Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist Church Founder, Is 'On The Edge Of Death'
The Huffington Post | by Ryan Grenoble


Fred Phelps, the founder of the highly controversial Westboro Baptist Church, which is known for protesting high-profile funerals with signs that read "God Hates Fags," is said to be dying at a hospice center in Kansas.

The news comes via Nate Phelps, one of Fred's estranged children, who wrote this in a Facebook post Saturday night.

I've learned that my father, Fred Phelps, Sr., pastor of the "God Hates Fags" Westboro Baptist Church, was ex-communicated from the "church" back in August of 2013. He is now on the edge of death at Midland Hospice house in Topeka, Kansas.
I'm not sure how I feel about this. Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made.

I feel sad for all the hurt he's caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved. And I'm bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members who left from seeing him, and saying their good-byes.

In an interview with Patheos, Nate confirmed the statement was true, saying he'd spoken with several other family members who, like him, had previously been "excommunicated" from the church.

Westboro Baptist Church did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Huffington Post.

As stated, my first reaction when I heard he was on death's door was that I hoped everyone within 2000km picketed his funeral - as Slayer have stated that they plan to do. But on second thought returning the 'favour' to a senile and hate-filled old man strikes me as incredibly infantile. Especially since he was excommunicated by the church for softening his stance as he aged. Unloved by the monster he created and hated by society seems like a brutal enough punishment.

But above all, if you find yourself mimicking the actions of the WBC you need to take a long hard look at yourself.