Posted on 11/07/2014 5:04:15 AM PST by Kaslin
While so much of reality television dwells on catty "Real Housewives" and Snooki-style party-hearty debauchery, it's interesting to note that a small fraction of this ever-expanding genre is celebrating evangelical Christianity and values like chastity.
This drives the libertines crazy. Washington Post TV critic Hank Stuever recently raged on the Internet against the Duggar family of TLC's "19 Kids & Counting" and how they are no more worthy of attention than the Kardashians. Their children are denied "freedom of choice."
"My thoughts on the Duggars are few and far between because I think the show treats its viewers like they're learning-disabled," he wrote. Then he doubled down. "The viewers, not the Duggars. Although ... "
Leftists, especially openly gay writers like Stuever, itch for the children to rebel against that old-time religion. "I guess we just sit and wait and hope that there's a contrarian in the bunch who gets the itch to write a tell-all at some point down the road. I'd be surprised if anyone seriously watches the Duggar show out of a place of envy."
It is the right of a TV critic to knock the Duggar show as too sweet and happy and prim for his snarky tastes. But how do those critics react when you knock a show they like? "If you don't like it, turn the channel!" Let's face it, the Duggar family isn't broken by divorce or addiction or other social maladies. That is why the critics are turned off.
On the other hand, the celebrity magazines have found these popular Christian reality shows to be worthy of cover stories. The latest Us Weekly forwards "Duck Dynasty" teenager Sadie Robertson's decision to forego premarital sex. A recent edition of People magazine reported on newly married Jill Duggar and the family's "Extreme Courtship Rules." Those principles are a direct challenge to today's hookup culture, and that's what makes magazine readers so curious about them.
It naturally follows that loutish "sex columnist" Dan Savage would get in his insults at these "professional virgins." The conservative blog site Twitchy took exception to his wisecracking on Twitter that the Duggar daughters should observe his mating rules, including his notion of "F--- First." Savage thinks people should be sexually compatible before marriage, so chastity is a terrible idea. In fact, he despises virginity and its advocates. His rules also include cheating, which is "inevitable" in his mind.
After Twitchy spurred the conservative Twitterati to attack him, Savage then responded with a 2,500-word attack on the Duggar worldview. Like Stuever, it begins with the notion that Christians are an organized "hate group." Their oldest son Josh now works for the Family Research Council, which validates their charge, they would tell you.
Savage argues that if the Duggars were Muslims and Josh worked for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, conservatives would never embrace them. "But the right wing doesn't have a problem with the Duggars: They're the right color, they worship the right God, and they want to impose the right brand of theocracy."
Savage, like Stuever, wishes these robot-children would grow up to reject their freakish parents: "I have hopes for all the unmarried little Duggars still being pimped on television and dragged to campaign rallies: I hope they all get out from under the thumbs of their crazy, controlling, virginity-obsessed parents."
Leftists better hope their "best wishes" for rebellion are never turned on them. Would it seem kind for conservatives to wish that Dan Savage's adopted son should write a "tell-all book" about growing up having to hear all about his "father's" extreme sex rules and obsessions? It would seem unkind, intolerant and smug --S all adjectives that apply to the Duggar bashers.
For all the brave sexual freedom of the modern mindset, in 500 years, fully a fourth of the planet will have Duggar DNA. Genghis Khan is on notice.
“Free sex” is never free.
Sex is free and easy, but procreation is our costly mandate as a species.
Thank you, Duggar family, for reminding us that living under God’s laws is the source of true joy.
Such an awesome family...
The leftist attacks on the Duggar’s are generally vile. It’s hardly surprising that a worldview that embraces all manner of evil, particularly sexual evil, wouldn’t be able to figure out a family like the Duggar’s.
Having said that, there is a conservative and Christian argument against the Duggar’s. Their theology is terrible. They have associations with the contemptible Bill Gothard, who created a lot of the courtship and life rules the Duggar’s follow. (for more on Gothard visit http://www.recoveringgrace.org/ ) Ultimately the Duggar’s buy into the social gospel, which historically is a branch of the progressive movement. Their homeschooling doesn’t encourage critical thinking at all and this comes across in the painfully simple way they talk to people. While it’s great that the Duggar’s love children and believe in general Biblical values they are not without serious error.
I call it parenting.
It naturally follows that loutish “sex columnist” Dan Savage would get in his insults at these “professional virgins.” The conservative blog site Twitchy took exception to his wisecracking on Twitter that the Duggar daughters should observe his mating rules, including his notion of “F-— First.” Savage thinks people should be sexually compatible before marriage, so chastity is a terrible idea. In fact, he despises virginity and its advocates. His rules also include cheating, which is “inevitable” in his mind.’
Mr Savage, the 60’s called, they want their ‘sex with everyone, promiscuity for all’ meme back. Casual sex robs the participants of any emotional connection. Adultery robs a marriage of trust. The Left only wants an emotional connection to causes, not people. That’s why they think an overwhelming Government can replace Mommy and Daddy. Can we yet save this country? Remains to be seen.
I find them weird for a whole different set of reasons.
What’s laughable here is that the truly brave, norm-defiers are not liberals, whose party-till-you-puke love-the-one-you’re-with Woodstock-inspired license is as stale as last week’s dinner rolls, but conservatives like the Duggars and the Robertsons.
The Left has become the very status quo they supposedly rose up against.
I don't think Mr. Savage's father ever sat him down and told him how babies are made. Maybe that is why he has been doing it wrong this whole time.
Not so much weird as just a façade, a front for cashing in; which they have already done. We’ve seen plenty of “perfect” families, ministries, etc. over the years and most fall, fall out of favor, or spectacularly go down in flames. They put themselves out there, in front of the cameras and media, and if they can withstand the pressure then more power to them. If not, then move on to the next “perfect” example of faith. It’s all up to them.
I don’t doubt their faith or have a problem with it unless they try to push it in my face. My beliefs are mine, theirs are their own. Pushing a holier than thou viewpoint is a loser when there are so many different denominations who interpret their faith differently. At some point, like we experience with potential presidential candidates, various groups will find a disagreement in something and will depart as admirers.
Leftists hate the Duggars (and all traditional families) because they prove the lie that such families don’t and can’t exist. That’s why when you tell them how good things were in the past they vehemently deny it and say its just your imagination.
I believe in giving children choices.
Do you want the white pop or Sprite?
Do you want to lay in bed or take a nap?
Do you want vanilla or white ice cream?
Do you want to put your clothes on or do you want to get dressed?
Problem is, they get wise to this real fast!
A little off topic but I was watching one of those tabloid tv shows yesterday, I think it was Access Hollywood. They had some weirdo man, with bleached and partially shaved head, heavy makeup, pierced up face, wearing women’s clothes, talking about how mentally ill Amanda Bynes is. Miley Virus goes to a charity fundraiser wearing just a belt across her bust. So lets go after the Duggars since they are obviously the problem.
I don't get it. Who does it cost?
They’re the right color, they worship the right God,
DUH, there is only one God.....
I know one thing, when I was growing up, no one had the nerve to suggest to my parents that we had freedom of choice. I hate to think what would have happened if one of us siblings had even mentioned that to my Marine Corps drill sergeant dad.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.