Clergy
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| + | [[Image:Pyramid of Capitalist System.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''[[Pyramid of Capitalist System]]'', anonymous American cartoon (1911)]] | ||
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| - | '''Clergy''' is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given [[religion]]. The term comes from [[Greek language|Greek]] κληρος (a lot, that which is assigned by lot ([[Athenian democracy|allotment]]) or metaphorically, heritage). | ||
| - | Depending on the religion, clergy usually take care of the ritual aspects of the religious life, teach or otherwise help in spreading the religion's [[doctrine]] and practices. They often deal with life-cycle events such as [[childbirth]], [[baptism]], [[circumcision]], [[coming of age]] ceremonies, [[marriage]], and [[death]]. Clergy of most faiths work both inside and outside formal houses of worship, and can be found working in hospitals, nursing homes, [[mission (station)|missions]], armies, etc. | + | A '''cleric''' ([[Ancient Greek]] '''''κληρικός''''' - klērikos), '''clergyman''' (pl. '''clergymen'''), or '''churchman''' (pl. '''churchmen''') is a member of the [[clergy]] of a [[religion]], especially one who is a [[priest]], [[preacher]], or other religious professional. It is often used to refer to the religious leadership in [[Islam]], where the term "[[priest]]" is not accurate and where terms such as "[[Alim]]" are not widely understood in the English-speaking world. |
| - | There is a significant difference between clergy and [[Theology|theologians]]; clergy have the above-mentioned duties while theologians are scholars of religion and theology, and are not necessarily clergy. A lay-person can be a theologian. The two fields, of course, often overlap. In some denominations clergy status is reserved for males. In other denominations both men and women serve as clergy. | + | The term "[[clerk (position)|clerk]]" derives from "cleric," since in medieval times the clergy were one of the few groups who could read, and therefore were often employed to do bookkeeping and similar work. The term [[clerical work]] continues to this day to refer to such functions. |
| - | Clergy are protected by special laws in many countries. In some cases clergy are financed (or co-financed) by the [[state]], but usually they are financially supported by the donations of individual members of their religion. | + | == See also == |
| - | + | *[[The Treason of the Intellectuals]] | |
| - | In [[Christianity]] there is a wide range of formal and informal clergy positions, including [[deacon]]s, [[priest]]s, [[bishop]]s, and [[Religious minister|minister]]s. In [[Islam]], religious leaders are usually known as [[imam]]s or [[ayatollah]]s. | + | * [[Anti-clericalism]] |
| + | * [[List of fictional clergy and religious figures]] | ||
| + | * [[Movies, plays & TV shows featuring nuns]] | ||
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A cleric (Ancient Greek κληρικός - klērikos), clergyman (pl. clergymen), or churchman (pl. churchmen) is a member of the clergy of a religion, especially one who is a priest, preacher, or other religious professional. It is often used to refer to the religious leadership in Islam, where the term "priest" is not accurate and where terms such as "Alim" are not widely understood in the English-speaking world.
The term "clerk" derives from "cleric," since in medieval times the clergy were one of the few groups who could read, and therefore were often employed to do bookkeeping and similar work. The term clerical work continues to this day to refer to such functions.
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See also
- The Treason of the Intellectuals
- Anti-clericalism
- List of fictional clergy and religious figures
- Movies, plays & TV shows featuring nuns
Unless indicated otherwise, the text in this article is either based on Wikipedia article "Clergy" or another language Wikipedia page thereof used under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License; or on research by Jahsonic and friends. See Art and Popular Culture's copyright notice.
