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I work in a psychiatric hospital. We usually call patients by their first names, first of all for privacy, and second because we do. Of course, if a person (usually an older person) prefers to be called "Mrs." or "Mr." or "Miss" because of courtesy, of course we do.
Now, my area, while urban secular, does have a lot of Catholics. We do get clerical people, especially on the older adult and dementia unit. Staff (a lot of Catholics) call these people, "Sister," or "Father" not their first names, not "Miss," etc.
I know that in public life, one calls Mitt Romney "Governor," as a courtesy to his former job, and all politicians have the same courtesy. I think the same for retired military.
However, these patients are not my father, are not my sister, and I feel offended in trying to call them such. Now, if they are really demented and it's the best way to communicate with them, then OK, but otherwise I honestly feel jerked around by this.
Opinions? Courtesy? Thanks.
I work in a psychiatric hospital. We usually call patients by their first names, first of all for privacy, and second because we do. Of course, if a person (usually an older person) prefers to be called "Mrs." or "Mr." or "Miss" because of courtesy, of course we do.
Now, my area, while urban secular, does have a lot of Catholics. We do get clerical people, especially on the older adult and dementia unit. Staff (a lot of Catholics) call these people, "Sister," or "Father" not their first names, not "Miss," etc.
I know that in public life, one calls Mitt Romney "Governor," as a courtesy to his former job, and all politicians have the same courtesy. I think the same for retired military.
However, these patients are not my father, are not my sister, and I feel offended in trying to call them such. Now, if they are really demented and it's the best way to communicate with them, then OK, but otherwise I honestly feel jerked around by this.
Opinions? Courtesy? Thanks.
Catholics by and large have ignored this passage
Matthew 23:9
And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Regarding Sister
Mark 3:35
For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
I get a little jerked around with people calling their Pastor "Father" as well. I hear it a lot as I know a lot of Catholics.
When Baptists do that, we are referring to being brothers and sisters in Christ, bonded together in one family of God. And I wouldn't expect an atheist to call me brother, only fellow believers, and then I wouldn't expect even them to do it, just if they wanted to.
Last edited by Mind over Chatter; 03-22-2012 at 07:53 PM..
When Baptists do that, we are referring to being brothers and sisters in Christ, bonded together in one family of God. And I wouldn't expect an atheist to call me brother, only fellow believers, and then I wouldn't expect even them to do it, just if they wanted to.
I work in a psychiatric hospital. We usually call patients by their first names, first of all for privacy, and second because we do. Of course, if a person (usually an older person) prefers to be called "Mrs." or "Mr." or "Miss" because of courtesy, of course we do.
Now, my area, while urban secular, does have a lot of Catholics. We do get clerical people, especially on the older adult and dementia unit. Staff (a lot of Catholics) call these people, "Sister," or "Father" not their first names, not "Miss," etc.
I know that in public life, one calls Mitt Romney "Governor," as a courtesy to his former job, and all politicians have the same courtesy. I think the same for retired military.
However, these patients are not my father, are not my sister, and I feel offended in trying to call them such. Now, if they are really demented and it's the best way to communicate with them, then OK, but otherwise I honestly feel jerked around by this.
Opinions? Courtesy? Thanks.
It is more respect than being courteous in my opinion. I grew up in a Catholic household and went to Catholic school and I honestly would not feel right referring to a Priest or a Nun as anything but "Father" or "Sister". That is how I was raised though, to me though it is the same as what you have mentioned regarding others. Just because you refer to them that way does not mean you are insinuating they are equal to and/or your biological Father or Sister, it is just a sign of respect for their chosen calling in their life.
It would seem easy enough to ask them how they would prefer you address them, particularly since you are not Catholic. If a person in a psychiatric ward or dementia unit responds better if you call them 'Father, Sister, Mrs Sarah, Tom or even 'King Joe', it would likely help them. Further, your kindness in doing so, would be appreciated and certainly wouldn't have any lasting detrimental effect on you (or compromise your 'non-belief') --- so why not?
I work in a psychiatric hospital. We usually call patients by their first names, first of all for privacy, and second because we do. Of course, if a person (usually an older person) prefers to be called "Mrs." or "Mr." or "Miss" because of courtesy, of course we do.
Now, my area, while urban secular, does have a lot of Catholics. We do get clerical people, especially on the older adult and dementia unit. Staff (a lot of Catholics) call these people, "Sister," or "Father" not their first names, not "Miss," etc.
I know that in public life, one calls Mitt Romney "Governor," as a courtesy to his former job, and all politicians have the same courtesy. I think the same for retired military.
However, these patients are not my father, are not my sister, and I feel offended in trying to call them such. Now, if they are really demented and it's the best way to communicate with them, then OK, but otherwise I honestly feel jerked around by this.
Opinions? Courtesy? Thanks.
You know, I feel as if a person deserves to be addressed by the title he or she has earned in life. I'm not a Catholic, either, but it wouldn't bother me in the slighest to address a Catholic priest (or former priest) as "Father." We both know he's not my father, but that this is simply a respectful means of address. It's a title, and it has more than one meaning.
I'm southern so I call people Honey, Sweetie, Darling ect.......unless they object of course.
Okay, I object! I know that people who use these terms mean well, but honestly, I feel like any of these words are so patronizing.
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I know that people who use these terms mean well, but honestly, I feel like any of these words are so patronizing.
