I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. Here's why I left | Megan Phelps-Roper
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- čas přidán 5. 03. 2017
- What's it like to grow up within a group of people who exult in demonizing ... everyone else? Megan Phelps-Roper shares details of life inside America's most controversial church and describes how conversations on Twitter were key to her decision to leave it. In this extraordinary talk, she shares her personal experience of extreme polarization, along with some sharp ways we can learn to successfully engage across ideological lines.
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Giving a five year old an inflammatory sign they can't read/ understand is sickening.
meh, i think it is quite disgusting to make people believe in a fictive figure that gifts people gifts and even worse if they make them believe that happens everywhere instead of giving it some actual symbolical meaning, but that might be just me
Luna Limi No. The child can understand that if you tell them what it says. Love is the one thing a child can definitely understand, and before they are taught one way or another is right or wrong, they have the purest human understanding that love is always good. As the Doctor said, "hate is always foolish, and love is always wise."
Also there is nothing inflammatory about equality. Who is hurt by a lack of persecution?
It should be deemed child abuse
JackHad Room don’t take kids to protests. Don’t lie to them to make them a feminist or something else. Let them enjoy their childhood and let them be themselves.
Coco Brown Why? Give me a good reason that love and equality should be seen as child abuse.
This woman seriously needs to narrate audio books.
Lucas Peder any woman with a voice like hers would melt all men.
Lucas Peder especially for insomniacs
Gundam 00 but she's just a good reader.. is this a form of sexualizing her or am I taking it the wrong way?
TeoTheLostBoy No, she just got a amazing voice
Her voice is so beautiful
Wow, her voice sounds so much different now that she’s grown out of that church. She no longer has that angry tone. Such a well-delivered speech.
I don't know her "old voice" but that's pretty common for people who let loose of hatred
@@erwanne1305 if you listen to her interview with Tyra Banks a long time ago you can hear it in her voice how she used to talk just like her mom in that condescending tone (maybe not “angry” per se but definitely condescending).
@@pault9544 BBC
This isn’t the same girl on the Tyra banks interview
She sounds exactly the same
"I thought my rightness justified my rudeness". So many powerful statements in this talk.
Anyone else see a female Trudeau here ? Stick a wig on him and you'll see it!
👍
I wonder if her mom has ever watched this talk in secret because she secretly misses her.
I bet Shirley keeps Megan under surveillance every way she can think of.
@@ThePlataf in that case, Megan better file restraining orders to her mom so she and her sister can live in peace
@@saulthechicanootaku WBC keeps surveillance not on family but on half the universe as well, so it seems.
I’m not sure if she has, but if you watch interviews with Shirley following Megan’s departure she seems depressed. She’s “lost” at least 4/11 children now.
In Louis Therox's latest documentary about this church made me think that her mum was missing Megan and also was starting to doubt the ideas of the church, especially the misogyny
"How can we love our neighbor when we pray for God to destroy them?"
I loved that.
Real Orwellian double-speak there.
@@ThePlataf The bible is full of double think.
johntrevy1 no people just like to take pieces of the Bible and make it sound like that.
@CNN is Fake News Dont know and I dont care.
@CNN is Fake News *SHRUGS* I guess you didn't take that very well.
"Don't assume bad intent" that hit hard. That we should go in with a neutral intent and that gives our minds a better framework for dialogue. Gave me something to think about
me too!! I'm glad im not the only one that picked up on that Biscay...
a really moving speech and shows how kind people can be...sometimes they are hard to find i.e Love etc
but you 100% are one of the good ones and it is nice to meet you😊
that line hit me very hard too and the 3'rd stay calm....i nearly always am im not violent but def a man's man but im not angry person at all! id like to think im kind and caring loving and friendly ...and you seem to have a lot of tho's qualities and way more🤍🤗
Me to tbh like I already subconsciously knew this but as of late for me it has been incredibly hard to stick by especially since I can sometimes be cynical
Powerful. That comment affected me too
I’m so happy for her. Education is liberating.
THE LITTLE FREAK IS LESS SLIMY.
@@martinkent333 lmao!!
Education is ok, it's understanding where real change happens.
exactly I wish all women to get more and more educated
@@h.e.a311 That's the number one thing religion despises.
Moral of the story: food brings people together.
food and good couch.
Min Han damn right
Min Han i tried to like this comment but it was........THAT number.....
louis king same
coke had the right idea
As a Catholic and Christian in general:
If you hate someone because of your faith, you're doing it wrong.
Well said. This is true regardless of which faith it is.
S Benton *some* do call to hate and violence, but Christianity definitely stands out as one that calls for universal love.
And that’s the tea, sis
Matthew 5;43-48, Matthew 6:24,(Sermon on the mount) Matthew 7:6, 21, Proverbs 6:16 & Rev.18:4
THIS💛💛💛💛
Damn. Look what just 4 years of acceptance and empathy can do for a person
WOW, LESS POO!
When you are born into an environment of intolerance and hatred, it is very hard to muster the courage to become tolerant and love. I applaud you for your courage...and am glad you survived childhood abuse.
I hope she can reach more people. Cults are extremely insular and the members are the very last ones to realize it's a cult. Cults form naturally and even leaders are deceived. She's right, don't assume bad intent, but use critical thinking mixed with empathy and compassion. We all need it.
Honestly, considering just how brainwashed she would have been growing up in that cult, she's shown a remarkable level of personal growth and education. I can't be mad at that, when so many people refuse to change and see people as people first. Good on her for ditching that garbage, and opening her eyes.
Arranit Malushaj thank goodness for the internet. Poor thing would probably still be there if it wasn't for social media
Steph Y she went to a school with kids not from the westboro baptist church, a public school if I'm not mistaken (just like all of the other kids from the church/cult). She then went to college and law school - most of the members of the westboro baptist church who are adults are lawyers, too.
They aren't COMPLETELY cut off from the rest of the world like most cults.
OnceUponAPiano that doesn't mean that she still had the kind of exposure social media has given her. Local communities and schools are still very isolated compared to the exposure to the global community. Especially when your talking about 10 to 15 years ago
I am so proud of her!
If you see her in this interview 10 years ago it is hard not to get tears in your eyes seeing her TED talk. czcams.com/video/fhxMV1ntEUQ/video.html she is kind of a hero
Her grandfather was the founder of Westboro Baptist, and her mother is the face of it. The extreme courage it took Megan to leave that disgusting place is crazy. The bravery of Megan is so astounding, and her open-mindedness is beautiful.
~~~~~~
EDIT: hi reader! 2020 Me here, coming back to visit this comment that 2018 Me published. If you're about to read the replies, please heed caution, as some of them are very rude and ignorant. Some people do not realize that a person leaving all they know behind to stand up for what's right and to pursue a more loving, open, and intelligent life path, at the expense of losing all of their family, friends, and possibly causing harm to themselves if people from their past want revenge, truly is a form of bravery.
2020 Me still agrees with 2018 Me on this specific lesson--- that people CAN change, but admitting you were taught/believed wrongly, and abandoning your old life is difficult , yet doing it makes you not only brave, but also humble.
Have a good day :)
Idk if it's brave. You aren't a hero if you disagree with your parent's fucked up beliefs, that just makes you decent. Talking on a stage about anything is more brave then that.
I'm not a misogynistic MGTOW dude, even though I am a lonley loser but why are girls always patting themselves on the back?
@@CJM-rg5rt She gave up almost her entire family, challenged beliefs instilled upon her from birth. Yes what she did makes her decent, but the majority of people wouldn't have done the same. She adapted beautifully and if you can't see that and how incredible it is, then I'm sorry but idk what else to say other than the fact I hope you have a lovely day :)
@@CJM-rg5rt I think it's brave to turn on everything you grew up with. I mean, I think it's brave to be a proud member of WBC because of the hostility you're going to put up with. But I think she is brave for leaving what she knew, just as those who leave a cultish upbringing are brave.
The things westboro church are spouting, makes me not wonder how she escaped this madness.
I really admire Megan for getting out of this cult. She didn't know any better and it's borderline abuse to force a child to spread hateful rhetoric that they can't even comprehend or question. It must be extremely difficult for Megan though because that's still her family, despite their twisted viewpoints, and she has had to leave them behind.
It’s not “borderline” abuse - it’s just abuse…
The fact that she can say she was wrong , speaks volumes about her Courage and character
She came to my religious school . I got to meet her and honestly she was the kindest woman ever
Emily Soto wow
you have a cool last name :))
I'm Soto too haha
Isabella Soto we have the same name!!
You're entitled to your own opinion. I may not agree with you, but I respect it. Have a great day!
I love how soft spoken and eloquent she is.
Right? Hard to imagine her screaming obscenities at funerals. This David fella is a lucky man.
Me too.
I agree. I could listen to her speak for hours.
When peace and love is in your heart it naturally calms you.
Manipulative speakers need to have good voices
I just love her voice. So clean and soothing. It's a crying shame that such a kind soul was trapped in that abhorrent cult for so long.
This is one of the most beautiful stories of redemption I've ever heard. So wonderfully delivered. Such great insight. Thank you Megan.
This is peak character development if I’ve ever seen it.
If this were an anime, she’d totally be best girl material.
@@beta511ee4 She would be the main character
It's Zuko levels of character development.
Vegeta levels of character development, even
Meh I've seen further developed.
Extremely impressed by her willingness to admit she was wrong
Blake Askew, She wasn't wrong. She was a pawn in the context. We don't get to pick are parents or how they raised us. But we do get to pick how we lead our own lives.
Michael Nelson that's a very good clarification that we should always consider when seeing extreme views of hatred.
but did she? i dont know that i heard her condemn bad ideas, just all talk about 'point of view' and so on. i reall wanted her to, though
Anže Erjavec, There's no such thing as a bad idea. It's what you do with said idea. Truth isn't always ideal. But it's still the truth.
Anže Erjavec I think she did definitely just not directly, She regarded them as cruel practices and hypocritical
I wonder how many gay pride events I attended which you were part of. This isn't meant to be painful but I have to tell you. It's because of Westburro that I choose to make my veteran partner's funeral private and not published because I feared the church would show up. But, thank you for opening your heart ❤
thats beautiful attitude.
Westboro
@@napalm5 I think the misspelling is intentional.
You did what you had to do to protect your family. Nothing wrong with that.
I’m so proud of her. No condescension intended- but this takes so much courage. She left the cult that raised her. She’s been ostracized by her family. You can hear in her voice how much her heart has changed.
She grew up. Yawn. Excitable freaks get all crazy when a nutbar reforms. Yawn. You go girl!
@@martinkent333 you’re a troll. Yawn.
children should not be used by adults as pawns in any form of protesting
THIS, no exceptions, not in pro-life, pro-choice, anti-gay, pro-gay, blm, whatever. No child should be protesting at such a young age.
@@jagp135 so much yes to all of this 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
absolutely!
JA GP i agree. You should only be at a protest if you wholly agree with it and children are unable to make such informed decisions.
of as human shields or carriers of weapons in war. sad that this happens. groups use children as their shields and will also use children to carry bombs to destroy their enemies. i am 61 years old and i have never been in any branch of the military, but i can tell you that my heart broke and breaks for the veterans of the vietnam war. think about this after WW2 the soldiers came home to parades and celebrations. what did the vietnam vet come home to? being spit on and rejection. that is horrible on the part of those who did that to them. those men did not ask to go over there. remember the draft was in affect then. not everyone could run off to canada. getting back to the children part. i have never in my life been in that situation. but if you know that your enemy is using children and civilians to kill you im sure that it would make you skittish. do you know what its like to be shot at everyday in a land that is not your own from an enemy that you cannot always identify? if you have not been there you have no right to judge. like they say walk a mile in my shoes.
"What is better? To be born good or to overcome your evil nature trough great effort?"
-Paarthurnax Skyrim
Fixti0n yes
¨A Dragon, I saw a Dragon¨, Crazy old woman Skyrim
"Wabbajack Wabbajack Wabbajack" - Madwoman
She was born good. Just raised in hate is all. She overcame the brainwashing
Fixti0n i
I was honestly shocked when Megan left the WBC because in all the footage I saw of her, she came across as a loyalist through and through. When she left, it almost convinced me to believe in miracles again.
A dumbfuck has become a non dumbfuck? Call the press! I farted, is that interesting? It was a REAL fart!
@@martinkent333 I see your point, but remember that this woman was born into that church and was completely brainwashed into thinking the way that they do. She has said that their aggressive picketing was part of their DAILY lives. The church was the most important aspect of their lives, her grandfather being the founder of the church and her own mother one of its it’s most ardent and deranged supporters. I would expect someone raised in that environment to hold those same “dumbfuck” views. It is absolutely admirable that she has been able to escape that toxic environment and completely change her worldview. So kudos to her for being a “non dumbfuck” now. Have some empathy dude.
@@abubakrdevilliers2558 No empathy for bottomfeeders, Bottomfeeder!
@@abubakrdevilliers2558 I get so many people are proud of her for making finally waking up to delusions taught from birth it wouldn't be simple. But really wouldn't it? She doens't live in North Korea, and even North Koreans risk not only their lives but the lives of their entire families trying to leave with almost 0 access to any outside information or different stories.
She was born in America, access to so much information. It took her a long time to wake up, well done but it really should of been done sooner. She is no hero or admirable for working out what most people do at a young age now days, Religion is nonsense. Majority of people use Religion for the good teachings it brings and that's fine, but the only true believers are labeled as Extremists.
You can't pick and choose which words of God you believe in and still claim to believe in that God. You are not a Christian unless you want all Muslims dead and vice versa.
Damage was done, yes, but her eyes are open now, and there’s no reason to hold animosity towards her. She’s on our team now.
I never thought that I would think of anyone who was a member of the Westboro Baptist church as a bigger person than me.
The Weiss same
The Weiss The keyword is "was." Those who were indoctrinated from birth and still found the strength to leave have my respect.
The Weiss beautifully said.
Me neither. I'm a pro-life activist on Twitter and I get insulted and demonized on a daily basis by radical pro-choice people who disagree with me. I wish all those people were like this woman: open-minded, non-judgemental and willing to just listen to me. If they'd just let me bring up my point without already assuming I'm the Demon, all those hour-long debates would be so much more enriching for both of us. This lady is probably one of the wisest people I've heard in a long, long time. I wish I were like her.
Gaby Champion lets not get carried away though. I'm not going to let anyone tell me what I can do with my body...sorry it's just disrespectful to dictate what what women can do. Not everyone has your religion it's not fair. I understand you might feel bad with people being mean but some people are tired of having people saying what we can do with our own bodies. If you don't want an abortion, don't get one! That's super cool if you don't want one. But mind your own business and worry about yourself. I agree after a certain trimester it's too late for an abortion but if it's early enough it shouldn't be yours to dictate :/ there's a difference between trying to understand the westborrow church people and someone telling me and restricting my rights and reproductive rights as a women. As you might know having someone tell you what you can do with your body is really terrible ): treat people the way you want to be treated. Just keep in mind that it's really rude to tell what others should believe. Keep it to yourself.
As someone who is both gay and a veteran, I HATED this woman with a passion. However, hearing her here I am so proud of her and thank God that her soul seems to be saved. She has my support and my thanks.
Jelle Van Renswoude notice “hatED”. Past tense. Idiot.
Jelle Van Renswoude your missing his point
dead mum You’re*
Gino De los Angeles I don’t get it? Why idiot?
Ray Shoup God tells us not to hate even the worst people but to pray for them, I’m glad you no longer hate her
This is like the fourth time I've watched this video since it came out. It gives me hope for humanity.
One of the best Ted Talks I have ever heard. Having been traveling the world for 33 years non stop and working in 40 different countries has certainly told me that it is very important to talk to all the people you meet around the world. But it's even more important to listen to them.
The 1k dislikes are from the Westboro Bastist Church
Oliver's Antics That and probably people who heard only the first part, got pissed off, and down voted her.
Leah and 95% of them are members of the Phelps family.
They made 1000 fake accounts just to dislike this
Oliver's Antics 999th like
SO CLOSE
And your 1000 likes from kind loving people
Hold up, she had a civil discussion on twitter, that eventually led to her changing her entire world view?
Yea i had to listen to that part a few times before i believed it
I'm curious what her opinion of Brick Stone is now that she's separated from the Westboto Baptists.
When you politely tell people to make an argument vs. name calling and slogan chanting you plant a seed. Sometimes a seed grows into something useful.
When you are asked to make the argument, you have a chance to learn.
@@mikeyslakowski1299 Ha! I wish that was what it was. Remember the everyone's racist but not racist phase people went through. Where you could be racist but not at the same time?
When we are able to sit down and have a civilized conversation, the truth will ultimately prevail.
This is so impactful for me to see. I became borderline obsessed with watching videos on CZcams about the WBC in 2011 while I was in college, trying to figure out if and how I could come out to my own family who is also religiously extreme, but not quite to this degree. It was a strange sort of experience to see her and her family behaving as they did and I noticed similarities to the society in which I lived. This odd sort of mirror helped me shape my thoughts around the ways in which I and those around me were falling desperately short. I could see how bad the WBC was very clearly, and all the similarities I noticed in my own faith and society weighed heavily on me. Eventually I got too stressed out watching the videos and stopped completely. But I had learned a lot from them. I ended up leaving behind my own faith and coming out shortly after. I was cut off financially and had to leave college to survive and support myself. Now, all this time later, I find this video by happenstance, on CZcams once again, as I’m returning to college to finish the degree that I couldn’t finish before. I came out around the same time that she left the WBC and had no idea until now that we were on strangely similar paths away from harmful upbringings. I remember her specifically from so many interviews and ad videos and news stories. I remember her as this strange, horrific mirror, and as a villain in my own story. I even witnessed the WBC first-hand once at a pride event in Chicago and recognized some of the protesters from the videos I’d seen. I wondered if she was among them. It was otherworldly and strange to process-the feeling of this hellish group becoming something real and not just a bizarre spectacle on the other side of a screen. It is odd to reflect now on how learning about this church and seeing them in action had affects on me that ended up being positive by pushing me further away from the likes of it. This is the first I’ve seen of her since the days of me researching the WBC to death all that time ago, and I am so proud and inspired to know that she has come so far in the same span of time as me. It feels like another mirror, a very beautiful moment of reflection for me, to see how much the world and people within it can change for the better in a short span of time, and to think that someone who I remember so vividly in a specific light can be so transformed before my eyes. I hope she sees this and knows that for whatever harm she’s done, this video gives me so much hope, and I am proud of her for all the hardships she has gone through in pursuit of putting things right. On top of all that, she danced several very thin lines here very gracefully, and that’s not commonly done. So well-done there, too! I’m glad I got to have this full-circle moment. I think it’s had a positive impact on me yet again by helping to restore my optimism and hope.
Megan's content and delivery were impressive. To come from all the negative indoctrinations of Westboro and become compassionate, tolerant, and open-minded is truly a miracle. Hopefully, the rest of the family will see the Light.
I’m a veteran. I saw you hold a sign that said “thank god for dead soldiers” and “thank god for IEDs”. I can’t explain how I felt when your church walked on the flag that my friends had on their coffins.
Thank you for saying this.
I forgive you. I will try to be more compassionate to people, like you, who are brought up in bad situations and show them love and respect.
Tap Rack Blog that’s so beautiful to read
Edit obviously not the awful experiences you described . The forgiveness that you showed is beautiful and inspiring
This spoke to my heart
How big of u, I so need to do the same. inspiring. Thank you.
Thank you for your service god bless
Hard to imagine such a soft spoken and humble person can come from such an angry and dismissive place. Good on her.
I'm sure many or all of the people in that angry and dismissive place are like her but still don't know it and some die before they have a chance to find out.
It's easy to imagine. Every suicide car bomber is a human being!!! That child or teenager had to be born, raised to believe it was the most special thing on this earth and died blowing it self up thinking god is great. Hitchens was right, GOD is NOT great and religion poisons EVERYTHING
I'm not going to get into any argument over religion or God or anything like that, only that yes, while a suicide bomber does that thinking "god is great" that does not mean religion itself is fundamentally bad. fanaticism of any kind from any source is inherently bad and will only lead to suffering. One believing, whether it's true or not, in a higher power is their choice and not yours, but using that belief to harm someone or cause suffering because you believe it's "right" is not acceptable. @Ekko Echo
+Ekko Echo The Nazis performed horrible medical procedures on captured Jews during the holocaust.
By your reasoning, Medicine poisons everything 🙄
You can't fight ignorance with more ignorance. An eye for an eye, and soon we'll all be blind.
+Amber Slahlize Yes, but how you treat other people like they do based on things like sexuality, music choices, being a veteran/soldier, etc. are all things that they have harassed and tormented others about. They might not be angry all the time, but they're unnecessarily angry where they don't need to be, specifically when it matters, like the funerals of military men and women. Their anger overrides their "kindness".
Watching this in 2021 and her advice is just as relevant and on point today as it was in 2017. This is a great talk and should be on everyone's must watch list.
Yes absolutely, and is universal truth about cults based on mythical, evil, fictional books like the Bible
@@timetoreason181 This extends beyond theology; political divide has become the new religion - this video is my gateway share to friends and family who are so entrenched in their tribal beliefs that they've stopped listening to other people - it extends WAY beyond traditional and cult-like religion, it extends to actual thought itself, to tribal thinking, and as she mentioned most relevant today, political discourse. It's all just ideology and dogma in its extreme, no matter what side you're on. If you're not humanising or listening to the other side, or worse being emboldened in your own position every interaction you have, it's a symptom of a sickness, of the bigger truth you can't see yet - that you're not listening.
Question everything, especially what you've been taught.
Perfect advice. Doubting god or a lack of God is not a bad thing, because it will lead you to what you truly believe
Have nothing but incredulity for the meta narrative.
I do this everyday. I learn. I hear. I see. I read. I understand.
Imagine how mad her parents must be watching this. So satisfying.
👏👏
Haha they are probably fuming with rage watching this
If you sincerely found that thought to be "so satisfying", then I think you've missed her point, and the entire perspective of what she was "paying forward".
But, as always, that's just my opinion!
I think you missed the point.
as mad maybe as Keith Jesperson, serial killer extraordinaire, whose' bleached blonde daughter cashed in on his 'fame' with books and 'talk show' appearances? please, anybody recognizes crass self promotion OF ANY SORT when it pops up
It's really sad that people are giving her hate. It's not really her fault at all that she was made to protest and hold those awful signs. From the moment she was born, she was "brainwashed" into thinking those things. I'm happy she has realized that and has started over.
If you believe, you are at fault.
You can excuse kids that need to trust their parents for being brainwashed.
You can't do that to an adult that can even read, speak and write.
She failed to think for herself, she was at fault.
myHEXOR your entire sentence made 0 sense...
myHEXOR she was extremely sheltered, she didn't know anything else.
That's just the point - she had to be taught how to think for herself.
everyone is "brainwashed" by the surroundings. it's called education
I loved this and its made me think of how I sometimes react to posts from people I disagree with. She's actually an amazing woman. To have been brought up in such a toxic atmosphere but end up showing such humanity and removing all hatred fro her. To be able to move forward like this is quite remarkable. And she's right, dialogue is the only way we can move forward.
I feel so energised and hopeful listening to her, and so pleased that she's grown into such an articulate, illuminated woman. But I also feel for her to have lost her family, however misguided they may be, because that's one of the hardest things a person could go through.
She's an inspiration to us all ❤
So, ironically, a voice of calm reason, understanding and acceptance comes from an ex-member of an infamous hate group.
I can't applaud her enough. To not only accept her own mistakes, but also the flaws in the belief system of her own flesh and blood, the very people who brought her into the world, must have been incredibly hard.
Like she said, we inherently view our own outlook as the "right" one and it takes massive guts to admit that it isn't - in part or in whole.
Can't have anything else other than massive respect for her.
Alex Ball Exactly!
Everyone thinks they're on the "right" side. I have even debated/argued people on my side so I totally understand what you mean.
that's not irony
A message of acceptance coming from a person from an infamous hate group - I thought that was ironic.
Have I got that wrong?
Irony is using a word for something other than its literal intention.
Alex Ball yescand especially since she was brainwashed to believe them
Wow, Twitter was a platform for positive change and good. Never thought I'd see the day.
Riff Raff
Some people just better themselves no matter what the environment is.
Geoffreyvexer ikr
Riff Raff its a god damn social media
To be fair this was 2009-2012.
yeah well the same happened to me, twitter made me more woke
This is the third time I've come back to this talk. I've gotten something different from it each time.
When eating vast piles of steaming poo, look on the bright side. It has corn, which is healthy.
@@martinkent333 ....um....... ick.
Wow, I love this. One of the best things I’ve seen in a long time, and even though this was years ago it’s something I think people could benefit from now more than ever. Side note: The Westboro Church came and protested my theater group in high school because we performed Rent as our musical. I was a senior and I’ll never forget the signs they held up, so hateful and mean. They weren’t allowed on property so they had to stay across the street. We stayed on our end and sang “Seasons of Love” to them instead of yelling back. ❤️
This is it. We don't have to hate our enemy.
Let's break the cycle.
Alex Brown cute but good luck
Apollo'sBlood Wow. You wouldn't work for world peace?
Apollo'sBlood Cute is a very poor choice of words. Only fools hate their enemies.
If winning is your goal, or better said, winning without losing later, learn to live your enemy. Learn everything about him. Peace and conflict can coexist.
Let's break the cycle.
Amy Due mankind is incapable of peace. sadly we see it everyday on the news. the political system requires separation and division to further their own agendas.
naruto?
Megan is proof that anyone can change
and collect, like megan, fat paycheck$, via book$ and talk show$, for publicly 'discu$$ing ' that change, on the subject of a hated, has been, 90's era church that courted controver$y....all this done for 'hone$ty', not $$, of cour$e!
End Wildlife Services'Needless Killing Of Wildlife everyone needs to make money, it’s unrealistic to expect someone to not make money. Doesn’t mean she’s not telling the truth, it means she needs to eat.
@@JacquelineUnderwood lol, give me a break, paid blogger.......'she needs to make money'...you know that that's beside the point.....she is raking in hundreds of thousands of dollars ( built on an industry of hate) , her mom made her the 'designated dissenter', with the promise of more books or 'talks' later......this was purely a business angle, so don't falsely 'hand wring' here and talk about her facing starvation..... honestly 'prank girl' I did not think even you would sink this low
End Wildlife Services'Needless Killing Of Wildlife I’m not talking about her facing starvation? Obviously she’s not? It’s okay to make money off your experiences, it’s okay to make money. Saying people are inherently corrupt because they make money is ridiculous. Yes money can corrupt but it doesn’t have to.
@@JacquelineUnderwood I did not imply at all that money automatically means corruption, paid blogger, you keep pulling these strawmans out of your A-hole, left, right and center.....honestly, 'prank girl', is sidetracking all you can do here? she's profiting off of a hated industry, one which your ilk would be loathe to term an industry in the first place.....don't be butthurt over somebody pointing this out
Amazing talk - I remember her in Louis's first documentary, hadn't realised she'd left and am so happy for her. What's so powerful is realising in 2017 that someone who formerly hated for a living could clearly see how the world was headed, three years before the Senate was invaded and the most fractious election in history. Everything she said has come to pass and is getting worse. The world is turning into Westborough, just how sad is that?
America isn't the world. But yes the stupidity of Americans growing over the last 20 years is pretty sad.
I remember seeing her on talk shows when she was younger; the hate and rage she portrayed was awful. So glad to see she’s more at peace now.
As a gay man, I find it amazing that I have went from absolutely hating this woman....to respecting her. I never would’ve thought I’d be proud of someone who used to disgust me. She gives me hope that good can always overcome evil.
every once in awhile humans can change for the better
It really is amazing. She really seems like a wonderful human being. I wished people would change for the better like her. She's very wise
As a pansexual person (one whom bases love on personality not on gender.) I also respect her. She had a sense some thing was wrong with her teachings. How is it so Jesus had two dad's (God and Joseph.) Or that you love thy neighbor? Believe what you want to be, but respect others opinions. People are different. Respect people of colour, LGBTQ+ and everyone else.
@@lilyharvey2692 . Read ur Bible. No Gay Man in HEAVEN. sayin this with love.
@@olayinkasonaike2027 i was taught in a community where sexual orientation doesn't matter. I personally don't believe in Christianity but something else. I'm sorry if I got something incorrect. My religion is different. But I respect you correction of it is.
Megan has achieved what so many of us long to achieve: patience. Her willingness to listen to others so entirely against what she was always taught is both extremely rare and admirable.
This is one of the beste, and most inspiring TEDtalks I've watched. So much to learn, especially in these times today! What she has learned is what we all need to learn, and teach eachother. We all have opinions, we are 7 billion minds, 7 billion perspective and views of the world and life.
This video made my day!
shadowilderness364 Couldn't have said it better myself!
I for one, know that I have to want patience and kindness and respect MORE than I want to lash out, be rude and hurtful to (supposedly) faceless people on social media. Even the ones that I truly think are bordering evil. She reminds me that every day *I* have a choice of how I'm going to use the 16 waking hours that I am granted. Thank you Megan for reminding me of that.
Thank you for sharing. I took one of the best photos of my life during a visit to our town by the church. I am so relieved to hear you have hope!
Wasn't it Christ who said "Love one another, love them as I have loved you"
@@ShuffleUpandDeal32 there's many scriptures missing in their "bibles".
The problem is that they also believe god hates everyone
@@ShuffleUpandDeal32 I think they believed god hated lgbtq+ and death was a punishment from god maybe me saying everyone was a over statement
@@ShuffleUpandDeal32 I think everything is missing in their Bibles except for Leviticus.
@@ShuffleUpandDeal32 I'll tell you what page isn't missing from my Bible. 1 cor 6:9 Homosexuals will not reach heaven.
she could narrate audiobooks. she has a soothing voice, right?
Definitely
As a huge fan of audio books, I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear her narrate! And based on her ideas, I’d love for her to write her own book too!
I had the same perception
Absolutely yes. I probably wouldn’t care about the topic. That beautiful voice would have my full attention.
Just what I thought!
I remember watching Louis Theroux's documentary on the westboro' church and remember him talking to this girl, and thinking "she's not going to be there forever". Good on her
Yes, she def had doubts, and struggled to handle his line of questioning.
Do you know where I can watch that? Is it on netflix? I need to watch some Louis Theroux for my phycology class, so I'd like to watch that one, and any others people may recommend, thanks
what is this you can watch it on bbc iplayer.
what is this All his documentaries are on BBCiplayer
He went back and made another. After Grampa's passing.
She is so strong. She chose to believe in humanity and leave the society she was born into. Most of us were born into societies which already had comparatively good ideologies. Choosing something over what you've known and lived as your entire life takes alot of effort, courage and strength. Everyone who goes through a learning curve like that is truly the greatest❤🔥.
I pray with all of my heart that she will be able to reach her brothers and sisters. Cults are so extremely insulating that they may not even realize they are in one. Megan’s redemption is a beautiful story.
Her mom called me a chubby brat during a rally. 😂😂
Do they still rally/picket? I think I can't find any new videos.
@@MarkusGhambari Louis Theroux has just done his third documentary on the family.
@@jamesharris6898 Thanks so much for pointing this out. His first two documentaries on the family were very good.
Jack Morris - Recently?
Was it an appropriate description?
She’s so genuine. You can truly feel she’s truly sorry. She gets it. God is love. Her voice is so soothing!!!!
Ili Chups her voice really is quite soothing.
Amen
She should go into reading for audio books, her voice is so soothing
She recorded the audio book for her autobiography. It’s amazing both in content and her soothing voice
God is not love, stone ghes, woman are property, endorse slavery etc
Don't assume, ask questions, stay calm and then make the argument. So simple yet so lacking in our world. Great talk.
I applaud you. You’re so beautiful and intelligent! I can’t imagine how hard it had to have been to break away from all of that. I wish more people in the world could be just like you 😊❤️
Anyone else find it ironic that the only ones who found Jesus are the ones who left the church?
Not the church because all true believers are The Church of Christ, but i know what your saying
It’s not ironic it’s to be expected because Lord Jesus Christ is love and he didn’t teach us to condemn anyone but to love our neighbour.
I feel that
She's atheist now
@@ObiWann90 I mean more in the "she found the light" type of way. Idk if Jesus was a real dude and if the miracles he did were real or not but you gotta admit, he had some good ideas
I was *VERY* surprised when Megan left because, when she was a member of the Westboro Baptist Church, she was one of the most devoted, passionate, outspoken, and incredibly dedicated members. She was actually the church's planner, arranged all their pickets, and ran their website. Most of all, she was extremely hateful, prejudice, and acted just as evil as her mother Shirley. I’m a gay guy and at once felt so hurt by their malicious words. It's a miracle she changed and turned her life around. The things she did were very hurtful and cruel, but I'm glad she apologized and changed. ❤️
The Greek Pianist me too. I think a lot of it was because she was brainwashed and didn’t know any better.
She seems intelligent; therefore it was only a matter of exposure to the truth. She wasn't brainwashed, she was raised in a community of hate and ignorance. The exact opposite of everything Jesus taught.
It is effortless to be the most devoted member when all you know is your family; closed from the rest of the world. She was a victim, not a participant.
@BTIsaac Don't be stupid. That wasn't Christianity. I can assume all liberals are communists that desire mass murder to achieve their goals.
@BTIsaac No. You haven't read the bible. So stop telling religious folks what their bible says when you have no nuance and are a Johnny come lately to the topic.
I was raised in a very hypocritical environment and have struggle with my sexuality and faith for many years. this video was very powerful. thank you for sharing.
Actually in awe of this woman, who she is, her choices, her words, her journey. So much respect. I know the grief of having loved ones whose thoughts are twisted and knowing that you cant and may never connect with them in the loving way you yearn to. Its a deep pain. But always better than living a life of lies and hatred. Bless her x
4 things people did differently that made real conversation on twitter.
1.Don't assume bad intent.
2. Ask Questions
3. Stay Calm
4. Make the argument
5. Show kindness and compassion.
I am calm
Re: 2. How do I further the conversation when I ask questions and get literally nothing in return?
Not just “nothing”, but absolute silence?
Because I need to see what my Dad sees, but when I ask, I get silence.
@@Jim1255783 can you elaborate what you mean by "what your dad sees"?
Are you talking about trying to get your dad's point of view on a discussion and he gives you the silent treatment?
@@Jim1255783 maybe he doesn't know what to say to his child. It's already complicated for parents to see their children as adults, perhaps even harder to put into words why you have differing world views. Good luck with that.
“I also knew that an apology could never undo any of it”
I loved that line. A lot of people need to hear that.
Thing is, I feel like an apology would and does go miles towards undoing it. Saying you were wrong and asking forgiveness is one of the most Biblical things you can do.
Bruce Wayne
If you want to change, you must do more than apologize. Go out and initiate change for the better. Saying sorry is a good start, but you must take action for change to take place.
Laura Huynh you can say you’re going to change, but you’re never really going to change until till you turn it from a promise into a goal to change
@@brucewayne4585 Saying sorry means nothing these days because the word is overused in situations it isn't needed. Actions speak louder.
Her acknowledging that an apology can’t fix the wrongs is a great starting point in correcting her wrongs
This is three years old. It is even more applicable today. We haven't been this divided as a nation in a very long time.
Paranoid are always saying Doom, etc. Have a beer and stop whining, Mr Wet Blanket.
This girl gets God and Jesus infinitely more than any delusional member of the church.
Now, this woman is what BRAVE really means. Wow.....if only a lot of people would recognize. She is a LEADER.
Indeed
a leader for what? for who? i don't need a leader because i am not a sheep
A leader in that she is not a follower but thinks critically and chooses her own path. If others follow it is up to them.
Pity her parents don't recognise their success with two great daughters who are intelligent and think.
+Mia Honeyrose you want to blame others for your lifestyle. sorry but that's a choice.Try growing up without parents just to grow up and have to raise three kid's on your own. Than grandkids.. sounds like you lived a easy life.
I'm a devout christian.
I would never set foot in Westboro church.
I'm atheist, but I would if invited(realistically), I have no problem listening to peoples thoughts and opinions even if those same thoughts and opinions are hateful and extreme.
Twenty Paphonies Christian??? What does that mean. Yahshua was never a self proclaimed Christian he was the Son Of God. No such thing as being a Christian exist in Hebrew scriptures. The Messiah is for all God's children.. not to be LABELED a group.
oh. so youre stupid. congrats
I'm catholic and I think westboro is disgusting
"Christian" simply means a follower of Jesus Christ. The simple fact should be well known and understood.
I think she has one of the most important TEDtalks I’ve ever seen
This is amazing. Her message and explanation of how social media can help buffer and bring people together brings me so much hope for the future.
Her voice is so soothing
Arein Bailey I'll bet growing up in an environment so loud and hostile contributed to her peaceful nature. She's amazing
Arein Bailey I was just thinking how great of a yoga instructor/meditation instructor (I can't remember the word I'm looking for) she would be
Guadalupe Castañeda
Yogi?
Guru?
Khoa-Nathan Ngo probs yogi
Arein Bailey ikr
This is the best comment section I have ever seen.
Twenty Paphonies so true
|-/
|-/ true....btw I love your videos
I searched for the clique the second she said anathema
Twenty Paphonies seeing comments by the clique on videos like this is why it's my favorite group of people
Very enlightening and uplifting to hear all this. Megan has found the path we all must take to leave the mess we're in and arrive at a loving, cooperative, planetary, community.
Thank you for looking deeper, for checking into the inconsistent lessons you'd learned as a child.
Thank you for learning hate is never the answer.
It seems to me that her husband played a large role in pulling her from the darkness, what a lucky guy to have had the opportunity to forge such a meaningful relationship with a woman like that.
Jon Barnes, it really does go to show how strong love can be...as corny as it sounds.
Ashleigh Cross nothing about love is corny.
Sharrel Wright Do I? I don't feel like one, but maybe you're right. I was just appreciating the bond that they would have formed by going through whatever they went through.. and as a man, I empathized most with how lucky he would be.
Jon Barnes It's a good thing to be a feminist, and even better to empathize with someone who's making themselves better. Keep doing you.
Uhm. I didn't marry her.
Pretty sad that she feels guilty when she was brainwashed as a child, and almost all of her acts when a minor where not really her fault.
I imagine it's very common for people who leave their dogmas to feel guilt for the hateful things they believed. Myself included. But I'm fully aware that I had no real choice in what I was being indoctrinated with.
NytroNick can you imagine trying to undo 20 years of brainwashing and when you come around, losing your family? sheesh. I don't know that I could make it without my family. I'm surprised she is this well adjusted and open minded in only 4-5 short years from leaving. I feel bad that she feels guilty, but I'm impressed by how far she came. the public who won't accept her apology are no better than where she came from.
NytroNick typical . NO COMPASSION ON YOUR PART BUT CHRISTIANS ARE MANDATED TO HAVE IT. IS IT SO EASY? LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN FOUND WANTING. BUT THAT'S OK.
stovo kore
Guilt isn't intrinsic to Christianity. Christianity is not about cleaning ourselves up before approaching Christ, it's about aproaching Christ so he can clean us up. when we get this backwards we feel guilt, but the guild is false and brought on by our own selves, not God. The Church she was a part of doesn't represent Jesus teachings at all, or the bible as a whole for that matter. Crazy people will always be crazy; unfortunately a lot of people pervert good for their own gain. the Jewish family she speaks about is how my whole evangelical church operates; every christian I know would give the shirt off their own back for someone in need.
BAchapman777 Amen to that
This woman is amazing. Everything she is saying is so true.
Thank you! This was wonderful to listen to and I'm so happy that she brings about hope in our world that appears to be engulfed in hatred and disdain for one another. God bless you. you are so brave and courageous.
"How can we claim to love our neighbor while at the same time we are praying for God to destroy them?" OMG THIS IS SO POWERFUL
Indeed.
I have a number of GREAT videos on my channel that can help provide
sincere direction and clarification on these issues and
questions and spiritual knowledge. I would like to invite and encourage
everyone to please check out some of the video discussions I have
available.
You will find it worthwhile and not at all a waste of a single minute of
our valuable time. Thank you and much peace and truth !
1cbn.//. / /. .'/'l .' ' '.';.'.
yeah like hitler, stalin, mao, Kim jong il, Kim jong un, saddam Hussein, etc... just a few good people making simple mistakes.
Easy. They don't love thy neighbor.
Agree! I’m Christian and I approve.
This comment section is so damn calm and "proffesional" Im proud of you guys.
I don't imagine Trolls watch too many TEDxTalks
You misspelled the most important word of this comment
Melle Aeron professional
The comments may be everything you mentioned but the replies sure aren't.
Thank you for your immense courage to share this. Keep being curious and compassionate towards YOURSELF, your family, and others.
Timesuck Podcast brought me here. I am deeply and profoundly touched by your experience and how you have articulated. Thank you.
*_I'm really proud of these comments_*
ᴍ ᴀ ɢ ɢ ɪ ᴇ
*_I'm really proud of your avatar_*
ᴍ ᴀ ɢ ɢ ɪ ᴇ *_Im proud of y'all_*
Nice profile pic
Me too and armyyyy
Same
That was a *fantastic* speech.
+Frank
She sucks.
Frank
She's good at it too.
twitter changed your life. wow.
Jacqueline Woo No, good people changed her life. Twitter is just software.
johnmacrae2006 Elaborate. Please.
This is the definition of human growth. I hope some people in her congregation see this and some are smart enough to join her in growth.
I want a group of LGBTQ+ people and allies to go to one of these protests and perform a coordinated dance to a Beyoncé song, preferably single ladies.
This would be amazing. Where can I sign up to be a part of this?!
This only will push them deeper into their selfrigthesness beliefs.
As Megan shows there is a way with more influence to the people.
But it takes more effort as a dance to embarrass false elated WBC members.
Sign me up!
Where do I sign?
@@andreagro9013 unfortunately no one is listening to you, this is why war will never end..
This takes courage. To wrongfully condemn your fellow human being in such horrible, public ways. Then whole-heartedly apologize to the world, stand on stage, and admit how wrong you were, and THEN teach love and encouragement. She has turned into an inspiring woman. Cheers, Megan. ♥️
Elizabeth Reynolds td0wte
Well said Elizabeth.
Wish I could have seen the look on her crazy mom's face when she announced she wanted to leave their church.
Madison Hagan Probably the same dumb grin she always has on her face...
Assuming her mom is “crazy” or “dumb” without considering her perspective based on her own upbringing really shows you missed the entire point of this video... rather than putting the other side down we should be starting conversations and trying to understand that each has good intentions, even if they are misguided.
Alana C But they are crazy and dumb, and they all have bad intentions
Shirley is beyond hope, no point in holding out for her to ever change.
I bet the look on here face was even more hilarious when she found out she married a Jewish guy!
Just how I have felt for my entire life. What a wonderful and intelligent person! It takes a lot to come to the realization she has come to, then act upon it. It takes great courage, and a great deal of real love and caring, which is directed toward all.
wow this was so humbling to watch, gutted at my past attitude yet hopeful there is a way forward. she speaks with clarity, focus and truth.
we're just human.
i really don’t understand people who can’t forgive her. imagine being raised in that type of environment. all you’ve ever known from the moment you were born is to hate. imagine having no control over that and letting your parents shape you with their beliefs and not allowing you to form your own. the fact that she was even able to leave is astonishing to me. i know for a fact that i would not be able to muster up the strength to leave my family no matter what, but she did. and that speaks volumes about her character.
“we are all a product of our upbringing and our beliefs reflect our experiences”
Most of the comments say that they do forgive her and respect her.
I think a reason why it's easier is because we saw that Megan was not a member of the church. She clearly wasn't a part of their way of thinking, despite clearly trying to be. She was having blatant doubts and those doubts were easy to bring out and cultivate into something good.
They don’t forgive her because she probably made them feel like nothing and it hurts to see someone that hurt you being praised and accepted when they didn’t accept you
That's probably very true, but hopefully people will see that part of the essence of humanity is that people's characters can evolve, and while it doesn't excuse the things they did in the past, it means we can look forward to the future and help them undo the harm they did.
I personally "forgive" her but I also understand why some people don't. Even then not forgiving someone doesn't mean that you hate them, you can never forgive someone for who they were/did while accepting who they have become/what they do now. Despite the touted ideaology that "forgiveness=closure/forgive them for yourself/forgiveness is part of redemption/whatever" it is completely okay to be angry/never forgive. And, as I said above, unforgiveness and acceptence are not mutually exclusive.
The first time I heard about Westboro Baptist church was in my Animal Science class in Roseburg high school.The teachers had been in tears in every half full class that day. On October 1,we had a mass shooting at our local UCC college. My teacher in tears asked us to come protest this church that said they were coming to the victim's funerals to hold their hateful signs. I was so shocked that there were people like that.
alison dehart victims of religion's brainwashing are like that. Sadly.
roxiechan1 but most are
Fan XD Square Enix, You do realize? Everything is religion. Everything is brainwashing. To not make a decision, is to make a decision.
Michael Nelson not everything is religion, and we can't blame every problem society has on them. We are not religious folks. We are not brainwashed. We know where to draw the lines. Unlike them, I know better than to blame everything on a small minority (I'm talking about how they blame every problem society has on homosexual BTW, I listened to a preach before. Some of the things they said are utterly stupid.)
And I am fully aware that people decision to let religion decides for them is a choice. That's the exact reason I look down upon them. I don't see them as normal humans. I see them as puppets, dancing to religion's control.
Fan XD Square Enix the thing is, most religious people focus more on religion as a sort of political thing instead of having a relationship with God. I never thought I'd feel ashamed to be religious.
You are an extraordinarily courageous young woman willing to listen to others and admit when you think you are wrong. THE WORLD NEEDS SO MANY MORE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE YOU MEGAN. May your words guide people. from🇦🇺
I really admire Megan. Sure, she did and said some horrible things when she was younger but she realised what her vile excuse of a family was doing to her and she got herself out of that situation before it went too far. Kudos to her.