2007-08-28 17:42:25 · 10 answers · asked by nursingwitch 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whatever they're called, a female priest (whatever that is) is a priestess. Don't fret, honey.
2007-08-28 17:50:23 · answer #1 · answered by Velvetine Rabbit 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Part of feminism, really. There's a conflict of sorts here. The "ess" ending can, based on the custom and society, be demeaning or it can be empowering.
When you say "priestess" you think of someone with as much or maybe even more power than a priest. A priestess recognizes, embraces and celebrates the female aspect.
But often in society the "ess" ending is demeaning, reflecting the lesser respect given to women. For instance, people used to use the word "Jewess" to mean a female Jew. In a society that looks down on women a "Poetess" sounds like an amateurish female version of a Poet. A lawyer practices law. No distinction is made between a lawyeress and a lawyer. No distinction is made between a doctoress and a doctor. So in order to stress that a female cleric is as important and performs the same role as a male cleric, there's a desire to call them both priests.
Those who want to use the same word (just as some actresses prefer that all be called actors) want to stress equality. Actors are paid more than actresses in our society. Those who want to use the word Priestess want to stress that the feminine element is substantially different and brings its own particular strengths to the role.
2007-08-29 00:55:30 · answer #2 · answered by thatguyjoe 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Female clerics are actually ministers, regardless of what their churches may call them. The only true priests are in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. And none of them are female.
2007-08-29 01:02:42 · answer #3 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have offten wondered this, being a lapsed episcopalian. I was well aquainted with the first female priest ordained in the state of arkansas, PEGGY BOSMEYER.
WE used to tease her "father mother"
2007-08-29 00:55:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some might consider that a sexist remark.
Why are there not writers and writeresses
Actress has always bothered me, I consider, for example, Nicole Kidman to be a great actor.
Why are there not directoresses
Produceresses
Manageresses
Officerettes
Judgessess
Mayorettes
Governoresses
If Hillary wins can we call her a Presidentess
2007-08-29 00:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
They don't want to sound pagan which they are. If they are a priest.
2007-08-29 00:49:40 · answer #6 · answered by Ddvanyway 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably for the same reason that *pants* are not *pantesses* for women.
and why women can be chauffeurs, but never chaufferettes...
get over it...
2007-08-29 00:50:50 · answer #7 · answered by chieko 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Is this your biggest problem? Congrats!
2007-08-29 00:53:31 · answer #8 · answered by Graham 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Too many S's. I am too lazy to say all of them.
2007-08-29 00:48:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What do you suggest?
2007-08-29 00:54:04 · answer #10 · answered by Mutations Killed Darwin Fish 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋