Schiavo Case: Judge Greer parts ways with his church on pastor's advice

St. Petersburg Times ^ | 03.22.05 | Times Staff

[Dr. Marten]

The Terri Schiavo Case

Judge Greer parts ways with his church on pastor's advice

By Times Staff
Published March 22, 2005

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CLEARWATER - Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer left his church last week after the pastor wrote him a letter suggesting "it might be easier for all of us" if he leave.

Greer, whose orders on the Terri Schiavo case have brought him criticism, is a Southern Baptist who attended Calvary Baptist Church in Clearwater.

Though he had other unrelated problems with the church, Greer's attendance faltered after a Baptist publication the church supported criticized his decisions in the Schiavo case. He stopped his donations to the church, but remained a member. He briefly discussed his relationship with the church in a March 6 St. Petersburg Times article.

Four days later, Calvary Pastor William Rice wrote Greer a letter: "I am not asking you to do this, but since you have taken the initiative of withdrawal, and since your connection with Calvary continues to be a point of concern, it would seem the logical and, I would say, biblical course."

Rice's letter became public when he sent a copy to the Clearwater courthouse. Rice also said the church supports keeping Schiavo alive, though he said he was "truly saddened and embarrassed by the level of harassment and vitriolic nature of so many comments that purportedly come from people of faith."

Rice, who has been pastor at the church for five months, added: "But you must know that in all likelihood it is this case which will define your career and this case that you will remember in the waning days of life. I hope you can find a way to side with the angels and become an answer to the prayers of thousands."

Greer responded with a letter severing his relationship with the church.

[SoFloFreeper]

"But you must know that in all likelihood it is this case which will define your career and this case that you will remember in the waning days of life. I hope you can find a way to side with the angels and become an answer to the prayers of thousands."

Yep. A good response from the pastor.

[sweet_diane]

Doesn't sound like the church discipline I'm familiar with. Did they go to him and point out the error of his ways? Give him an opportunity to repent?

[meandog]

This is sad in more ways than just a matter of a member losing faith in his Baptist church roots because Greer, no doubt, will become an Episcopalian...

[Conspiracy Guy]

Greer's membership in any church was merely a political convenience.

[daybreakcoming]

Whoa - it must really suck to be Greer. Baptist churches don't disown you on a whim.

[the invisib1e hand]

Calvary Baptist is a solid bunch, I think. Disfellowship seems to be in order.

[OldFriend]

Nice to see Christian gloating in the morning.

[Blessed]

>Doesn't sound like the church discipline I'm familiar with. Did they go to him and point out the error of his ways? Give him an opportunity to repent?<

The separation occured because he failed to accept church discipline and then held the church up to ridicule by announcing to the world he was withholding his tithe and no longer attending.

[knarf]

Is Bill Rice any relation to John R. Rice ?

I know John R. had a son Bill who ministered to the deaf and had the Bill Rice ranch.

Any connection?

[wrathof59]

Please let me paraphrase; Nice to see Christians exerting their beliefs within their own Church in the morning, rather that outside lawyers.

[polymuser]

He stopped his donations to the church...

Sounds like he knew full well the disagreement his church had with his choice(s), and tried using his offering$ as leverage. I believe Southern Baptists are hard against public education, too. They're definitely living in tension with the worldly.

[wrathof59]

It's always been that way

[peyton randolph]

And to think that Howard Dean left his church over a bike path. Dimwits are plain insane.

[technochick99]

Though he had other unrelated problems with the church, Greer's attendance faltered after a Baptist publication the church supported criticized his decisions in the Schiavo case.

Other unrelated problems?

[blaquebyrd]

"Doesn't sound like the church discipline I'm familiar with. Did they go to him and point out the error of his ways? Give him an opportunity to repent?"

The BTK killer wasn't even kicked out of his church. This doesn't seem like the Christian thing to do.

[Bushforlife]

"Nice to see Christian gloating in the morning".

I have no idea what this means. The only people who are gloating in this case are the HINO and liberal "culture of death" justice system who are determined to kill this woman to prove whatever perverted point they are trying to make.

For the church to point out the unchristian acts of one of their own and then urge he separate due to his intransigence is not "gloating". In fact, the request that he leave the church voluntarily rather than as a result of a process is quite Christian.

[Conspiracy Guy]

You'll have to explain that one.

[mlc9852]

Terri is the one who needs Jesus' love.