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Related: About this forumLosing my religion: life after extreme belief
Megan Phelps-Roper, 30, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church
My first memories are of picketing ex-servicemens funerals and telling their families they were going to burn in hell. For us, it was a celebration. My gramps was the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, so it wasnt just our religion it was our whole life. I dont remember much before the picketing. I was allowed to mix with other kids early on, but over time my world shrank.
We believed it was a Good vs Evil situation: that the WBC was right and everybody else was wrong, so there was no questioning. It was a very public war we were waging against the sinners. I asked a lot of questions as I got older, but theres a big difference in asking for clarification and actually questioning the beliefs youre taught. I spent so much time reading the Bible, trying to see the world through this very particular framework, that to have truly considered [it was wrong] was inconceivable. Id seen members leave in the past, including my brother, and the thought of ever leaving the church was my worst nightmare.
-snip-
I see the world in split screen now. I remember feeling like we at WBC were a persecuted minority, triumphant in the face of evil people worshipping the dead as we picketed funerals or rejoiced at the destruction of the Twin Towers. But beside that memory is the one where I weep thinking about how callous and unmerciful I was to so many people whod just lost a son or a daughter. Im ashamed of that now, and its still really difficult to think about the harm I caused. Its overwhelming sometimes.
-snip-
My first memories are of picketing ex-servicemens funerals and telling their families they were going to burn in hell. For us, it was a celebration. My gramps was the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church, so it wasnt just our religion it was our whole life. I dont remember much before the picketing. I was allowed to mix with other kids early on, but over time my world shrank.
We believed it was a Good vs Evil situation: that the WBC was right and everybody else was wrong, so there was no questioning. It was a very public war we were waging against the sinners. I asked a lot of questions as I got older, but theres a big difference in asking for clarification and actually questioning the beliefs youre taught. I spent so much time reading the Bible, trying to see the world through this very particular framework, that to have truly considered [it was wrong] was inconceivable. Id seen members leave in the past, including my brother, and the thought of ever leaving the church was my worst nightmare.
-snip-
I see the world in split screen now. I remember feeling like we at WBC were a persecuted minority, triumphant in the face of evil people worshipping the dead as we picketed funerals or rejoiced at the destruction of the Twin Towers. But beside that memory is the one where I weep thinking about how callous and unmerciful I was to so many people whod just lost a son or a daughter. Im ashamed of that now, and its still really difficult to think about the harm I caused. Its overwhelming sometimes.
-snip-
And more, a good read:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/10/losing-my-religion-life-after-extreme-belief-faith
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Losing my religion: life after extreme belief (Original Post)
mr blur
Apr 2016
OP
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)1. K&R!!! n/t
Cartoonist
(7,532 posts)2. The rest of the article
My father would later testify against me on the count of an apostasy charge. When it all got too heavy, I knew I had to come to England as a refugee and start over. Not long after I arrived here, I was sentenced to seven years in prison in absentia. I gave up everything and everyone I know, but Im free.
Yep, that's how it is. Leaving the faith is the only path to real freedom
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)3. Wow. That is powerful.
The attitudes of the WBC are horrendous. So glad that she got out of there, and I feel sorry for all who are still there.
progressoid
(50,748 posts)4. Amazing.
Kudos to these 3 for speaking out. That has to be difficult to leave behind your family and history.