Waveside Church: The Less Attention Given to Westboro Protesters, The Better

A Malibu pastor said this week he believes the reasons behind the Westboro Baptist Church's plans to protest three Malibu churches next week are 'out of context.'

The pickets are planned for 8:45 to 11 a.m. Feb. 24, starting at Malibu Presbyterian Church, moving to Waveside Church and ending at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church.

The Kansas-based group, which is also planning protests Santa Monica High School and at the Academy Awards, has taken issue issue with Waveside Church's message that all are welcome, posting: "Does this mean they will welcome WBC members with their glorious picket signs of Gospel truth? Something tells me this is a lie and the only people welcome at Waveside are those that will tell each other is it is OK to sin their lives away."

The group regularly plans protests but fails to show up. When the demonstrations are held, they often draw counter-protests.

Pastor Dave Dowler of Waveside Church said in a statement that he believes the group uses Google searches and takes information out of context.

Dowler said:

Fortunately for those of us in Malibu, we know our own, so a group from the outside cannot sway us from our commitment to each other and our local community. It appears that this group takes Google searches and uses the information out of context to support their agenda.

The apostle Paul stated in the second chapter of Romans that it’s the goodness of God that leads people to repentance (change of mind), not malicious condemnation.

I would encourage everyone to go about their Sunday undeterred by this brief distraction and know that the less attention we give it the better.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which contracts with the city of Malibu for its policing services, has said it is aware of the protest plans.