RELI 1003 Presentation

1. Westboro
THE
Baptist Church
Ali Chambers
RELI 1003

2. The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) of Topeka,
Kansas, is an Old School (or, Primitive) Baptist Church.
We adhere to the teachings of the Bible, preach against
all form of sin (e.g., fornication, adultery [including
divorce and remarriage], sodomy), and insist that the
sovereignty of God and the doctrines of grace be taught
and expounded publicly to all men.

3. Church Founding
November 27, 1955
Pastor Fred Phelps
Topeka, Kansas
Picketing began in 1980's
Primitive Baptist
Calvinism

4. Views and Practices
Believe in the 5 points of Calvinism
1. Total Depravity
2. Limited Atonement
3. Unconditional Election
4. Irresistible Grace
5. Perseverance of the Saints
Weekly Church Services
Women and Men have mostly equal roles
Importance in scripture memorization
Education is a priority
Picketing
Members are expected to picket
Over 59,000 picket marches since June 1991

5. homosexuality
Judaism
Catholicism
adultery
racism
abortion

6. Pain and Suffering
Pain and Suffering occurs because of God's hate for his people
The church explains events such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina as
blessings from God
Everything that occurs in pain is because of God's choosing/hate
(perfect plan theodicy)
Usually described as one persons fault/ however it was God's doing

7. References
WBBC Homepage, FAQ page, and Entire Website:
http://www.godhatesfags.com
Waking Up with Sam Harris Podcast #12: Leaving the Church-A
Conversation with Megan Phelps-Roper
https://www.samharris.org/podcast/item/leaving-the-church
The Means, Ministries, and Mission of Westboro Baptist Church, Rebecca
Barrett-Fox (Print-UGA Library)