These words landed heavy on Lauren Drain as her father spoke. Lauren had been a part of the Westboro Baptist Church for seven years. It was her life, her connection to her immediate family, to her friends and until that night- to her future. On December 14, 2007- that all changed. The membership had voted her out. The angst she felt had exploded inside her as she listened to a voice mail from her best friend, Jael. The message included the statement that “no one (in the church) wanted anything to do with..” Lauren. After years of sharing the fears, the adventures of picketing and life inside the closed culture of Westboro, her best friend acted as if Lauren had the plague.

‘Banished- Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church’- (Copyright © 2013) by Lauren Drain and Lisa Pulitzer is a gripping account of Lauren’s years inside this closed culture. You have seen them in the news over the years picketing at funerals, national events. You may have seen members being interviewed in the national media. Whatever you have heard or seen, don’t finalize your opinion until you read this book. I suspected there was darkness behind the doors of this group, but until I read this survivor’s account my opinion had no factual basis. Now, I have a better understanding of the control dynamics employed there.

So, John, how does this group compare to Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF)? Thought you would never ask. There are stark differences and eerie similarities. Westboro purposed to be informed on news making events and thus allowed their members almost unfettered access to the media. They basked in media attention even if it portrayed them in a negative light. The latest electronic gadgets were used to produce videos, support websites and record their picketing misadventures. The members had access to movies, recreational activities and were encouraged to dress modestly – but with much room for interpretation. These were some of the glaring differences.

The control dynamics used on their members were very similar to WOFF. Everyone reported the “sins” of each other. Before Fred Phelps died in March of 2014, he had god-like status within the group. Most of the membership consisted of his family. There were many lawyers within the group. They were and may still be a very litigious group. Are you getting the picture? Are we hitting some common ground between the two groups yet? While reading the book in two long sessions, several times I was astounded at the similarities. This group even renovated their homes using the labor inside the church and the same guilt trip on those would not participate. Westboro even went through the “everyone must lose weight” phase as well. Inside Westboro, Fred Phelps’ daughter controlled the members’ relationships, schedules and life choices in a very Jane-like manner. SCARY!

The writing style is a very engaging first person view and will have you turning pages very quickly. I experienced many emotions while reading this book. A warning to those former members of WOFF or other groups, reading of the exit-shock-depression Lauren goes through may be a struggle, but well worth the risk. I rated the book five stars.

Below is one of the many videos available with Lauren’s story. Let me be clear, I do not endorse any of the vitriolic practices of the Westboro Baptist Church. I can relate to this video. Do you see any other similarities?

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Thank you, for taking time to visit and read this blog. Please, consume the information on this site responsibly. The author is not a licensed mental health professional and encourages those that need professional help to seek it. The intent of the material is to inform and be a resource. Be sure to tell every member that you know at WOFF about this blog. There are readers at WOFF. Jane told me and Josh confirmed it.

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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 514.