Westboro Baptist Church ( WBC ) is an American church known for its use of inflammatory hate speech , especially against LGBT people , Catholics , Orthodox Christians , atheists , Muslims , Jews , and U.S. soldiers and politicians . Multiple sources describe it as a hate group and the WBC is monitored as such by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center . The church has been involved in actions against gay people since at least 1991 , when it sought a crackdown on homosexual activity at Gage Park six blocks northwest of the church . In addition to conducting anti-gay protests at military funerals , the organization pickets celebrity funerals and public events . Protests have also been held against Jews and Catholics , and some protests have included WBC members stomping on the American flag or flying the flag upside down on a flagpole . The church also has made statements such as " thank God for dead soldiers , " " God blew up the troops , " " thank God for 9/11 , " and " God hates America . " The church has faced several accusations of brainwashing and has been criticised for resembling a cult
9/11
September 11 attacks
Westboro Baptist Church