by Jinger Duggar has changed his mind.
The former star of TLC’s 19 Kids & counting and Count on talks about how her views on everything from alcohol to birth control have changed since she left the religious organization she grew up in. Principles.
“I’d look at people who are dating and think, ‘Oh, they’re preparing for a disastrous life, because this can’t lead to anything good,'” Duggar, 29, shared. People in an exclusive interview. However, she no longer views dating as sinful.
“I’ve seen more people honor God – and live very beautiful lives – who have dated, and sometimes even better than courtship. I could be so engrossed in that – with having a chaperone, with not kissing until you’re married , and no holding hands until you’re engaged. All these things I set up for myself that I’m kind of laughing about now,” Duggar continued.
Duggar, who left her family’s church in 2017, shares her journey in her new memoir, Be free indeed. Another issue Duggar has focused on is the consumption of alcohol. Contrary to the beliefs of her former church, she chooses to follow the teachings of the Bible.
“On every subject I had to come back and say, ‘Well, what does God’s word actually say?’ The Bible is very clear about drinking and simply says that alcohol is not a sin,” explains Duggar. “Jesus made wine at a wedding.”
While she still doesn’t drink alcohol, Duggar says she “has no problem with other Christians. It’s their freedom to drink if they want.”
Now a mother of two daughters, Felicity Nicole, 4, and Evangeline Jo, 2, with husband Jeremy Vuolo, Duggar says her views on birth control have also changed. Previously, she “always thought that was totally wrong.” But these days, she says she “just doesn’t see it that way anymore.”
Duggar also previously had to meet her religion’s requirements for modesty in dress. Duggar was never allowed to wear shorts or pants growing up and thought she should “only wear skirts and dresses to please God,” she shared People in an earlier interview this month.
“If I stepped outside the expectations of me, I would think that God will be so displeased with me and it could hurt myself,” she added, calling the teachings she grew up under “harmful” and “harmful” mentioned. While she notes there are “lasting effects” of that influence, she still recognizes a tremendous sense of “beauty from this journey” for being free.
While Duggar dealt with anxiety and shame about her clothing choices, she also struggled with an eating disorder. Earlier this week, she explained in an interview with the podcast Recognizable with Allie Beth Stucky the effort she made not to gain weight.
“For me, it was probably comparing myself to other people and not feeling good enough,” Duggar said, noting that it was based on “wanting to be accepted” and “wanting to be beautiful.” She tried to get up as late as possible in the morning and sleep in as long as possible, all in the hopes of skipping meals and “eating as little as possible during a meal because I didn’t want to get fat.” .”
One thing that hasn’t changed since Duggar left the church is her support for Anna, the wife of her older brother Josh Duggar, following his child pornography conviction.
“I’m always there for Anna and the kids anytime they want to talk, or in any way I can help them and love them,” Duggar shared. People in an interview earlier this month. “I know they’ve been through so much and that’s why I’m always there for them when they need help.”
Duggar added that she hasn’t spoken to her brother in years and “has no desire whatsoever to talk to him”. He is currently serving a 12-year sentence in federal prison.
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