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“There was a point when we started praying for people to die”

“They think that they are the only ones who are going to heaven and if you don’t go to that church you’re going to hell,” Alvarez said.

She decided to leave the church four years ago, slipping away while her parents attended a protest.

“I was terrified I was never going to see my family again,” she said, still tearful at the memory.

Alvarez still aches to see her parents, but “my aunt emailed me and said that nobody wants to talk to me anymore.”

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It’s amazing what even a slightly open mind can accomplish.

dgarone on February 6, 2013 at 9:51 PM

Having been involved in a theological debate with the spokeswoman of this group, I can say there’s nothing Christian about Westboro Baptist. They are a satanic cult using the name of Jesus.

I’m glad for the young lady, and will pray that other members of her family will repent their involvement in this cult.

Scribbler on February 6, 2013 at 9:55 PM

This was bound to happen once Rev. Wright retired …. oh wait.

Dusty on February 6, 2013 at 9:56 PM

It’s not a church. It’s a sick cult.

Blake on February 6, 2013 at 9:57 PM

Libs during the Bush years.

Bishop on February 6, 2013 at 9:58 PM

From the time she was 8, Libby Phelps Alvarez traveled the country protesting funerals. Like other members of the family-based Westboro Baptist Church, she often crashed the funerals of fallen soldiers.

“They think that they’re fighting for a nation that supports homosexuality,” Alvarez told TODAY, explaining the rationale behind the protests.

Now, Alvarez has left the inflammatory Kansas-based church started by her grandfather and travels the world with her new husband experiencing simple acts once forbidden by her former cult-like religion – like getting a haircut. She also has gotten her ears pierced.

In addition to disrupting military funerals, Westboro church members also are known for extreme anti-gay and anti-Semitic rhetoric, targeting both groups in their protests. But they shocked the nation when they announced plans to protest the funerals of the children killed in the Newtown, Conn., mass shooting.

“Westboro will picket Sandy Hook Elementary School to sing praise to God for the glory of his work in executing his judgment,” the church announced in a tweet.

**from the article**

Westboro is a family-based Hate group. It is NOT a church.

The Bible teaches:

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

The Master, the historical person of Jesus called the Christ, said that genuine Christians will be known by their fruit (referring to outward actions that reveal the thoughts of a person’s heart).

ColtsFan on February 6, 2013 at 10:02 PM

I agree with all the above comments.

They might be called Westboros, because there is nothing Baptist or Church about them.

22044 on February 6, 2013 at 10:13 PM

I think more of xenu and david whatever his name is that heads up Scientology, than this whacked out group of brow beating, psycho nut cases… Then again if Obama were smart he could probably win some conservatives over if he revoked both groups tax free status and tossed the lot in jail!

Tilly on February 6, 2013 at 10:18 PM

she has a lot of courage. i hope she does inspire others to leave. there aren’t that many people at that “church” anyway…

Sachiko on February 6, 2013 at 10:22 PM

A prayer, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that others at Westboro will see the light.

unclesmrgol on February 7, 2013 at 12:36 AM

May God have mercy upon their tortured souls.

SgtSVJones on February 7, 2013 at 12:39 AM

This woman has truly found redemption. May any pleas for mercy she asks of those she hurt be given without hesitation.

thebrokenrattle on February 7, 2013 at 8:29 AM

The Westboro Baptist Church looks like a kind of street theater to me. I’m starting to suspect actors and actresses are playing the roles of hateful yahoos in order to condition average people to associate certain arguments and views with hatred of gay people, ignorance, and now, gun violence.

ansonia on February 7, 2013 at 9:32 AM