I would like to draw your attention to a fellow blogger’s website on which she has posted an excellent, well-researched article pertaining to why many people have long been very concerned about TLC’s Duggar family who subscribe to, practice, and promote the teachings of the contemporary “patriarchal” movement.

I believe the post will help readers realize why many believe that this movement is not based on traditional Christian/biblical truths and  why, of even greater concern, many believe it has been a contributing factor in the exploitation of women and children within its confines. Here is the post:

http://krwordgazer.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-man-as-prophet-priest-and-king-of.html

While the blogger does not cite the Duggar family per se, or the recent revelation of the incest perpetrated in their family over a period of time on at least four of the sisters when they were very young, there is an important tie in, I believe. Thus, I refer to it here. For information on how the Duggar family has been involved in the patriarchal cult, a simple web search will reveal many credible informational venues (as opposed to gossip sites).

Although the emphasis in the news seems to be on redeeming the oldest brother (the perpetrator of the incest) I sincerely hope and pray that his victims, one as young as 5 at the time, receive the attention and counseling they need.

The crime of incest impacts its victims over a lifetime–whether or not they forgive the perpetrator. And this doesn’t mean they become bitter or angry. As Scripture indicates, “we are fearfully and wonderfully made,” which includes the “unseen” parts, too: thoughts, emotions, psyches, souls, spirits. We hardly know, as youngsters, what causes certain fears and trepidations, particularly if there are actual crimes hidden, covered up, or described as mere “teenage mistakes” (as is the case, here). We hardly know, sometimes, as adults what traces back…

What makes it particularly heartbreaking for those girls (now young women) is that in that belief system they are regarded as “churches” to their father’s/husband’s “savior” (and now, “prophet” and “priest”) roles. This is the primary focus of the blogger’s piece linked here.

Girls and women are to wholly submit to Daddy/husband (“immediate obedience” is the mandate) as unto God, literally. If Daddy says “do not speak of this,” they must obey or it is tantamount to disobeying God, Himself. If Daddy says, “you are partly to blame” (provocative actions, dress, looks, who knows what all–even in a child), they assume the blame/guilt/shame…

This is not to say, of course, that every family in the patriarchal cult experiences incest, but in such a closed, hierarchal belief system, the chances are logically far greater such crimes will occur.

What makes it particularly fearful for the women and children in the Duggar family, I think, now that the TLC cameramen and women, producers and support staff will not be around as sort of “witnesses” to the Duggar daily life (they have suspended the show for now) and Daddy may reign unfettered, as it were, is how much worse it might be on the girls and women.

And how much stress and tension due to the loss of likely considerable income may exacerbate matters (at least one big sponsor, General Mills, has pulled out of supporting the show–now and if it is ever reinstated). In that cult, girls and women are generally not allowed to attend college or trade schools and virtually the only occupations (until marriage when they assist husbands) allowed them are homeschooling (teacher licensing not required) and/or attending births as midwife assistants. And that’s a lot of mouths to feed for the boys/young men old enough to earn income outside the home–and who remain at home.

We need to pray for the Duggar women and children. And if anyone reading this is in any position of influence in that family, please reach out to them. I don’t know if Daddy Duggar can “hear” any of this, as enmeshed as he seems in the patriarchal cult, but there is always hope for the others.

Sadly, “the secular world” now has even more evidence with which to equate the tares with the wheat.

But reader, please understand: the modern patriarchal movement/cult does not reflect true Christianity.  In my opinion, the women and children of the Duggar family are, sadly, the (current) “poster children” of why this is so.