From what I understand from various articles I've read, each Baptist congregation can do as it pleases, but the hierarchy that gave Phelps his ministry, has disavowed his actions. So while he is "Baptist", the Baptists do not agree with him.
Maybe a Baptist (I Catholic) can better relate how this works.
[Mr] T
Yes, Baptists are independent of any authority outside the Bible and the congregation. Disavowing, and disassociating with people of Phelps ilk, who had a knowledge of the truth and turn from it, is the worst that can be done.
Phelps calling himself a Baptist doesn't make him one, any more than putting a license plate on a skateboard makes it an automobile.
I wish these pukes would have the guts to demonstrate when working people would have a chance to confront them.