Religious Titles

Malari

Do you use these when addressing people like priests, nuns, brothers, etc?

It always kind of sticks in my throat. I mean I don't address doctors like that all the time...or call everyone Miss or Mr, so I tend to just not use them. Not that I talk to people like this very often, but you come across customers, teachers and such occasionally.

When I was extricating myself from the catholic church I adressed the priests and bishops just by their first names in all communications...wonder if that got their backs up They were calling me by my first name, not Miss whatever!

Mena

Don't think I've ever used a religious title when speaking to anyone before, but then, I've had very little contact with priests and the like.

studiorat

THAT! would be an ecumenical matter...

The only clergy I meet from time to time would be working with choirs etc. It's usually on a pretty informal basis so first names only. As far as I see though everybody there just uses first names anyway.

I'd probably be more likely to use Father or Brother if the person involved was elderly or something and out of respect for them that way, same as I'd use sir or mister. I'd always stick to my godless guns though.

Malari

studiorat wrote: »

THAT! would be an ecumenical matter...

The only clergy I meet from time to time would be working with choirs etc. It's usually on a pretty informal basis so first names only. As far as I see though everybody there just uses first names anyway.

I'd probably be more likely to use Father or Brother if the person involved was elderly or something and out of respect for them that way, same as I'd use sir or mister. I'd always stick to my godless guns though.

Yeah, from time to time you might get someone who introduces themselves as "sister Julia" for example, and I always say "Oh hi Julia!"

If they were rickety I don't know if I'd feel different. I don't automatically have respect for old people either though.

Zillah

I run into them occassionally in work. The nuns are so adorable and naive I have no problem saying "Good morning sister", and more out of habit than anything else I'll give a "Good evening father".

But then again I do work in a hospital so I have to be careful about titles. As an aside, did you know that a common man is "Mr", a doctor is a "Dr" and then a surgeon specialist doctor is once again "Mr" which is considered a higher honour than "Dr"?

Also, this thread has given me an awesome idea. We should assign ourselves arbitrary titles that God told us we deserve. C'mon, who doesn't like the ring of Pope Dades I?

Sangre

Would more than likely call a priest father, force of habit from going to a holy ghost school. Can't remember the last time I encountered one.

studiorat

God Zillah?

Dades

Zillah wrote: »

C'mon, who doesn't like the ring of Pope Dades I?

You leave my ring out of it, Monsignor Zillah.

lol studiorat!

Malari

Zillah wrote: »

But then again I do work in a hospital so I have to be careful about titles. As an aside, did you know that a common man is "Mr", a doctor is a "Dr" and then a surgeon specialist doctor is once again "Mr" which is considered a higher honour than "Dr"?

I did know that. Called a friend's dad Dr. Murphy once, messing and he corrected me :eek:

Zillah wrote: »

Also, this thread has given me an awesome idea. We should assign ourselves arbitrary titles that God told us we deserve. C'mon, who doesn't like the ring of Pope Dades I?

Bags "her excellency"

studiorat

God Zillah?

Zillah wrote: »

C'mon, who doesn't like the ring of Pope Dades I?

Arf-Arf!

CerebralCortex

Zillah wrote: »

I run into them occassionally in work. The nuns are so adorable and naive I have no problem saying "Good morning sister", and more out of habit than anything else I'll give a "Good evening father".

But then again I do work in a hospital so I have to be careful about titles. As an aside, did you know that a common man is "Mr", a doctor is a "Dr" and then a surgeon specialist doctor is once again "Mr" which is considered a higher honour than "Dr"?

Also, this thread has given me an awesome idea. We should assign ourselves arbitrary titles that God told us we deserve. C'mon, who doesn't like the ring of Pope Dades I?

I'm happy enough with the title that is my first name Louis because:
Hludwig, composed of Hlud/Hluth meaning "famous", and Wig meaning "warrior".

But in fairness whats in a name? If someone wants to refer to themselves as father who am I to judge.

studiorat

I draw the line at people referring to themselves in the first person though.
A sure sign of mental instability. Garth Brooks being my prime example.

Malari

studiorat wrote: »

I draw the line at people referring to themselves in the first person though.
A sure sign of mental instability. Garth Brooks being my prime example.

In the third person?

studiorat

Malari wrote: »

In the third person?

doh!

CerebralCortex

Malari

I didn't know "Gareth" did that. Like I need another reason to think he's a pleb.

Politicians love doing that too. And another poster on boards! :cool:

MrPudding

Malari wrote: »

I did know that. Called a friend's dad Dr. Murphy once, messing and he corrected me :eek:

But do you know why? Interesting story, well I think so any. Sorry if you already know it. Apparently it originates from a war, can't remember which. There was a need to carry out amputations, etc. Doctors apparently were not up to the job. It seems that initially "surgery" was carried out by people who were handy with blades, so tradesmen and barbers and the likes.

So the deal was, doctors went to medical school and so used the term doctor, but the first surgeons were not medically trained, and were therefore called mister. This has carried on as a tradition, and seems to have spread to consultants in general and not just surgeons.

Also interestly, the barbers pole is supposed to be a reminder of the old days with the striped pole representing bloodly bandages.

Well, that is what I heard anyway, never actually bother to confirm if it was true. Sounds kind of cool though. I guess I have faith that it is true....

MrP

Dades

So you DO learn something useful every day!

gramlab

Cant say I'd have any problem with father, sister etc. They seem fairly bland and harmless to me.

Titles I would have an issue with are ones like right reverand, exellency, eminence and so on. Do they deserve these? Does anyone?

robindch

Zillah wrote: »

But then again I do work in a hospital so I have to be careful about titles. As an aside, did you know that a common man is "Mr", a doctor is a "Dr" and then a surgeon specialist doctor is once again "Mr" which is considered a higher honour than "Dr"?

Reverse snobbery. Quite a few american lawyers do the same, and sign their letters "Mr. XYZ". And of course, in the Vatican, you start of as a priest in plain black, then advance six squares to being a bishop in Imperial Purple, then step backwards (color-wise) to a cardinal in vermilion and finally end up as pope in plain white. The papal laundry bill must be frightful.

The shop where Ratzinger gets this stuff is Gamarelli's in Rome, just around the corner from the Pantheon of all buildings. In a weird small lane where quite a few more catholic outfitters beaver away in service of the Truth.

If anybody's interested, Gamarelli's bishop's socks cost seven euro a pair and if my pair are anything to go by, are very comfortable and virtually indestructible

rainbow kirby

robindch wrote: »

If anybody's interested, Gamarelli's bishop's socks cost seven euro a pair and if my pair are anything to go by, are very comfortable and virtually indestructible

Hmm, bishop's socks are cheaper than good running socks...

*strokes chin*

:pac:

pH

robindch wrote: »

If anybody's interested, Gamarelli's bishop's socks cost seven euro a pair and if my pair are anything to go by, are very comfortable and virtually indestructible

Oh yes, robin may wax lyrically about his Catholic clothing, but let me tell you it's not all good, I purchased a cilice a while back and the bloody thing has been killing me.

Scofflaw

robindch wrote: »

If anybody's interested, Gamarelli's bishop's socks cost seven euro a pair and if my pair are anything to go by, are very comfortable and virtually indestructible

Presumably, only one form of holiness at a time.

cordially,
Scofflaw

WooPeeA

I call the priest the priest.. simply.

Or by the name.

ChocolateSauce

I don't think I have ever met a nun or a Catholic priest. The last time I talked to a religious figure was the Canon of the protestant church my primary school was attached to, and we called him canon, but that was a very long time ago.

I don't see any reason not to use their title. For me it isn't an issue of unwarrented respect/disrespect, just of correct procedure as it is the title of their job. I would not call a knight sir however, or a lawyer esquire.

Zillah

Heh, canon.

I would totally address Ian McKellan as Sir.

Malari

ChocolateSauce wrote: »

I don't see any reason not to use their title. For me it isn't an issue of unwarrented respect/disrespect, just of correct procedure as it is the title of their job. I would not call a knight sir however, or a lawyer esquire.

No, I just think that using someone's title already confers respect. I wouldn't call a knight "sir" either. Not that I'd be bumping into them or anything.

OK-Cancel-Apply

Obviously being a priest means alot to a priest. I don't see why we shouldn't call them Father. Unless one IS your father... (best kept quiet!)

Zamboni

I don't recognise the authority of the title so I won't use it.
I make a point of calling them of calling them by their first names.
Tossers.

Whispered

Zamboni wrote: »

I don't recognise the authority of the title so I won't use it.
I make a point of calling them of calling them by their first names.
Tossers.

:rolleyes:

Zamboni

helena.ryan wrote: »

:rolleyes:

Great input there Helena.

Cheers.