The head of the “pro-marriage” Family Research Council that previously employed disgraced former reality TV star Josh Duggar has issued a statement condemning Duggar for his infidelity after he admitted this week that he had committed adultery. In his statement, FRC President Tony Perkins wrote: “Last night we learned from online reports about allegations concerning Josh Duggar and then read his confession today. We are grieved by Josh’s conduct and the devastating impact of his pornography addiction and marital unfaithfulness. Our hearts hurt for his family, and all those affected by Josh’s actions.”…. Perkins went on to add: “His deceitful behavior harms his family, his friends, his former coworkers, and the cause he has publicly espoused. Those of us who advocate for family values in the public square are held to a higher standard, and Josh’s failures serve as a painful reminder of the destructive effects of not living with integrity. We are praying for the family.”
I could crow at some length about how much I enjoy watching the “family values” crowd eat their young- and I do- but while that would certainly feel good, there’s little to be gained by it. To his credit, TonyPerkins at least recognizes that he and his ilk are and should be held to a higher standard in light of what they claim to stand for. That such standards are ridiculously stringent and require people to in some cases repress their basic nature is nothing if not absurd.
Instead of looking at the moral standards Perkins expects others to live by, he threw Josh Duggar under the bus for “not living with integrity.” Duggar isn’t undeserving of scorn (and even admits to being “the biggest hypocrite ever”) for his hypocrisy, infidelity, and hyper-religious double standards, and as Dan Savage points out, could be considered a legitimate target. Instead of leaving Duggar to the wolves and condemning him in order to save face for his Family Research Council, perhaps Perkins might give some thought to how human frailty doesn’t mix well with ridiculously inflexible moral standards. I’m not about to justify or condone Duggar’s behavior, but that’s a matter for him to sort out with his family. The man clearly has some issues…but who amongst us doesn’t?
Instead of bemoaning “the devastating impact of his pornography addiction and marital unfaithfulness,” perhaps Perkins could benefit by reflecting on his own intolerence, inflexibility, and homophobia. Perhaps he could consider how his cafeteria Christianity and undeniable hypocrisy does far more harm than good. While he’s at it, maybe Perkins should devote some thought to his self-ascribed moral authority and willingness to sit in judgment of others who choose to live, love, and believe differently.
Josh Duggar may be a symptom of the problem created by the intolerant, judgmental inflexibility of people like Tony Perkins…but Perkins IS the problem. Until and unless he can truly learn the significance and meaning of things like love, tolerance, charity, and inclusion (all things his alleged Lord and Savior taught), Perkins will never add. He will only subtract…and the damage he’ll continue doing will be considerable.
It’s EXACTLY what Jesus would have done, eh?
