Family Research Council Responds to Josh Duggar Cheating and Porn Scandal: ''Our Hearts Hurt for His Family''

Find out what the religious organization is saying

The Family Research Council has broken their silence on the Josh Duggar cheating and pornography scandal.

The conservative and religious organization, which used to employ the troubled reality star, posted a statement on their website today to condemn Josh's actions.

"Last night we learned from online reports about allegations concerning Josh Duggar and then read his confession today," Family Research Council President Tony Perkins says. "We are grieved by Josh's conduct and the devastating impact of his pornography addiction and marital unfaithfulness. Our hearts hurt for his family, and all those affected by Josh's actions. His deceitful behavior harms his family, his friends, his former coworkers, and the cause he has publicly espoused. Those of us who advocate for family values in the public square are held to a higher standard, and Josh's failures serve as a painful reminder of the destructive effects of not living with integrity. We are praying for the family."

After it was reported earlier this week that Josh had an account on the extramarital-affair hookup site Ashley Madison, the 27-year-old reality star confirmed his infidelity (and more) in a statement Thursday.

"I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife," he said. "I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him.

"I brought hurt and a reproach to my family, close friends and the fans of our show with my actions that happened when I was 14-15 years old, and now I have re-broken their trust," he continued, citing the recent molestation scandal. "The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country, I was hiding my own personal failings."

Josh later edited the statement to take out specific lines.