Editing Westboro Baptist Church (section)

{{Important}}{{Mature}}{{Evil Organization
|Box title    = Evil Organization
|Image        = Westboro-church1.jpg 
|size   = 
|fullname = Westboro Baptist Church
|alias = WBC
|origin = Kansas
|foundation = November 27, 1955
|headquarters = Topeka, Kansas
|commanders = [[Fred Phelps]] (former)
|agents = [[Shirley Phelps-Roper]]
|skills = 
|goals = Spread their hateful beliefs (ongoing)
|type of villains = Hatemongering Cult|type of villain=Hatemongering Cult|crimes=[[Homophobia]]<br>[[Biphobia]]<br>Public endangerment<br>[[Hate Speech]]<br>[[Transphobia]]<br>[[Lesbophobia]]<br>[[Enbyphobia]]<br>[[Acephobia]]<br>[[Panphobia]]<br>[[Propaganda]]<br>[[Misogyny]]<br>[[Anti-Semitism]]<br>[[Anti-Catholicism]]<br>[[Islamophobia]]<br>[[Negrophobia]]<br>[[Xenophobia]]<br>[[Americophobia]]<br>[[Anti-Native American Sentiment]]<br>[[Hate crime]]s<br>[[Ableism]]<br>[[Atheophobia]]}}
{{Quote|GOD HATES FAGS!|The WBC's infamous slogan.}}
The '''Westboro Baptist Church''' ('''WBC''') consists of self-proclaimed "Christians". It is an unaffiliated Baptist church known for its extreme ideologies, particularly its [[homophobia]] (among many others). The church is widely described as a [[Hate Groups|hate group]] and is monitored as such by the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center. 

Founded by now deceased pastor [[Fred Phelps]], the church consists primarily of members of his large family; in 2011, the church stated that it had about 40 members.<ref name = WBC>[https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/westboro-baptist-church Westboro Baptist Church], Southern Poverty Law Center</ref> The church is headquartered in a residential neighborhood on the west side of Topeka about three miles (5 km) west of the Kansas State Capitol. Its first public service was held on the afternoon of November 27, 1955.<ref name = WBC></ref>

The church has been involved in actions against gay people since at least 1991, when it sought a crackdown on homosexual activity at Gage Park six blocks northwest of the church. In addition to conducting anti-gay protests at military funerals, the organization pickets other celebrity funerals and public events that are likely to get it media attention. Protests have also been held against Jews and some protests have included WBC members stomping on the American flag.

The WBC is not affiliated with any Baptist denomination, including the two largest Baptist denominations, the Baptist World Alliance or the Southern Baptist Convention, both of which have denounced the WBC over the years. The church describes itself as following Primitive Baptist and Calvinist principles.

Fred Phelps has been arrested for abusing 4 of his 13 children.<ref>[https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2001/inside-westboro-baptist-church Inside Westboro Baptist Church], Southern Poverty Law Center</ref> His absurd levels of incompetence likely led him to believe that he did nothing wrong and/or would get away with it.