After Founder’s Death, Another Family Member Defects From Westboro Baptist Cult
Following the death of Westboro Baptist Church’s founder, Fred Phelps Sr., another young member has left the hate-mongering cult.
Zach Phelps-Roper, 23, is Phelps’ grandson and the fourth Phelps-Roper sibling to reject the cult.
“I feel like I have unconditional love for every person around the world,” Phelps-Roper said Friday. “The Westboro Baptist Church sees things differently than I do now.”
Phelps-Roper is among the 11 children of Brent and Shirley Phelps-Roper, who is Fred Phelps’ daughter. Two of their daughters made headlines last year when they spoke out about their decision to leave Westboro Baptist.
Megan Phelps-Roper and her sister Grace departed from the group in November 2012, following their brother Josh, who left in 2003. About 20 members—most in their teens and 20s—have defected in the last decade.
Click below to watch a portion of an interview in which Zach Phelps-Roper talks about his decision to leave the church.
