The Peculiar of Pensacola: Part 1

“But ye are a chosen generation…a peculiar people…” ~ I Peter 2:9

Pensacola, Florida – population approximately 56,000. Located in Northwest Florida, U.S.A. on the Gulf Coast. Known for its sugar white sand beaches, “Bushwackers” and for being the birth-place of U.S. Naval Aviation (home of the Navy’s “Blue Angels”).

It’s also the winter home of the CEO of The Hidalgo Grain Company.

For such a small town, Pensacola is a very peculiar place.

Maybe it’s the summer heat and humidity. Maybe it’s the yearly threat of devastating hurricanes from June through November. Maybe it’s the outrageous property insurance premiums. Maybe it’s the over-abundance of lawyers.  Maybe it’s the constant exposure to sea salt – hard to say –

But in this city of Pensacola, there is more religiosity per square mile than any other city I’ve ever lived in.

Seriously.

Lots of fervent religiosity –

Almost like Pensacola is the Black Hole for Religious Weirdness.

For instance…

Michael Griffin

Michael Griffin – murdered Dr. David Gunn in Pensacola, Florida on March 10, 1993. The then 31-year-old Griffin waited outside Gunn’s clinic and shot him three times in the back. At home Michael Griffin forbade all television-watching in his house because he thought TV was too violent. A recent convert to fundamentalist Christianity, Griffin joined the Brownsville Assembly of God church, and then dropped out after quarreling with the pastor, the Rev. John Kilpatrick. Griffin then joined the fundamentalist Charity Chapel where he met his anti-abortion guide and mentor John Burt (see below). Mr. Griffin is currently serving time in a Florida Correctional Institution.

John Burt

John Burt – a former KKK member and anti-abortion activist who became associated with the murders and the murderers of abortion clinic doctors and workers in the 1990’s. Burt, a part-time preacher/full-time anti-abortion activist, operated “Our Father’s House”, a Christian ministry and shelter for unwed mothers. In 2003 Burt was arrested for molesting a 15-year-old girl in his custody. John Burt is currently serving time in a Florida Correctional Institution.

Paul Hill

Paul Hill – an ordained Presbyterian minister (PCA & Orthodox Presbyterian) Hill was thrown out of the Presbyterian Church after appearing on TV advocating violence against doctors who practice abortions. In July 1994, Hill approached a Pensacola abortion clinic located on North 9th Avenue (the same clinic that John Burt regularly protested) and shot and killed Dr. John Britton and his clinic escort, James Barrett at close range with a shotgun. Mrs. James Barrett was wounded, but survived. Paul Hill is no longer serving time in a Florida Correctional Institution – he was executed by the State of Florida.

“It’s not murder, it’s an act of Faith, Baby” ~ the Cardigans

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