Watch The Most Hated Family in America

The Most Hated Family in America is a 2007 documentary film that focuses on the Westboro Baptist Church, run by Fred Phelps, and his family in Topeka, Kansas. The film is directed by Louis Theroux and features interviews with several members of the church, including Phelps himself, as well as his daughter, Shirley Phelps-Roper. The Westboro Baptist Church is notorious for its extreme views and protests against the LGBT community, Jews, Catholics, and soldiers who have died in the line of duty. The church's slogan is "God hates fags," and its members are known for picketing funerals and public events with signs that say things like "Thank God for dead soldiers."

Throughout the film, Theroux spends time with members of the church, attending their protests and services, and talking to them about their beliefs. He also interviews former members of the church, including Lauren Drain, a young woman who was raised in the church and later left after disagreeing with its teachings.

The film does an excellent job of exploring the mentality and motivations of the church members, particularly Phelps himself. It becomes clear that the members of the church truly believe that they are doing God's work, and that everything they do is motivated by their desire to save people from damnation.

One particularly disturbing aspect of the film is the way in which the church uses children to further their agenda. Throughout the film, we see children as young as five or six years old holding signs with slogans like "God hates fags" and shouting insults at passersby. This type of indoctrination is clearly deeply troubling, and it raises questions about the ethics of allowing parents to teach their children beliefs that are so extreme and offensive.

At the same time, the film also shows members of the church as real human beings with their own struggles and complexities. For example, we see Steve Drain, a member of the church and the father of one of Theroux's primary interview subjects, struggling with the fact that his daughter has left the church and is living a life that he believes is sinful.

Overall, The Most Hated Family in America is a compelling and thought-provoking look at a group of people whose beliefs and actions are widely reviled. It raises important questions about the role of religion in society, the limits of free speech, and the responsibilities of parents to their children. While the views expressed by the members of the church are undeniably extreme, it's clear that the film was made with a sense of compassion and empathy for the people it depicts.