’19 Kids And Counting’ Cancelled? Petition To End Show Gains Traction
A petition to cancel 19 Kids and Counting has gained some serious traction. At this time, more than 14,000 people have signed a petition to end the popular reality show. The TLC series, which debuted in 2008, features Jim Bob Duggar, his wife Michelle, and their 19 children.
Although the family has received praise for their conservative Christian values, others have criticized the Duggars for promoting “ignorance and fear-mongering.” According to the petition, the family has been “using their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people.”
The petition specifically mentions Michelle Duggar’s opposition to a Fayetteville City Council ordinance that proposes to allow transgendered people to use the restrooms consistent with their gender identity.
According to the Change.org petition, Michelle expressed her concerns through a recorded message. The message was received by numerous Northwest Arkansas residents through random phone calls.
Critics are concerned, as Michelle’s message suggests transgendered people are likely to have “past child predator convictions.”
The petition also discusses Josh Duggar’s support of the Family Research Center. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the FRC is an extremist group that supports continued oppression of the LGBT community.
Jim Wissick, who started the petition, is pleading for the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting. In his opinion TLC is simply “rewarding hate with more and more air time.” Wissick asks his supporters to sign his petition to “get these hate mongers off the air once and for all.”
It is unclear whether TLC will consider cancelling 19 Kids and Counting, as the program has millions of loyal viewers. However, Wissick hopes his message will be heard.
In recent months, the Duggar family has also received criticism for their unusual dating rules and courting rituals.
As reported by Today, the Duggars view courtship as “dating with a purpose.” That purpose happens to be marriage. In his own words, Jim Bob explains that “courtship is really waiting for the one God has for you and praying through the whole process.”
During courtship, the Duggar girls are prohibited from spending time alone with their prospective husbands. Essentially, a chaperone is required at all times. The monitoring is not limited to face-to-face interactions. All text messages between the young women and their beaus are required to to be routed through Jim Bob and Michelle.
The 19 Kids and Counting family has received criticism and praise for their conservative Christian values and beliefs. However, they are now being criticized for allegedly promoting ignorance and hatred.
[Image via Penn Live]
