Judge Greer's pastor asks him to leave church (Schiavo)

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/03/22/Tampabay/Judge_Greer_parts_way.shtml


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."
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related question: when will our judges be afraid to judge? tomorrow? a yr?

since what judge greer is doing is not only legally and morally proper, but he is supporting terry schiavo's husband in his effort to honor the bonds and commitments of his marriage.

isn't the church supposed to support the sancitity of the marriage?

Christians of good conscience can disagree on many matters--and I would never ask a member to leave my church just because of a difference of theological perspective. After all, among those Jesus called his friends were a Roman collaborator, a rebel against the Roman government, a sympathetic priest, poor fishermen, a woman of ill repute, and many more. If he could get this diverse collection of people together, what makes me think I have the right to push someone out who doesn't take my particular opinions as--forgive the pun--gospel truth?

Don't we expect our judges to keep their religious beliefs separate from their interpretation of law? I realize this is easier in theory, than practice, but isn't that the expectation? Otherwise, do we really have separation of church and state if a judge allows his/her religious beliefs to influence legal decisions?

:shrug:

He sent the judge a letter.

phone number posted in the thread.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3322524