Who are the members of the Westboro Baptist Church?

Below are ten bizarre facts to help you acquaint yourself with some of the worst people in the world: The Westboro Baptist Church was formed in 1955 by Fred Phelps, and its members languished in relative obscurity for decades, waving their signs at gay pride parades and the like.

Where is the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas?

The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), headquartered in Topeka, Kansas, has for years made headlines by protesting the funerals of US soldiers.

Where does the Westboro Baptist Church hold protests?

Along with funerals, the WBC holds protests at dozens of public events, including local Kansas City Chiefs games; music concerts; and even Comic-Con (where they appeared to protest the comic book readers’ worshipping of false superhero idols).

How much money does the Westboro Baptist Church spend?

WBC’s travel expenses have exceeded as much as $200,000 annually. One of Westboro’s followers estimated the organization spends $250,000 a year on picketing. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, it is funded entirely from within the organization and accepts no outside donations.

Phelps-Roper grew up in Westboro Baptist Church, the right-wing organisation which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center in the US. Founded in 1955, Westboro became infamous in the 2000s for picketing the funerals of soldiers who died in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Why did Megan Phelps leave Westboro Baptist Church?

Former Westboro Baptist Church member Megan Phelps-Roper talks to Stylist.co.uk about being trolled in real life, how Twitter helped her leave the hate group, and why she’ll never take her freedom for granted. Every day hundreds of women experience abuse online.

What kind of rhetoric does the Westboro Baptist Church use?

WBC is known for its anti-homosexual rhetoric. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) describes the group as “virulently homophobic”, saying its anti-homosexual rhetoric is often a cover for antisemitism, anti-Americanism, racism, and anti-Christianity. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has added WBC to a list of hate groups for its homophobia.

When did the Westboro Baptist Church start picketing funerals?

WBC has been involved in actions against gay people since at least 1991, when it sought a crackdown on homosexual activity at Gage Park near its headquarters. In addition to conducting anti-gay protests at military funerals, the organization pickets celebrity funerals and public events.