Neo-Pagans: What is your opinion on people using the title High Priest/High Priestess?

Answer 1

I don't believe in titles. Someone might be able to act as a teacher or mentor as they have more experience but really they are no more important than the student. In a lot of cases titles are just ego trips and kind of elitist. They don't make someone a better person, that's for sure, Kind of why I collected a few myself - to show just how worthless they are - I could call myself a high priestess if I wanted, I'm a legally ordained minister, a Notary Public (one of the most BS titles ever - pay your bond and you can witness signatures - wow - but some people are really impressed) - oh and that real BS I got in college. None of them really mean anything. I'm just a plain witch really.

Answer 2

I'm not a neo-pagan. A High Priestess saved my life though. I wouldn't feel comfortable following a High Priest.

Answer 3

What people choose to label themselves is up to them, but just because someone chooses a label does not mean that it is an accurate label. I can choose to call myself a Buddhist, but since I don't know much about Buddhism and I've never practiced Buddhism, calling myself a Buddhist would be inaccurate.

I was taught that a priest/priestess is someone who has dedicated their lives to a particular deity. A High priest/priestess is one who is a leader of a religious group. I always wonder about solitaries who choose to call themselves High Priest/Priestesses---what group are they leading if they are solitary? It would be like me calling myself a supervisor when I have no employees to supervise. It wouldn't make much sense and it would be inaccurate. But if I wanted to label myself that way, I'd still have the right to do so.

Since there are no universal standards to use the title of High Priest/Priestess, the meaning of the title can only be fully understood and appreciated by those within that particular religious group. It really doesn't have much meaning to outsiders unless someone took the time to explain in detail what criteria they had to pass to achieve that title.

Answer 4

i dislike titles.

i see titles as a way to elevate the man or woman above the people that they are supposed to be helping.

A priest is supposed to be there to help the people to serve the people.

I am an Ordained Minister and a Pagan teacher. i have the legal rights to call myslef Rev.Chris J or father, or Priest or High Priest whatever i want really with the exception of Doctor or Druid.

My grove and the people that i teach call me Yogi (a nickname) or Teacher if they are referring me to others.

i have had a few people that have tried to label me a Shaman, a Druid, a High Priest. but the fact is that i am simply a Celtic Pagan that can preform marriages and funerals for you. and i know my beliefs and willingly teach people that wish to learn them.

i try to refrain from useing the word priest when i describe myself, but sometimes that is dependent on the context that i am useing.

Basicaly i dislike all Titles and think that a person that needs a title is not in it for the right reasons. I have known many people that will Self Title themselves and they have all been egomaniacs.

i feel that as a religious teacher it is my duty to be an accessable man. anyone can walk up to me and learn or talk about anything with me. much of this (i believe ) is because i go by "Yogi" . and the simple name tells peoplt that i do not take myself too seriously. and that i am approachable. people get nervous when they are meeting a person with a fancy title and they speak carefully and walk on eggshells. i cannot teach a person that is afraid to talk to me.

Answer 5

I'm cool with it. Although I'm not a Neo-Pagan, but I guess if the shoe fits...Did they earn the shoe?

And to answer common sense's question, I think Neo-Pagans are a bit like Neo-Conservatives, but more grounded in reality.

Answer 6

I'm not pagan nor do i belong to any religion but i am a ordained high priestess i chose that title be cause i think the word reverend should only be used to describe Jesus or GOD him self. i didn't want to use the word preacher because i don't preach I'm a bible student and always will be also i study other religions but my faith is in GOD almighty only. so i see nothing wrong with it.

i can legally marry people and do all the jobs a preacher can do. but i chose not to.
i offer blessings, comfort and counseling. and a shoulder to cry on. may the lord bless you all.

Answer 7

In all religions it is important for some individuals to make themselves more important than others. This way they get to become leaders and control the lives of others. Once you control the life of someone else it proves that you are right, if you werent right then they wouldnt follow you. So in the end, using the title High Priest or Priestess is just a way of proving your delusion to yourself.

Answer 8

If it works for them, it works for them.

I'm a solitary practitioner and don't care for any pomp or major ceremony, just simple stuff. But I see how it appeals to some pagans, just as some Christians prefer a big cathedral to a wee country church. If it brings you closer to what you feel is divine, it's doing its job, no?

Answer 9

Not much of a title person, so I prefer not to use it myself. If someone else wants to use it, and they've done the work to earn it, whatever floats your boat.

The title, to me, is not what earns respect - in fact, if someone *insists* that I use the title to refer to them, they'll actually lose points. It's more a question of how they present themselves, and how they act.

Answer 10

Got no problem with it as long as they've earned that title, meaning years of hard work plus all the blood, sweat, and tears that comes with it. Otherwise, the use of it is overly presumptuous and arrogant.