Fellow atheists: What do you call priests?

I have always been uncomfortable calling priests "father". I know it is a title, but they aren't my father. When I have had business with priests, I have always referred to them by their names, but them seem to be miffed by this. My colleagues also have made statements implying that it is disrespectful not to address them as "father". What do you do?

Well, finally. I asked this question 3x and it never posted...

being that i'm not an atheist, i know that this question is not directed at me. that being said, i completely understand where you're coming from. i don't think you should feel pressured to address a priest by a title that does not apply to you. he is not your father, nor your spiritual adviser, nor your teacher, so why address him as such? still, just because you don't call a priest "father" doesn't mean you're being disrespectful. you don't address anyone else as per their profession (except doctors... but in non-medical situations i feel that this is superfluous as well, and i'm a few months away from earning an MD myself!)

i would stick to "sir" or even "mr. so-and-so." it's still polite and respectful, but avoids the title. if anyone complains, just explain that you do not follow that particular religion, and feel uncomfortable addressing a stranger by a title you reserve for your biological father. they should respect your beliefs, just as they are demanding you respect theirs. hope this helps!

its their title. like Dr, or Prof. they did go to school to become preachers and earned a degree in theology. ive never felt odd about calling a priest father. i usually call them by name afterwards. for example, the priest i grew up with was father dave and now its father larry. i dont call them just "father". i dont even call my own father "father".

its also a show of respect. whether or not you agree with their religious outlook you should respect the time and effort they've put into their beliefs and into other people. being a priest means you have to help the people who come to you asking for it.

I have no respect for that title, and I treat them as an equal- I do not show "disrespect" toward them, however I do refuse to acknowledge their false sense of superiority.

EDIT- That's not disrespectful. It's disrespectful for them to expect a person who does not follow their religion to treat them better than anyone else simply based upon a title. It's disrespectful and selfish, in fact.

I have very few dealing with them, but when I do have to speak to one I just avoid addressing them. I will speak when spoken to, but usually will not initiate a conversation with them (which pretty much avoids the whole title thing).

If I must address them in some way, then I call them by name.

When I was a kid and was forced to go to church we used to address the priest as "Padre" that sounded a little better but basically means the same thing.

But, yeah, I always thought that was kind of weird myself.
Just ask him if it would be alright if you called him by his first name - it puts you both on equal footing.

I don't like the "father" thing either, but I use it if I don't know their last name (usually when I meet a priest, it's because it is the priest of a friend's church, so they are "Father Jim" or whatever). If I do know their last name, it's "Mr. Priestman."

I have honestly never had to address a priest.

I would probably call him "Father Whatever.'"

It's just a title. And I don't call my father "father," I call him "Dad."

I'd have a far harder time calling Bush "Mr. President."

I call them "Father." I do the same for anyone who has earned a title, such as Reverend, Officer, Doctor, etc. Non-belief doesn't have to equal disrespect.

I call them "Father". It is an earned title acknowleding their years of study, similar to calling someone "Doctor".

They are quite aware that they are not your father or parent. You can be an Atheist without having to be needlessly rude.

I have very few dealings with priests, to be honest. I have referred to ones I don't know personally as sir. I do have a friend who is a priest and I call him Joe.

I call them Father. That's their title, they earned it, and I respect that. It doesn't make me think that they're my father. I'd also call a nun "Sister," without thinking that she's my sister.

I've never called them by a name.

When I feel uncomfortable calling people by their names, I just say, "hey, you".

Father. It's just a word. I'm not a vampire. I don't cringe at the sight of a cross or dissolve in the presence of religion.

dood


yikes, makes no sense in making big fuss over names. most of the nobel prize winners don't care/want you calling them 'professor'/'nobel laureate'.

The bible says 'call no man father except the Father in heaven' spiritually speaking

They have a first and last name....and they will respond to either.

Father John Smith.....call him John or Mr. Smith.

Whatever you're comfortable with.

child molester .... father child molester =)

Padre (Spanish for father)

I am technically calling them father but at the same time not

Father Bates.

I just call them Father. It probably makes them feel all warm and fuzzy.

That or they run away screaming "Help, a talking cat!"

I call them by their title. However, I ask them not to call me "my son" or anything like that...

They deserve to be addressed in a manner comporting with their beliefs, and I have as well...

Pedophiles

Mr Bubbles..

THOU ART TO CALL THEM DADDY.

THIGH'M THOUST BIG DADDY.

i tend to avoid them, but recently i had to talk to one and i simply addressed him by his name...

unemployed?

I avoid talking to them at all costs.

I call them "brain zombies "

"God-whore" has a nice ring to it...

I agree with Red Queen.