As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of my biological father; the recent media coverage of what this father was doing to his children is just sickening. I am a Christian and I was brought up in a strict but traditional home. Now I wasn’t raised by my biological parents I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle. They saved my life and the life of my two sisters. But I’m seeing more and more stories on polygamist and or very strict Christian families being outed for sexual abuse. And that saddens me because I live for my faith I am devoted to my faith and I would never think to walk away. But we wonder why people walk away from the church and from God all together there is fear that if someone brings their family to one of these religios organizations that something bad is going to happen. Child molestors and peodophiles are really giving Christianity a bad rep.
To further your point, I was raised in a conservative Christian family (with 5 kids) and my dad has NEVER laid a finger on me. He's actually one of the most modest people I've ever met. I'm really saddened hearing about Christian families who struggle with sexual abuse. Truth is, "Christian" or not, anyone can be tempted by this. We're all sinners, and it's only by God's grace, through faith in Christ, that we're saved.
You might want to take a long look at 'll your normal looking neighbors, especially the husband on the block with a second or third wife and new kids with said replacement wife... Seriously. The willis family didn't even begin to follow the darkest patterns that exist all around us. Perhaps he had or has problems but I keep looking at his wife and kids -- especially his wife -- and they always look so clean, well fed, well clothed, hair done super nice, energetic, etc... I again really keep looking at the wife. Hmmm. So usually when the man is a psycho the wife isn't so -- healthy and vibrant because after he gets the kids to meet his, let's say needs and wants, the wife becomes disposable. However in the willis case the wife was totally not disposable. Do I think he had issues yes. But how severe? Define "rape" exactly? I suspect he was mostly a great provider and father who occasionally hit his kids, went overboard with physical punishment and fondled his daughters. Very sad. In the sick corrupt state of arizona the authorities would have put the wife in prison and given the father the children. That's wrong and corrupt. In any case, I think Tobys mistakes are now the only thing many people see while they don't look at all the proof he also did a lot right. Plus the way all family members were so healthy, especially the wife who'd usually have become disposable (I mean usually even the older girls would take the mother's place for house keeping and child care if Toby was a total narcissist or sociopath) it shows that perhaps he also had a decent side. Perhaps if the family had been able to get help a long time ago he could have been different. However if they'd tried to get help all those kids would have been abused and utterly destroyed in the foster care system (I.e. all counselors, doctors, etc are mandated reporters). There's was thus no good solution in reality even in the past.... Btw yes I know the family was on stage and in a reality show so they HAD to keep up appearances. That does not explain how Toby kept his wife in such good shape instead if just beating and running her into the ground and replacing her once he got the kids before the family became famous. It still does not explain the good physical conditions all the kids were in before they became famous. Total untreatable narcissists and sociopaths who abuse severely (out of control) in the home absolutely destroy the wife and replace her like used up toilet paper. They abuse children in such ways that there's damage in some of the kids that can't be hidden. They're very good explaining the damage they've caused that's obvious and thus they get away with it but the disposable wife and kid or two is the norm -- not in tact family, everyone sparkling healthy and capable of consistent happy looking performance. Not keep the same wife and she's in great shape for 25 or more years. Even if the narcissist or sociopath doesn't fully replace the wife with the kids hes gotten from her he will replace her with a younger woman, have more kids, repeat endlessly. Huge inconsistency in saying Toby was a complete monster with no hope for change if treatment and education without the kids going into foster care had existed in the USA. What's going on in other families? Things a lot worse in many cases -- you can probably put the scenarios together and those scenarios are not a physically healthy in tact family with opportunities for each family member to learn skills like playing all kinds of instruments, perform, have close relationship of any kind with all siblings and both parents (especially the non abusive parent as the abuser often gets rid of her once he's gotten his wife replacements out of her), live on a pretty property for 20 plus years, etc.
I think this is the episode that showcases their fabulous homeschooling. This won’t be surprising news given that we all already know this family wasn’t what they seemed. Those kids were taught nothing (aside from how to keep a smile plastered on your face while your dad beats up and molests you and your siblings while your mother does nothing). Read Jessica’s memoir. Yes, they are talented dancers and singers but it’s sad that they have no skills for any other career. Same situation with the Duggars. There was an episode of “Counting On” where Joy Anna was reading a clue to a scavenger hunt. She did not know that X was a multiplication symbol.
