Shiny Happy People

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⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Beans)

This is a 4 episode doc about the Duggar family (19 kids and counting on TLC) and where they came from, where they are now, and what type of influence they had.

Firstly, I noticed more similarities with my own upbringing and theirs than I would have liked. The fundamentalism, the rules, the purity culture, the structure of the house and the church. All so similar.

Secondly, the doc does this thing that I don’t like where they really demonize these people for being weird and conservative. While yes, so much harm can and does and did come from groups like these and they often create and harbour people that turn out to be pretty bad and evil. But being weird and conservative in and of itself isn’t a bad thing. I definitely disagreed with almost all of their teaching but had to recognize they weren’t actually doing anything wrong and I think this doc makes them villains maybe when they don’t have to.

Thirdly, Bill Gothard, the head hancho of the institute the Duggars were a part of, is truly a Batman villain. I would never want to be left in a room with him.

Lastly, I was just saddened. Christ is not represented within these people and it made me so mad that they smear the name of Jesus and cause so much harm. Great doc, but be wary.

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