The Double Standard is Strong with This One

I'm sure you heard about the sad revelation about Josh Duggar. (If you don't know who he is, he is one of 19 kids on TLC's "19 Kids and Counting", a "reality" show about a Christian family with Christian values ... and 19 kids. Of course, the show has been cancelled.) First it was a molestation charge in his teens. More recently it was an account (two?) at a website where married people can get together for adultery. And Josh Duggar espouses faith and family values. What a hypocrite! Of course, in this case, it's not my words. He said publicly that he is "the biggest hypocrite ever." "I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him."

This, of course, won't do. Confession isn't sufficient. Hanging is too good for the guy. You'll find comments like, "This was not one man's failure; this was the failure of the idea that if you just beat enough Christianity into people and refuse to allow any other options everything will be wonderful." It is "lie upon lie, the kind of lies peculiar to the evangelical world, which hasn't been able to tell the truth about anything." In other words, "He was too judgmental, so we will return the favor."

Tell the truth. You know that was a common reaction at the news ... maybe even yours. "About time he got what he deserved. All those holier-than-thou Christians are hypocrites." Josh Duggar aside, the double standard is astounding. "We hate judgmental people and gleefully stand in judgment of them." "We are intolerant of people who are intolerant of our view." "We assert with certainty that your opinion is only your opinion and not truth and if you think otherwise you're wrong." "It's wrong to push your views onto others and that's the view I will continue to push." "I am so upset by your vicious gossip and slander that I will continue to slander and gossip about you."

It breaks my heart. Someone put up on display as "Christian values" doing what Josh admits is pain and disgrace to Christ and His followers. I cannot even imagine the crushing weight his wife is bearing with a cheating husband and the public assault. It's sad that in our society there is no redemption for Christians who believe in redemption, and it's sad that people who do things while wearing the name of "Christ follower" that do not reflect Christ are touted as fine examples of how wrong Christ is. "The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you." (Rom 2:24). A sad day all around.