Last week, after a year of scandal and six months of treatment for addictions to sex and pornography, and several weeks of seclusion, Josh Duggar returned to the public eye.
Of course, all he did was go on a road trip with his family and stop for a round of mini-golf, but from the reaction online, you’d think he’d announced he was partnering with TLC for a new reality show.
Naturally, the timing of his re-emergence was no accident.
The Duggars promised fans that Josh would not appear on Jill & Jessa: Counting On and they made good on that vow.
Now that the show has wrapped it’s first full season, however, the Duggars are free to gradually re-introduce Josh to the public.
“SOOOO Good to hear news on Josh and family!!” one commenter wrote.
“We pray for them often and really believe they should be on the show and sharing how they are walking through such a difficult situation. We believe Josh’s story could help so many Christian men who have the same struggle.”
“That is so awesome! I think they should post a picture somewhere of Josh and Anna and the kids,” another fan commented.
“Yes, Josh made a mistake but was man enough to seek help for the sake of himself, his marriage to Anna, his kids, and the rest of his family and the world that has been involved in his life more importantly God above.”
Of course, many fans were quick to point out that Josh’s “mistakes” involved molesting four of his sisters and cheating on the mother of his four children.
He confessed to the latter only after it was discovered that Josh had been using an Ashley Madison account to seek cheating partners.
Several media outlets reported that Josh’s presence made other families visibly uncomfortable at both the mini-golf establishment and at the high school graduation that brought him to Tennessee.
“Three families with young girls were unhappy Josh was so close to them and left the golf course when they saw him and Jim Bob,” says one witness.
“The parents were not comfortable,” adds another.
So is it too soon to bring Josh back into the spotlight – or will it always be too late?
We suppose only time will tell, but you can be sure the Duggars will give it their best shot.
