"19 Kids and Counting" stars the Duggars have proven they are force to be reckoned with. A #DefendTheDuggars effort has gained far more signatures than a Change.org petition, which urged TLC to cancel the popular reality show due to the Duggar family's traditional views on marriage.
Last week, a petition on Change.org gained momentum across social media after its organizer claimed that the Duggars used "their fame to promote discrimination, hate, and fear-mongering against gays and transgendered people."
The petition, which was publicized by news outlets such as Huffington Post and the Washington Post, was launched by Jim Wissick of San Jose, California as a way to prompt TLC to axe the show. After several weeks, the petition gained over 160,000 signatures.
"We need to redouble our efforts here and get these hate mongers off the air once and for all," Wissick said in an update to the petition on November 2. "Keep in mind this is a high rating show and will take maximum effort. Please post on your FB walls, Tweet, and email your friends! It's time to stop rewarding hate with more and more TV air time!"
However, a counter-petition supporting the Duggars, which received very little media attention, amassed over 182,000 signatures in a matter of days.
The pro-Duggar counter petition, which was started by LifeSiteNews, reads, "I 100% support the right of the Duggars to express their traditional family values, which they have always done with love and compassion, and which simply reflect the beliefs of the majority of Americans.
"I demand that you ignore the ongoing campaign by a minority of liberal extremists to silence the Duggars, and stand with the family against this absurd attack."
The Benham Brothers and social media star and former Fox News contributor Steven Crowder are among those in support of the Duggars.
"[The Duggars are part of] the same intolerant agenda that attacked our family," said the Benham brothers, whose HGTV show was cancelled after gay activists launched a campaign highlighting their traditional Christian views.
"[That agenda] is now demonizing one of the most wholesome families in America," said the brothers. "The Duggars have always been an example of Christian love for each other and society. It's time for Americans to stand with them against this latest manifestation of anti-Christian bullying."
The American Family Association has also voiced their support for the Duggars, launching their own petition to keep "19 Kids and Counting" on the air.
"The Duggars are under malicious attack because of their uncompromising stand on marriage and abstinence," reads the petition
"TLC needs to know you support the Duggars and 19 Kids and Counting! If TLC hears from enough Christians, they will not even consider canceling the show."
The petition, which will be delivered to TLC just after Christmas, has already gained over 30,000 signatures.
To show your support for the Duggar family, sign the AFA's petition here or the LifeSiteNews petition here.
