Review: Louis Theroux America's Most Hated Family

In possession of a belief system? Harbouring some sort of morality/conscience/general good feeling towards humanity? Then prepare to be relatively insulted.

'Relatively' because watching the Phelps family wax lyrical about their hate of pretty much everyone- bar each other- seems at first so ludicrous that one simply can't take them seriously. The really worrying thing about this whole programme, fronted by Mr Leading Questions himself Louis Theroux, is that these people love the attention. They revel in it. They truly believe they were put on this earth to perpetuate hatred through minor, negative celebrity.

It's compulsive viewing, but then madness always is. A sideshow for the 21st century. Who doesn't want to watch an group of indoctrinated 17 year old's dance to a bastardised version of Lady Gaga's 'Telephone', or witness terminally repressed parents struggling to come to terms with their daughter's excommunication without showing any sort of emotion. And which of us doesn't feel well-adjusted, liberal and superior watching a group of clearly brainwashed bigots raving about 'fags'?

That is, until we really look at the children. Small boys who truly believe that Obama is 'the anti christ' and 'the beast'. Girls who will never marry because they can't do so with outsiders, pursuing imaginary relationships with camera men from Holland. There is such poignant sadness in their lack of freedom. At the age of 16 who wouldn't take religious fervour over the loss of everything they've ever known? We often sigh that we can't choose our families. Sadly it seems that some people can't even choose not to picket funerals with theirs, for fear of some outdated vision of hell.

Freedom of speech is one of the most important aspects of a diplomatic society. One should be able to exercise their right to express views without prejudice. As a writer I advocate this completely. But how long can views which incite prejudice be tolerated? Especially when aired at funerals for soldiers who have died protecting the country in which those picketing reside? Members of the Westboro Baptist Church enjoy the rights of an American citizen whilst causing misery to those around them and even to their own excommunicated family members.

Personally I feel if anyone should be excommunicated it's Fred Phelps and his 'church'. Possibly from the human race.