In difficult times,
brave men stand up to the powerful in order to make difficult decisions.
Greer -- a conservative Christian and longtime Republican ....But despite the mounting pressure, he has been steadfast in his rulings that Terri Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state and did not want to be kept alive artificially.
"There are very few people who have shown the will to stand up to raw power," said Stetson University Law Professor Michael Allen, who has studied the Schiavo case. "He's one."
Then there are those craven souls who willingly submit to the whims of the powerful.
"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," Calvary Baptist Pastor William Rice wrote to Greer in a letter than later became public. "I hope you can find a way to side with the angels and become an answer to the prayers of thousands."
Greer could not be reached for comment because of the frequent hearings on the Schiavo case, but longtime friend Mary Repper said she recently spoke with him and he sounds "worn out" by the case that has been on his docket for more than seven years.
...
Repper said Greer has taken comfort in being consistently upheld by higher courts, but his split with his church has been a blow
I would ask the reverend. "On this Easter Sunday, why are you denying this brave man the care and succor of his church? Are you absolutely certain you are doing God's will? Why have you forsaken this man in his hour of need?"
Its a sad commetary on the current state of Christianity when, on Easter Sunday, a man can't find solace in his church because corrupt politicians need a distraction.
Update [2005-3-27 8:1:33 by GP]:Thanks to various posters for their comments on the different 'flavors' of Southern Baptists. Very educational. I have changed the title to reflect that its 'A' Southern Baptist church, not the multitude of congregations.
There is also a debate on whether the word 'excommunicate' is used properly. Some feel that is an exclusively Catholic process. I did a little checking and while the Catholic church is the most
enthusiastic about excommunication and seems to have formalized the process, excommunication is used in other denominations as well. It appears, that if you go by the definition in the dictionary, one could be 'excommunicated' from his bowling league. I believe I have used the word in a correct context. Please substitute 'expelled' or 'disfellowship' (thanks Ascendent) if you feel that I have not.