Banished: A Memoir: Surviving My Years in the Westboro Baptist Church by Lauren Drain with Lisa Pulitzer

Before I read this book, I felt sorry for the children in the Westboro Baptist Church because it seemed to me that people in a church that spouts so much hatred must beat their children.
Lauren's father was abusive to her before they joined the WBC - on the advice of the church, but apparently she never saw any of the children there being physically abused. They are, however brainwashed and abused psychologically.
Her story is told in a captivating way, explaining her family's involvement in the church and how it affected her life.
Only after they banished her, did she understand the extent of the brainwashing that she had been through in that church.
The scary thing to me is that the members of that church are very intelligent people. Many of them are lawyers. There is obviously a disconnect between intelligence and religious belief.
Lauren's questioning of their teachings and her natural desires led to her banishment.
According to Lauren, the WBC believes that hatred is God's greatest attribute and it is their job to warn people that the Lord hates them for their sins. This is not to save them because they believe they are not savable, but it is seen as their duty from God to tell people that they are sinners.
Lauren is overcoming her past and still loves the Lord, but her God now, is a God of love, not a God of hatred.
This is an interesting and well written book.