We know that the OG Duggars think that Halloween is for hell-bound sinners and not for members of their fundamentalist cult.
But not all of the married Duggar girls do.
Rebellion is a strong word, but not all abide by Jim Bob’s rules. Case in point: Jill and Derick Dillard made the rounds on Halloween.
Some fans blasted them as hypocrites. Others just noted that they seemed to be cheapskates snagging every holiday freebie that they could get.
“We had a blast. We enjoyed dressing up this evening,” Jill Duggar Dillard announced on Instagram.
She continued: “And going out for some family fall fun and Halloween freebies & deals!”
She shared photos of her with Derick and their boys, on costume, on their adventures.
Jill also provided fans and followers with an itenerary.
Jill began: “1st stop was @sonicdrivein for some 50 cent corn dogs.”
“2nd stop was to @chipotle for some $4 #booritos,” she continued, adding: “(And no extra charge for the guac tonight!!)”
Jill added: “3rd stop was to @krispykreme for some free donuts.”
She detailed: “(+the hot light was on so they asked us if we wanted the free glazed ones in addition to the free donut of our choice!!)”
It’s a bit of a surprise that Jill and Derick would participate in a holiday so often derided by people who share his belief system.
Halloween has religious, pre-Christian roots, but is largely secular in how it is celebrated by the general public.
The Duggars believe that even fictional portrayals of things like magic and sorcery are part of a “demonic realm.”
So some fans were astonished that Jill would “risk” her children’s spiritual well being by participating in Halloween.
“How is them going to Krispy [Kreme] in costumes celebrating the devil?” one fan asked after a few more diehard Duggar fans commented.
“They dressed up to get freebies and deals,” points out another.
That same comment continues: “It’s no different than dressing up as a cow for the free chicken sandwich at Chic-fil-a each year!”
“Stop judging everything these people do and let them live their lives,” the comment concludes.
Others took aim at precisely that, however — at Jill and Derick using their kids to get free stuff.
One follower admonished them: “Take the poor kids out trick or treating for some real fun, not just so you can get ‘freebies,'”
“So why is it ok to dress up for Halloween to get freebies but not ok to trick or treat??” another asked.
Another follower demanded: “Just buy the donuts geeez!”
“Your boys look adorable!” praises another fan. “This can actually be a very fun holiday. Happy halloween Dillards!”
“Don’t shame a family for trying something new,” a very thought-provoking comment begins.
The comment continues: “You have to remember that she grew up without Halloween, she might be slowly dipping her toes in these new experiences.”
“People go at their own pace if you don’t like how she does things and how she is Learning things then why are you even following her?” the fan writes.
“To get angry at another family? To judge and think you know what her children need?” the fan continues.
“You cannot get mad at two adults enjoying a night out with their children,” the commenter insists.
The comment continues: “And if freebies come with it then so be it. I bet alot of other family’s were doing the same thing here was.”
“But why are you not judging them?” the fan concludes.
Other fans weren’t angry or defensive … just deeply curious.
“How does celebrating Halloween align with your religious views?” one fan asks.
The fan clarifies: “Not meaning such in a way to generate conflict… genuinely interested in hearing the rationales.”
(As a bit of a religion nerd, I’m curious to hear what they would say for myself.)