Unfollow

A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church

By: Megan Phelps-Roper

Narrated by: Megan Phelps-Roper

The activist and TED speaker Megan Phelps-Roper reveals her life growing up in the most hated family in America

At the age of five, Megan Phelps-Roper began protesting homosexuality and other alleged vices alongside fellow members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. Founded by her grandfather and consisting almost entirely of her extended family, the tiny group would gain worldwide notoriety for its pickets at military funerals and celebrations of death and tragedy. As Phelps-Roper grew up, she saw that church members were close companions and accomplished debaters, applying the logic of predestination and the language of the King James Bible to everyday life with aplomb - which, as the church’s Twitter spokeswoman, she learned to do with great skill. Soon, however, dialogue on Twitter caused her to begin doubting the church’s leaders and message: If humans were sinful and fallible, how could the church itself be so confident about its beliefs? As she digitally jousted with critics, she started to wonder if sometimes they had a point - and then she began exchanging messages with a man who would help change her life.

A gripping memoir of escaping extremism and falling in love, Unfollow relates Phelps-Roper’s moral awakening, her departure from the church, and how she exchanged the absolutes she grew up with for new forms of warmth and community. Rich with suspense and thoughtful reflection, Phelps-Roper’s life story exposes the dangers of black-and-white thinking and the need for true humility in a time of angry polarization.

©2019 Megan Phelps-Roper (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

This was great

I enjoyed it so much. Delighted in hearing the author perform it in her deep sincerity

This book just stays with you.

A wonderfully written, compassionate and empathetic view of the world of hate. Megan's story serves as a lesson to us all that while escape from indoctrinated hateful single mindedness is very difficult it is truly necessary and worthwhile. Thank you for giving us your story.

Formerly blinded, Phelps-Roper now sees.

Articulately shared and worrisome for its insights into the iron grip of groupthink. Takeaway quote: Doubt is nothing more than epistemological humility."

"Westboro Baptist Church is not unique"

Megan tells her story we can't deny the parallels evident in our larger society. There's a lesson here for us all. We can change. We are redeemable. Thank you Megan and Grace. You are courageous.

Her travel drone hate love.

Amazing. She was such a brave you woman. I truly believe that GodLovesMeganPhelpaRoper. Come be my friend.

Captivating story

Being from a largely nonreligious family, it was mindblowing to hear some of the practices this extremely religious family operated under

Perspective from the other side

This was a really interesting glimpse into what many see as pure evil and hatred. Offered many sides and perspectives into the WBC. You may find yourself sympathizing with many of the people involved. Perhaps that’s the point. Maybe the evil is closer to us than we may like to think. Is this the result of an almighty god, or the shortcomings and ego of man? The storytelling was great and really put you right there next to Megan.

Turning away from the dark side of the Force

One of the most remarkable (de)conversion stories since Leah Libresco. The only minor flaw was that Megan failed to adequately account for her repudiation of the Christian faith after leaving Westboro Baptist Church.

I didn't know...

I didn't know that I could cry so much and so hard listening to a book. It was absolutely amazing and listening to the audio version was the best. Hearing Megan herself read this book will stick with me forever.

Unexpected

I was wholly unprepared for this book. I expected a memoir akin to Educated, about a culture of sheltered ignorance and hate that of course any sane and educated person would want to leave. Within this family though was vast exposure to outside culture, higher education, and a supportive loving family. How could they be the possibly be the same family at the backbone as the wretched Westboro church? Also, when Megan did choose to finally leave, it was only after it changed for the worst -- it wasn't even for the hateful actions that so rightly repulsed the rest of the world. Furthermore, when she did leave, it wasn't on a fiery mission to bring down her corrupt family, it was to spread humility, acceptance, and love.

Highly recommended.