Former WBC Member Speaks Out

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013

My name is Lauren Drain, former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, and despite having denounced any and all beliefs and preachings of the WBC, I am still a Christian through and through. However, in my opinion, religion of any kind is a personal choice, full of personal values, definitions and views that should stay just that - personal. I don't think anyone should judge or persecute another human being or any group of individuals based off of those personal, chosen, beliefs. I am against any and all forms of violence, discrimination, bullying or bigotry directed at someone else due to their personal lifestyle.

The main reason I posed for the NOH8 Campaign was in direct response to the judgments of the WBC. I wanted to show people that despite having grown up within the cult and having spent a good portion of my life on the picket line, holding signs condemning our deceased soldiers, reveling in any and all forms of tragedy and simply striving to be hurtful in the name of God; that the WBC is wrong and what I did at the time was wrong! I now try and lead by example, with love, compassion and an open mind. Having done a complete 180, I still struggle with little things from time to time - but I know in my heart that I am now on the right path.

In the end, I think God will judge us all; however I think He wants us all to have the freedom to make our own decisions.

With love,

Lauren Drain

Comments

Did she reach out and APOLOGIZE to the families she terrorized at funerals and out in the public? Maybe I'm just cynical...but using the NOH8 Platform for a little popularity (and sure...'our' side is exploiting HER for political points as well)...all seems like politics and opportunism. Did she make it right? Yes or no? If not - I'm not cheering for you. Hurting people and then 'changing your mind'...makes you an opportunistic bully.

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Content	Did she reach out and APOLOGIZE to the families she terrorized at funerals and out in the public? Maybe I'm just cynical...but using the NOH8 Platform for a little popularity (and sure...'our' side is exploiting HER for political points as well)...all seems like politics and opportunism. Did she make it right? Yes or no? If not - I'm not cheering for you. Hurting people and then 'changing your mind'...makes you an opportunistic bully.
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Aedan Saint 02/08/2013 11:26

I agree that she may have went about this announcement the wrong way but I don't find her to be an opportunistic bully. She grew up in that family and was from birth that she should hate certain people. Children will believe anything their parents or guardians tell them. If you want to understand more of her point of view read her book or watch the documentary, Fall from Grace. I've seen the documentary so I recommend that more so than anything. I'm willing to give someone a second chance if they admit they were wrong.

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Content	I agree that she may have went about this announcement the wrong way but I don't find her to be an opportunistic bully. She grew up in that family and was from birth that she should hate certain people. Children will believe anything their parents or guardians tell them. If you want to understand more of her point of view read her book or watch the documentary, Fall from Grace. I've seen the documentary so I recommend that more so than anything. I'm willing to give someone a second chance if they admit they were wrong.
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Emily Clements 02/10/2013 01:05

I also agree that her actions in the past were wrong, but I don't think she is using the campaign in a selfish way. I'm glad she got out of the cult, it's a hard thing to do- you lose family and friends and it takes a lot of courage to walk away. I applaud this woman for leaving and taking a very public stand. It would be really hard to apologize to every person who you hurt along the way- but taking this stand so publicly may be her way of saying she is sorry and retracts her former actions.

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Content	I also agree that her actions in the past were wrong, but I don't think she is using the campaign in a selfish way. I'm glad she got out of the cult, it's a hard thing to do- you lose family and friends and it takes a lot of courage to walk away. I applaud this woman for leaving and taking a very public stand. It would be really hard to apologize to every person who you hurt along the way- but taking this stand so publicly may be her way of saying she is sorry and retracts her former actions.
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chelsey robinson 02/10/2013 01:43

@Aedan: This is apology enough for me. I think that if you read her book and previous writings you will find all that you need to satisfy you. And what other amends can be made than admitting you were wrong? Wearing sackcloth and ashes? Spending the rest of your life homeless and unemployed while you search out everybody you wronged for a personal apology? I think you're right about yourself. You ARE cynical.

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Content	@Aedan: This is apology enough for me. I think that if you read her book and previous writings you will find all that you need to satisfy you. And what other amends can be made than admitting you were wrong? Wearing sackcloth and ashes? Spending the rest of your life homeless and unemployed while you search out everybody you wronged for a personal apology? I think you're right about yourself. You ARE cynical.
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James Levee 02/10/2013 09:25

I applaud the effort and commitment it took to come and speak out against not only her family, but the belief system she was raised up in. It's a painful journey to be indoctrinated so young and have so many crimes held against you at such a stage in your life. I can understand if she had been a converted adult, but we're talking a child! It gladdens me to know somewhere down the line she looked upon her life and commenced a change. Congrats Lauren! Those that seek to better themselves and the world around them will always have a place in my heart!

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Content	I applaud the effort and commitment it took to come and speak out against not only her family, but the belief system she was raised up in. It's a painful journey to be indoctrinated so young and have so many crimes held against you at such a stage in your life. I can understand if she had been a converted adult, but we're talking a child! It gladdens me to know somewhere down the line she looked upon her life and commenced a change. Congrats Lauren! Those that seek to better themselves and the world around them will always have a place in my heart!
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Alex Summers 02/10/2013 10:40

I find Aeden's comment infuriating. Do we not have tolerance for people to learn and grow? I think Lauren's example is miraculous and should be applauded. I would imagine that overcoming that level of indoctrination from childhood is incredibly difficult. I think your comment goes way beyond being cynical. Congratulations Lauren!

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Content	I find Aeden's comment infuriating. Do we not have tolerance for people to learn and grow? I think Lauren's example is miraculous and should be applauded. I would imagine that overcoming that level of indoctrination from childhood is incredibly difficult. I think your comment goes way beyond being cynical. Congratulations Lauren!
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Brian Fender 02/14/2013 14:45

Aeden's comment is infuriating and he IS beyond cynical. Even if Lauren were converted as an adult and realized the error in her ways, so what? People change their minds on things all of the time and they make mistakes. We're all human and if Aeden thinks that's not true then why is he even on here? What would be the point of the NOH8 campaign? That's just the attitude of a bully from a different breed and will do nothing but continue a vicious cycle. We've all done things we're not proud of in life. Forgiveness is key. Congrats Lauren!

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Content	Aeden's comment is infuriating and he IS beyond cynical. Even if Lauren were converted as an adult and realized the error in her ways, so what? People change their minds on things all of the time and they make mistakes. We're all human and if Aeden thinks that's not true then why is he even on here? What would be the point of the NOH8 campaign? That's just the attitude of a bully from a different breed and will do nothing but continue a vicious cycle. We've all done things we're not proud of in life. Forgiveness is key. Congrats Lauren!
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Lauren Baskins 03/04/2013 18:19

I think it is AMAZING that someone would leave WBC at all, much less show up on NOH8! I honestly thought hell would freeze over first... but Lauren, apology accepted. As to Aeden's commentary... Aeden is cynical, but I get where he is coming from. It's a long, hard road when you leave a hate group, and there are a lot of pieces to pick up. It will be hard work to disassociate from WBC, but in the end it's worth it. Lauren, thank you for owning up to your past, being strong, and standing up for what's right!

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Content	I think it is AMAZING that someone would leave WBC at all, much less show up on NOH8! I honestly thought hell would freeze over first... but Lauren, apology accepted. As to Aeden's commentary... Aeden is cynical, but I get where he is coming from. It's a long, hard road when you leave a hate group, and there are a lot of pieces to pick up. It will be hard work to disassociate from WBC, but in the end it's worth it. Lauren, thank you for owning up to your past, being strong, and standing up for what's right!
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Medulla Oblongata 04/23/2013 11:11

Good for you! <3

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Content	Good for you! <3
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Kristin Cook 06/17/2013 16:35

Aedan's comment is infuriating and ignorant and disgusting. It adds to my own cynicism/lack of faith in humanity a lot more than WBC because, well, indoctrination, what's you're excuse for being completely intolerant and refusing to imagine even for a second the plight of anyone else?
Imagine something you've done your entire life, that you were raised to believe was the only good and right thing to do, and that you’ve done constantly for the last 20 years or so. Now try to recall every instance in which you’ve done this, recall every person who was involved, find them, and issue a personal apology.
This, above, IS how she’s making it right.

Also, Medulla Oblongata, lots of people have left the church. Many have been pretty outspoken about it. Look it up; fairly interesting stuff.

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Content	Aedan's comment is infuriating and ignorant and disgusting. It adds to my own cynicism/lack of faith in humanity a lot more than WBC because, well, indoctrination, what's you're excuse for being completely intolerant and refusing to imagine even for a second the plight of anyone else? Imagine something you've done your entire life, that you were raised to believe was the only good and right thing to do, and that you’ve done constantly for the last 20 years or so. Now try to recall every instance in which you’ve done this, recall every person who was involved, find them, and issue a personal apology. This, above, IS how she’s making it right. Also, Medulla Oblongata, lots of people have left the church. Many have been pretty outspoken about it. Look it up; fairly interesting stuff.
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Andy Myinformation 09/09/2013 21:13

I WITH AEDAN WITH HIS COMMENT I REFUSE TO TALK TO LAUREN OR ANY MEMBER OF WBC PAST OR PRESENT!

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Content	I WITH AEDAN WITH HIS COMMENT I REFUSE TO TALK TO LAUREN OR ANY MEMBER OF WBC PAST OR PRESENT!
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Iesha Parsons 05/12/2016 21:56

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Former WBC Member Speaks Out

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