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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJessa Duggar’s Father-In-Law Says Jim Bob And Michelle Duggar Should Be Commended
Jessa Duggars father-in-law couldnt resist sharing his thoughts about the Josh Duggar underage sex abuse scandal.
Michael Seewald, the father of Jessas husband, Ben, is a religious zealot who occasionally shares his beliefs on the Seewald family blog. Many of his posts involve the Duggars in some way, and his latest lengthy screed is a defense of Josh Duggar and Joshs parents.
As the Inquisitr previously reported, Josh recently confessed to sexually molesting four of his sisters by forcibly fondling their breasts and genitals, usually while they were asleep. He was 14 at the time, and the Duggars had five underage daughters (ages at the time in parentheses): Jana Duggar (12), Jill Duggar (11), Jessa Duggar (10), Jinger Duggar (9), and Joy-Anna Duggar (5).
Like many 19 Kids and Counting fans, Jessa Duggars father-in-law seems more upset about the familys good name being tarnished than he does about the familys decision to allow their daughters molester to continue living under the same roof as his victims instead of turning him into the proper authorities. In a post titled Grace Greater Than Sin, Michael Seewald begins by whining about the media uncovering the dark secret that the Duggars wanted so desperately to hide.
It pains me to see that they are now having to relive the nightmare that had been laid to rest well over a decade ago with Joshs repentance and reformation, but I feel compelled to bring some context and reason to the bloodletting that many are engaging in and to come to the aid of our dear friends and family.
Notice how he only mentions Josh while talking about how the family put this behind him he doesnt say anything about the victims, and theres a good chance that neither they nor Josh got the help that they needed. According to People, Joshs treatment consisted of a very short stay at the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) Training Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Institute in Basic Life Principles is a religious organization, and its training center has been the subject of a local Child Protective Services investigation. Josh was most likely getting preached to and studying the Bible, not getting psychological help. So far, no one has revealed what kind of help Jessa Duggar and her sisters received, if any.
http://www.inquisitr.com/2116741/jessa-duggars-father-in-law-defends-josh-says-jim-bob-and-michelle-should-be-commended-for-handling-of-molestation/#P2jw16PzM5Qd8v76.99
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Jessa Duggars father-in-law goes on to say that fans shouldnt be shocked by Joshs actions he claims that many people would do the same thing if they didnt fear the consequences of their behavior.
"Many times it is simply lack of opportunity or fear of consequences that keep us from falling into grievous sin even though our fallen hearts would love to indulge the flesh. We should not be shocked that this occurred in the Duggars home, we should rather be thankful to God if we have been spared such, and pray that he would keep us and our children from falling."
Aerows
(39,961 posts)I was never tempted to sexually molest kids while they slept when I was 13 or 14 (or ever).
Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)JI7
(89,252 posts)on the fame and cash and then it comes crashing down . and now their teenage son is married and expecting a child later this year.
MADem
(135,425 posts)They enabled a molester and didn't get him the psychological help he clearly needs (sending him to the Hobby Lobby outfit), and they also didn't care for their children, the victims, by getting them the help they needed to process and come to some sort of understanding about the abuse they endured.
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)this is why. People like this who will cover, deflect, and minimize abuse. No doubt if this guy happened upon a child being abused by a male relative he wouldn't say anything to the authorities. He would do the same thing Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar did, cover it up, keep the punishment of the offender to a minimum and make damn sure the victims were properly blamed so they wouldn't tell anyone. The whole culture is as much to blame as any individual. They make sure that the victims are always under someone's thumb and shaming them is the easiest and most effective way to do that.
He is as sick as Huckabee. If I found out a relative got into a family like that I would make sure they knew I would want them to run not walk away from that mess.
WestCoastLib
(442 posts)That I would have been able to agree with
City Lights
(25,171 posts)riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)Josh is having the wagons circled around him by a certain set of like minded patriarchal religious leaders.
SickOfTheOnePct
(7,290 posts)he does indeed talk about the victims.
The victims of Joshs actions should not be lost in all of this. Sadly, this type of thing is all too common. Victims of sexual abuse of any kind often suffer greatly for many years as a result of these sins. We should not downplay the seriousness of these offenses particularly, nor gloss over the pain and confusion they often bring, sometimes for a lifetime.
Finally, a word to the millions of muted victims of sexual abuse all over the world. It is not your fault. No matter what the abuser may have said, you are not the one to blame. Do not keep silent if you are being abused, tell someone you trust, a parent, a teacher, a friend, anyone is better than silence. You are likely not the only one who has been abused. Tell someone so that they will be stopped. If the person you tell doesnt contact the right people to help, tell someone else. Stay away from the abuser if at all possible, or avoid being alone with them. If the abuser is in your family, you may feel conflicted. You may love this person and cant understand why they are hurting you. No matter how much you love the abuser you must tell someone. Remember, it is never okay for someone to treat you that way even if they are a parent, a sibling, or a friend. There are many people who will help you if you just break the silence.
I agree that no one has talked about what kind of help, if any, the victims in this case received. Being as all but one are now adults, perhaps they'll discuss that at some point.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)Covering up for Jerry Sandusky.
City Lights
(25,171 posts)Then they did everything they could to protect the predator.
That is not commendable behavior.
They deserve scorn.