sweet but unrealistic?

Not kissing until married? O my gosh. I don't think that is really dating if you just do things platonically. Where is the romance?

I couldn't see myself doing this and I am sure my children wouldn't put up with it, but I find it kind of sweet that this is what they chose to do. Maybe it's there way of ensuring they at no point become tempted before they are actually married. More power to them.

I say, to each his own. I would rather have more Duggars in the world than the ones who get pregnant at 16 years of age, get disease, go on welfare, etc.

In a normal situation, even a normal christian situation, I would agree with you. In this day and age with all the s*x on tv that teenagers with raging hormones would be tempted to at least kiss, no matter how good their initial intentions are. Notice I said in a normal situation. This man has a strong message not to do anything. This message is blatantly pushed in his face day in and day out. His 16 brothers and sisters!!! (plus the one on the way) He sees what promiscuity can get him, even if his parents weren't all that promiscuous. Living with all those kids in the house, having to help out, I can pretty much believe that he doesn't want any of that in his life for a long while. I'm not even sure if this guy will want to kiss on his wedding day, or even have s*x on the honeymoon lol.

I saw that show last night for the first time. I have no problem with their moral stance on dating and marriage if that's how they choose to conduct themselves. With so many unwanted children being born today and STD's running rampant it's actually a good idea. I was rather touched by the young man's thoughts about trust. He said something about, if he can commit and control himself with her then she would be able to trust him without question in the future. I probably would be more inclined to trust someone who was willing to share such restrictions out of love and respect. The problem I had with that family was the number of children! I have a huge problem with bringing that many children into an already overpopulated world! To me, that is immoral and incredibly short sighted. Especially since people from large families tend to have large families themselves. If estimated statistics hold true the world population will be 12 billion by 2042. If people think that the world is in a mess now just wait until food and clean water supplies start running low. We're willing to invade countries for oil now, how many wars would be fought over land just for a sustainable food and water supply? I have a big problem with any religion that holds to the biblical "be fruitful and multiply" mantra as meaning produce as many children as possible. Back when that was written infant mortality was incredibly high. Having 10 kids meant that maybe 2 or 3 might make it to adulthood. That still holds true in some parts of the world. But not in developed countries where MOST offspring will reach an age where they can reproduce as well. In today's world it's nothing short of selfish and irresponsible to the future of humanity to have that many children. Maybe it's a good thing they believe waiting until marriage to procreate is appropriate for them. The longer they wait the better as far as I'm concerned!

Oh gosh, you mean the Duggers? Did she already have the 18th? Or is it still on the way? I know the in the Bible, we were instructed to "Be fruitful and multiply"..but I think that while it was an appropriate directive then...in order to populate the earth..now it just seems ridiculous. I mean, can you imagine how much it costs to run a household that size? And how much waste they generate every month? I know they shop frugally, and make many of their own clothes, or buy at thrift stores, but still. It seems now the older children are just there to be responsible for the younger. I attend church regularly, read my bible and all, and try to follow a good path. But, this is no longer the "old days". It is 2008. I think people can live a Christian lifestyle, while adapting it to today. And there are many familys who share the big family lifestyle. More power to them. I could never do it, that is for sure.

Waaaayy overboard. I mean, there is nothing wrong with having time alone before you are married. That is how people get to know each other. How do they expect to be happy in a marriage if they have never spent any time alone together? Admirable to remain celibate until they are married, but the rest is not necessary. It's as if they have something to prove. Having a chaperon is like having someone to vouch for them in case no one believes they did not have $ex before they were married. That is not necessary, because they are the only ones who matter. Let others believe what they want.