Posted on 03/22/2005 5:58:03 AM PST by Dr. Marten
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.
What makes you so concerned with Christianity?
"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?"
No, Bill Rice is related to Brown Rice. And Brown's son is Wild, that's Wild Rice. They live at White Rice's ranch.
Actually, there are Scriptures that demand thet church cast out frauds, heretics etc. "a man who a heretic after three admonitions cast out" or something like that.
I attend a Reformed Presbyterian Church (conservative denom), and the pastor went ape about how the BTK killer was allowed to stay in his church. The BTK killer shows no sign of salvation and should be removed from the church and handed over to Satan in excommunication.
Greer should be kicked out as well.
COS spawn still hanging around
How gleeful you are at another's upcoming demise
1.1 on the tone scale
Look this someone's innocent life. You shouldn't have to go to the Bible to understand that starving someone to death who otherwise would have a long life is WRONG. The details i this case are disturbing. Some of those details include the fact that Mr. Schiavo is already married, and that he didnt' change his view that terri would have long life until after he received his finacial settlement. Until then and in court, his view that he would have to care for her the rest of her life. Also the burden of proof for what is in effect ordering the death of this woman, should be higher than hearsay. And this Judges claim that his order is not killing this woman but rather it is her wishes that is killing this woman is avoidance of the facts. This Judge IS ordering her death. There is no way around that. I am a conservative and outside of these kinds of life issues I think the Gov. should be in our lives as minimal as is practical, however this is so WRONG so DISTATEFUL and so HEINOUS that I believe that that justice is being horribly twisted and that if noble men in postions to do something about this shoudl act. The same was true of slavery, where a whole slew of misguided judges ruled that blacks were less than human..including the sumpreme court. THe court SHOULD NOT be in the business of determining our humanity, and should prevent others from doing so. These are GOD given rights, until they change this in our founding documents. And when they do, I fear we will all be living a State whose God is themselves, and whose worth will be determined by the State. Don't think it can't happen. If the State Errs on the side of attributing worth to someone , I'll live with that. It's the other side of that coin which we should stop and which we are attempting to stop here.
>The pastor is a soft wussy boy.<
Based on this language I would doubt your qualifications to comment on Church practices.
You are sick and you need help!
The Constitution trumps the Bible.
"You shouldn't have to go to the Bible to understand that starving someone to death who otherwise would have a long life is WRONG."
Sure, but keeping someone alive for 15 year of hell is just dandy, right?
The same people who fight for the right to life are the same people who prevent medical miracles from taking place that could have restored this womans life.
You are sick. I volunteer (and in fact my aunt and uncle run) a YMCA discovery program for handicapped folks many of whom are appear much like Ms. Schiavo. I can't tell you how much love these kids get and give. At first glance they appear non responsive until you get to know them. MAny of the kids and adults in the program have better social lives then most I know. My six children have participated in the dances and socials for these kids and what I notice more than any medication , is that care and love for these beautiful folks is what makes them better. I wonder how you would do if we locked you in a room for five years with no contact from loved ones. Terri has loved ones. It may not be her ex-spouse anymore but she has loved ones, and they are being kept from any meaningful contact. It's sad.
And I wonder what the authors of the Constitution would say about your statement about the Bible. I think you know the answer, but you are free to live in your denial.
As a believer in Christ, according to the Protestant doctrine of the priesthood of all believers, I am more than qualified.
As a fruit picker in the Lord,s vinyard your characterazation of a brother in Christ would make me question your "priesthood".
A brother in Christ?
He hasn't been to church for so long he was on inactive roll before he left.
He shows no sign of salvation.
I am refering to what you said about the minister.
Oh, fair enough. I was over the line there and am sorry to attack a minister of the Lord like that.
What makes you so concerned with Christianity?
I'm not concerned about your brand of Christianity at all, because your version is hateful and not the least bit Christian.
What makes you an expert on Christianity?
In fact how do you know anything at all about Christianity?
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