The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., who founded a Kansas church widely known for its protests at military funerals and anti-gay sentiments, has died, according to his son Tim Phelps, reports Kansas First News. He was 84. Phelps was being cared for in an unidentified Kansas facility, Westboro Baptist Church spokesman Steve Drain said on Sunday, adding as the only detail, "He's an old man, and old people get health problems." Members of the Westboro church, based in Topeka, frequently protest at funerals of soldiers with signs containing messages such as "Thank God for dead soldiers," and "Thank God for 9/11," claiming the...
- 3/20/2014
- by Associated Press
- PEOPLE.com
Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., the Westboro Baptist Church founder who was a fierce critic of the gay rights movement, died Thursday, his son Tim Phelps told Kansas First News. He was 84. A spokesman for the Kansas-based church could not immediately be reached for comment. Phelps and the independent Baptist Church he launched were frequently involved with protests of political events, gay pride rallies and the funerals of celebrities, military figures and any other high-profile people he identified with gay, lesbian and transgender causes. His targets included film critic Roger Ebert, actor Heath Ledger, Princess Diana and President Ronald Reagan. Also read: Rupert Murdoch.
- 3/20/2014
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
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