The battle over the Duggar family's values continues to grow as their defenders and detractors take to social media to voice their opinions.

Nearly every Instagram photo or Facebook post the family shares leads to statements of dissent or support in their comments, and petitions for "19 Kids & Counting" have thousands of signatures.

The controversy intensified earlier this month after the Duggars deleted photos of same-sex couples kissing on their Facebook page - the family had solicited photos of married couples kissing to promote the sanctity of marriage.

It followed on from anger in the summer over matriarch Michelle Duggar's appearance on an automated call urging Fayetteville, Arkansas residents not to support a transgender rights initiative banning discrimination in housing, employment, and accommodations based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

After being labelled as prejudiced and anti-gay by some LGBT supporters, photos uploaded by the Duggars are eliciting emotional responses, even one as innocent as a shot of the night sky shared this week by Jessa Seewald on her Instagram page.

"This [is] in fact either photo shopped, or a long exposure was used," a self-proclaimed "Free Thinker Humanist Secularist efficianado" commented. "It is not the northern lights. This family is also a discrace to the human race, and should have their horrible show cancelled."

Duggar fans consistently back the reality stars, and started the hashtag #defendtheduggars to show their support.

"#defendtheduggars," one Instagram user posted on one of Jessa's Bible verse memes. "This I will be doing and spreading the word I'm disgusted what people have done to The Duggar Family."

However, the hashtag has been used by LGBT supporters to draw more attention to their goal of getting "19 Kids & Counting" off the air.

"#DefendtheDuggars NOT! a Phoenix mom tweeted. "They use their fame to encourage discrimination against #LGBT Is this something @TLC wants to be associated with?"

A Change.org petition calling for the reality show's cancellation has received over 170,000 signatures, while a LifeSiteNews.com petition to keep "19 Kids & Counting" on the air has received over 200,000 signatures.