Duggar Husband Austin Forsyth Has World's Strictest Parents

Although the Duggars might have a monopoly on big, strict religious families, they are far from the only ones. In fact, fellow Duggar-in-law Austin Forsyth comes from a family that might be even more strict and firm in their controversial beliefs than the Duggars. And we know what you're probably thinking: "How is that possible?" Trust us, we were wondering the same thing. But after doing a little digging into Austin's parents, Terry and Roxanne, we discovered some startling facts about the family.

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For one, unlike the Duggars, the Forsyths are a small four-member family. Roxanne is actually Terry's second wife, and he has other children from a previous marriage. Considering how strict the Forsyths are about purity vows and no kissing before marriage (lest it lead to divorce), it's a surprising footnote in the family's history. After the divorce, Terry had a religious epiphany to start a Christian camp to teach others about family togetherness, since he apparently thought he was an expert on the matter. The camp is currently under controversy yet again for inviting polarizing speakers like Michael Pearl and Bill Federer. And that's just touching the surface of why the Forsyths might just be way worse than the Duggars. Below, a quick rundown of their strictest moments.

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Austin's parents were featured on an episode of World's Strictest Parents.

Well, it doesn't get any more definitive than this. The Forsyths showed off their parenting skills to the world during an episode of the CMT reality show that aired back in 2009. During the episode, Austin's parents both tried to instill their "fire and brimstone" philosophy into a couple of angsty teens.

Austin had to endure a long list of strict rules.

Unsurprisingly, considering his parents are one of the "world's strictest parents," but Austin has endured an upbringing that sounds even more rigid than the Duggars'. On the episode of the reality show, it was revealed that Austin and his sister woke up at 6 a.m. every day. They had to work chores all day, weren't allowed to close their doors ever, and weren't even allowed to keep secrets because, according to Daddy Forsyth, things "done in secrets are not good." On the show, Austin revealed, "Dad is definitely the strict one in the house." His sister agreed, "Dad's pretty intimidating." Say what you want about Jim Bob Duggar, but even he doesn't come across as scary.

If you want to be part of the Forsyth family, you have to go to church. No exceptions.

Well this should come as no surprise, but during the episode of World's Strictest Parents, they forced one of their guests, who was Jewish, to attend a church service. When the girl originally refused to go, Daddy Forsyth said, "If you want to be a part of my family and don’t want to go to church, then you’re not part of my family.”

For an ATI family, the Forsyths are rather small.

While you'd think this would be a good thing compared to the Duggars' bloated 20+ member family, but as a commenter on FreeJinger.org, pointed out, it actually made things harder on the Forsyth siblings. Because there was only two of them, there was less likely a chance they could get "lost" in the crowd of their own family, which meant they probably experienced an upbringing that was a lot more controlled than the Duggars'. "In a mega family like the Duggars, kids can fly under the radar, somewhat," the commenter wrote, "whereas, with only two kids, there's nowhere to hide for Austin and his sister."

Austin's dad wouldn't even allow him to be around someone dressed like this.

Although the outfit above, worn by a guest during the Forsyths' episode of World's Strictest Parents, hardly looks scandalous, Terry did not approve. "She had on a short skirt and her top was pulled down a little low," he said on the show. "It’ll be breaking a vow, as far as Austin's concerned, to expose him to something like that." He pulled the teenager aside and made her cover up in "modest" clothing.

The Forsyths also follow the controversial "Pearl method," which the Duggars follow as well.

The "Pearl" method is a type of child rearing method invented by pastor Michael Pearl and his wife Debi via their book, To Train Up a Child. The book promotes controversial and harmful methods like "blanket training," spanking babies as young as six months old, and hosing children down when they accidentally wet the bed. The book has been linked to three child deaths, and yet the Forsyths are more than happy to invite the Pearls as guest speakers to their Christian camp. Terrifying.

Because of his parents, Austin is the strictest of the Duggar-in-laws.

With Jessa's husband being the most liberal and Jill and Jinger being allowed to wear pants, Joy-Anna's husband Austin is by far the most rigid when it comes to his beliefs. Joy-Anna, who has always been a tomboy, admitted on an episode of Counting On that she doesn't enjoy wearing pants but wears them at Austin's request. Sad.