A former Westboro Baptist Church member shed tears over the pain she caused at funeral protests during an emotional appearance on a television show earlier this week.
Libby Phelps-Alvarez was raised in the anti-gay group but began questioning its beliefs — and its aggressive tactics, which include vocal funeral protests — over the years, The Blaze reported. She ultimately left its membership rolls and subsequently was shunned by other family members.
On “Anderson Live,” she broke into tears at the pain she had caused.
“I just thought that I was doing the right thing, but I look back now and I see that I was hurting people,” she said, as The Blaze reported. She said she thought at the time that she was expressing godly love for others by warning “that their sins were taking them to hell,” she said.
Ms. Phelps-Alvarez also expressed remorse to the mother of a fallen Marine whose funeral the church had picketed. The mother, in response, applauded her bravery to come forward and to leave the group.
“We want to commend you for being brave enough to leave that congregation,” the mother said to her during the broadcast, The Blaze reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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