Judge in Terri Schiavo Case Quits Baptist Church He Attended (photos)

Life News.com ^ | March 18, 2005 | Steven Ertelt

[M. Espinola]

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The judge in the Terri Schaivo case who reissued an order Friday that prompted Terri's feeding tube to be removed for a third time has withdrawn his membership in a local Baptist Church.

'Judge' Greer,

William Rice, the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater, Florida, confirmed the news to the Baptist Press news agency on Friday.

David Gibbs, lead council for Bob and Mary Schindler, the parents of brain-damaged daughter Terry Schiavo, speaks to the media March 18th, 2005 about Terri's condition outside the Woodside Hospice where Terri lives.

Rice said he received a letter from Greer Thursday confirming he has rescinded his long-standing membership after the church. The Greer letter came days after Rice made public comments in news reports disagreeing with Greer's decisions related to Terri.

Rice said the two exchanged letters about the nature of Greer's church affiliation after the judge commented publicly about his religious views.

Dr. William Hammesfah speaks at a press conference outside Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida, with Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue (R) and Rev. Rob Schenck, President of the National Clergy Council (L), about his recent visit to see Terri Schiavo, March 18th, 2005. Dr Hammesfah claims Terri can be rehabilitated if given the chance.

The pastor told Baptist Press he had offered to meet with Greer and received the letter as a response.

According to a St. Petersburg Times news report, Greer, earlier this month, said he told a church deacon, "If I don't like what the St. Pete Times writes about me, my only recourse is to cancel my subscription." He told the deacon he would no longer make donations to the church.

Daniel Vogel, 34, a supporter for Terri Schiavo, holds a cross outside the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida, March 18, 2005. Vogel drove alone from Chicago to join the support for keeping Terri Schiavo alive.

Rice told Baptist Press, “I felt like [the Times' comments] opened the door for me to write him and ask what kind of relationship he desired to have with the church."

“Our church has not had an antagonistic relationship with Judge Greer,” and he has not been publicly criticized at any church function, Rice said. “He has friends at the church on a personal level."

Former Green Beret James 'Bo' Gritz hands over his citizens arrest warrant to Pinellas Park authorities. Gritz filed the citizens arrest on Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer and Michael Schiavo outside the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida, March 18th, 2005.

Greer's attendance at church began to decline when an official Florida Baptist State Convention publication, the Florida Baptist Witness, began running articles critical of Greer's decision.

Calvary Baptist Church places its newsletters inside the Witness magazine and sends it to its 1,500 members, including Greer.

Protesters in support for Terri Schiavo gather outside Woodside Hospice in Pinellas Park, Florida on March 18th, 2005.

Photos added

[holyscroller]

"Judge" Greer doesn't have enough money to buy his way out of Hell. It won't be long until he'd give everything he ever owned for one drop of water himself.

[BykrBayb]

He doesn't read the Bible at all. He's blind. In more ways than one.

[farmer18th]

Would you believe that Judge Greer is a registered Republican and claims to be a Conservative?

The same conservatism that makes us good at seeing through liberal folly can also make us cowardly when it comes to breaking procedure and fighting for the truth. Look at Mr."nation of laws" Pryor against Judge Moore in Alabama. Look at George Bush supporting Arlen Specter for the senate nomination and then the very chair of the judiciary. Some conservatives are just too conventional. They don't have much of Sam Adam's blood in them. Board a ship and throw the tea in the harbor? Never. Some of these guys would be licking Tory boots. Jeb Bush himself is being cowardly tonight.

[CindyDawg]

Why is it amazing? Wouldn't you still be here if Terri was Baptist?:')

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

He is spiritually blind.

---

That is always the underlying issue, isn't it?

To hear his voice today giving the verbal OK to "the attorneys" that it was OK to begin killing Terri was eerie.
Dear Lord help us and to God be the glory!

[No Surrender No Retreat]

From a prudent person's point of view, the cow has not missed any meals on the democratic plantation. I hope the Rinos who voted to have the young lady's tube removal get trounced in the next election. NSNR

[Colorado Buckeye]

Thanks for the great pictures, and with captions too!

[pepsionice]

Baptists tend to talk an awful lot behind your back...and if your situation isn't clean....they will let you know about that. I suspect the judge just didn't want to face members of the congregation. They may all be buddy-buddy...but in the eyes of the church...there is something you are supposed to be...in life and spirit...and this guy simply couldn't measure up to that.

[syriacus]

If dehydration or starvation of a healthy person is such a peaceful way to die, why does Oregon need an assisted suicide law?

Can't suicidal Oregonians opt to stop eating and drinking?

[syriacus]

We should pray for Judge Greer.

I certainly have.

We should also remember

Blessed are those who Hunger and Thirst for JusticeWe can pray for Justice to be done, too.

[Iowannabe]

All does not seem right with the world when we willingly starve to death an innocent woman, yet provide a more humane lethal injection for serial killers and child molesters.

[BobS]

"What a joke. Except this time, God's not laughing." If Terri dies, God will certainly not be amused with this guy. People with power over other people's lives are answerable directly to God. Jesus came to inform them of this relationship.

[iconoclast]

Actually he sounds like another politician who uses his church membership to get votes and then drops them. Can anyone say, Jimmah Carter?

What is your basis for that statement?

[Petronski]

Greer and Scientology: A Perfect Fit

[pickyourpoison]

Maybe he can join the Ron Hubbard's science fiction church. It's just a few blocks away from his Baptist church.

[T'wit]

You actually have a state senator named Larcenia? Was that her given name, or did she adopt the name when she joind the Democrat Party?

[pickyourpoison]

Maybe we should email all ALL of our reps, just using one word WHIMPS...A little ole county judge slapped them all and said butt out and they have. If a county judge can do this, they're all worthless.

[BobS]

I am also Catholic. I attend services in many Churches. I am going to a Conservative Jewish Temple today. And an Orthodox service tomorrow. My suit has been pressed. Next Sunday I will go to the San Fernando Mission for services.

These are places where life is highly valued. A Baptist and a Presbyterian Church are nearby also. I know where they stand on this value.

We all worship Jesus, except the Jews worship God. The Jews must obey 613 Laws. We must obey 4 or 5 in addition to the 10 Commandments. They have the best coffee, knishes and bagels after service, though:)

[jocon307]

Re: your numbers 134 & 135, great minds think alike.

[null and void]

Thanks for posting. (Maybe one photo thread from which I WON'T be tossed.)

Admin mod - please toss this guy from this thread. We don't want to ruin a perfect record! (/kidding>