Why I Love the Westboro Baptist Church Part 3: I Read a Book Without Pictures for Once

A book reflection.

My sheer excitement for Lauren's book was killing me. I wasn't this hyped since Mass Effect 3 came out. Speaking of that, there were a lot of interesting parallels between my experiences between the two. Both products came out the first week of March, I reserved a copy of both of them, and a car accident almost prevented me from acquiring the game and book. Strange stuff.

Time to get to the point I guess. This book is just plain awesome. Lauren tells her story starting with her childhood in Florida up to when she exiled from the church due to questioning their doctrines and practices. Lauren's one of the good guys now just wanted to make sure that was clear. It works as an autobiography and provides a ton of information on how Westboro Baptist works on the inside. I tore through this book in three days and seeing how my reading speed is the equivalent to a snail on Valium that's saying a lot. If you have an interest in WBC or non-mainstream religious movements, this is the book for you.

From now on we will be getting into some potential spoilers. If you really want to read this book spoiler free than go out and buy it. If you would like to hear my reaction, keep on reading. I read this a few months ago so some of the details might be inaccurate. I'll apologize ahead of time.

Many people consider Westboro Baptist to be a cult. Based on Lauren's story I'm inclined to agree. The church puts an immense amount of control over its members. The rules are very strict and are often enforced through what is essentially tattle tailing on each other. If someone sends a witness will tell an elder who will then get onto the transgressor. Unfortunately, shaming is another major way to enforce control. Anyone who slacked off on picketing was publicly humiliated in front of the church. Lauren also writes about a few other members who left or were disfellowshiped. WBC treated these people with extreme cruelty, especially if they are not part of the Phelps family. The way Lauren was treated leading up to her banishment was just flat out disgusting and from her own family even. I find both the internal and external actions of WBC to be quite distasteful.

However, part me could not help but be impressed by Westboro. Many people think WBC are a bunch of idiots but that could not be further from the truth. These people are highly educated and very informed about current events. Their "ministry" is extremely organized and everything is calculated. All of the pickets are filmed in case objectors decide to throw some punches. As a lover of villains I must say that these people are the real deal. They should genuinely consider opening an evil academy of evil. There is a buttload of money to be made.

It would be very easy to just focus on the bad in WBC but something kept me from doing that. One thing that was near universal among the ex-members was that they loved their families dearly even though they were disowned. Furthermore, Lauren gave an interview where she mentioned that Shirley Phelps-Roper was very kind to her during her time at the church. That's right she said The Wicked Witch of the West was nice to her. Shocked by this statment, I was very interested in seeing WBCs most infamous members from an insiders perspective. Ends up they were full of suprises.

Sorry Shirley but you happen to have a strong resemblance to many classic movie villainesses. I'd be proud if I were you.

As I became for familiar with the "characters" of the story I fell victim to what I now call "The Ariel Effect" Named after The Little Mermaid, The Ariel Effect is when you find a character in a story that you have every logical reason to hate, but you love them anyway. Don't get me wrong here, there were a few members who came across as really mean spirited. I'm not going to say names because they aren't here to defend themselves but remember not everyone is in WBC is secretly cute and cuddly. On the other hand, there were members who I liked. I know I was supposed to care about Lauren's immediate family, but I really grew attached to her circle of friends consisting of Megan Phelps-Roper, Rebekah Phelps-Roper, and Jael Phelps. They were just straight up likable people even though their extra-curricular activities were.....different. Honestly, I'd probably be that weirdo who would try to hang out with them at lunch. Not to hit on them or anything because they were waaaaaaaaaay out of my league (see part 1 to get my point) but just to be friends. While Lauren's are her Phelps sisters relationship came across as legitimate, I knew it was going to end horribly. The colapse of their friendship was one of the hardest parts to read.

There is one person in particular who I shockingly came to like a lot. Get ready for this one readers you might fall out of your chairs. This person happened to be.....

Shirley Phelps-Roper

Hard to believe I know. Ends up she is a whole lot more complex than I gave her credit for. Sure she could be a jerk sometimes but she is also has a very compassionate side her that the world does not get to see. I would go into more detail but if I did I would be spoiling some of the best parts of the book in my opinion. I want people to read the thing.

When most people hear a story about someone who leaves a ultra-controlling religion, our hero tends to tend renounce religion all together. Lauren's story ends a bit differently and this is not a spoiler because she talked about it before the book came out. Lauren Drain is a Christian. Not only this inspiring to me as a believer, but she is also has a capacity for forgiveness which I don't see in many people. I'm the kind of person who can hold a grudge for eternity. Lauren is someone who I personally admire. So Lauren if you find this, it looks like I owe you a sweet tea. I'll be sure to get you the Bo-Jangles kind because it’s the sweetest tea on Earth. Then again, you do live in Connecticut now so the stuff might kill but you're pretty darn metal so I think you can handle it.

The stories of the ex-WBC members have taught me a lot about life, people, and Christianity. Any hate I had towards Westboro Baptist was now gone after understood things a little more. Of course, lessons mean nothing if you don't apply them. Hahaha.... I'm being called to do something really stupid aren't I. Well Christian morality is completely counter cultural and counter intuitive.

"If you can't do something smart, Do something right."- Jayne Cobb (from the film Serenity).

Stay tuned for the final part. You'll get to learn why I chose my offensive title for this series.