Here's What Religion the Duggar Family Follows

The Duggars, best known for the reality show “19 Kids and Counting,” have captivated a lot of people not only for their large family but also for the way Jim Bob and Michelle have raised their 19 children.

The reason Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar have such strict and uncommon traditions is the religion they follow. Compared to most families, the differences are both impressive and fascinating, though some people might find it annoying.

WHAT RELIGION ARE THE DUGGARS?

As Hollywood Gossip reported, the family has been under fire a few times because they usually give misleading answers when others ask them about the faith they follow. Jim Bob, the patriarch, revealed that he and his family are Independent Baptists.

According to Grace Baptist Church, Independent Baptists believe that:

“The Bible is our sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. The church should be autonomous or self-governing. The believer does not need a priest, other than Jesus Christ, to come boldly to God.”

People who are Independent Baptists, which is the second most common branch of Evangelical Baptists, represent 2.5 percent of the population of the United States, reported the Pew Research Center.

THEIR MOST COMMON PRACTICES

Since they are “Independent,” it is difficult to make generalizations about their beliefs system.

However, there are some common practices that the family and most Independent Baptists follow, including homeschooling children, limiting the use of modern media and TV, discouraging the use of birth control, and adhering to strict gender roles.

As Bustle reported, the Duggars attend what they called a “home church,” which is a low-profile space wherein the church elders and the guest speakers talk to the rest of the people, followed by food and fellowship.

“You'll see a family with 21 children who sit up front and behave amazingly well. The Duggars sit in the back generally, and we like that too. When someone is as popular and in a leading position, it is always nice to see them put themselves in the back seats and not be on display as if important.” revealed a blogger who used to go to the same home church that the Duggars

SOME OF THE RULES THAT THE DUGGARS FOLLOW

Apart from the previously described practices, there are many more rules that Jim Bob and Michelle’s children must stick to.

One of them is not listening to modern music as it could promote “sex, drugs” and encourage “sensual” feelings.

Speaking of encouraging sensual feelings, they are not allowed to go to the beach because “it’s too hard for the guys to try and keep their eyes averted,” said Michelle during an episode of "19 Children and Counting."

For the Duggars, premarital sex is completely banned. However, once a female member of the family gets married, she must be available in bed anytime her husband wants it.

COMPARING THE DUGGARS’ RELIGION WITH THE QUIVERFULL MOVEMENT

The Quiverfull movement took its name from Psalm 127 in the Old Testament of the Bible, in which children are seen as arrows:

“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”

Families that follow the Quiverfull movement believe that God would not give them more children than they can handle, so they don’t use any contraceptive method.

DENYING THEIR LINKS TO THE QUIVERFULL MOVEMENT

While there might be certain similarities between that movement and the Duggars, it is not the same, and Jim Bob and Michelle pointed out that they don’t follow it.

“Even though Wikipedia and some Internet blogs report that we are part of a Quiverfull movement, we are not. We are simply Bible-believing Christians who desire to follow God’s Word and apply it to our lives. God says children are a gift and a blessing, and we believe it,” wrote the couple in their book “A Love That Multiplies.”

THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY SO FAR

At the moment, it is improbable for Jim Bob and Michelle, who have 19 children already, to enlarge their family even more. However, some of their children have gotten married already and are having a lot of babies.

In Joshua’s case, the eldest child of Jim Bob and Michelle, he is married to Anna Keller, and they have welcomed five children so far. Jessa and Benjamin Seewald also tied the knot and have three children.

Jill has two children while Jinger, Joseph, and Joy-Anna have one each. Joy-Anna, Josiah’s wife, Lauren, Joseph’s wife, Kendra, and Joshua’s wife, Anna, are pregnant, and all those children are expected to be born in November this year.