Austin Forsyth Sees ‘Counting On’ as a Platform to Push His Religious Agenda
Another day, another Duggar controversy! Joy-Anna Duggar‘s husband, Austin Forsyth, received backlash online after one fan claimed he was using Counting On‘s checks to foot the bill for his family’s lavish lifestyle. Instead, the new dad clapped back by saying that the show was a platform to spread the word of Jesus.
“Without the show, you all would quickly go broke with all of the trips and parties and babies you all have,” the person wrote. “No one of you all has a real job that pays enough to keep up that lifestyle, so you all depend on the show for money. I think that is very sad, and I think it is a very selfish way to live your life.”
In his response, Austin claimed that money had nothing to do with his decision to join Joy-Anna on her family’s TLC series. Much like his in-laws, he viewed the show as an opportunity to push his religious agenda. “It’s amazing to me how people make emphatic statements about stuff to which they have no clue about. It’s crazy how much you know about me yet have never met me,” the Duggar husband wrote. “The show is to promote Jesus Christ and his goodness. I hope and pray you have a relationship with him.”
During a 2011 appearance at Liberty University, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar explained the reason why they allowed a camera crew in their lives. “When asked to have a reality show, we said we would be willing to do that as long as you don’t leave out our faith because our faith is the core of our lives,” Michelle said, according to the Liberty Champion. “This is a family ministry, and we are sharing with the world that children are a gift from God.”
Contrary to popular belief, however, the large brood does have jobs outside reality television — Austin included. On a recent episode of the show, fans learned the 24-year-old is a pilot. So take that, random Instagram user!
Counting On airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on TLC.
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