Pokemon Go: Westboro Baptist Church Recruits Jigglypuff in Wake of Trolling

The mobile game Pokemon Go challenges players to embark into the real world in search of creatures and gyms where they can do battle. Gyms are found at a number of places, including churches.

Now, it's been discovered that the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas is among them.

As USA Today reports, Pokemon Go players have claimed the gym and are trolling the controversial, anti-LGBT church. Some have given their Pokemon, including Clefairy (above), names such as "LOVEISLOVE" and "STOP HATE!"

The church responded with a tweet featuring an image of popular Pokemon Jigglypuff, whom they recruited in an effort to "deal with the sodomite loveislove Clefairy." As you can see, Jigglypuff is holding a sign that reads, "Repent or perish."

Regarding its use of the Pokemon imagery, Westboro Baptist Church elder Steve Drain told USA Today, "We try to speak whatever language is being spoken."

"Pokemon Go and sin no more. That's what the lord Jesus Christ said," he added.

As for the Westboro Baptist Church being taken over (in the game) by Pokemon Go players, Drain didn't seem fazed.

"This little church, as despised and vilified as we are, the location of this church will be memorialized throughout eternity," he said.

For lots more on Pokemon Go, check out the stories below:

• Pokemon Go: All the Known Issues
• Pokemon Go: Everything You Need to Know
• All the Pokemon Go News From Around the World