Recently I came across a 7 part BBC documentary on YouTube that focused on the followers of the Westboro Baptist Church located in Topeka, Kansas. The church was founded by Fred Phelps, a man who preaches a message of hate and eternal damnation for all those who do not adhere to the message of the WBC. The best known slogan of the Westboro Baptist Church is, “God Hates Fags”, along with a seemingly never ending amount of anti-gay messages such as, “FAGS EAT POOP”-truly divine. They contend that America and most of the world are doomed to hell as a result of supporting the homosexual lifestyle.
The WBC takes their incredibly warped and hilariously ironic message to such extremes that they picket the funerals of United States soldiers killed during combat in Iraq. Phelps and his followers claim that the soldiers are “fag-enablers” who are fighting for a depraved and perverse country who is certain to face God’s wrath. After watching all seven parts of the documentary, I couldn’t help but feel sick, however, I was amused by the complete idiocy of people who claim they are preaching God’s word yet missing the point entirely. One of their beliefs is that people should not worship the dead, especially those who do not possess the religious ideals of the WBC. Ironically, Christianity is based largely around the death and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
While the Phelps family and those who found truth in the message of the Westboro Baptist Church, do not represent the majority of Christian followers, it is unfortunate that such people exist. This documentary has more comedic value than anything, and its host, Louis Theroux, has a striking resemblance to the Daily Show’s John Oliver. Not surprisingly, this 7 part series could easily have been filmed to appear on the Daily Show, as the beliefs expressed by Fred Phelps, his family and the WBC followers are the apparent result of being brainwashed from an early age. Since Fred Phelps is the mind behind the hate, it is obvious that he, like all mental fruits who create cult-like organizations, has deep seeded issues of homophobia and mental instability.
Phelps refused to answer any of the questions posed by Theroux, and instead, called him dumb and damned to hell. Unfortunately, many of the younger kids in the Phelps circle have no idea about what they are told to protest, but seem eager to follow in the footsteps of their fellow siblings. The whole documentary is really an interesting sociological look at radical belief systems and the people who find peace of mind in such extreme ideological practices. In terms of entertainment value, the documentary is chock full of laughs, mind-boggling quotes and images that will turn any rational person’s stomach into a knot. Oddly enough, many of the members of the WBC are actually very nice and courteous to Theroux throughout his filming of them. That is of course despite the constant reminders from them to Theroux that he is going to hell. There are even moments where it seems like they would be pleasant people to be around, but then they decide to talk. Nevertheless, for the sake of trying to understand the Westboro Baptist Church or even for a few minutes of chuckle-filled entertainment, go check out the 7 parts on YouTube by clicking the following links.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Preview
If any of the videos are missing just search “Most Hated Family in America”. YouTube is petrified of lawsuits so they have a tendency to remove videos.
