Addressing non Christian clerics by an honorific title?

[Kaninchen]

You correctly assessed the problem but you avoided answering the question.

Perhaps because it’s obvious.

Of course, I would prefer that he was addressed as ‘Rabbi’ just as you would prefer that I addressed a priest as ‘Father’ - it’s understanding that discomfort isn’t one-sided that’s important.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

Perhaps because it’s obvious.

Of course, I would prefer that he was addressed as ‘Rabbi’ just as you would prefer that I addressed a priest as ‘Father’ - it’s understanding that discomfort isn’t one-sided that’s important.

It is one-sided because I’ve no difficulty in addressing a rabbi as rabbi even though as a non-Jew he isn’t my rabbi/teacher. On the other hand you object to calling a Catholic priest Father. (BTW it would be prefectly correct to also call him Reverend). For me it’s simply a matter of good manners. No Rabbi is my teacher but for me there wouldn’t be the slightest issue in addressing a rabbi by that title. I cannot understand why people get so hung about the way they address others. I always like to be addressed in a courteous way and I extend that courtesy to others. If you want to be precise I should be addressed as Dr Holford. I won’t object to Mr Holford. I am comfortable with Matthew and even Matt. In academia, at least, I don’t find it pretentious to be addressed as Dr. I worked hard to acquire that distinction and find no objection to it. In the rest of my life I tell people I’m Mr.

 

[Kaninchen]

It is one-sided because I’ve no difficulty in addressing a rabbi as rabbi even though as a non-Jew he isn’t my rabbi/teacher. On the other hand you object to calling a Catholic priest Father.

No, I said I found it ‘difficult’ which isn’t the same thing - there is, after all, the unstated but implied ‘. . . in Christ’ in the use of ‘Father/Mother/Sister/Brother’.

I cannot understand why people get so hung about the way they address others.

That may be because you’re not brought up against quite the same kind of cultural barrier in this context.

I always like to be addressed in a courteous way and I extend that courtesy to others. If you want to be precise I should be addressed as Dr Holford. I won’t object to Mr Holford. I am comfortable with Matthew and even Matt. In academia, at least, I don’t find it pretentious to be addressed as Dr. I worked hard to acquire that distinction and find no objection to it. In the rest of my life I tell people I’m Mr.

I left the groves quite a while ago so it’s more a matter of what people expect in particular circumstances (or if I’m annoyed, usually with people who demand to be Dr whatever the circumstances).