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Terri Schaivo case who reissued an order Friday that prompted Terri's feeding tube to be removed for a third time has withdrawn his membership in a local Baptist Church.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Rice said he received a letter from Greer Thursday confirming he has rescinded his long-standing membership after the church.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

[rwfromkansas]

Good. I e-mailed the pastor and demanded he be excommunicated, so I am glad he is gone even if it is by his own choice.

For one thing, until today, he was

1) an inactive member not showing signs of regeneration
2) now effectively a murderer

He does not show any credible evidence of a conversion to faith in Christ Jesus.

It is the duty of the church to spit out those who are deceivers and liars.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Terri ping! If anyone would like to be added to or removed from my Terri ping list, please let me know by FReepmail!

[WilliamofCarmichael]

"Florida judge embroiled in right-to-die dispute," By Abby Goodnough The New York Times

Friday, March 18, 2005

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/03/17/news/judge.html

"Greer is legally blind"

[tutstar]

poing

[farmer18th]

I e-mailed the pastor and demanded he be excommunicated

I'm beginning to wonder if we shouldn't do the same thing with Jeb Bush's pastor. Would someone tell me why the governor cannot impose executive authority here? Should Jeb being going to church and taking communion if he doesn't act here?

[NautiNurse]

Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami hasn't missed any meals lately.

[TheGrimReaper]

"Judge" Greer is a prime example of one of Mark Levin's "Men in Black".

[TXBubba]

This judge sounds like all the so called "religious liberals" who say they are Christians and believe in Christian morals and values but don't believe in practicing them.

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

[nicmarlo]

What is it that God said.....if a town doesn't welcome Him, leave and shake the dust of your shoes? The church should do that to Greer. He's an unbeliever. By your fruits ye shall know them. Greer is a wicked man.

[DakotaRed]

"On Michael Savage now: a caller familiar with the judicial system in Florida is saying Judge Greer is legally blind...he cannot read documents! Someone HAS to read documents to him! Whether or not this is legit I can't say.."

The New York Times reported yesterday that the judge's eyesight is so bad he does not drive a car. They also said he claims to be a "Compassionate Coservative" and very proud of his religious beliefs (excuse me while I go barf).

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/17/national/17greer.html?ex=1268715600&en=6bbd62e3a2df7abd&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland

[Florida native]

"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.

So, if God disagrees with Greer, will he stop praying?

Greer is off the wall. His tithe might go first to his church, but it ends up furthering the Kingdom of Christ.

In effect, he has stopped "donating" to God, and that is misguided and dangerous for any true Christian.

God will not be mocked.

[TXBubba]

I don't think his "tithing" is where he is misguided as a Christian.

[singfreedom]

I find it particularly interesting that the only testimony allowed, concerning Terri's
ALLEGED "verbal" statements regarding her desire "not to live like that", were from her husband and HIS relatives (namely, his brother and sister-in-law).

This whole thing stinks to high heaven!

[syriacus]

He should withdraw his membership in the human race.

Maybe he can become an animal rights advocate, like Dianne Feinstein.
SENATOR FEINSTEIN'S HORSE SLAUGHTER BILL , makes sure that the bodies of dead American horses are not fed to foreigners.

[niteowl77]

So, if God disagrees with Greer, will he stop praying?

Greer has ordered the Church's collection plate pulled.

The guy has an ego problem that is scary-- he seems unfit for holding power.

[Paved Paradise]

So the guy quit his church..... like Pastor Tony Evans always says "Where does the Devil sit?" "In the first pew."

I'm not saying I know this Judge's heart, but one might be inclined to wonder.....

[syriacus]

find it particularly interesting that the only testimony allowed, concerning Terri's ALLEGED "verbal" statements regarding her desire "not to live like that", were from her husband and HIS relatives

Me, too.

Hearsay testimony from a serial philanderer should not be used to justify killing his wife.

[M. Espinola]

I have had Michael since his show began this evening and my eyes have more then opened concerning to the possibilities of criminal ulterior motives on the part of Terri Schiavo's so-called husband.

Murder by Order of Judge George Greer

Another piece of legal filth: George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo speaks before Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer during a Terri Schiavo hearing Thursday afternoon March 17th, 2005, in Clearwater, Fla.

(Florida 'Swamp Judge')

Pinellas County Circuit Judge George Greer listens to arguments by Department of Children and Families attorney Jennifer Lima-Smith during a Terri Schiavo hearing, Thursday afternoon, March 17th, 2005, in Clearwater, Fla.

President Bush MUST step in and save Terri, reversing the horrific beginnings of Nazism in the United States.

[syriacus]

he claims to be a "Compassionate Coservative"

He sounds more like a "wolf in sheep's clothing."

[sport]

I am glad he withdrew his membership.

It is just as well that he stopped giving. It is blood money and the Lord will not bless it ,nor does he want it.