Jinger Duggar Reveals ‘Loved Ones’ Were ‘Unkind’ After She Slammed Her Family’s Church

Jinger Vuolo (née Duggar) revealed that some “loved ones” were hurtful to her following the release of her 2023 memoir, Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear.

In it, Jinger, 31, was highly critical of her family’s ultra-conservative church, the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), in which she and her 18 siblings were raised to follow by parents Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar.

“Yes, there were critics. Yes, there were people who were saying very harsh things,” the Counting On alum told People on Thursday, January 9. “There were loved ones that would say things that were very unkind.”

“It was not easy. But at the end of the day, I realized it was the best decision. It was the best thing that I could have done, to love these people by sharing truth,” she continued.

“That was something that was freeing for me because … the more that I’m thinking clearly through the ‘why’ behind I want to speak truth, I need to stand up for the vulnerable,” she added. “My people-pleasing before would never have allowed me to do that. I would’ve been silent.”

Jinger’s new book, People Pleaser: Breaking Free from the Burden of Imaginary Expectations, goes on sale on January 14.

The author discussed in her memoir how IBLP founder Bill Gothard‘s teachings were “wrong” and claimed the religion in which she and her siblings were raised encouraged life “built on rules, not God’s Word.”

Jinger told People that after rejecting the beliefs she was brought up with, she tried “to focus my thoughts on how can I love and serve the people who’ve been so hurt by this teaching,” and not thinking about “what all the critics are going to say.”

“I’m going to just put all that aside and say, no, I want to do what I feel called to do and that’s to speak truth,” she continued. “So let me just put on my blinders and focus on that and share my story, and then whatever the outcome is, I know I’ve done what I’m supposed to do.”

Jinger didn’t go into details about which “loved ones” said unkind things to her.

Prior to Becoming Free Indeed‘s January 31, 2023, release, a source exclusively told In Touch that her parents were bracing for what Jinger was going to say in her tell-all book.

“Jim Bob and Michelle aren’t thrilled by Jinger’s book coming out, but they are hoping for the best,” the insider revealed. “They’re not sure of all the topics she’ll cover, but they have prayed about it and hope that it’s honest, respectful and doesn’t dredge up too much of their family troubles.”

Jill Dillard (née Duggar) showed her support for her sister prior to the book’s release, commenting in a November 7, 2022, Instagram post about the then-upcoming memoir, “Proud of you sis and following God’s leading in your life! Look forward to reading the book!”

In the post, Jinger told fans the book was going to detail “my spiritual journey, a journey of disentangling truth from error. In it, I share stories from my life —stories that nobody saw while the TV cameras were rolling: stories of fear and uncertainty but also of discovery and hope. My prayer is that it will encourage you on your own journey!”

Jill, 33, commended her sister and brother-in-law Jeremy Vuolo in a January 19, 2023, Instagram Story video, telling them, “I know that this journey probably was not easy for you guys. So, I’m just proud of your bravery and just continue speaking the truth.”