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Terri Schaivo case who reissued an order Friday that prompted Terri's feeding tube to be removed for a third time has withdrawn his membership in a local Baptist Church.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Rice said he received a letter from Greer Thursday confirming he has rescinded his long-standing membership after the church.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

[M. Espinola]

Bob Schindler, right, father of Teri Schiavo, meets with Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, regarding her vote on the provided sustenance bill, Thursday, March 17, 2005, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Bob Schindler, left, father of Terri Schiavo, walks into the Woodside Hospice, where Terri is a patient, with from left, Brother Paul O'Donnell, Attorney David Gibbs III, and Brother Hilery McGee, Friday morning March 18, 2005 in Pinellas Park, Fla.

Protestors gather outside the Woodside Hospice, where Terri Schiavo is a patient, Friday March 18th, 2005 in Pinellas Park, Fla. Terri Schiavo has been in a coma-like state for 15-years and Judge George Greer has set March 18th, 2005 as the date her husband Michael Schiavo can have her feeding tube removed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

A red rose is stuck to a fence outside the Woodside Hospice, where Terri Schiavo is a patient, as people pray Friday March 18, 2005 in Pinellas Park, Fla.

Mary Schindler, left, mother of Terri Schiavo, walks with Brother Paul O'Donnell , of the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, after leaving the Woodside Hospice, where Terri is a patient, Friday March 18th, 2005 in Pinellas Park, Fla.

Bob Schindler, left, father of Terri Schiavo talks to attorney's David Gibbs III and Barbara Weller outside the Woodside Hospice, where Terri is a patient, Friday March 18th, 2005 in Pinellas Park, Fla.

Bob Schindler, right, father of Terri Schiavo, looks at greeting cards with his other daughter Suzanne Vitadamo, second from right, outside the Woodside Hospice, where Terri is a patient, Friday March 18th, 2005, in Pinellas Park, Fla.

State Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, reacts on the Senate floor after speaking about her vote concerning Terri Schiavo, Friday March 18, 2005, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Teri Schindler Schiavo

[tertiary01]

Ping

[Maria S]

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, but it is an interesting turn of events. "Patricia" DOES sound legit and knows what she's talking about.

[tertiary01]

Can't belong to the church of George Soros and the Calvary Baptist Church at the same time. George won't allow his worshippers to have another god.

[nonkultur]

State Sen. Nancy Argenziano is getting her way with the way she voted.

[jocon307]

YAY The Baptists! They know BS when they see it. If this "fine man" knows he is on the outs with his church, I hope he realizes Satan has prepared a warm spot for him. On his LEFT hand, I have no doubt.

[Politicalmom]

Poor Mr. Schindler has aged so much....

I am thankful God was gracious enough to give me parents as wonderful as the Schindlers.

[maestro]

Prayer.......FYI.......ping

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Burn in hell, Mr. Greer...

[Dante3]

Judge Greer lusts after absolute power. Maybe Terri reminded him of some woman who rejected his advances - his frenzy to have her die is abnormal.

[Recovering_Democrat]

State Sen. Nancy Argenziano, R-Dunnellon, reacts on the Senate floor after speaking about her vote concerning Terri Schiavo, Friday March 18, 2005, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Why is she crying? She voted to kill Terri.

[blackbart.223]

"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."

He should withdraw his membership in the human race.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Bob Schindler, right, father of Teri Schiavo, meets with Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, regarding her vote on the provided sustenance bill, Thursday, March 17, 2005, in Tallahassee, Fla.

Bullard: another SINator who voted "Let's Starve Terri to death".

[RPTMS]

He can't see? What kind of a life is that? Let's starve him to death!

[ThermoNuclearWarrior]

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.

[nonkultur]

Argenziano really bothers me, along with these RINO's who voted to kill her:
Bennett, Michael S. "Mike"
Carlton, Lisa
Dockery, Paula
Jones, Dennis L., D.C.
King, James E. "Jim", Jr.
Lynn, Evelyn J.
Saunders, Burt L.

[Mad Mammoth]

Judge in Terri Schiavo Case Quits Baptist Church He Attended

Hey, no biggie. The First Church of Satan is always looking for new members, especially since their founder Anton Szandor LaVey checked out, maybe Judge Greer could apply for membership with them? I'm sure the FCOS would welcome him warmly.

[MisterRepublican]

Greer should join the UCC or some other left wing socialist "church". He certainly doesn't read the Bible much.

[farmer18th]

“Our church has not had an antagonistic relationship with Judge Greer,” and he has not been publicly criticized at any church function, Rice said.

Whatever happened to:

"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." 1 Timoth 5:20

If that pastor had taken this old reprobate of a judge to task when his heart was tender, Terry might not be in the condition she is in now.

[sevry]

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

It's also heartening to see the support shown for her right outside the facility. A lot of people care about Terri, and about the broader issue. They aren't ignoring it.

What I find surprizing is that Greer would so quickly sever ties with his Protestant parish, and receive no rebuke from the pastor, supposedly in the business to save souls. What I find more surprizing is that Greer similarly, and arrogantly, ignored an order from Congress, yet expects other not to ignore his orders in this. Someone with authority needs to move inside the structure, and reconnect the feeding tube. The governor would seem to have that authority. Where is Jeb?