Josh Duggar appears to have lost the support of the Family Research Council.
The organization has issued a stern statement about the news that Duggar cheated on his wife, saying it is “grieved” by his behavior and calling the impact of his behavior “devastating.”
“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,” the statement from FRC president Tony Perkins begins.
Duggar, a former star of TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” had served as the executive director tor the FRC until May, when reports surfaced that he had molested numerous underage children when he was a teenager, two of his sisters among them.
Earlier this week, a data leak revealed that Duggar had subscribed to Ashley Madison, an online service aimed at helping people facilitate extramarital affairs. Shortly thereafter, Duggar issued a statement admitting that he “became unfaithful to my wife,” saying “I have been the biggest hypocrite ever.”
He also initially admitted to a pornography addiction, though the reference to pornography was quickly scrubbed from the statement, which was posted on the Duggar Family’s website.
In his statement, Perkins blasted Duggar’s “deceitful behavior,” adding that it has brought harm not only to his family and friends, but to the cause of family values.
“Our hearts hurt for his family, and all those affected by Josh’s actions. His deceitful behavior harms his family, his friends, his former coworkers, and the cause he has publicly espoused,” Perkins’ statement concludes. “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.”
TLC canceled “19 Kids and Counting” in July. A special revolving around child sexual abuse, which was prompted by the Josh Duggar scandal, will air August 30.