Josh’s cousin, Amy King, posted two tweets that read as a type of benediction for those impacted by Josh Duggar’s actions. “Thank you Jesus,” she said at the end. “Justice has been served.”
May the juror’s and Judge Brooks seek healing / counseling from all that was exposed to them.
May the children grow up with real Godly men as father figures who will guide and protect them.
May the people who were once in disbelief have their eyes opened for the first time.— Amy Rachelle King (@amyduggar) December 9, 2021
May the daughters who were abused feel validated. You are truly beautiful and worthy of love.
May there be intense counseling / healing.
May there be wisdom for all those involved on how to move forward.
Thank you Jesus. Justice has been served.
— Amy Rachelle King (@amyduggar) December 9, 2021
More Reactions to the Josh Duggar Verdict
Other people who have been evaluating the trial, as well as the events leading up to it, have expressed concern regarding the theology and community that were complicit in protecting Josh from the consequences of his actions. In May of this year after he was released on bail pending his trial, attorney and survivor advocate Rachael Denhollander explained why she believes that Josh’s community, including his parents and his wife, have subscribed to a “twisted theology” that led them to protect a sexual predator.
Specifically, Denhollander mentioned the teachings that wives should submit to their husbands, that God hates divorce, and that women are responsible for men’s lust. Because of the way these beliefs were “cherry-picked and twisted,” Anna and other women have been expected to bear the cost of Josh’s sin. “The worst part is,” said Denhollander, “I know literally hundreds of women are the [sic] receiving end of this garbage. Josh, and this situation, aren’t the anomaly. They are the norm.”
In a Twitter thread on Dec. 9, Denhollander reflected on how she continued to see the results of this warped theology on display throughout the trial. “Despite clear evidence,” she said, “there was no grief at what was, but rather a continual effort to thwart justice and deny. From a family member who changed his testimony on the stand, to a father who ‘couldn’t remember’ the abuse of his own four daughters, to a wife who held his hand…The focus continued to be the living out of the same twisted theology that led us here. The situation for everyone is devastating, but acting as though this isn’t serious only furthers the devastation. What Anna needs is someone to validate how evil this is, and grieve with her.”
Christian author Rachel Darnall tweeted, “Just a reminder that there are still people out there thinking that Anna Duggar should stay. I know because some of those people were in my replies yesterday.” She continued, “P.S. If you hold this view, know that I’m just not even going to engage something as preposterous as the idea that it’s required, or even ‘noble’ to stay with a man who enjoy [sic] the torture of children. But I do take note. So by all means, keep showing us who you are.”
Rachael Denhollander’s husband, Jacob Denhollander, responded, “Oh, mine too. Pearl clutching that we should be careful not to denigrate the sanctity of marriage, as if that’s on us and not Josh Duggar.”
