Changes

The WBC is closely monitored by both the [[Anti-Defamation League]] and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], and is regarded by the latter as a hate group.<ref name=spc>[http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/groups/westboro-baptist-church Intelligence Files: Westboro Baptist Church]. ''Southern Poverty Law Center''.</ref> While mainstream [[Christianity]] rejects [[homosexuality]] as [[sin]], following [[God]]'s example, true Christians [[love]] the sinner. In contrast, WBC demonstrates no love for the sinner, and their attitude is considered to be one of hate. While the name implies that the church is affiliated with other mainstream [[Baptist]] churches, the WBC is independent of mainstream Christianity. The church's members are almost entirely family members and are infamous for their protests and pickets at the funerals of soldiers who died in the line of duty, where they take the opportunity to denounce what they consider to be [[America]]'s acceptance of homosexuality. The name of their website reflects this.  Their antics are denounced across almost all spectra of political and religious thought. Their hatred, and seeking of publicity, goes beyond homosexuality.  They also protested the [[Pope]]'s visit, calling him the [[anti-Christ]].

The WBC is closely monitored by both the [[Anti-Defamation League]] and the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]], and is regarded by the latter as a hate group.<ref name=spc>[http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/groups/westboro-baptist-church Intelligence Files: Westboro Baptist Church]. ''Southern Poverty Law Center''.</ref> While mainstream [[Christianity]] rejects [[homosexuality]] as [[sin]], following [[God]]'s example, true Christians [[love]] the sinner. In contrast, WBC demonstrates no love for the sinner, and their attitude is considered to be one of hate. While the name implies that the church is affiliated with other mainstream [[Baptist]] churches, the WBC is independent of mainstream Christianity. The church's members are almost entirely family members and are infamous for their protests and pickets at the funerals of soldiers who died in the line of duty, where they take the opportunity to denounce what they consider to be [[America]]'s acceptance of homosexuality. The name of their website reflects this.  Their antics are denounced across almost all spectra of political and religious thought. Their hatred, and seeking of publicity, goes beyond homosexuality.  They also protested the [[Pope]]'s visit, calling him the [[anti-Christ]].

==Family Law Firm==

==Phelps Chartered Law Firm==

 

Fred Phelps graduated from [[Washburn University School of Law]] in Topeka in 1962<ref name=phelps>[http://fredphelps.com/ About Fred Phelps]. ''FredPhelps.com''.</ref> and designed his church/family as a giant [[law firm]] used to sue those angry enough to retaliate against the "church" or to bar its offensive activities from their communities. Eleven of Phelps' thirteen children are [[lawyers]]. All five of the attorneys for the [[Phelps Chartered Law Firm]], which Fred Phelps founded in 1964, are his children.<ref name=aol /> The firm is located at 1414 S.W. Topeka Blvd. in Topeka, Kansas.<ref name=powder>Fry, S. (2010, October 5). [http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-10-05/powder_sent_to_phelps_law_firm Powder Sent to Phelps Law Firm]. ''The Topeka Capital-Journal''.</ref>

Fred Phelps graduated from [[Washburn University School of Law]] in Topeka in 1962<ref name=phelps>[http://fredphelps.com/ About Fred Phelps]. ''FredPhelps.com''.</ref> and designed his church/family as a giant [[law firm]] used to sue those angry enough to retaliate against the "church" or to bar its offensive activities from their communities. Eleven of Phelps' thirteen children are [[lawyers]]. All five of the attorneys for the [[Phelps Chartered Law Firm]], which Fred Phelps founded in 1964, are his children.<ref name=aol /> The firm is located at 1414 S.W. Topeka Blvd. in Topeka, Kansas.<ref name=powder>Fry, S. (2010, October 5). [http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-10-05/powder_sent_to_phelps_law_firm Powder Sent to Phelps Law Firm]. ''The Topeka Capital-Journal''.</ref>

{{cquote|"'They scrupulously obeyed the ordinance' that kept them and their 'God hates fags' and 'America is doomed' signs away from the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, said Mark Potok, who directs Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project. 'They're good at this,' Potok said, noting that the family has successfully sued many communities for monetary damages after they tried to restrict the family's constitutionally protected protests. 'They understand the First Amendment very, very well. They are not stupid people. They are vile people.'"

{{cquote|"'They scrupulously obeyed the ordinance' that kept them and their 'God hates fags' and 'America is doomed' signs away from the funeral of Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, said Mark Potok, who directs Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Project. 'They're good at this,' Potok said, noting that the family has successfully sued many communities for monetary damages after they tried to restrict the family's constitutionally protected protests. 'They understand the First Amendment very, very well. They are not stupid people. They are vile people.'"