doctors, having parties or doing almost everything outside their house, TLC is footing the bill and church people are hosting/serving them.
their debt-free status is courtesy of a church-funded debt "curator" whose program is also for sale with the duggars approval. they also take turns pimping out the kids at speaking engagements, particularly to other fundie quackful nutters (they have daughters to mate dontcha know) who pay to hear their well-rehearsed horseshit backstory.
If the five oldest girls actually got to wear pants, see a non-church-approved movie, and eat frozen yoghurt, they might be interested in telling their parents off but they are well-guarded.
My money is still on Jinger or Jessa as well as Jedediah being gay.
Sorry to say, but this is not news. They're part of the Quiverfull movement, and that's the exact idea behind it. National Enquirer is late to the table with this one.
ReplyDelete