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I didn't notice it at the time because I grew up in a Methodist church and it seemed natural to me that he would call his religious leader a Pastor. I'm inclined to believe the author simply misspoke considering how many errors the book has. It would be interesting if he at some point did attend Protestant services, as most of the gripes he brought up were tied to Catholicism and not Christianity as a whole (aside from his sweeping generalizations about organized religion).

63tty wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 15:20 I mean, what's the difference really. Both mean the same thing. Why try to separate religion yet they all serve the exact same God.

I totally agree. But in the context of the book, which focuses so much on being precise and on how troubled the author had with his Catholic faith, I think it has importance.

Lunastella wrote: ↑30 Dec 2020, 10:26

63tty wrote: ↑29 Dec 2020, 15:20 I mean, what's the difference really. Both mean the same thing. Why try to separate religion yet they all serve the exact same God.

I totally agree. But in the context of the book, which focuses so much on being precise and on how troubled the author had with his Catholic faith, I think it has importance.

Oh yeah, I totally didn't consider that. You're right. I concur.

Yes, you're right! Catholics use 'priests' and other Christian denominations use 'pastor' or 'reverend'. It is interesting that a Catholic-raised person like the author chose to use 'pastor' instead of 'priest'. I'm also wondering what that might mean.

KristyKhem wrote: ↑30 Dec 2020, 16:07 Yes, you're right! Catholics use 'priests' and other Christian denominations use 'pastor' or 'reverend'. It is interesting that a Catholic-raised person like the author chose to use 'pastor' instead of 'priest'. I'm also wondering what that might mean.

It's a minute detail, but it caught my attention because, in a book that's supposed to be so precise, it stands out.

To clarify the question raised about me calling my priest, a pastor. A priest is only designated as pastor when he has been assigned by his Bishop the duty of being 'pastor' of any given church community . Most priests, particularly priest belonging to religious orders such as Jesuit, Dominican, Holy Cross, etc. never become pastors. Most are teachers, administrators, etc. Most ,but not all, pastors are diocesan (secular) priests. Also, most pastors have 'assistant pastors' who are priests; some are deacons---hope this helps. Hilary Hunt

Catholics always address a priest as Father. However, when speaking of a priest's official position, we speak of him as pastor, assistant pastor, missionary, etc..

I was wondering if he used pastor and priest interchangeably to reach out to a larger audience. Either way, priest or pastor, readers understand that these are the recognized spiritual leaders of the Church.

Being a pastor or a priest, they serve the same function.They are to guide and lead Gods people through his word and will. I think to the Catholic, they feel the priest is the closest person to God and that's why the place of confession to him comes in. Pastors are mostly used in Pentecostal churches while priest are for authodox Churches.

The truth is that the function is the same, while the title might differ at some points between the word Priest and Pastor. The word Pastor means Shepherd, which is also translated as Priest in the old testament. Catholics are using the functionality with a different title.

The truth is that the function is the same, while the title might differ at some points between the word Priest and Pastor. The word Pastor means Shepherd, which is also translated as Priest in the old testament. Catholics are using the functionality with a different title.

I was raised Catholic too and I agree with you. We said both "Priest" and "Father"

No, you didn't miss anything. Pastors and Priests are all the same because the former is used more often this days rather than the latter. Again, people often assume when they say priests, onwould think of them as people of the old statement. As such, people tend to use more of pastors as the presiding man of God in their churches.

I've also never heard of a Catholic Pastor. In fact, whenever I think of a pastor, I think of a religious leader who has started up his own church or denomination that is not part of any major church.

I have always heard that "priest" is more associated with Catholicism also. Priests or Father are generally Catholic and pastors, reverend, elder, etc., refer to other religions. I'm not sure why the author would have done that. The author also wrote that he had someone (I can't recall offhand what the actual term was, but I'm assuming the reference was religious), look over the book for not only factual, but also for logical consistency. Logic is a branch of philosophy, and while some branches of philosophy and theology may be similar, I don't think extensive study of logic is required for priests or pastors. Reminds me of Lewis Carroll - Carroll was supposedly a pastor and a logician, but I don't know if he was Catholic.