According to some of the articles in the papers, yesterday & today... well, it's already been noted in another thread that Mr. Phelps was excommunicated by members of the very "church" he founded -- and those members are/were his family and close friends.
Did you know why they did this?
Allegedly, it is because he "preached" to the "congregation" that they should love one another and love their fellow man.
Which proves, if nothing else, to quote a Spider Robinson story title: God is an Iron. (Read the story, you'll understand the reference)