Shirley Lynn Phelps-Roper, who acts as a spokeswoman for the Westboro Baptist Church, said that groups like 'Anonymous' exist because parents no longer spank their children.

The website of the Westboro Baptist Church, which has become infamous for picketing soldier's funerals and carrying signs declaring that "God hates fags," was allegedly attacked by members the volunteer group of hacktivists known as 'Anonymous' on Monday.

During an interview on The David Pakman Show, Phelps-Roper denied that 'Anonymous' had taken down its website.

"Should we be more afraid of lawless, cowardly, hidden rebels than we are afraid of a large, lawless judiciary?" she asked. "I've been on that website again and again today. Of course they have not taken it down."

In response to a letter published to AnonNews.org, an unofficial, uncensored channel for members of 'Anonymous' to post details relevant to their forthcoming actions, the Westboro Baptist's website declared that "GOD HATES FAGS & LOUSY 'HACKERS!'"

The website of the Westboro Baptist Church was down on Monday, apparently because of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack.

"They've made a terrible mistake," Phelps-Roper continued. "They have done this mischief against their own interests. They need to understand that they are exactly like the Pharaoh of Egypt when Egypt was the most powerful nation in the world."

She said that God would punish the "cowardly" members of 'Anonymous,' adding that some people know the identity of those participating in the group.

"This generation doesn't talk about spanking children, in fact, they don't," Phelps-Roper explained. "That's why we have groups like Anonymous running around. Just connect these dots."

Other members of 'Anonymous' have suggested that the campaign launched against the Westboro Baptist Church was a trap and not in line with the free speech philosophy of the group.

"They make all their money from suing people who fight back, so they're just waiting for IPs to sue," a press release on AnonNews.org stated. "I have a bad feeling that it's all a trap, made by them so they can get some money and attention."

"And it's not just that DDoSes pose a safety risk," the statement continued. "A DDoS is useless, it's just a symbolic act. It doesn't do any damage, and it gives them undeserved media attention."

"When Anonymous says we support free speech, we mean it," another press release said. "We count Beatrice Hall among our Anonymous forebears: 'I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.'"

"Just because it was posted on AnonNews doesn't mean every single Anon is in agreement, in fact in this case it doesn't even mean a single Anon is in agreement."

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons