Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Anunnaki · 05-09-2002, 03:32 PM

Why are Catholic priests referred to as "father"? Is it just the Catholics or do priests from other denominations also want me to call them daddy?

Do we have Christian "logic" to thank for this or did they swipe this title from Mithraism?

Mageth · 05-09-2002, 03:43 PM

Episcopal priests are sometimes referred to as "Father."

sighhswolf · 05-09-2002, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mageth:
<strong>Episcopal priests are sometimes referred to as "Father."</strong>

Personally......I can think of a few more names
for them........much more descriptive.
wolf

Hedwig · 05-09-2002, 05:15 PM

A friend of mine used to be an Episcopal priest...personally, he prefers the term "daddy".

I'll shut up now.

ManM · 05-10-2002, 06:08 AM

The idea is that the priest is a spiritual father. Just as a father raises and protects his children, so does the priest teach and support his spiritual children. Unfortunately, it seems as though the priests have forgotten how to do their jobs.

IvanK · 05-10-2002, 06:51 AM

Quote:

The word Father is used in the New Testament to mean a teacher of spiritual things, by whose means the soul of man is born again into the likeness of Christ: "For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ" (I Cor., iv, 15, 16; cf. Gal., iv, 19). The first teachers of Christianity seem to be collectively spoken of as "the Fathers" (II Peter, iii, 4).

-- <a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06001a.htm" target="_blank">The Catholic Encyclopedia</a>

Fastfalcon · 05-10-2002, 07:35 AM

ManM and others have said it right. Father in chruch means Spirital father.

PopeInTheWoods · 05-10-2002, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ManM:
<strong>The idea is that the priest is a spiritual father. Just as a father raises and protects his children, so does the priest teach and support his spiritual children. Unfortunately, it seems as though the priests have forgotten how to do their jobs.</strong>

Unfortunately, this keeps them on par with many biological fathers as well.

05-09-2002, 03:32 PM	#1
Anunnaki Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: I`ve left and gone away Posts: 699	Father? Why are Catholic priests referred to as "father"? Is it just the Catholics or do priests from other denominations also want me to call them daddy? Do we have Christian "logic" to thank for this or did they swipe this title from Mithraism?

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05-09-2002, 03:43 PM	#2
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Episcopal priests are sometimes referred to as "Father."

05-09-2002, 05:15 PM	#4
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	A friend of mine used to be an Episcopal priest...personally, he prefers the term "daddy". I'll shut up now.

05-10-2002, 06:08 AM	#5
ManM Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NW Florida, USA Posts: 1,279	The idea is that the priest is a spiritual father. Just as a father raises and protects his children, so does the priest teach and support his spiritual children. Unfortunately, it seems as though the priests have forgotten how to do their jobs.

05-10-2002, 07:35 AM	#7
Fastfalcon Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Bermuda Posts: 114	ManM and others have said it right. Father in chruch means Spirital father.

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