19 Kids and Counting: Controversial Quotes from Early TV Specials

The Duggar family rose to fame in 2004 with their reality TV show, "18 Kids & Counting," later renamed to "19 Kids & Counting."

Since then, they have been in involved in countless controversies and scandals, and have a long history of anti-LGBT sentiments, abortion, and the like.

The ultra-conservative Christian family gave the impression that they were wholesome, but their conduct has since raised plenty of questions.

JIM BOB DUGGAR'S COMMENT ABOUT RAPE IN INCEST

Back in 2002, the patriarch of the family entered politics to run for U.S. Senate. At the time, he said that rapists should be executed as it is a "heinous crime."

But only four years later, his oldest son Josh admitted to molesting five underage girls, including his sisters.

He was 14 years old when he confessed, and Jim Bob was aware of his son's heinous acts. Even though Jim Bob knew what Josh was doing to his sisters, he never reported it.

When the scandal went public, TLC canceled their contract for "19 Kids & Counting" with immediate effect.

THE DUGGARS, ABORTION AND THE HOLOCAUST

It's no secret that the family is opposed to abortion, but many feel that Michelle went too far when she compared abortion to the Holocaust. Michelle said:

"A couple of weeks after we went to the Holocaust Museum, it dawned on us that there is a holocaust taking place right here in America! More than 56 million lives have been destroyed in our country! That is over 4,000 babies being killed and 4,000 women being wounded each day."

In addition, the older Duggar sisters – Jill, Jana, and Jessa – touched on the topic of abortion in their book "Growing Up Duggar." They said:

"Don't allow anyone to talk you into taking the life of your child. Your baby is not a blob of tissue!"

Following that, Jessa said that millions of innocents are being denied the most basic and fundamental right to live. She added:

"We must be a voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Because every life is precious."

SUBMISSIVE WOMEN

Several members of the family have, on many occasions, said that men are the head of the household and women need to obey, no matter what.

According to Michelle, a "husband needs a wife who accepts him as a leader and believes in his God-given responsibilities." She also advised wives:

"Your hubby comes home after a hard day's work, you get the baby to bed, and he is going to be looking forward to that time with you. Anyone can fix him lunch, but only one person can meet that physical need of love, and you always need to be available when he calls."

JOSIAH DUGGAR'S HIDING SPOT

Fans were also worried that the Duggar children aren't cared for properly and were concerned when Josiah Duggar said at the time that he needed a "hiding spot."

While it's normal for young children to have a little privacy and a place to hide out, it's also common knowledge that the Duggar parents monitor every aspect of their children's lives.

HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC REMARKS

Jill and Derick were forced to leave the spin-off show, "Counting On," when Derick tweeted transphobic remarks and attacking transgender teen and reality star Jazz Jennings:

"What an oxymoron. A 'reality' show which follows a non-reality. 'Transgender' is a myth. Gender is not fluid; it's ordained by God."

Derick said Jennings's reality show was a "non-reality show," and refused to respect Jennings's preferred pronouns.

Jennings uses the pronouns she and her, but Derick purposefully referred to Jennings as "he" and "him." Three months later, he tweeted:

"I pity Jazz, four those who take advantage of him in order 2 promote their agenda, including the parents who allow these kinds of decisions 2 be made by a child."

Fans of the show can look forward to Jill's return to "Counting On," sans Derick. Jill appeared in her sister Jessa's birth special, "A Baby Girl for Jessa."

However, it's not yet clear whether Jill's return to "Counting On" is permanent, or merely a one-time appearance.