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DO I WEAR A DOG COLLAR?
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The simple answer is Yes! From time to time. I do so of my own accord, though if a couple getting married, for example, had some particular reason why they'd prefer me not to, I would honour their wishes. Why? When I'm an Interfaith minister - not specifically a Christian one! Well there's several reasons.... |
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My own beliefs
Whether I practice as a Christian or not, my cultural upbringing was in the Christian church so, to me, it feels comfortable to adopt the collar especially when I am actively engaged in my Ministry.
In fact, I worship with Quakers, who - in this country - do not adopt any kind of dress code, nor do they have priests. The Quakers are regarded as a Christian movement although they are not exclusively so, and in the US, they too have Ministers and some of these wear the clerical collar. |
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Who does wear 'the' collar?
The clerical collar is often associated with the Christian Faith though actually the vast majority of the 900+ Christian sects do not wear it. In practice, a number of InterFaith Ministers choose to wear it because of its important symbolism.
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The effect of the collar
For anyone who has a bad experience of the priesthood it is VERY understandable that they should have a negative association with someone wearing the clerical collar. So far, only a few people have made this clear to me. If anyone did and the circumstances allowed it, as a therapist, I would gladly see if I could help them explore their response.
In reality, I find that people respond very positively towards the clerical collar. If I walk along the street, all kinds of people who would never talk to me, spontaneously smile and chat. They presumably have positive associations with Ministers or instinctively 'know' that I will respond positively to them.
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Where does the collar come from and what is its symbolism?
Perhaps the most important point to me, is the historical significance of the clerical collar...
In the early 1800's lawyers, in the UK, Europe and the US, used to wear a simple white cravat with a collar and two descending ends, rather like a long and flattened white bow. In the UK and Europe they still do, and in the US, judges continue to do so.
At some point in the mid 1800's, a few lawyers in the US, who acted on behalf of slaves, decided to stop wearing the descending ends on their cravats. The effect was to create a white ring collar. This was a symbolic gesture reflecting the iron collar that slaves were often made to wear around their necks.
At the same time, there was a proliferation of travelling pastors in the US, not affiliated to any particular church but predominantly Christian in their inspiration. Many of these adopted the same habit. Some did so for the symbolism with slavery, others did so to create a psychological association with the legal profession.
In my own case, the symbolism is important, as I too have a strong concern for those in this world who are oppressed and enslaved.
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