The infamous Phelps-Roper family—the driving force behind Westboro Baptist Church—is having a tough time holding onto their kids. 23-year-old Zach Phelps-Roper has now joined his two sisters and older brother in fleeing his family’s church. He left about a month before his grandfather, Fred Phelps, passed away and has evidently been enjoying himself. As he told The Topeka Capital-Journal in an interview:
I feel like I have unconditional love for every person around the world. The Westboro Baptist Church sees things differently than I do now …I’m telling everybody I feel happier today than I did the day before, because I’m so happy to be alive. I see the world from so many different perspectives now.
In the article, he talks about reuniting with old family members he was forbidden from speaking with and finding them ready to welcome him with open arms. He also finally got medical attention for a back condition his mother always dismissed as being a ploy for attention. He’s met with members of the LGBT community and found them warm and accepting. As for his theology, that’s something Zach is still trying to figure out. “I still believe I’m being led by my creator here,” he said. “I’m just not sure what his name is. I am sure he is one who has unconditional love for his creatures” …
