Okay, I’ve seen the previews for the episode and read the message boards, and this definitely sounds like a must-see. I want to know Dan and Janna’s entire reasoning (bet you it’ll be a bunch of BS anyway) behind this lifestyle.
I definitely agree with the messages that state that Child Protective Services should be involved. They should’ve intervened yesterday. Seriously, I do not understand how God would allow them to have seven children that they cannot take care of (all that “multiply and be fruitful” garbage in the Old Testament that they obviously fell for) and then live in squalor with no electricity, little food, no money, no plan for this family, and even not enough room in the house (which they will lose) for the children to play in, never mind do their homeschooling. I have a question for them: how are you going to home-school your children without a home?
They say that this primitive lifestyle is God’s will, God’s plan for them, that they are being led by God, and that God will provide them with everything. I have news – God is too busy admitting people into Heaven, controlling the weather, and making improvements of His Kingdom to cater to only one holy-rolling family. God may have a plan for everyone, but His long-term plan was for people of the Earth to make some things of themselves by gaining employment, establishing careers, and providing for their families. He is not going to have a million dollars rain down from the sky for Dan and Janna to catch in their hands, buckets and hats. He is not going to have a huge mansion drop in the middle of a big field for them to live in. I may not be a Bible expert, but didn’t God assign His followers and Disciples to do laborious tasks in order to earn their keep? Even the Amish had to work by churning butter, washing clothes, educating children and building barns. An old saying comes into play here: “If you don’t work, you don’t eat.”
I may not be employed myself as I am posting this, but the reason why is that I have been living with cerebral palsy since birth, and have mentioned this in a personal information section on my résumé. Not all work establishments are going to hire me because of my disability – let’s be realistic – and they certainly won’t hire me if they think I will need constant supervision and/or assistance on assigned tasks once I tell them my limitations. Which is why I am getting assistance to seek employment at the learning centre in my hometown, and I have been a bit busy putting together a “business communication” package that will surely wow employers wherever I go. As well, due to my limitations, I may never be able to provide for a family as society would expect of me, and I have come to accept that. My point is, I would never use God as an excuse to not work saying, “He will provide me with a good life and lots of money, and a wife and children worthy of my love and devotion.” That is crap, and I would actually be sent to hell for that. Dan and Janna need to get it through their heads, pound out a few copies of their résumés, and look for actual jobs. (That they are looking to God to provide for them is actually a waste of their college educations, and I don’t know why few people, if anyone, brought this up.)
Those poor kids need to be in the custody of Janna’s mom and stepdad, or several good foster homes, until Dan and Janna get their acts together, get themselves some employment (you might actually need two parents working to provide for this kind of family) get those children into an actual school, (not putting down homeschooling parents, but this arrangement obviously isn’t working out for them, and I have read statements from other parents of this category describing their embarrassment) and a complete makeover and their lifestyles and attitudes. Their children – and God – will thank them in the long run. Many previous messages on this board have said it best – God will only help those who will help themselves.
I may be Christian, but I do not practice the religion, and this is why. And we wonder why religion as a whole continues to be vilified in the media.
(Original Air Date: 02/15/08) What happens when a parent’s agenda becomes so extreme that his or her children are forced to live a harsh, stoic existence? Dan and Janna are a college-educated couple married for 15 years with seven children, ages ranging from 2 weeks to 14. They have no income, no heat, no running water and are about to lose their house. Dan and Janna believe that their primitive lifestyle is God’s will, and that they are being led by the Lord. Janna’s mom, Carol, and stepdad, Rich, are worried about the health of their grandchildren. Are they eating enough? Are they warm enough? They say because the children are home schooled, they live in a cult-like home environment, and are not exposed to the outside world. Carol and Rich are willing to bail this family out one last time, but why are Dan and Janna refusing the help? After eight failed businesses, why won’t Dan get a job to support his family? Where will they go when they are forced out of their home? Talk about the show here.
