If a reverend wears a priest collar, does that mean he can't get married?

Question

I don't get the whole 'special' clothes thing in some religions.

Answer 1

The special clothes are just a form of identification, like a uniform so you know what the person is. Like Dr's wearing lab coats. Not all ministers wear collars or special clothes, but they are no different than those who do. The teaching in the religion itself determines what one can or cannot do, it has nothing to do with the clothes.

Answer 2

It is illegal to impersonate a priest. Lenny Bruce was arrested for it, Father Guido Sarducci from Saturday night live has been arrested for it. Section 13A-14-4 Fraudulently pretending to be clergyman. Whoever, being in a public place, fraudulently pretends by garb or outward array to be a minister of any religion, or nun, priest, rabbi or other member of the clergy, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500.00 or confinement in the county jail for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Acts 1965, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 273, p. 381; Code 1975, §13-4-99.)

Answer 3

Of course not. The Episcopal priests here, male and female, wear clerical collars, and most of them are married. The collar simply denotes that they're a priest.

Answer 4

Clerical dress and the ability to marry are two separate and distinct issues.

Roman Catholic priests must be un-married, but married men may be ordained to the diaconate.

In the Eastern Orthodox and and Eastern-Rite Catholic Churches married men may be ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood. Men who have been tonsured to the minor orders (Sub-deacon, Reader or Candlebearer) remain free to marry.

Answer 5

No, it doesn't. I wasn't raised Catholic, so I'm not exactly sure what the collar is supposed to signify. I believe Lutheran ministers also wear collars.