They are strict followers of Gothard. In my opinion, Gothardism has a “blame” the victim mentality, ie, somehow Josh’s problems stem from his wife’s lack of attention—so he had no other outlet than to go outside the marriage. Gothardism dovetails w/Quiverfull—big families—wife almost always pregnant, nursing, etc. Anna Duggar has had 4 babies in under 7 years. When you do the math, you really just want to punch Josh Duggar in his pudgy smirking face....but that’s just me.
Gothard has also been exposed to be a pervert. I understand parents desire is to raise faithful children in an unfaithful world, my desire as well. But a formula written by a human, laws and rules abounding, is dangerous in its dogmatism. The truth and God’s way can get lost. It is pretty remarkable that with so many children more don’t appear to be rebellious. God bless them and keep them.
Might have been 5, the poor woman had a miscarriage in there somewhere.