Josh Duggar In-Laws Defend Family's Actions, Say Media Are 'Throwing Stones' at Repentative '19 Kids and Counting' Star
Michael Seewald, whose son, Ben, is married to Josh Duggar's sister, Jessa, published a blog post Sunday defending the family from the "sharks in the water," referring to the media's coverage of the story. Seewald titled the post, "Grace Greater than Our Sin."
"Finally, the Duggar family's opponents have found what they have been eagerly waiting for," Seewald wrote, "shocking revelations of scandal by Jim Bob and Michelle's firstborn son, Josh."
Duggar, 27, resigned his position at the Family Research Council after In Touch Weekly reported on allegations, which Duggar admitted, that he molested five girls over a decade ago.
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Seewald defended Josh's parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, by saying, they "acted in a way that godly parents should." Seewald further defended their handling of the matter adding, "They did not turn a blind eye, but earnestly, sought help from the church, counselors, and eventually the police."
The Christian Post reported this week that the Duggar family is receiving strong support from Evangelicals, despite news of the scandal.
"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 Josh's repentance and reformation," said Seewald, "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."
Seewald addressed the backlash against the family in his post by saying, "There are many who seem shocked that a child from a Christian family would do such things," adding that while finding out about your child's sin can be "alarming," that "we should not be surprised."
"Christians (and many other reasonable people) believe that we are all born with a sinful nature."
Seewald specifically defended Duggar's actions by writing of the young man's transformation, "He found forgiveness and cleansing from Jesus Christ."
"There are many of you that are reading these words right now having had thoughts and deeds no better than what Josh had and did." Seewald wrote that many media writers and bloggers are "lining up to throw stones at Josh and the whole family."
Seewald also expressed concern for the victims, writing, "We should not downplay the seriousness of these offenses particularly, nor gloss over the pain and confusion they often bring, sometimes for a lifetime."
After the story broke, Duggar told People Magazine, "I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends."
Duggar will not be charged with a crime in the case because the three-year statute of limitations had run out by the time of the 2006 investigation with no charges being filed. The victims are said to have since extended their forgiveness to Josh, the eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children. He married Anna Keller in 2008.
On May 22 TLC removed the Duggar show "19 Kids and Counting" from its television lineup. The show, with many Christian values, is TLC's most popular, scoring in the "Nielsen Cable Top 25" before it was pulled off the air.
"We are deeply saddened and troubled by this heartbreaking situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and victims at this difficult time," the network declared in a statement.
