By Ben Thompson
Louis Theroux’s latest documentary for the BBC saw him revisiting the Westboro Baptist Church – the infamous church in Kansas, USA, best known for their ‘God Hates Fags’ rhetoric.
Having previously documented the small church in previous installments in 2006 and 2010, Theroux was no stranger to the church’s vitriolic rhetoric. The church is clear on where it stands, and lets the world know about their beliefs when they turn out to protest funerals. Their signs, featuring messages such as ‘God Hates America’ and ‘America Is Doomed’ being among their tamest, are synonymous with a hatred that has turned the divided nation of America squarely against them.
This documentary sought to look at the vulnerabilities of the church. Theroux spoke to former members of the church, who had been exiled upon recanting their beliefs, and learnt of the circumstances that led to them turning their backs on all they’d ever known.
Of particular focus was Megan Phelps Roper, the grand-daughter of the church founder Fred Phelps. Megan speaks to colleges across the USA, offering her insight on how to reach radicalized individuals. With her TED talk garnering 4.5 million views on YouTube, she’s clearly a voice many believe has a unique perspective.
Theroux’s line of questioning in the documentary also sees current church members get agitated with him, and the hour-long program is not without its tense moments.
It was particularly surprising to me, as somebody who has long been familiar with the church, to see the church members show such vulnerability.
Shirley Phelps Roper, the church’s most infamous member who often appeared as their representative in the media, is seen clearly within the documentary as a wounded woman. Three of her children have left the church, and by the standards of her faith, she can no longer see them. To witness her on the brink of tears in front of Theroux made her seem wholly different from the woman who would usually be leading her church in protest.
Theroux’s trilogy of documentaries show the gradual breakdown of a insulated church that views the outside world as evil and wicked. I wouldn’t be surprised if he still has enough material for a fourth installment.
Featured image: Netflix Action, drama, comedy, and a strong 80s aesthetic: Stranger Things is something of a modern classic and, for Gen Z, a familiar piece of contemporary media that seems to transcend age. My first taste of legendary bands such as New Order and Echo & The Bunnymen came from those first couple of…
Featured image: Anna Torrance Blending music and literature in a whirlwind of a weekend of talks, performances and discussion, Louder Than Words Festival returns to Manchester for 2025, bringing together musicians, writers and photographers from around the UK. Set within the intimate chambers of the INNSiDE Hotel, the festival offers a packed programme of acoustic…
aAh! Magazine invites all Manchester Met students with a passion for journalism, writing, design, illustration, and photography to pitch ideas for our upcoming print issue: The REAL Issue. This issue will explore what realness means today, especially for young people and students navigating a world dominated by digital life, social media and AI. What does authenticity…
By Adam Taylor It’s time to post your top artists to show how cool and different you are. Spotify Wrapped for 2025 has finally dropped. This stat-loaded list of listening habits gets everyone excited, revealing top artists, songs, podcasts, music genres, and hours listened – which can be a bit concerning… Spotify adds new features…
Leave a reply