Westboro Baptist Church

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I was sitting in the back of Megan Phelps-Roper’s Pontiac driving through downtown Topeka, Kansas. We passed by every suburban fast food chain and mega store you’ve ever seen. Her cousin Jacob was next to me pounding a store brand version of Mountain Dew explaining how he’s tired of paying the big bucks for the name brands, and amusing us with anecdotes about his job at the local Target distribution center.

Megan’s younger sister, Rebekah, was in the front passenger seat asking me if I listen to Akon, Young Jeezy and T.I.

“It’s such a shame that their music is so good, but they’re going to hell because they don’t use their talents to serve God”, Megan chimed in.

Rebekah turned around to show me some funny videos on her cell phone. Past the glow of her Motorola I saw the courthouse on the corner. Their grandmother stood on the sidewalk waiting for us as she clutched her brightly colored sign that read, “Thank God For IEDs”.

Digital collage of WBC signs

Perplexed by his piano lesson, Luke Phelps-Roper, 6, receives much-needed guidance from his mother Shirley, 50. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Shirley Phelps, 9, enjoys a protest on a sunny day at a busy intersection in Topeka, KS. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Luke Phelps-Roper, 6, skips to school on a pleasant autumn morning, accompanied by his mother Shirley, 50, his father Brent, 45, and his sister Megan, 22. Topeka, KS. 2008.

The refrigerator in the Phelps-Roper kitchen is covered with family photos taken over the years. Topeka, KS. 2008.

As Westboro Baptist Church members protest Brooklyn Technical High School for teaching students rebellion against God, students counter-protest across the street. Brooklyn, NY. 2009.

Near New York City's Temple Emanu-El synagogue, a passer-by sets up a shot of Megan Phelps-Roper, 23, protesting beside other members of Westboro Baptist Church with signs reading "Mourn For Your Sins" and "Jews Stole The Land." WBC recently shifted its focus to the Jewish community, stating that Jews broke their covenant with God by disobeying His law and killing Jesus. New York, NY. 2009.

Near New York City's Temple Emanu-El synagogue, a passer-by sets up a shot of Megan Phelps-Roper, 23, protesting beside other members of Westboro Baptist Church with signs reading "Mourn For Your Sins" and "Jews Stole The Land." WBC recently shifted its focus to the Jewish community, stating that Jews broke their covenant with God by disobeying His law and killing Jesus. New York, NY. 2009.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, 50, listens to the weekly sermon of Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps. The women of WBC wear head coverings during church services, in accordance with the admonition in 1 Corinthians 11: "every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head". Topeka, KS. 2008.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, 50, makes notes in her Bible during the weekly sermon of Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps. Topeka, KS. 2008.

The steering wheel of Elizabeth Phelps’ car is decorated with stickers by her son, Daniel, 7. Topeka, KS. 2008.

As Shirley Phelps-Roper, 51, protests with other members of Westboro Baptist Church at the East Midwood Jewish Center, a New York City police officer addresses a woman yelling at them from her apartment. Brooklyn, NY. 2009.

Westboro Baptist Church members protest the homecoming game at the University of Nebraska. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

Boaz Drain, 6, listens as his 4-year-old sister Faith whispers to him at a picket. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Two men kissing in front of Grace Phelps, 12, as she turns in disgust at a picket held outside of St. Patrick's cathedral. New York, NY. 2005.

Jonah Phelps-Roper, 11, listens to music while protesting the homecoming game at the University of Nebraska. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

At the homecoming game protest at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Sam Phelps-Roper, 29, watches the unruly crowd react to the picket signs. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

Shirley Phelps-Roper, 50, addresses the crowds flooding into the homecoming game at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

Isaiah Phelps-Roper, 19, wholly ignores the taunts of the counter-protestors at the picket of the homecoming game at the University of Nebraska. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

During the picket of the homecoming game at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Luke Phelps-Roper, 6, critically examines the hostile, drunken fans passing by. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

Margie Phelps, 83, wife of Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps, carries her "God Hates Fag Enablers" sign to her car at the end of a picket. Topeka, KS. 2008.

A counter-protestor at the homecoming game at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln unsuccessfully uses a makeshift megaphone to get the attention of the picketers. Lincoln, NE. 2008.

Standing with other members of Westboro Baptist Church, Rebekah Phelps-Roper, 22, protests the Jewish Week newspaper in New York City. The location of the protest coincided with a recruiting station for the U.S. military, another group frequently targeted by WBC for their idolatry. New York, NY. 2009.

With his back to Westboro Baptist Church protestors Shirley Phelps-Roper, 51, and her daughter Megan, 23, a New York City police officer monitors counter-protestors from Brooklyn Technical High School across the street. Brooklyn, NY. 2009.

Margie Phelps, 83, visits with her great-grandson Elijah, 3, following the weekly sermon at Westboro Baptist Church. Topeka, KS. 2008

Zion Phelps-Roper, 2, looks through a book during the weekly sermon at Westboro Baptist Church. Topeka, KS. 2008.

At a monthly birthday party held by the families of Westboro Baptist Church, the children set up a football game. Topeka, KS. 2008

Luke Phelps-Roper, 6, and his brother Jonah, 11, watch television at home while dinner is made. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Grace Phelps-Roper, 15, petitions her older sister to style her hair; Megan, 22, happily obliges. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Grace Phelps-Roper, 15, sends text messages in her bedroom. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Jael Phelps, 23, painted her bedroom walls with murals representing Bible verses. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Luke Phelps-Roper, 6, shows off his bedroom. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Gabriel Phelps-Roper, 13, shows a model of the Columbia shuttle he made with his father for a science project. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Jonah Phelps-Roper, 11, picks up an action figure in his bedroom. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Zach Phelps-Roper, 17, works at the computer in his bedroom. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Displaying four brightly-colored signs at a protest near the Jewish Historical Society of New York, Margie Phelps, 53, draws more attention to her message by loudly singing parodies of famous Jewish melodies, and by arraying herself with a "bloody butcher's apron" (an Israeli flag converted into an apron and spattered with fake blood) and a "JewsKilledJesus.Com" T-shirt. New York, NY. 2009.

Brent Roper, 45, goes out to eat at Grover’s Smokehouse with loved ones, including Noah Phelps-Roper, 9, one of his eight sons. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Grace Phelps, 12, stands on flag during Billy Graham protest. Flushing Meadows Park in Queens, NY. 2005.

Grace Phelps, 12, and her mother Shirley Phelps, 47, on the 7 train heading to the next protest. New York, NY 2005.

Grace Phelps, 12, and her mother Shirley Phelps, 47, on the 7 train heading to the next protest. New York, NY 2005.

Isaiah Phelps-Roper, 19, shows off his bedroom. Topeka, KS. 2008.

One of the original signs used in protest by Westboro Baptist Church hangs in an upstairs hallway at the Phelps-Roper house. Topeka, KS. 2008.

Rabbi Andy Bachman of Congregation Beth Elohim instructs counter-protestors to mimic his gesture to Westboro Baptist Church protestors across the street. Brooklyn, NY. 2009.

The family sits down for a family photo in their game room. Front row: Jonah Phelps-Roper, 11, Gabriel, 13, Luke, 6, Shirley, 50, Grace, 15, Bekah, 21, and Megan 22. Back row: Noah, 9, Zach, 17, Brent Roper, 45, and Isaiah, 19. Topeka, KS. 2008.

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