Josh Duggar resigns from anti-LGBT Family Research Council and apologizes for underage sex assaults

"I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption"

Published May 22, 2015 3:55PM (EDT)

  (AP/Danny Johnston)
(AP/Danny Johnston)

On Thursday, Josh Duggar apologized for sexually molesting several underage girls in the early 2000s and resigned from his position as at the Family Research Council, a conservative organization.

The apology comes after InTouch obtained a 2006 report alleging not only that the eldest child of the family featured on TLC's "19 and counting" committed several acts of sexual abuse, but that his father, Jim Bob, waited over a year to report him to the police.

In a statement posted on the Duggar family's Facebook page, Josh wrote:

"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life. I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions. In my life today, I am so very thankful for God’s grace, mercy and redemption."

"Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives," said parents Jim Bob and Michelle in a statement. "When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes, and we were shocked. We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before."

Tony Perkins, head of FRC, said that Josh had resigned from his post as executive director of FRC Action “as a result of previously unknown information becoming public concerning events that occurred during his teenage years... Josh believes that the situation will make it difficult for him to be effective in his current work."

The FRC is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has documented the group's long history of misinformation, smear tactics and fear-mongering against LGBT people.
Josh ran a used-car lot before parlaying his reality-show fame into the high-profile advocacy position.

By Joanna Rothkopf

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19 And Counting Family Research Council Family Values Josh Duggar Republicans Sexual Abuse