Two Leave Westboro Baptist Church

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"Two granddaughters of Westboro Baptist Church firebrand Fred Phelps have split with the Topeka-based congregation, indicating their views have evolved and they now regret the pain they have caused others.

One of them, 27-year-old Megan Phelps-Roper, had been a highly visible member of the church who spoke to media outlets and spread its message via Twitter.

She and a younger sister, Grace Phelps-Roper, in November left the congregation known for its anti-gay stance and for picketing funerals of fallen soldiers and others.

“We ripped the Band-Aid off,” Megan wrote in a text Wednesday to The Star.

A statement signed by both sisters and posted on social media Wednesday said the two were trying to figure out their future.

“We know that we’ve done and said things that hurt people,” the statement said. “Inflicting pain on others wasn’t the goal, but it was one of the outcomes. We wish it weren’t so and regret that hurt.”

Steve Drain, a spokesman for the church, said in an interview Wednesday that the sisters had rejected the Lord."

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"In an article posted online Wednesday, reporter Jeff Chu wrote that Megan told him her views began to change when she had a discussion with a Jewish man who quoted Jesus to her.

She started to question church placards that said “Death penalty for fags” and “Fags can’t repent.” Megan told Chu she began to feel that didn’t make sense.

Drain said Wednesday that Megan was calling God a liar.

In their joint statement, Megan and Grace said they continue to dearly love their family.

“They now consider us betrayers, and we are cut off from their lives, but we know they are well-intentioned,” the statement said. “We will never not love them.”