A battle may be looming between some Pokémon Go users and the Westboro Baptist Church.
The new augmented reality game, which connects to a user's phone GPS, sent fans wandering to their local parks, historical landmarks and churches — including the Westboro Baptist Church. As people across the country devoted their weekends to catching Pokemon, one user noticed that the church, known for its opposition to the LGBT movement, was listed as a gym on Pokemon Go.
So that user claimed it, using a Pokemon named Clefairy. Its nickname is "LoveIsLove."
The Westboro Baptist Church is fighting back, using one of the most commonly known Pokémon: Jigglypuff.
"We try to speak whatever language is being spoken," said Steve Drain, an elder at the church.
Drain considers Pokémon Go light entertainment that some might idolize over religion, but the way he sees it, if the church can get its message across using a pink animated creature from the game, why not? "Pokémon Go and sin no more. That's what the lord Jesus Christ said," he added.
The church has gotten a mix of responses on social media, from those expressing support and criticizing it. One person challenged the group to a Pokemon battle.
"This little church, as despised and vilified as we are, the location of this church will be memorialized throughout eternity," Drain said. "We're willing by God's grace to say that homosexuality is wrong, and that's what we've been known for, even though we preach the whole counsel of God."
It was unclear at press time whether a Pokémon battle has ensued between the Clefairy and Jigglypuff.
