INSIDE THE FAMILY’S STRICT FAITH

THE DUGGARS ARE DEVOUT INDEPENDENT BAPTISTS, PART OF A MOVEMENT KNOWN FOR ITS EXTREMELY CONSERVATIVE VIEWS

The Duggars have never shied away from letting the millions of viewers of their two reality shows know how every aspect of their lives is directed by their deep Christian faith. “We will always stand for truth and the values we hold dear, without compromise,” Jim Bob and Michelle once wrote on Facebook. The cornerstone of that faith comes from the Independent Baptist movement, an ultraconservative offshoot of the traditional Baptist Church. Their church’s strict teachings govern each facet of the

Duggars’ daily lives – from their modest dress code and hair length to dating, known as courting. Although the Duggars have avoided publicly aligning themselves with the controversial Quiverfull movement, which teaches women that they are responsible for men’s reactions to them, four Duggar daughters once revealed the family uses a code word – “Nike” – to help the males avoid lustful thoughts about women. “They say it,” a source said in 2015, “and all the boys look straight down.”