Respect by titles

Depends of course on the type of catfish. I wouldn't eat a hard head (salt water) catfish but many do I suppose.

 

In 1981, we moved from Northwestern Maryland to Southern Virginia, and we immediately noticed the common use of "Sir and Ma'am" in the South that was not used in the North. I never realized before now that it was an offshoot of slavery in the South, but it makes sense.

In the North, I was addresses by my first name. In the South, I was addresses by Mr. and Sir by those who worked for me, which I thought was unusual, but I accepted it. Use of "Sir and Ma'am" in the North was considered unusual and possibly suggesting that the person being addressed was projecting a false or overbearing authority. Something like a frustrated Mother using her son's middle name when she is correcting him.

BTW, our grandchildren are being taught by our southern bred son in law and daughter inlaw, to use Sir and Ma'am because they think it is important.

 

I just telling you that is what someone I met from up there told me. Of course in the old south slavery began with it, and as the North felt slaverry was wrong they painted pictures of the South that just weren't true, some unfortunately stuck with lot's of folks.

I mean they don't like grits so what do you expect?

 

Forgive me if I offended you. That certainly was not intended. Being from the Northern culture, I don't understand your reaction, but that is okay.

What I was addressing was my experience in the difference between the North and the South. I immediately recognized the difference when I moved to the South over 30 years ago. I had never thought of it as having anything to do with with the practice of slavery over 150 years ago; but, over the years, it could have been a factor.

IMHO, it has nothing to do with fostering a slavery mentality. The Northern and Southern cultures are different concerning this practice; one is not any better than the other, but they are different.

 

I said two things as included above. I said that it makes sense that slavery could have been a factor. As I said before, I lived in the south 30 years and never made it any connection to slavery. The first I heard of any connection was on this thread. My comment that it was an offshoot of slavery was my first reaction to hearing the suggestion. Apparently I overreacted to hearing the suggestion.

Concerning the question of having factual evidence, I have no evidence that slavery was a factor over the years, the same as you having no evidence that is was not.

I am sorry, but I don't understand why you consider it an accusation. I did not intend it to be an accusation in any way. Perhaps this is due to the cultural background difference between us.

Peace

 

The word "reverend" is a title of authority, not respect. Those who demand to be called reverend or by their last name are too full of themselves. The word means "Worthy of adoration or reverence". That term should only be applied to God. The term is the deification of a man. Instead of lofty respect, we need more brotherly love in our churches. Do you call your physical brothers & sisters by their last name or lofty title? Then why would you call a brother in Christ by his last name or haughty title?

Do you think Obama's family call him Mr President? I think not. Servants refer to their masters by high titles; not sons, brothers, & sisters.

 

Reverend is improper...!

NO MAN deserves to be called by the title "Reverend" and there is no scriptural justification for doing so. "Reverend" is by definition in Psalm 111:9 a "state" of being or title that should rightly ONLY be attributed to God Himself. Actually, the "Church of Christ" boys get this one right( much as I hate giving that false church credit for anything!). I refuse to call any man "reverend"...including my own preacher, who seems to have no problem with the "title". My objection was noted and ignored....sighhh...oh well. If somebody can prove me Biblically wrong them I'll apologize.

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

I'm old school...more ways than one.

 

My kids give title and last name. I do not care what the adults want. It is not about them.

 

I can only tell you how I raised my kids. Any adult was addressed by my kids as Mr., Mrs. or Ms. Smith. That included teachers, church officials, or any adult they met. The terms mother and father were not my preference, so they called us Mom and Dad, and still do. They called our Pastor Brother Smith.

I was probably not the most strict parent when it came to grades, but one thing I demanded, is that if they were given anything like a present, that a thank you in some form followed. That would get them in trouble a lot swifter than being late from a date or a C in math.

 

I agree 100% with you.