Hot take but people who call themselves “biblical literalists” to justify pushing extreme morals on their community and on the rest of us are just a holes.

I grew up around fundies and in evangelical circles and when the Duggars say “we take the Bible literally and even when it’s not fun”, it really grinds my gears.

Let’s be clear, I’m now an atheist and I don’t believe the Bible really applies to me but I also don’t think that the extremes people go to in order o prove they are more holy is right. In fact, it’s dangerous.

For example, the Duggars believe in “wives submit to your husbands”. This is part of the joyfully available philosophy and a huge part of why Anna will never leave pest. Women are taught that regardless of what their husbands do, they should be submissive. In fundie circles that even goes as far as women staying in abusive relationships and not ever contradicting their husbands-even when they are doing something incredibly stupid that puts the welfare of their families at risk. If a woman feels like she isn’t getting her needs met or isn’t feeling loved enough she just gets told “You made your bed, now you gotta lie in it. If you submit to your husband regardless then God will change his heart. And even if he doesn’t, God will reward you in heaven.”

Here’s the thing though. The same passage says “Husbands love your wife as Christ loved the church and laid down his life for her”. Yet men aren’t taught that if their waive isn’t submitting to them that they need to love them selflessly so that God will change her heart. Nope. They are allowed to withhold love from their wives on that case. Encouraged even. And women are taught that they deserve that kind of treatment.

I’m not in favor of a submissive wife dynamic anyway. But let’s play Devil’s advocate for a sec and look at it as if we did. The reality is that the Bible literally says that husbands should love their wives so selflessly that they are willing to pit aside their own needs and desires in favor of what is good for their wives. That would mean if their wife isn’t in the mood, he shouldn’t demand sex. If his wife doesn’t want lots of kids then he should respect that. And if he wants to do something that is stupid beyond belief that if she doesn’t think it’s good for the family he should consider her feelings.

That’s biblical literalism. You know following the uncomfortable parts like husbands not being tyrants. Funny how the Duggars and other fundies don’t seem to remember that bit.