The fundamentalist Christian Duggar family have been plunged into scandal. Source: Supplied

Now, the sickening extent of the Duggars’ dysfunctionality is emerging, as well as that of the homeschool cult they belong to along with thousands across the US.

The evangelist stars of TLC documentary 19 Kids and Counting found fame for their fundamentalist beliefs, including preserving purity until marriage, banning abortion (which one of them compared to the Holocaust) and avoiding temptations such as alcohol.

After a 2006 police report was leaked last week, 27-year-old Josh told People magazine in a shocking confession: “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends.”

His wife Anna said she would always stand by him and that he had confessed his “past teenage mistakes” when she and her family first visited the Duggar home. “I was surprised at his openness and humility and at the same time didn’t know why he was sharing it,” the 26-year-old added.

Michelle Duggar, left, with her children and husband Jim-Bob after the birth of her 17th child. Source: News Corp Australia

Josh Duggar has resigned from the Christian lobbying group he represented after his admission to child molestation. Source: AP

Josh’s sister’s father-in-law’s reaction was even more troubling, with the Inquisitr reporting that Michael Seewald had posted on his blog:“Many times it is simply lack of opportunity or fear of consequences that keep us from falling into grievous sin even though our fallen hearts would love to indulge the flesh. We should not be shocked that this occurred in the Duggars’ home, we should rather be thankful to God if we have been spared such, and pray that he would keep us and our children from falling.”

Another member of the fundamentalist Quiverfull movement the Duggars follow observed that what Josh did was “often called ‘playing doctor’” when she was young and that he should be left alone, Raw Story reported.

Quiverfull believers insist that women obey the orders of men and are strictly against all forms of birth control. The Duggars not only follow these teachings but are part of Bible-based homeschooling sect the Advanced Training Institute (ATI).

The ATI was founded by 80-year-old Bill Gothard, who is currently on “indefinite administrative leave” after it emerged that 34 women had made sexual harassment claims against him, which have not led to convictions.

A scene from the episode: A Duggar Wedding Special. Source: Supplied

Homeschooling parents Jim-Bob and Michelle Duggar. Source: Supplied

Gothard’s brother, Steve, was removed from the organisation after he was charged with a major sex scandal and money-laundering in 1980.

Gothard’s “Recovering Grace” lessons include the questions: “How did the ‘Socratic method’ of reasoning come from a sodomite manner of living?” “How can graphs help to visualise the consequences of lust?” and “How do prime numbers illustrate the principle of ‘one flesh’ in marriage?”

The Duggars still apparently follow Gothard’s teaching plans, outlined by Gawker, which include disturbing advice on what to do if sexual abuse occurs in your family. The lessons condemn victims as well as perpetrators, for dressing “immodestly”, and parents for exposing boys to temptation by having them change their sisters’ nappies.

It also claims semen can cause cancer, men cannot control themselves when filled with lust and that women who have miscarriages have been unfaithful.

The Duggars have become America’s most divisive family of the moment, and their quaintly old-fashioned image has come crashing to the ground.