The Controversial Faith: What Religion Are The '19 Kids And Counting' Duggars And Their 7 Strictest Beliefs Explained

The question of "what religion are 19 and counting" has captivated and confused millions since the Duggar family first appeared on television. As of today, December 18, 2025, the family is most accurately described as being affiliated with the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), a non-denominational Christian fundamentalist organization that has recently come under intense scrutiny. While the Duggars are conservative Christians and have been called Independent Baptists, their strict, unique lifestyle—which prohibits traditional dating and enforces rigid modesty standards—stems directly from the teachings of the IBLP and its controversial founder, Bill Gothard.

The latest updates regarding the Duggar family’s faith are not about their devotion, but about the children who have publicly broken away from the IBLP’s "cult-like" control. Daughters like Jill Duggar Dillard and Jinger Duggar Vuolo have released books and participated in the explosive Amazon docuseries, *Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets*, exposing the darkness and control beneath the wholesome, public image of the IBLP.

The Duggar Family: Parents, Children, and Key IBLP Figures

The Duggar family, the central figures of the former TLC show *19 Kids and Counting* and its spin-off *Counting On*, are led by parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar. All 19 children's names famously begin with the letter 'J'. The family’s prominence is inextricably linked to the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and its founder, Bill Gothard.

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The Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar Lineage (The 19 Children)

• Joshua James Duggar (Married to Anna Keller)
• Jana Marie Duggar
• John-David Duggar (Married to Abbie Grace Burnett)
• Jill Duggar Dillard (Married to Derick Dillard)
• Jessa Duggar Seewald (Married to Ben Seewald)
• Jinger Duggar Vuolo (Married to Jeremy Vuolo)
• Joseph Duggar (Married to Kendra Caldwell)
• Josiah Duggar (Married to Lauren Swanson)
• Joy-Anna Duggar Forsyth (Married to Austin Forsyth)
• Jedidiah Duggar (Married to Katey Nakatsu)
• Jeremiah Duggar (Married to Hannah Wissmann)
• Jason Michael Duggar
• James Andrew Duggar
• Justin Samuel Duggar (Married to Claire Spivey)
• Jackson Levi Duggar
• Johannah Faith Duggar
• Jennifer Danielle Duggar
• Jordyn-Grace Makiya Duggar
• Josie Brooklyn Duggar

Key Entities and Associated Figures

• Jim Bob Duggar (Patriarch)
• Michelle Duggar (Matriarch)
• Bill Gothard (Founder of IBLP)
• Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) (The Organization)
• Advanced Training Institute (ATI) (IBLP's homeschooling program)
• Jill Duggar Dillard (Outspoken former member)
• Jinger Duggar Vuolo (Outspoken former member)
• Derick Dillard (Jill's husband and critic of IBLP)
• Amy Duggar King (Duggar cousin and critic)
• Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets (Amazon Docuseries)

The 7 Strictest and Most Controversial IBLP Beliefs

The Duggar family’s religious life is governed by a set of strict, fundamentalist principles taught by the IBLP. These are not standard Christian or Baptist doctrines but specific teachings developed by Bill Gothard, which critics argue foster an environment of control, patriarchy, and spiritual abuse.

1. The "Umbrella of Authority" or "Chain of Command"

This is arguably the most central and controlling tenet of the IBLP. It posits a rigid, hierarchical structure where God provides protection (the "umbrella") only if a person remains in submission to their God-given authorities. For a woman, this means submitting to her father until marriage, and then to her husband. For children, it means unquestioning obedience to their parents. Stepping out from under this authority is believed to remove God's protection, leaving the individual vulnerable to Satan's attacks.

2. The Courtship System (No Dating)

Traditional dating is forbidden within the IBLP framework. The Duggars famously followed a system called Courtship, which is a highly structured, supervised path toward marriage. This process requires parental approval and involvement at every step, with the explicit goal of determining if the couple is meant to marry. Physical contact is severely limited, often only involving side-hugs and saving the first kiss for the wedding day. This practice is intended to maintain "purity."

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3. Strict Modesty Standards

IBLP teachings place a heavy emphasis on modesty, particularly for women, to prevent men from having "lustful thoughts." This is the source of the Duggars' famous dress code. Women are typically required to wear long skirts or dresses that cover the knees, and necklines must be high. The core concept is that women are responsible for men's purity, a belief that has been heavily criticized by former members as shaming.

4. Patriarchal Family Structure

The IBLP promotes a strong patriarchal system, where the husband (Jim Bob Duggar in the family's case) is the unquestioned head of the household, and his wife and daughters are expected to be submissive. This teaching encourages large families, as children are seen as a blessing and a form of spiritual warfare. Michelle Duggar often publicly deferred to Jim Bob, a clear manifestation of this "headship" doctrine.

5. Homeschooling via the ATI Program

Many IBLP families, including the Duggars, utilize the Advanced Training Institute (ATI), the organization’s dedicated homeschooling curriculum. This program is designed to reinforce the IBLP's core principles and provide an education that is entirely shielded from "worldly" influences, often limiting exposure to secular history, literature, and science.

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6. The 20 "Basic Life Principles" and "Character Qualities"

IBLP’s teachings are structured around 20 "Basic Life Principles" (like "Forgiveness," "Obedience," and "Diligence") and 49 "Character Qualities." The organization emphasizes that outward conformity to these qualities is essential for a godly life, often focusing on behavior modification rather than spiritual transformation, which critics have called legalistic.

7. Isolation from "Worldly" Influences

The IBLP encourages a lifestyle of separation from secular culture. This includes strict rules about media consumption (music, movies, and television), clothing, and even friendships outside the IBLP community. This isolation is a key factor that critics argue creates a closed, high-control environment, making it difficult for members to question the teachings or leave the organization.

The Current Landscape: Scandal and the Exodus of Duggar Children

The image of the "wholesome" Duggar family has been shattered by a series of scandals and public revelations, all tied back to the IBLP. The most significant recent developments revolve around the fallout from the organization’s founder and the children speaking out.

The Bill Gothard Lawsuits and IBLP Controversy

IBLP founder Bill Gothard stepped down in 2014 following numerous accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct involving young women who were part of the ministry. In a significant legal update, a June 2024 ruling by the Texas Supreme Court allowed a lawsuit against Gothard and the IBLP to continue, signaling ongoing legal and public accountability for the organization's past practices.

The Children’s Exodus and Public Break

Several of Jim Bob and Michelle's children have publicly distanced themselves from the IBLP's most extreme teachings. Jill Duggar Dillard’s memoir, *Counting the Cost*, details the emotional and spiritual toll of being raised under the IBLP’s strict authority. Jinger Duggar Vuolo's book, *Becoming Free Indeed*, explicitly calls her upbringing "cult-like" and discusses her journey to a less restrictive, more traditional Christian faith. These public breaks, along with the docuseries, have driven a massive, renewed public interest in the true nature of the religion that shaped the "19 Kids and Counting" family.