Jinger Duggar Vuolo says she no longer considers drinking and dating sinful activities: “I might as well indulge in it.”
How TLC’s former star of 19 Kids & Counting and Counting On has changed her views on everything from alcohol to birth control since leaving the religious organization she grew up in. The family’s strict Christian church, known as the Institute for Basic Life Principles.
“I would look at people who were dating and think, ‘Oh, they’re setting themselves up for life, because it’s not going to do any good,'” Duggar, 29, told People in an exclusive interview. However, she no longer thinks dating is sinful.
“I’ve seen more people glorifying God – living very good lives – who have dated, sometimes even better than courting. I would probably be addicted to that – having a partner, not kissing before marriage, and not holding hands until you’re engaged. All these things I set up for myself now I’m kind of laughing,” Duggar continued.
Duggar left her family’s church in 2017 to share her journey in her new memoir, “Really Becoming Free.” another issue of concern to Duggar was alcohol consumption. Contrary to the beliefs of her former church, she chose to follow the teachings of the Bible.
“On every topic, I had to come back and say, ‘Well, what does God’s word really say?’ The Bible is very clear about drinking alcohol; it just says that alcohol is not a sin,” Duggar explained. “Jesus made wine at a wedding.”
Although she still doesn’t drink, Duggar says she “has no problem with other Christians. They are free to drink if they want to.”
Duggar, who is now the mother of two daughters, Felicity Nicole, 4, and Evangeline Jo, 2, and is married to Jeremy Vuolo, says her views on birth control have also changed. Previously, she “always thought it was completely wrong. But these days, she says, she “doesn’t see it that way anymore.
Duggar, who was not allowed to wear shorts or pants growing up, believes she “had to wear only skirts and dresses to please God,” she told People in an interview earlier this month.
“If I went beyond what I thought was expected of me, I would think God would be so upset with me that I could bring harm to myself,” she added, calling the “harmful” and “destructive” environment she was raised in “While she notes that this influence has “lasting effects,” she still recognizes the great feeling of “the beauty of this journey” because she is free. .
Duggar struggles with an eating disorder while dealing with the fear and shame that comes with dress choices. Earlier this week, she explained in a podcast interview with Allie Beth Stucky that she did everything she could to avoid gaining 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 look good. She tries to get up as late as possible in the morning and sleep as long as possible, all in an effort to skip meals and “eat as few meals as possible because I don’t want to get fat.””
One thing that hasn’t changed since Duggar left the church is her support for Anna, her brother’s wife Josh Duggar, following his child pornography conviction.
“I was always there for Anna and the kids whenever they wanted to talk, or in any way I could help and love them,” Duggar told People in an interview earlier this month. “I know they’ve just been through so much, so I’m always here for them whenever they need help.”
Duggar added that she hadn’t spoken to her brother in years and “didn’t want to talk to him.” He is currently serving a 12-year sentence in federal prison.
