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70-627: The Westboro Baptist Church ( WBC ) is an American, unaffiliated Primitive Baptist church in Topeka, Kansas , that was founded in 1955 by pastor Fred Phelps . It is widely considered a hate group , and is known for its public protests against gay people and for its usage of the phrases "God hates fags " and "Thank God for dead soldiers". It also engages in hate speech against atheists , Jews , Muslims , transgender people , and other Christian denominations . The WBC's theology and practices are widely condemned by other Christian churches, including

140-665: A "separatist, antiestablishment" lineage (p. 66). WBC is known for its homophobic rhetoric. The Anti-Defamation League describes the group as "virulently homophobic", saying its anti-homosexual rhetoric is often a cover for antisemitism , anti-Americanism , racism , and hatred of other Christian groups . The Southern Poverty Law Center has added WBC to a list of hate groups for its homophobia. The group has also expressed transphobic messages in its protests. Its homophobic outlook has led its members to protest LGBT pride events and funerals of those who died due to HIV/AIDS , as well as blame homosexuals for mass-casualty events such as

210-768: A 2011 interview that she and the other members of WBC tauntingly and publicly burned a copy of the Quran while being scolded by a Muslim man, calling it an "idolatrous piece of trash" and that they were giving it the "proper respect that it deserves" by doing so. They picketed the funeral of the Muslim man's wife the following week. Jael Phelps said the wife's death was partly due to her Muslim husband having spoken out against WBC, and therefore rejecting God and bringing his "righteous judgement" down upon him. She also commented that "all those angry little Muslims can just shut their mouths." In 2010, Westboro Baptists said they would again burn

280-703: A Quran as an example of idolatry today. Margie Phelps, daughter of Fred Phelps and attorney for WBC, said in an interview with Fox News that Barack Obama would "absolutely" be going to Hell and that he was " most likely the Beast spoken of in the Revelation ." She also said Obama's presidency was a sign of the Apocalypse . On January 20, 2013, picketers of the Westboro Baptist Church protested Obama's second inauguration . The protesters had

350-632: A cappella singing, family integrated worship , and foot washing . Primitive Baptists generally do not play musical instruments as part of their worship services. They believe that all church music should be a cappella because there is no New Testament command to play instruments, but only to sing. Further, they connect musical instruments in the Old Testament with "many forms and customs, many types and shadows, many priests with priestly robes, many sacrifices, festivals, tithings" that they see as having been abolished; "had they been needed in

420-621: A character of a minister of the gospel, we will not invite them into our pulpits; believing these societies and institutions to be the inventions of men, and not warranted from the word of God. We further do unanimously agree that should any of the members of our churches join the fraternity of Masons , or, being members, continue to visit the lodges and parades, we will not invite them to preach in our pulpits, believing them to be guilty of such practices; and we declare non-fellowship with them and such practices altogether. The official split between "Old School" and "New School" Baptists occurred during

490-462: A funeral. Failing to adhere to this law can lead to a substantial fine of up to $ 100,000 or up to a year in prison. On January 11, 2011, the state of Arizona held an emergency legislative session to pass a bill barring protests within 300 feet (91 m) of a funeral and within an hour from its beginning or end. The bill was swiftly signed into law ahead of the January 12 funeral of those killed in

560-494: A legal permit and used signs with homophobic messages as well as referring to Obama as the Antichrist. WBC consists primarily of members of Fred Phelps's extended family. According to Forbes , it has roughly 70 members as of 2016, having previously had 80 members in 2011. In her book on Westboro Baptists, religious studies scholar Rebecca Barrett-Fox describes their identification with Primitive Baptists . Members attend

630-822: A meeting at the Black Rock Church on September 28, 1832 in Butler, MD. This became known as the Black Rock Address. Primitive Baptist churches arose in the mountainous regions of the American South , where they are found in their greatest numbers. African-American Primitive Baptist groups have been considered a unique category of Primitive Baptist. Approximately 50,000 African Americans are affiliated with African-American Primitive Baptist churches as of 2005. Approximately 64,000 people were affiliated (as of 1995) with Primitive Baptist churches in

700-562: A novel way to battle the Phelpses. When Phelps Chartered, alleging 'emotional damage,' sued someone who had filed a criminal complaint against a WBC member, Irigonegaray's team requested court approval to have a psychiatrist evaluate Phelps family members to determine the alleged damage. The Phelps firm settled without delay. In 1995, Phelps Sr.'s eldest grandson, Benjamin Phelps, was convicted of assault and disorderly conduct after spitting upon

770-458: A police officer's order during an attempted protest. In June 2007 Shirley Phelps-Roper was arrested in Nebraska and charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The arrest resulted from her allowing her ten-year-old son to step on a U.S. flag during the demonstration, which is illegal under Nebraska law. The defense contended that the child's actions were protected speech , and that

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840-452: A protest at the funeral of Tim McLean , a Winnipeg resident who was killed on a bus. The protests intended to convey the message that the man's murder was God's response to Canadian laws permitting abortion, homosexuality, divorce and remarriage. In response, Canadian officials barred the organization's members from entering the country. In February 2009, British news sources discovered WBC had announced, via its website, its intent to picket

910-692: A protest was planned at the Swartz Funeral Home. The bill to WBC ensued, according to the local police chief, because the organization failed to keep a verbal contract for security. Fred Phelps's daughter claimed that the Holy Ghost had informed them not to fly to Michigan even though they had already purchased airline tickets. Security at the Webb funeral was high; 15 fire trucks were involved, as well as numerous police officers from nearby jurisdictions. The township has stated that it will not pursue

980-907: A punishment to make someone like bad figs. The signs have appeared at counter-protests at the University of Chicago , in Spartanburg, South Carolina , and in Portsmouth, New Hampshire . They also appear at non-WBC-related events, such as the Rally to Restore Sanity . The use of these satirical signs has been praised by the American Civil Liberties Union and others. Other phrases include "God Hates Fred Phelps", "God Hates Bags", and "God Hates Shrimp". The dysfunctional Cooper family in Kevin Smith 's 2011 film Red State

1050-533: A separate brief supporting Snyder which was joined by the Attorneys General of 47 other states and the District of Columbia. Several news and civil rights organizations filed amicus briefs in support of Phelps. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Phelps on March 2, 2011. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote of the 8–1 decision: "What Westboro said, in the whole context of how and where it chose to say it,

1120-401: A total of $ 10,900,000; $ 2.9 million in compensatory damages, $ 6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $ 2 million for causing emotional distress. The group unsuccessfully sought a mistrial based on alleged prejudicial statements made by the judge and violations of the gag order by the plaintiff's attorney. On February 4, 2008, Bennett upheld the ruling but reduced

1190-541: A weekly service and believe in a theology of predestination which includes believing all disasters and catastrophes come from the hand of God. Members follow the organization's 'literal' interpretation of the Bible which informs their attitudes towards homosexuality and towards Judaism . The religious justification for active political hate speech has led to much controversy. WBC's travel expenses have exceeded as much as $ 200,000 annually. One of Westboro's followers estimated

1260-517: A youth production of The Laramie Project to be held at Central Studio, Queen Mary's College in the town of Basingstoke , Hampshire , on February 20, 2009. This would have been its first picket in the United Kingdom. In the lead-up to the picket, Members of Parliament , LGBTQ groups, and lobbyists appealed to Home Secretary Jacqui Smith , requesting WBC be blocked from entering the UK, on

1330-503: Is considered an extremist group by most mainstream Christian churches and secular groups, and is well known for its aggressive protesting style." An alliance of six British religious groups (the Methodist Church of Great Britain , Baptist Union of Great Britain , United Reformed Church , Evangelical Alliance , Faithworks, and Bible Society -funded thinktank Theos ) made a joint statement on February 19, 2009, in support of

1400-696: Is credited with increasing equality, as opposed to hierarchy, within Primitive Baptist churches. Notes Further reading Gage Park, Topeka Gage Park is a city park of 160 acres (0.65 km ) in Topeka, Kansas , United States. It was established in 1899 and is one of the largest parks in Topeka. It features the Topeka Zoo , the Kansas Children's Discovery Center , a miniature train of 15 in ( 381 mm ) gauge,

1470-523: Is entitled to 'special protection' under the First Amendment and that protection cannot be overcome by a jury finding that the picketing was outrageous." Justice Samuel Alito , the lone dissenter, said Snyder wanted only to "bury his son in peace" and "Our profound national commitment to free and open debate is not a license for the vicious verbal assault that occurred in this case". In August 2008, Canadian officials learned of WBC's intent to stage

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1540-522: The 2011 Tucson shooting . On August 2, 2012, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that included restrictions on demonstrators at military funerals, which became law four days later when signed by Obama, who condemned the WBC. This bill was primarily motivated by the WBC's protests at memorial services for victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting . Several petitions to the White House (using

1610-562: The Baptist World Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention , and by politicians and public figures, including former U.S. President Barack Obama . WBC has been protesting against homosexuality since 1989. Within a few years, the group expanded to protesting across the country. They often protest at public and private events, including funerals, sports games, and concerts. The group protested at

1680-552: The Primitive Baptist Universalist church of central Appalachia , developed their own unique Trinitarian Universalist theology as an extension of the irresistible grace doctrine of Calvinist theology. They were encouraged in this direction by 19th century itinerant Christian universalist preachers of similar theological bent to Hosea Ballou and John Murray . Primitive Baptist practices that are distinguishable from those of other Baptists include

1750-488: The Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act , created primarily due to WBC, placed restrictions on protests at some cemeteries. The 2010–2011 US Supreme Court case Snyder v. Phelps shielded the group from tort liability for a 2006 protest at a military funeral. WBC also files its own lawsuits via a Phelps family law firm (eleven of Phelps' children are lawyers), and has won cases that have yielded thousands of dollars for

1820-737: The September 11 attacks . Whatever righteous cause the Jewish victims of the 1930s–40s Nazi Holocaust had (probably minuscule, compared to the Jewish Holocausts against Middle Passage Blacks, African Americans and Christians – including the bloody persecution of Westboro Baptist Church by Topeka Jews in the 1990s), has been drowned in sodomite semen. American taxpayers are financing this unholy monument to Jewish mendacity and greed and to filthy fag lust. Homosexuals and Jews dominated Nazi Germany ... The Jews now wander

1890-505: The We the People system) were submitted, calling on President Barack Obama to legally recognize the WBC as a hate group, revoke its tax exemption for religious organizations , and to ban protests at funerals and memorial services. The bill mandated staying at least 300 feet (91 m) away from funerals and homes of family members for 2 hours before until 2 hours after a funeral. The church condemned

1960-587: The 1990s, and received $ 16,500 in legal fees for a court case won against a Marine's bereaved father. Because the firm represents WBC in its lawsuits, it can use money from cases it wins to further fund the organization under the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Award Act of 1976 . WBC is considered a nonprofit organization by the federal government, and is therefore exempt from paying taxes. All five of Phelps Chartered's lawyers are Phelps's children, and eleven of his thirteen children are lawyers. Members of

2030-502: The Act is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $ 1,500 fine, and a second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony punishable by one to three years in state prison and a fine of up to $ 25,000. On March 29, 2006, the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act was introduced by Mike Rogers , a Republican member of the House. The bipartisan bill received a 408–3 vote in

2100-821: The Catholic Church, and the political and moral conduct of the United States and its citizens", and did not violate the privacy of the service member's family. On March 30, 2010, the appeals court ordered Snyder to pay WBC's court costs of over $ 16,000, a move Snyder's attorneys referred to as "adding insult to injury". On March 8, 2010, the Supreme Court granted certiorari in Snyder v. Phelps . On May 28, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and 42 other senators filed an amicus brief in support of Snyder. On June 1, Kansas Attorney General Stephen Six filed

2170-674: The Helen Hocker Theater, the Blaisdell family aquatic center, and the Reinisch Rose Garden . The 70-year-old rose garden is a popular place for weddings and events, and also a place where serious horticultural work is done. Gage Park was established in 1899 when the heirs of Guilford Gage donated their farm to the city of Topeka as a recreational center. George Kessler prepared the first plan between 1899 and 1901, city horticulturist Anton Reinisch continuing

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2240-511: The House, after 21 representatives chose not to vote. The Senate unanimously voted in approval of the law. On May 29, 2006, President George W. Bush signed the bill into law at a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery . The bill prohibits protests within 300 feet (91 m) of the entrance of any cemetery under control of the National Cemetery Administration from 60 minutes before to 60 minutes after

2310-442: The Phelps family are expected to give ten percent of their earnings to WBC. WBC carries out daily picketing in Topeka and travels nationally to picket the funerals of gay victims of murder or gay-bashing , as well as those of people who have died from complications related to AIDS . It also pickets other events related or peripherally related to homosexuality; Kansas City Chiefs football games, and live pop concerts. At its peak,

2380-574: The Primitive Baptists to separate from other general Baptist groups that supported such organizations, and to make declarations of opposition to such organizations in articles like the Kehukee Association Declaration of 1827 . The Kehukee Primitive Baptist Church released a proclamation that they rejected formal service institutions outside of the church . The declaration proposed that Upon examination, it

2450-464: The Snyder family on the internet, including that Albert and his wife had "raised [Matthew] for the devil" and taught him "to defy his Creator, to divorce, and to commit adultery". Other statements denounced them for raising their son Catholic. Snyder further alleged the defendants had intruded upon and staged protests at his son's funeral. The defamation count was dismissed on First Amendment grounds, but

2520-537: The basis of it inciting hatred towards LGBT people. On February 18, 2009, two days before the intended picket date, the Home Office announced Fred Phelps and Shirley Phelps-Roper would be specifically excluded from entering the UK for having "engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities", and also other members "could also be flagged and stopped if they tried to enter Britain". One local lawyer, Pedro Irigonegaray, came up with

2590-550: The case proceeded to trial on the remaining two counts. District Judge Richard D. Bennett instructed the jury to decide "whether the defendant's actions would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, whether they were extreme and outrageous and whether these actions were so offensive and shocking as to not be entitled to First Amendment protection". On October 31, 2007, Phelps, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis were found liable for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The jury awarded Snyder

2660-465: The ceremony. Violating the statute would be a felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and a $ 5,000 fine for the first offense and up to four years in prison and a $ 10,000 fine for a subsequent offense. On May 17, 2006, the state of Illinois enacted Senate Bill 1144, the "Let Them Rest In Peace Act", to shield grieving military families from protests during funerals and memorial services of fallen military service members. A first-time violation of

2730-415: The church Christ would have brought them over". African-American Primitive Baptists may not share the general Primitive Baptist opposition to musical instruments, however. Primitive Baptists reject the idea of Sunday School , viewing it as unscriptural and interfering with the right of parents to give religious instruction to their children. Instead, children sit with their parents and participate in

2800-497: The church and become activists against it. Fred Phelps himself was excommunicated from the church around August 2013. Before his death in 2014, a church spokesperson stated that the group did not have a defined leader "[f]or a very long time". Several former members have accused the group of brainwashing and abusive behavior. Westboro Baptist Church originated as a branch of the East Side Baptist Church, which

2870-496: The church service just like the rest of the congregation. Primitive Baptists consider theological seminaries to have "no warrant or sanction from the New Testament, nor in the example of Christ and the apostles". Most Primitive Baptists perform foot washing as a symbol of humility and service among the membership. The sexes are separated during the ritual where one person washes the feet of another. The practice

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2940-602: The church. According to Barrett-Fox, they see "moral living as a sign of election" and they say they have a duty to preach to the public, not to "save people" (who are predestined) but to spread a message of obedience to God. In her dissertation on Westboro Baptist, she labels this theology as Hyper-Calvinist . They see themselves as coming from the Primitive Baptist movement. Their Primitive Baptist practices include their style of worship, approach to church discipline, liturgical preferences and seeing themselves as from

3010-428: The discovery of what they referred to as a "tearoom", meaning a public lavatory used for homosexual interactions. The group later began picketing Gage Park six blocks northwest of its headquarters in Topeka in 1991, saying it was a den of anonymous homosexual activity. Soon, its protests had spread throughout the city, and within three years WBC was traveling across the country. Phelps explained in 1994 that he considered

3080-663: The earth despised, smitten with moral and spiritual blindness by a divine judicial stroke ... And God has smitten Jews with a certain unique madness ... Jews, thus perverted, out of all proportion to their numbers energize the militant sodomite agenda... Jews are the real Nazis. In 1996, Phelps began a campaign called "Topeka's Baptist Holocaust", whereby he attempted to draw attention to attacks perpetrated against WBC picketers, saying they were not random but organized attacks orchestrated by Jews and homosexuals. Phelps announced, "Jews killed Christ", and "Fag Jew Nazis are worse than ordinary Nazis. They've had more experience. The First Holocaust

3150-496: The face of a passerby during a picket. In the 1990s, WBC won a series of lawsuits against the City of Topeka and Shawnee County for efforts taken to prevent or hinder WBC picketing, and was awarded approximately $ 200,000 in attorney's fees and costs associated with the litigation. In 2004, Phelps Sr.'s daughter Margie Phelps and Margie's son Jacob were arrested for trespassing, disorderly conduct and failure to obey after disregarding

3220-845: The funerals for victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the West Nickel Mines School shooting . The group is known to deface the American flag or fly it upside down while protesting. It also draws counter-protests . Although the group's right to protest and use hate speech in the United States is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution , the group has faced numerous legal challenges over its history. A 2006 Act of Congress called

3290-417: The government's entry ban for members of WBC. They condemned the activities of WBC, stating: We do not share their hatred of lesbian and gay people. We believe that God loves all, irrespective of sexual orientation, and we unreservedly stand against their message of hate toward those communities. Neither the style nor substance of their preaching expresses the historic, orthodox Christian faith. And we ask that

3360-494: The group was able to picket roughly 15 churches a day, including many in Topeka and some events farther afield. The group has protested a number of high-profile events such as the funerals of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the West Nickel Mines School shooting . As well as protesting these high-profile events, WBC protests many local low-profile events. While the messages are widely condemned, it always ensures its protests are legal in nature. Through keeping

3430-415: The group. Members of the group have been banned from entering Canada and the United Kingdom after attempting to protest in those countries. In 2016, Forbes stated WBC had about 70 members. The group primarily consists of members of Phelps's extended family, although many of its members have left or been excommunicated . Several family members, including Nathan Phelps and Megan Phelps-Roper , have left

3500-481: The loudest voices" in favor of homosexuality and abortion , and that "[Jews] claim to be God's chosen people . Do you think that God is going to wink at that forever?" Phelps concluded by stating, in an apparent reference to the Book of Revelation , that all the nations of the world would soon march on Israel , and that they would be led by President Barack Obama , whom she called the " Antichrist ". Jael Phelps said in

3570-446: The matter. Counter-protestors have appeared at some of WBC's protests, sometimes numbering in the hundreds or thousands. Counter-protestors have been known to display humorous signs to mock the group. In particular, the phrase "God hates figs " is commonly used, along with citations to bible verses in which Jesus says that none should eat the fruit of a fig tree, in which Jesus causes a fig tree to wither , and in which God promises as

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3640-434: The members of Westboro Baptist Church refrain from stirring up any more homophobic hatred in the UK or elsewhere. Evangelist pastor Jerry Falwell Sr. referred to Fred Phelps as "a first-class nut". WBC picketed Falwell's funeral service on May 22, 2007. Primitive Baptists The controversy over whether churches or their members should participate in mission boards, Bible tract societies, and temperance societies led

3710-409: The negative reaction to the picketing to be proof of his righteousness. On August 20, 1995, a pipe bomb exploded outside the home of Shirley Phelps-Roper , the daughter of Fred Phelps. The blast damaged an SUV, a fence, and part of the house, but no one was injured. In 1996, two men were arrested for the bombing, and both admitted to causing the blast. They had believed Phelps-Roper's house was that of

3780-476: The organization had no defined leader in the time leading up to his death. Westboro Baptists believe in five-point Calvinism , as reflected in the TULIP acronym that is displayed prominently at the front of the church sanctuary. They believe in limited atonement , unconditional election , and the double predestination of both the saved and the damned, which can weigh heavily on members as well as those who leave

3850-487: 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. WBC has received money from lawsuits and legal fees, through the closely related Phelps Chartered law firm, when its protests have been unlawfully disrupted. For example, the firm sued the city of Topeka several times in

3920-605: The original congregation, who either returned to East Side or joined other congregations, leaving him with a small following consisting almost entirely of his own relatives and close friends. Phelps was a veteran of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. He founded the Phelps Chartered law firm in 1964, which has since been used to sue communities that are targets of Westboro's protests. Westboro Baptist first began protesting homosexuality in 1989 after

3990-460: The pastor and wanted to retaliate against Westboro's anti-gay protests at Washburn University . One of the bombers was fined $ 1,751 and was sentenced to 16 days in prison plus 100 hours of community service. Fred Phelps died of natural causes on March 19, 2014. His daughter Shirley said a funeral would not be held because Westboro does not "worship the dead". He had previously been voted out of his leadership position and, according to representatives,

4060-505: The phrase "evil Jew" more than once every 12 sentences. The Anti-Defamation League has criticized WBC and Phelps, and keeps a sampling of WBC's fliers regarding Judaism on their website. In an interview, Margie Phelps said WBC targeted the American Jewish community because members had "testified" to gentiles for 19 years that "America is doomed" and that "Now it's too late. We're done with them." She also claimed Jews were "one of

4130-649: The protests non-violent and acquiring the proper permits, WBC avoids legal trouble. However, it is the protesting of military funerals that led to the organization receiving much attention. Its public acts have cast a political spotlight on the group that has given it vast attention for its small size. On two occasions, WBC accepted offers for radio air time in exchange for canceling an announced protest. WBC also releases parody songs. According to Steve Drain (WBC's public information officer) in an interview with Vice News , "When we make our choice of songs, that really revolves around mostly popularity. It's mostly mainstream stuff,

4200-426: The punitive damages to $ 2.1 million. Liens were ordered on WBC buildings and Phelps's law office in an attempt to ensure the damages would be paid. On September 24, 2009, a federal appeals court reversed the lower court's award. It found the picket near the funeral was protected speech because it involved "matters of public concern, including the issues of homosexuals in the military, the sex-abuse scandal within

4270-590: The restrictions. On March 10, 2006, the WBC picketed the funeral of Marine Lance Corporal Matthew A. Snyder in Westminster, Maryland . A cordoned off picket was held approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) from the church for about 30 minutes before the funeral began. Snyder's father, Albert, sued for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit alleged Fred Phelps, Rebekah Phelps-Davis, and Shirley Phelps-Roper were responsible for publishing defamatory statements about

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4340-408: The state law is unconstitutional . The prosecution claimed the demonstration was not intended as political speech, but as an incitement to violence, and that Phelps-Roper's conduct might also constitute child abuse . Prosecutors later dropped charges against Phelps-Roper. On July 14, 2006, Mundy Township, Michigan billed WBC for $ 5,000, after it had informed the township authorities on June 28 that

4410-578: The various other emergences of Primitive Baptists. Since arising in the 19th century, the influence of Primitive Baptists has waned as " Missionary Baptists became the mainstream". Primitive Baptists reject some elements of Calvin's theology , such as infant baptism , and avoid the term "Calvinist". They are still Calvinist in the sense of holding strongly to the Five Points of Calvinism and they explicitly reject Arminianism . They are also characterized by "intense conservatism". One branch,

4480-500: The whole idea of our doing parodies is to preach." In response to the protests conducted by Westboro members at Indiana funerals, a bill was introduced in the Indiana General Assembly that would make it a felony to protest within 500 feet (150 m) of a funeral. The bill provides penalties of up to three years in prison and a $ 10,000 fine for those found to be in violation of the law. Shortly before this bill

4550-480: The work. The zoo and Doran Rock Garden were both constructed in the 1930s. Animaland followed in 1960 – a playground with concrete animals for climbing. Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church began their anti-gay crusade in 1991 with what they called "The Great Gage Park Decency Drive", seeking a crack down on homosexuals cruising for sex in the park. At the time, the church circulated

4620-546: Was a Jewish Holocaust against Christians. The latest Holocaust is by Topeka Jews against Westboro Baptist Church." In another statement, he said "Topeka Jews today stir up Kansas tyrants in persecuting Westboro Baptists. They whine about the Nazi Holocaust, while they perpetrate the Topeka Holocaust." A March 25, 2006, flier regarding a Jewish adversary of Phelps uses the phrase "bloody Jew" four times and

4690-452: Was established in 1931 on the east side of Topeka. In 1954, East Side hired Fred Phelps as an associate pastor . By 1955, Phelps was promoted to pastor of a new East Side church plant , Westboro Baptist, on the west side of Topeka. Its first public service was held on November 27, 1955. After Westboro was established, Phelps broke ties with East Side to become independent of any Baptist denomination . His vitriolic preaching alienated most of

4760-473: Was found that most of the churches had given their opinions; and after an interchange of sentiments among the members of this body, it was agreed that we discard all Missionary Societies , Bible Societies and Theological Seminaries , and the practices heretofore resorted to for their support, in begging money from the public; and if any persons should be among us, as agents of any of said societies, we hereafter discountenance them in those practices; and if under

4830-411: Was reportedly inspired by WBC. Baptist churches, Baptist-affiliated seminaries , and Baptist conventions, including the Baptist World Alliance and the Southern Baptist Convention (two of the largest Baptist groups), have denounced WBC over the years. In addition, other mainstream Christian denominations have condemned the actions of WBC. Katherine Weber of The Christian Post states that "Westboro

4900-578: Was signed members of the church had threatened to protest in Kokomo, Indiana , at a funeral service that was being held for a soldier who was killed in Iraq. On January 11, 2006, the bill unanimously (11–0) passed a committee vote, and while members of the church had traveled to Kokomo to protest, they were not seen during or after the funeral service. On May 23, 2006, the state of Michigan banned any intentional disruption of funerals within 500 feet (150 m) of

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