Jinger Duggar faced backlash in her book after speaking out about a toxic church

Jinger Duggar is opening up about the response to her debut memoir.

Turns out some members of the ever-expanding Duggar family and their controversial church weren't exactly cartwheeling enthusiastically.

Jinger hasn't just faced backlash from strangers.

Some of his own “loved ones” said cruel things to him in response to his words.

Everyone is a critic, Jinger Duggar learned with her first book

In Becoming Truly Free: My Story of Untangling Faith from FearJinger Duggar condemned the toxic cult that had, in many ways, shaped her life.

His family's involvement in the IBLP, an ultra-conservative fundamentalist organization, is beyond controversial. Between its notorious founder, Bill Gothard, its promotion of appalling “educational” materials, and a litany of scandals… every survivor story is also a horror story.

As an adult, Jinger had to unlearn a lot of things. In a new interview, she said People that she tried “to focus my thoughts on how I can love and serve the people who have been so hurt by this teaching,” instead of worrying about “what all the critics are going to say.”

“I'm just going to put all that aside and say no, I want to do what I feel called to do and that's tell the truth,” Jinger Duggar said.

“So let me just put my blinders on, focus on this and share my story,” she resolved. “And whatever the outcome, I know I did what I’m supposed to do.”

Jinger spoke about the importance of “not being consumed by this fear” of speaking out. She said it was “actually so liberating”.

This memoir saw Jinger receive backlash from those close to her

“Yes, there have been criticisms. Yes, there were people who said very harsh things,” she admitted.

Jinger added: “There were relatives who said very mean things. It wasn't easy. We imagine not.

“But in the end, I realized it was the best decision,” Jinger emphasized. “It was the best thing I could have done, loving these people by sharing the truth.”

“It was something that freed me,” Jinger Duggar then pointed out.

This was “because… the more clearly I think about the ‘why’ behind I want to tell the truth, the more I have to stand up for the most vulnerable,” she explained.

Jinger then admitted, “My people's pleasure before would never have allowed me to do this.” I would have kept silent.

What is this business about pleasing people?

Jinger was of course giving the interview about her latest book, whose title is unpleasant and long: People Pleaser: freeing yourself from the burden of imaginary expectations.

It is extremely common for children who grew up in abusive and toxic homes to be eager to please, even desperate to please. Indeed, they grew up in an environment where their personal safety depended on the mood and feelings of the adults who were supposed to love and protect them.

Clearly, Jinger has her own angle for this book – just like she did for her last one. Not all of Duggar's critics share her priorities. But his view of his own trauma can be interesting, even if Jim Bob hates not controlling the narrative.