Inside the Westboro Baptist Church

Libby Phelps Alvarez describes growing up inside America's most hate-filled congregation.
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[@zrexx4832]

I admire this woman for having the courage to change her ways.

[@yourlocalcancershop7451]

Yep preach

[@leonardoortellado6482]

+zRexx thinking that, she only knew her family, and let all that behind to start completly ALONE in the world is so brave.

[@allyoopintheair972]

+zRexx That is the power of education.

[@kevinceniceros1690]

+Leonardo Ortellado I agree with that.

[@keithsage7258]

This person and any person who escapes from the clutches of this Demonic Church is a real Christian. God bless you. Amen.

[@juanjohnson8137]

She opened her eyes and escaped hate. God Bless you Libby :)

[@Factology]

God doesn't exist.

[@manbunxx1489]

Factology STFU

[@MrSkeezymak]

Factology Preach!

[@ThePCGamerTipsTricks]

Factology Why do atheists love to talk about religion so much?

[@Factology]

***** I post troll comments on my other account and I have gotten 1000+ likes a few times :)

[@aMAXproduction]

I can't imaging the amount of guilt Libby must feel from this. I hope she knows that the normal people of Earth love her now and understand it's not her fault.

[@ericheavilin2029]

+Max Moser (aMAXproduction) Well, and not just that, but God always allows us to turn our lives around and come back to Him. God's different in that way. He shows grace and mercy when we mess up if we just ask. People don't always do this, clearly. But these people need prayer for. Both the WBC and everyone else in the world. We all need prayers. And we all need to take action and show love and kindness. Yes, there is a time and place for correcting bad behavior. But there is never a time when we should just and hate, even though people do hurt other people. And, no, not everything goes, either. But love is what it comes down to and we just have to turn to: 1. Turn to Jesus (if you're not a believer, Viva La Verve is just awesome). 2. Read the Bible 3. Build the relationship. It's all about the relationship and letting God come into our hearts daily to help us and to help others.

[@aMAXproduction]

Eric Heavilin Okay, whatever.

[@jesynelsonsjamaicanaccent3531]

That's extremely biased. God has hurt me way more than he has helped.

[@Elion1]

i'm so happy she's out. i mean. now i kinda love her.

[@guestkid9976]

"Normal people of earth" yes the LGBT is very "normal" picking up species and throwing at people and urinating on people just because they have a different point of view, very "normal" also it's not really preaching hate, just because someone is a supporter of sbc does not mean they might hate on Libby.

[@MASTERVETEAM4]

I admire Libby for what she did. She's a truly strong woman.

[@querinnalove]

Mario Garon Her conscious is extremely strong and her heart too, to be able to self evaluate herself and actively choose to distance herself from that horrible following. Totally agree.

[@MASTERVETEAM4]

you are the scumbag if you seriously believe that

[@famarecarte4304]

+MetalSmasherSucksAss Scuuummm.

[@ubermenschi1459]

+MetalSmasherSucksAss trash

[@ubermenschi1459]

***** go back to the dark ages smartass

[@TheAshleysama]

I get the point of Anderson's questions, but he was really hard on her. She was brain washed as a young child. The fact that she got out, shows what a great person she is.

[@ivypurple1404]

"You knew it was offensive...but you didn't care about that" wow why not guilt trip her some more? I mean really in the completely controlled and isolated environment she grew up in how could anyone in the same position as her not grow up with that brainwashed view? Yet he is so desperate to see her show some sort of remorse with his 'How does this make you feel?' questions. Leave the poor girl alone.

[@QuentinofVirginia]

+Ivy Purple Yeah the host is an asshole, of course someone who's been raised in an environment where homophobic and offensive behaviour is encouraged and rewarded will act like that because that's how they were raised and all they know. The host should take a psychology 101 course on learning and parenting and stop being such a unsympathetic dick.

[@TwistedLight75]

I couldn't tell if she was even being sincere. She was no little kid when she did those MTVish ridiculous music parodies! Or when she stood on a street corner with a picket sign while dressed like a whore! Sorry but it takes more than an appearance on Anderson Cooper to convince me that she now miraculously gives half a damn about those she troubled all those years. Unless she was forced to be on that TV show she should have known what to expect coming from that prick anyway. Her mother and father of course have even more to answer for.

[@Scribe13013]

- kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5iUcn2BZ718b6s

[@crystalbrooks2684]

I feel so bad for that woman. You can tell she really feels bad about what she was apart of, but nobody's showing any sign of forgiveness to her.

[@timster1995]

I forgive Libby no matter what!

[@Faery_Witch422]

Crystal Brooks That's the hard part. You can be sorry, you can apologize and ask for one's forgiveness but it doesn't mean that they have to or will forgive you which hurts bc it's almost like an unresolved issue but you eventually learn to accept and let go and move on.

[@TURK_182]

Jesus would forgive her

[@Scribe13013]

- kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5iUcn2BZ718b6s

[@dakotachristopher5532]

​@@TURK_182 Yes.

[@FaizC16]

I feel like they're coming down to hard on her. She was kid who did as she was told and was influenced by the biggest influences of her life - her parents. She should be applauded for being able to walk away from it.

[@marygray2457]

I'll be at the pearly gates to pull the lever on the Phelps family to watch them scream all the way to hell. It'll be. My pleasure.

[@sopdiedop]

Yeh you should watch the Louis Theroux documentary about them. They are Brain washed. They don't even know why they do what they do. It's really sad, and I think one day after the old ones die off... The younger generation will Leave. Well hopefully!

[@eyesinthesky4731]

I felt the same way. Give her mercy. She has finally woken up.

[@saur2244]

Faiz Fenty i think someone should have bin there with her because it looked almost like it was the room vs her just because of her family the poor girl.shes already so brave for facing the results of what her family did and is doing so give her a break

[@davedvdy4946]

Faiz Fenty Agreed, and not just her parents...her entire social bubble. One can only hope that this same spell is broken for many more.

[@qahnaaris8957]

Unfortunately kids can't fight indoctrination. It takes a lot of intelligence to be able to realize that and change it. Lots of respect to this individual.

[@Human4Peace]

Nuclear Shadowscale so true. Children brainwashed

[@lance_nickel]

Anderson, Jesus Christ, take it easy on her.

[@joanna7350]

He's just angry because her grandfather called him a "muck wracking little news prostitute".

[@hinkular]

@@joanna7350 I'd say that's fairly accurate

[@TheGreekPianist]

I'm friends with Libby and she's NOTHING like the other malicious, cold-hearted members of the WBC. She's very sweet, down to earth, nonjudgmental, caring, and a good-natured person. She told me how mentally and emotionally abusive the lead members were and how they manipulated their younger members on a daily basis. She's now a physical therapist and a hospice nurse, and loves taking care of other people. I'm so happy hatred, negativity, and violence isn't a part of her life.

[@dontknow3949]

It was very strange how she pretended to cry and then went "sorry... sorry....." as if anyone felt bad for her non-tears...? Like no sweetheart continue your fake crying nobody is stopping you lol. I am GLAD she got out of the church but man I cannot imagine what growing up in that environment does to one's psyche. We know Fred Phelps was a malignant narcissist and Shirley Phelps clearly has narcissistic personality disorder... I understand this woman has extremely deep trauma but man I cannot feel bad for her in this video. Megan Phelps is much more "normal." Neurotypical. You can tell something is very off with this woman and that her "empathic soul" is not quite there anymore... She knew she had to get out but it may not have had to do with feeling bad about what she was doing... Look I'm not trying to cast any blame or shame on her for what she did. I'd forgive her personally, she didn't do it to me though. But I can imagine the discomfort that family feels as they finally get to face one of the people who protested their son's funeral and all they get is some fake tears and "I thought what I was doing was good" like yeah we got that part... It is good she is out of the church but please people, understand, growing up in a community like this will leave you REALLY fucked up mentally.

[@dontknow3949]

@LibsSCH They are all malignant narcissists to an extent. They essentially get their "narcissistic supply" from the hatred of others for the inflammatory things they say in their protests. It is like martyrdom to them. They get to bask in the glory of everyone else's hatred while feeling completely justified and self-righteous because they are "suffering" for God. It all reinforces the beliefs they've been taught. It is extremely warped malignant narcissism on a grander scale. Fred Phelps created this community of people simply because he was a bored angry hateful malignant narcissist and quite possibly a psychopath as well.

[@dontknow3949]

@LibsSCH do you have a source for that video I would absolutely love to see that... I'm utterly obsessed with doing research on this insane family

[@aaronwhite556]

@LibsSCH before or after this with Anderson?

[@user-cx5ud8ts7j]

I hate WBC for ruining the Christian name. Personally, I'm Atheist, but I have a high respect for people and their religious beliefs. just because I don't believe in something doesn't mean I will try and take it from you. I respect Christians and everything they stand for, and WBC is ruining what living Christians stand for. I'm recent years, a lot of Christians become more and more accepting of controversial things like homosexuality, which is great, but here they are, fucking everything up...

[@joltixcat2757]

+Consider This God did not write the Bible, though. Neither did Jesus. That's why some Christian's pick and choose what's true and what's not.

[@user-lw8db6in5b]

内藤イズミ Exactly! The Bible literally says (in Mark 12:30-31) that the most important commandment is to love everyone. He said not to judge anyone and love everybody regardless of who they are or what they've done. God intended on Christianity to be based on love and acceptance. The WBC is a cult and they're ruining the Christian name.

[@inikovic]

内藤イズミ I just want to say thank you, for restoring my faith in some of humanity. My high school has been picking on me for being catholic. They are all atheists. I felt horrible, and really was beginning to question weather I should stay at the high school or not. I didn't say anything and kept quiet. I really began to hate all atheists and pretty much everyone for that matter. Now after reading this I feel like there is really that percentage of non believers that have respect and so again, I say thank you!

[@leilagrace4898]

内藤イズミ Exactly! I'm a Christian (and a totally accepting one at that) and this church disgusts me. Christianity is based off of love and all they do is hate.

[@teenindustry]

内藤イズミ oh kiddo. I'm sorry high school is so awful for you. I am an adult atheist but was raised Catholic and overall had a good experience. The world is full of good people on all sides of the fence

[@BitofeverythingViSA]

I feel really annoyed by this video.. It's like they're trying to make her feel bad!! She can't help who her family is! You'd believe what your parent told you... Specially if they told you the same thing over and over again and the whole community around you said the same thing.... It's not her fault!

[@ericheavilin2029]

+Sarah Ashman Nope. It's not her fault. And we all grow up eventually and learn better. We all have our own experiences and situations. It's good that she has found out the truth or, at least, is coming to find out the truth.

[@elliottmaryme]

They are NOT the church! The Lord would NEVER EVER do anything like this. God is not evil, these people are pure evil and they are given so much publicity bc satan is the god of this world. It's super sad that this group of people claim God bc they don't know Him at all!

[@ivangushkov3651]

There is a discusion to be had whether God is good or not. Read the Bible, there he comits genocides one after the other, he is a dick to pretty much everyone except those who agree with him, and he tortures his son to death. What wrong did Satan do again? He killed some people. Thats pretty much it, the Bible never mentions that he was the serpent in the garden of eden. EVER no not even in revelations. But for some reason everyone interprets the bible that way. Also he is not the one sending you to burn for an infinite amount of time because you have comitet a finite number of crimes. Its God who does all this. Anywho i agree that what those retards are doing is wrong. Well the whole of christianity is a cult of hypocracy, did you know that the Bible endorces abortion? Book of Numbers chapter 5! Check it out. Jesus also mentions that one day same gender sex will be normal. Luke 17:32-37 (remember Lot's wife). The Bible also ebdorces slavery ;D Exodus chapter 21 :D Its quite funny really. Isaac Asimov once said that the Bible read correctly is the most potent weapon against religion. Oh and just a suggestion, dont claim you know God, it is imposible by definition (at least the christian god)

[@elliottmaryme]

Ivan Gushkov your eyes have been blinded because you don't desire the truth. God is good! He destroyed mankind in the past during the flood because their thoughts and the intent of their hearts were evil constantly! Among other truly evil things, but you don't want to know the truth therefore you've fallen for a lie and I do sincerely hope and pray your eyes open, God doesn't send anyone to hell , He gives us a choice. If you don't want him now than why would He want to force you to be with Him for eternity. Thereby you choose hell. That's as simple as it gets.

[@ivangushkov3651]

Mary Elliott What you said makes no sense. So he gives us free will (the ability to think and commit those terrible terrible sins), but then its all the suddenly our fault that we think bad and do bad things??? Also the one thing atheists want more than anything is honesty and truth, and that is the main reason we are atheists. The Bible and your God offers nothing of such nature. And please do go ahead and pray for me. I will do the thinking for you. It is not your 2000 y/o fairy tale that will build a civilazation that will conquer the stars, its us the thinkers and dreamers. Go ahead, waste your life in the persuit of this so called truth, the same *truth* that no one has ever found through religion. I will observe the universe and continue to satisfy my unending thirst for knowledge and understanding. That is the main difference between you and me. So please go ahead and pray for me. After all the result will be the same as raciting the alphabet backwards: NONE! I was planing on stoping there but I am angry now. Do you have any idea (just a slight idea) of how advanced science has gotten in the last few decades?? We can observe the stars in detail that was undreamed of back in the day. We have backwards engineered DNA and confirmed Darwins amazing theory of evolution, we have discovered how our Earth works and how it came to be. Newton, Galileo, Copernicus, Darwin. Do you have any idea how many of those people would have killed to live in our day and age? 100% of them. And yet here you are still wasting your mortal life. Pity. So very pethetic.

[@ivangushkov3651]

***** We dont know. We honestly dont have the slightest idea. And this is what fuels our curiosity. And we are not sure that the big bang had a cause. The reason is that time and space started with the big bang. And without time, the concept of causality goes right out of the window. We dont know and this is the reason we are trying to find out. Science does not know everything. That is the main strenght of science.

[@timlegall3771]

Have you ever read the bible god killed more people including babies then everyone else who has ever lived combined ! God doesn't love anyone he/she or it is a little kid breaking crayons at his best

[@DharmaDogs40]

Libby seems so much better off now. What a sweet, caring person. So hard to admit when you screwed up but, she was raised to hate....now she holds herself accountable and she has a better way about her. More tollerant...kind. She was dealt a rough hand.

[@jannickekiland7617]

Good thing she left the group. Its not her fault, that she did what she did, she was brainwashed from a very early age. I believe that most of the members of that church is not doing what they do to be evil. But they have Been brainwashed to believe that they are doing the right thing! (Thats just awful) It takes guts to break out if that group! That is a STRONG girl sitting there! I hope that the other members of that group will start to understand that what they are doing is wrong! And that they will break out of that group/church!!

[@PixelatedMagikarp]

yes brain washed is right john said "do not separate people of the church" and what do we do we form all types of christian communities some of us add things such as a middle place you can go if ur bad but not too bad and ur family can pay so you can go to heaven... where in the bible does this say that tell me im so tired of false things being added to the bible people adding books to the bible and false teaching of it. in the bible it also doesn't say being gay is wrong well at least that i haven't found. there is only one type of Christianity we worship God and love him and do as he says and follow his book and repent... but we added things to it and made new types im done with the lies spend time with the bible and look at it if you believe in this so called middle place u can get payed to get out of

[@YamPoop]

Lol it seems like the ones that leave instantly get hotter.

[@dangerdan2592]

Damn I know right? Haha

[@Thugnasty00G]

***** Yeah for sure I want to bang all of them. No homo.

[@Coribashi]

+gnichols6401 Homo with me. Tbh if I can get back at West Bro then I would bend over to destroy them 😃 sorry if I offend anybody.

[@jokifka]

+Leeroy Jenkins Cause they're not banned from wearing make-up anymore:)

[@markgtownsend]

+Leeroy Jenkins absolutely!!!!!!!!!

[@LarryNMaggard]

Some of the worst atrocities imaginable have been committed in the name of GOD

[@paradoxicalenigma1733]

That is because, within religion, just like politics, nations, races, and gender...there are both good and bad humans.

[@LarryNMaggard]

all of which is subjective

[@paradoxicalenigma1733]

Sorry, what do you mean?

[@LarryNMaggard]

Trace Wikes what each person thinks, feels, believes, behaves is the result of many variables which determines how each person interprets and/or perceives something. This is why law, religion, anything that is supposed to be "carved in stone" doesn't always mean the same thing to different people.

[@paradoxicalenigma1733]

Well said.

[@alexsuper5108]

I feel so sorry for the kids in that family. They are brainwashed from birth. They honestly think they're doing good. Most of the young ones don't even understand what they're doing.

[@KrissieLundy]

All* the young ones

[@rystor128]

All kids are brainwashed from birth, for all religion.

[@TheBurninBlazee]

If they hate america and think its a sin to fight, be in, or associated with, fucking move!

[@youtubeuser1588]

LOL, they can move to Antartica, cause no country wants these intolerant douchebags.

[@TheBurninBlazee]

The Longest Name I Thought Of lol.

[@IkkoArts]

They should be sucking ISIS's small dick!

[@Jedilord882]

The Longest Name I Thought Of This is so correct, if they tried to move to a country like Japan or Canada who are the least religious and have THE LEAST FUCKING MURDER RATES ... they would just get laughed at and that's it. No one would even waste more calories even counter - protesting or trying to reason with them.

[@maniacman2754]

The Longest Name I Thought Of No. Don't ruin it for the penguins.

[@bouchandre]

I can't wait for the day that everyone leaves the church.

[@bouchandre]

***** Hmmm, what?

[@bouchandre]

***** I just thought that your comment was incoherent. And I meant that I can't wait for the day when everyone leaves the WBC.

[@oncomintraffik1545]

***** A hit dog will holler.

[@cameronpatrick8489]

That will never happen

[@cameronpatrick8489]

Repent

[@simonsmith2779]

Much respect and love to her. She's free. May God show her the right path.

[@lindalds]

The *best* way to get rid of these people is to totally ignore them. Act as if they were not even there. The media gives them all sorts of exposure and that's what they want. Don't give it to them. They will crawl back into their hole and we'll never see them again.

[@querinnalove]

lindalds Exactly! They get too much air time. Cut them the fuck off! ):D

[@ashleyspurling5701]

+lindalds Amen! BTW I love your cute kitty picture!

[@paullovio7909]

It doesn't work that way! It's not as simple as that. You need positive responses, because you also have freedom of speech too. Take the Patriot Guards for example. That's a positive response to U.S. military funerals.

[@fortawesomm]

The WBC is the most hypocritical 'church'.

[@KrissieLundy]

cult*

[@loboris1995]

No , they are honest on the bible , which is a horrible book .

[@bernadeta4713]

But you still have to understand that lots of them are brainwashed. No I'm not saying they're innocent either.

[@edwarddavenport9881]

She had the courage to leave which in itself is highly commendable. You have to see it from her point of view. The human mind is susceptible to all kinds of brainwashing and manipulation. She was born into a family where she was told nothing of the views of other people. Nothing about the forces of good in the world. She was fed vitriolic spite for the first 23 or so years of her life and walked out on a family she grew up with because she wanted to be a better person. For me, the worst member of that group is Steve Drain. He joined as an adult. Somebody who could already think for himself. A child cannot do that, obviously, so how can you assign blame to a person who HAS started to think for herself and now made the right choice?

[@edwarddavenport9881]

Or to quote Christopher Hitchens "If religious instruction were not allowed until the child had attained the age of reason, we would be living in a quite different world"

[@1205snaby]

She said she was sorry!!!!

[@Prestige29]

I can't blame Libby at all, or Megan or any of the kids of WBC, however... People like Steve Drain I do blame, people who have spent a whole life & then chose to do this stuff, not like Libby who had no choice! Even the family members who do it for their entire life from birth deserve my pity as they are completely brainwashed into this, but not adults who chose this life, they don't deserve no pity & if they leave the church, no forgiveness!

[@danielt.9101]

Steve Drain is an insufferable douche-twat. Fuck him and the horse rode in to the WBC on.

[@Super96er]

Daniel Tibirisa So with you on that Daniel!

[@edwarddavenport9881]

I couldn't agree more.

[@courtneykleiner9666]

Wow. I have lost so much respect for Anderson. How would she know what she was doing was wrong at the time? She was raised to think it was good. Why did he keep attacking her? Poor Libby! ='( I was hoping that family would say they forgave her, but I understand.

[@TotsNater]

Because she wasn't a child anymore. She was at least 18 when she left. She had enough common sense to know right from wrong. If she was like 5 or 6, you'd have a point.

[@louwinters508]

@@TotsNater She was 25 when she left. She did it because she would be kicked out of her family, who were her whole life if she refused to do it. They all had to do it. The reason why she left is not because she realised it was wrong. It was because they started bullying her. That's what they do. They shun and punish members who cross a line they don't like. It's a cult which is very hard to break away from. So if you haven't walked a mile in her shoes. Why judge her. Brainwashing doesn't stop when you reach 18. She's changed her ways entirely now.

[@gentle.unicorn]

Aw man when the mom talked I got teary-eyed. I never thought about the point she brought up of the fact that the soldiers are fighting to withhold our freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, which is what makes the WBC legally allowed to do things like that.

[@bruhman2589]

The speech that sherry gave to Libby was touching and after hearing it I cried a little.

[@ashersizemore]

I actually feel really bad for her in this interview. She was taught for her whole life these terrible thing- how was she supposed to know any better? In this interview, they shame her to the point of tears. She obviously didn't know any better at the time, and she had the courage to leave. Her family disowned her. I think that they should give her a break and forgive her.

[@marybach9925]

I'm happy that you are out

[@ChernovFan100]

Why are they interrogating her? Like yeah I get what she did was wrong but she admitted that she didn't realise how horrible it all was when she was actually doing it. Instead of this being a "Well done Libby you're not hateful anymore", it's a "Look how bad of a person you are Libby!"

[@Toenailmuncher]

+ChernovFan100 This is an interveiw after all, it was made so he can ask her questions and let her voice out her opinions and life in general.

[@petermoriarty6309]

She got to the age of REASON

[@barnabyaprobert5159]

+The Glorious Revolution Excellent post.

[@christianmannery3130]

If your entire family tells you something is bad and you should do xyz from a young age then you’re going to do it she grew up in that environment she didn’t choose to live in it and she grew up thinking she was right but to leave when she realized she was wrong is truly courageous and shows how strong she is.

[@Pcofwork]

Libby shouldn't feel guillty, she grew up in a cult. I love Louis Theroux 2 docs about the Church.

[@supererikman5331]

god bless you libby, hopefully you are enjoying your life outside that cult. At first I was kinda bitter and held what you did against you, but I see that you are truly sorry for what you did. I hope you can finally make up the first twenty something years of your life that were robbed from you

[@CC-mc5zj]

I hope people don't blame this girl. You can teach your child ANYTHING and they will believe you and completely denounce anyone who says otherwise. What she did with her family isn't her fault.

[@Vengent1]

poor girl i hope Libby has a awesome life full of happiness

[@mothersandfuckersofthejury]

I’m so glad she was strong enough to leave and talk about her experiences. People need to know💖

[@FredandPrint]

When you see these 5 year olds holding up signs not knowing what they're doing you kinda just wanna cry..

[@dakotablackwellsavidan9502]

Poor poor libby. It has to be hard to come to that realization that her whole life caused nothing but hurt and anger and to know that the right thing to do was to leave everything she had ever known.

[@fR33toZ92]

I can just imagine that horrendous witchy smile on Shirley Phelp's face at every funeral of a soldier....and I can imagine her "ego" after watching the poor family in this video. Her and her family are all heartless. I really doubt she would shed tears after seeing the parents cry about their son's funeral and how hurt they were due to the WBC.

[@dace9590]

so many Phelps family members are finally leaving that cult I'm so happy for them that they have been so brave to leave it even if it meant never talk to their family ever again they acknowledged their mistakes they made and can say sorry to those who they hurt

[@Jordzic]

I'm so sorry for her! No one deserves this hate

[@inezneal7258]

Forgive the for the misunderstanding .Its NOOOOT her fault.

[@SocialAlchemyProject]

This interview facilitated by Anderson Cooper just sends me to tears and gives me chills for the love that has come from out of Mr. Anderson's fame. Kudos! Best wises, Tyler Lord Hamilton

[@rexharlow1684]

I was there in the church that day. He was my aunt's nephew. What I remember the most was during the church service through the stained glass windows I could see shadows of people forming a circle around the church holding hands in a chain. Protecting the church and all within. The visions of everyone in red went on for miles. I'll never forget that day for as long as I live. I became proud to be an American. I'm not authorized to speak on behalf of the family or anyone else. But please keep praying for the Wyatt family. And for our country and all who defend her. God bless you. Love, -R.

[@lwiggins2able]

I feel so sorry for her. We all have a bond with our families I could not imagine not being able to see family and friends because of religion. Her family is all she knows. Really really sad.

[@strider9184]

+latoya wiggins it comes with the territory, even in churches that are not this extreme. I grew up in a baptist family and left church when i was in my 20's, and some of my family never talked to me again, but they didn't openly say that was the case or give a reason, they just slowly push you away. it's amazing from an outside perspective to see the brainwashing and manipulation that happens. You can see it destroy the soul and destroy what could be a perfectly decent family life if religion was out of the picture. although in my family no one will openly say to you that they don't want to be around you or have anything to do with you...it's still the underlying tradition of their religion: anyone who doesn't believe the same as me will have to be shunned. they emotionally detach themselves and don't let you get close. When our family get's together for christmas i see it...all the church goers in one group staying well away from the "evil ones".

[@CarsonLovesYou12]

This made me loose almost all respect for Anderson. I cannot believe that he would talk to her like she knew. She obviously was brainwashed and she keeps telling him that. I'm sure she feels bad enough about what she did. He made her feel worse.

[@georgerobins4110]

I can't watch this without crying. This girl is so brave, and I wish her all the best in the future. She was brainwashed and had the courage to leave her whole life behind, she's beautiful inside and out

[@phoneprincess13]

When that mother was talking about her sons funeral it broke my heart. And I agree she is very courageous to leave that cult.

[@ohadashkenaz]

so does being Jewish and gay count as a double negative then?

[@crisdietrich4724]

I'm kinda interested in the interview with the pregnant man that pops up at 2:05

[@Lucas-qk9me]

I feel so bad for her...imagine the guilt she feels, that shel never be able to get rid of. We love you Libby❤️

[@debrarufini6906]

We love you Libby, & we're so very proud of the woman you've blossomed into. Your autobiography is amazing. Big blessings to you. Xxx

[@debrarufini6906]

@MollyM Myself, along with many others. Haven't you watched this? - Libby has turned her life around.

[@debrarufini6906]

@MollyM Oh my goodness - I bet you're fun at parties!

[@debrarufini6906]

@MollyM Do you understand that Libby now stands against what she has done, and is deeply remorseful? Or are you just here to pick a fight?

[@debrarufini6906]

@MollyM Where does she say that she enjoys being nasty and won't stop now? I do apologise - that was immature of me to make that 'party' comment. I am sorry, Molly. Libby is someone known to me. I guess I feel for her, as I was once programmed from the pulpit, (although not to her extent,) to believe awful things, which of course in turn cause damage to lovely people. Again, I apologise - I thought you were just being argumentative, when you clearly weren't. X

[@debrarufini6906]

@MollyM I appreciate you accepting my apology - what I said was silly of me. Wow! - I'm surprised by this. Did she say this since her 'escapism?' Libby and Megan (her cousin) have been rejected by the family for leaving. Megan is now an atheist. Both women are desperately trying to make up for the damaged they helped cause, and are LGBT+ rights activists. It would be a shame if this was a comment made since the time of leaving Westboro. Enjoy your Sunday too, Molly. X

[@esufmp]

Well that was bloody emotional. Congratulations to this brave woman. It's gotta take some serious balls to leave everything you know to do what's right. And peace to the family speaking from the audience. Well done for being able to forgive her.

[@dougconley]

Sure indication of a cult is when you're shunned for questioning or not believing the thought line of the others within the cult.

[@coolwahl]

Bless that brave woman Libby is, no one could judge her for what she did as a child and how she was brought up. I have a massive amount of respect for her for growing up this way and figuring out that it wasn't right and taking action on it. Amazing woman.

[@rexharlow2053]

I was there at the funeral that day, my Uncle is Sherry’s brother. I was touched by all the of thousands of people who came in red to support the family, it meant the world. Thank you COLUMBIA. ❤😢

[@Haileyalexis_]

I'm still waiting for the day that the phelps family comes in contact with the wrong people ...

[@melissaoconnor6589]

The Bible said “by your love” you will recognize them. This church is clearly not a church of God.

[@lukkiecharm]

that girl that left.. seeing her cry.. i hope she is getting help, she will always have conflict and loss...

[@sarahbellee.bradburn8760]

I hope both Libby & the family can find some closure from this. It’s a painful thing to relive, but I pray that they have a forgiving perspective, and can live in peace with that.

[@DarkSektori]

I commend her for leaving that cult of sociopaths. She was conditioned for her whole life to see the world from one and only one point of view. I don't know what caused the little light bulb in her head to flick on and her to start asking questions but good for her. Now she can truly live a free life and she can still belive in god and follow her faith but she can see how faith can be more about love, compassion and forgiveness not hate, destruction, blind obedience and fear.

[@whiskeyfur]

I think it's also interesting from a psychological point of view on how much something can be 'normal' for one but not for an another. She's a good case study of learning HOW one can break that kind of condition, and to be 100% honest... ALL society is a form of conditioning in defining what is acceptable for that society, and this conditioning is a part of 'culture'.

[@imabirdnerd3986]

Poor kid, can you imagine the guilt she has to bear? Her apology seemed genuine, and she is brave to own up to the anguish her church and family lays on already grieving families. It had to be almost like dying to walk away from everyone she loved. Her family and her church were the only thing she knew. Isn't it sad that if she met an untimely death, her own family would probably protest at her funeral. It took a lot of guts to walk away from her church. Westboro excommunicates any of their flock that dare speak out against it. She didn't just lose her church, but she lost every friend and family member she had ever known. I certainly hope she can move forward and have peace in knowing she did the right thing. Peace, love and happiness to her.

[@getshorty7549]

Go Libby! That took real courage. You are forgiven.

[@PlayfulFruitLPer]

This poor girl >.

[@burningheart2909]

Sometimes standing up for Truth comes at a cost, even rejection by family. Bless you Libby, stay strong!

[@juanjohnson8137]

God Bless here .....happy her eyes opened

[@fR33toZ92]

Isn't it funny how Shirley Phelp's birthday is the same day of Halloween? People should start dressing up as ugly witches for Halloween and when people ask them what they are, they can say "I'm Shirley Phelps"

[@ashleyspurling5701]

+Miss Effenaii Is her birthday really on Halloween? Oh that's hilarious! And kinda ironically symbolic if you think about it.

[@fR33toZ92]

Ashley Spurling haha yess her birthday is on Halloween! It is hilarious! She's the perfect mascot for Halloween

[@HH-yr2fq]

It's not your fault Libby that you were brainwashed. You were young and that's all you knew. You're very strong for leaving and you're wonderful. 3

[@williamclay1792]

Great job Libby your very brave to go on National TV and apologize that took courage. Anderson it had to be tough ask to ask those questions but a necessary push. God bless the families of the fallen as well.

[@tiredmummy7512]

Wow... what strength that young woman showed. Well done, and God bless for seeing the truth...

[@depravedchristian6029]

I'm coming from the Christian Pentecostal point of view when I say this. God doesn't hate anyone. God does hate the sin, but not the sinner. I also am here to say the members of the Westboro Baptist Church are not saved. They do not possess the fruit of the spirit. Which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self control, faithfulness, gentleness, and meekness. Therefore, they're not saved. God's love is what breaks the yoke of bondage on people's lives. It's God's love that gives everyone freedom and deliverance from sin. It says that ANYONE who calls upon the Name of The Lord shall be saved.

[@depravedchristian6029]

Also, to make mention, people of the Westboro Baptist Church are using their own hatred as their drive to preach hate. They're nothing but a bunch of bitter homophobes who are the scum of the earth.

[@theguywhogames8482]

+Pentecostal Trinitarian Tongue Talker Not everyone who calls on God are saved. Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." And the whole "God loves the sinner, hates the sin" is a quote from Billy Graham, but it was originally from Gandhi, a non Christian. So that verse is false. God has a love/hate relationship with unrepentant sinners. He hates them but loves them enough to provide a way out.

[@depravedchristian6029]

The Guy Who Games God loves us regardless of what we do. Whether are not you are "saved," God loves everyone. Romans 8:38-39 proves that nothing can separate you from the love of God if you choose Him. God hates sin. God hates it when you do sin. However, God has never hated the sinner, you, or anyone else, regardless of what they have done.

[@theguywhogames8482]

Pentecostal Trinitarian Tongue Talker God always loves us if you continue to go in His way. But the only way to achieve salvation.

[@depravedchristian6029]

The Guy Who Games He loves us regardless... Whether or not we have been saved, He loves us.

[@jake24685]

this is why i stop going to church also

[@MitchFisch12]

Smash 456 that's really bad theology

[@nacht_owl]

I feel the same way as someone wrote below. I feel like Libby was just there to be picked on and have it more rubbed in her face the “horrible things” she had done. No one there cared about her feelings, that she TRULY felt she was doing the right thing at the time, and that she had to REPEAT this so many times in this “interview”, more like putting her on trial. No one was even moved by how moved with sorrow SHE was that she was crying. Yes, the people in that church are raised to be desensitized to any natural human emotion, but she’s found her way.

[@lucylaroux9355]

Just look at the sincerity in Libby's eyes while the parents are speaking... this isn't some Dr. Phil crocodile tears, you can see her true pain, knowing what she had done. She was raised that way, she didn't choose it but much respect to her to abandon that life of hate. I'm so proud of her!!!

[@itzell08]

Forgive and forget :)

[@LuannOsbourne]

thanks sherry for giving her this talk to this lady whom she had to leave wbc

[@LUFFmeFerever]

Poor girl.. These people are fucked up.

[@nov5312]

i miss this show

[@steph9799]

He kept asking the same question over again but worded differently like he was trying to get her to say that she was being hateful and a bad person and she didn’t care, but she was brainwashed and thought she was doing the right thing, along with everyone else in that church

[@JoaoFerreira-dl9qr]

To everyone saying they are not true christians I ask you this. If you programmed a robot to enforce ALL biblical LAWS, would you feel safe having one in your home, work and streets?

[@dbcollin3]

João Ferreira could I ask a question in return? it's going somewhere I promise it will answer your question. Would you say you are more liberal or conservative

[@dbcollin3]

João Ferreira ?

[@JoaoFerreira-dl9qr]

dbcollin3 I don't follow politics like that. I agree with liberals when it comes to some issues, and agree with other parties when it comes to other issues. And in my country we don't have liberals. We have right and left.. I don't understand much about that tbh.

[@igoodboyMC]

The funny part is although Christianity is a theory (I'm a Christian). But in reality they are not living by the book they are creating their own theory's from what THEY think is right not God.

[@itsn8m814]

Your a good boy that has figured this out 😄

[@UltraGalaxyify]

+igoodboyMC I get the feeling they only read PARTS of the Bible, rather than the whole thing, because if they did, I"m pretty sure that they'd be scared about what awaits for those who use the Lord's name in vain

[@itsn8m814]

+UltraGalaxyify there we go

[@mikakaufmann386]

They are going mostly off the bible tho I read through the whole thing and most of the things they go against the bible says that you'll burn in hell for

[@NSLM]

+igoodboyMC Brainwashed Christians are brainwashed. -_-

[@lancetop]

As a keen observer of body language, etc, I noted that during Libby's several "crying episodes", not one tear was to be seen. It seems like her eyes and eye makeup would be covered with tears, the way she was sobbing.

[@T0BBi94]

Atheist all the way here! Live in Sweden we basicly dont know what religion is..

[@DanielAS3]

She's beautiful.

[@DanielAS3]

***** Spot on.

[@immcguyver07]

And im pretty sure shes straight too right?

[@DanielAS3]

immcguyver07 And happily married :)

[@hannahdunn5393]

Dear Libby, Its ok. I forgive you. I know you were brainwashed. I know you regret it. Its ok. I'm sorry you had to lose your family. Thank you. Love, A lesbian

[@JoshuaRFeldman]

My heart goes out to Libby, such courage

[@mysticvean]

Why not offer captions/subtitles?

[@elizabethshahid1151]

First this and now Donald Trump. I feel so sorry for Americans.

[@elizabethshahid1151]

Cherie Lambert​ *"won"* And don't come to me when he changes shit, and treats people horribly depending on their Race, Gender, or sexual orientation. I don't live in America, however he still pisses me off. He won't effect my life, not entirely; but he is going to harm and change other people's lives. You're shrugging it off now, just wait until later. He hasn't even got the Whitehouse yet, and there's already been a riot...

[@desiree1019]

Neo Belladonna um? no

[@CuddleSeason]

Plot twist: God does not exist.

[@kevinceniceros1690]

+Bury Me In The Snow No one knows if God exists or not, but there is a chance that he does exist.

[@CuddleSeason]

History Man True, I cannot disprove his existence.

[@ericheavilin2029]

+Bury Me In The Snow There is certainly plenty of proof that God exists if we look in the right places. However, it's also safe to say that maybe He doesn't. But even so, the hope is where God plays a role in life as well. Too many people just see God as something bad, wrong or evil and who wants to kill everyone and hurt everyone. That's just not true. Can I prove that? Well, in the sense that I cannot give you the same experiences I've had in the same way I've had them myself, no. But if we show love and even a tiny seed is born that decides to make someone question life and start looking, then God, being God, would surely respond to the quest and allow His existence to be discovered. If only to love that person in a way they can understand and to help them spread that love and truth with others. And if you decide to not believe, that's cool, too. It's a choice we all have.

[@CuddleSeason]

Eric Heavilin I don't see God as a bad, wrong and evil being. I see him as non existent. I have no meaning by hurting, it's just my perspective of looking at things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts anyways! :)

[@mrlevinielsen]

"God doesn't exist" later on... "It is not my place to say wither he exists or not".

[@LukeBridger]

Libby is amazing and I hope she is doing well now. I think she is very brave and is a hero in that place. #Libbyphelpsisawesome

[@Rasamith]

I find her admission of guilt and that she herself was in the wrong to be extremely commendable. She has every right to point to the church and blame them for teaching her and breeding hate, but she takes all of the confession on her own two shoulders. I think that's the mark of an intelligent and compassionate soul.

[@seanflaherty1225]

The thing I hate though is any hate they get they enjoy.

[@leor.1475]

And they say 'We will pray for you'

[@supahsam]

Well I mean I'm proud of her for leaving, I can't imagine how hard that must have been.

[@misterhot9163]

I'd like to know if Libby has a relationship with her other estranged family members who have also left the church. Good for her for taking a stand.

[@cfjermedal1]

My husband is a Patriot Guard Rider and retired Army combat medic. Love my PRG's!!

[@katherinemoreno2076]

"You will not see them. you will not hear them. and we will always be here for you." sounds like my Father in heaven.🙏💖Bless those who chose love. amen.