The Bates Family Is Cable TV's New Duggars and They're Just as Toxic

[onehandle]

If you watch the TLC show 19 Kids and Counting starring confirmed child molester Josh Duggar, chances are you’re familiar with the Bates family. From their frequent appearances on the show since 2009, to a 2012 TLC special entitled “The Bates Family: And Baby Makes 19,” to a now-canceled 2012 TLC show United Bates of America, to the new ratings success Bringing Up Bates on “family-oriented” network UPtv, Gil and Kelly Bates have never been shy about their friendship with the Duggars.

While there is much speculation regarding the origins and extent of the family’s actual relationship with the Duggars, according to TV screens, they’re as close as can be, constantly “fellowshipping” around disposable flatware, manual labor, and rolling cameras.

Many fans of Bringing up Bates believe the Bates family is “better” than the Duggars; Kelly Bates genuinely seems to love her 19 children, Gil Bates actively parents (and can also paint glow-in-the-dark eagles at impressive speeds), minimally talented country-singing son Lawson is more sociable and fun than any Duggar boy, and Erin Paine nee Bates is compelling to watch as she shares everything in her life from makeup tutorials to her struggles with fertility.

But lurking behind the admittedly gorgeous family are the same ugly beliefs that drove the Duggars to keep their child-molesting son hidden from authorities for over a year and in the same house as the sisters he molested for many more. Alongside Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Gil and Kelly Bates share a devotion to God, an affection for TV money, and a strict adherence to the ATI (Advanced Training Institute International) homeschooling curriculum.

http://defamer.gawker.com/the-bates-family-is-cable-tvs-new-duggars-and-theyre-ju-1706997724

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Normal families don’t do reality shows

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026724775

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Please pay attention to this comment:

gravit8
Lacey Donohue
5/27/15 10:50am

They don’t just ‘wish’ your family believed this shit. They absolutely want every single human on this planet to believe what they do, and they’re more than happy to legislate these beliefs into actual law.

That’s the thing most of you people will not understand until it’s far too late: These evangelical cults are not sitting at home quietly hoping you all will just someday accept the truthiness of their religion. All those hyper-conservative tea party republicans would be delighted to admit they believe in this horseshit too, but until then they’ll just slip amendments into local and state legislation that force out the secular laws from the past 70 years or so, inserting whoever and whatever laws and politicians they can get away with. In the midwest you see judges being supported and elected with money from these far-right groups. School boards are overrun with these folks, and on the federal level, well, there are more than a few assclowns wiling to cozy up to the Duggars (at the very least, those are future voters!).

If you live in an area where these creeps are working their way into your government, take action. They will do everything in their power to change things to fit their belief system - it’s why they’re called ‘evangelical’. They will smile at your face, be all polite...and then talk all kinds of shit about your heathen ways, your sinning children, and your faithless existence as soon as you leave. There is evil in this world, for sure...this brand of lunacy is a great cover for it.

[BrotherIvan]

6. This comment too

And hey, hey, hey.... let’s not forget that after the Bates family did a remodel (with the Duggar’s help), there was a tour of the new home.

This charming little wall vignette was in the new “Patriotic Room”. The guy on the left is KKK founder Nathan Bedford Forrest. Not to be outdone is Stonewall Jackson on the right.

[BrotherIvan]

8. Wanted to add another one that was good as well

At every level, these people promote dominion. Dominion of Christians over nonbelievers, of men over women, of husbands over wives, of parents over children. All of which, of course, is enforced by the omnipresent threat of violence. This is the most backward and loathsome creed, excepting racial supremacy, to emerge in the United States, and featuring them as “big happy families” is a disservice to the nation. Do you like the Constitution? Do you like the freedom to go where you wish, do as you wish, and speak as you wish? Then these people are your political and social enemy, and deserve nothing but scorn and dismissal.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Thing is, the term 'normal families' is in itself as disgusting as those families.

It's a term oft abused by the right wing when attacking LGBT families, single parent families and even interracial families.
Creepy verbiage.

[onehandle]

3. Clearly not meant that way in this context.

These abusive, conservative, fame-seeking, talentless grifters are not being equated with the the everyday existence of LGBT families, single parent families, and interracial families.

[BrotherIvan]

7. Exactly

This is insidious branding of hatred to make people think this is "normal" and "moral" when it is anything but. This whole group is full of sick bigots, racists and pedophiles.

[EL34x4]

4. The Duggars will never again have a TV show.

They're poison to sponsors.

Sure, they'll probably pop up on TV from time to time on those "where are they now" and "whatever happened to" type specials. Maybe Josh will be living in a trailer park greater than 2000' from a playground?

This being said, don't be surprised to see TLC try to keep the formula going with a similar family. The advertisers will probably demand a little better vetting though.

[LeftyMom]

5. Gil Bates was on the ATI board and very involved in the Bill Gothard coverup

Also a room in their house is decorated with Confederate portraits. Lovely people.