I do not think the poll was meant to insult. As Orthodox Christians we are called to be sheep, to be the flock of Christ, overseen by our shepherds (priests and bishops) who are to follow the Good Shepherd, Christ.
shepherd
n 1: a clergyman who watches over a group of people 2: a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock [syn: sheepherder, sheepman] v 1: watch over like a shepherd, as a teacher of her pupils 2: tend as a shepherd, as of sheep or goats
Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University
shepherd
a word naturally of frequent occurence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor"
is used instead (Jer. 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used
figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God
to his people (Ps. 23:1; 80:1; Isa. 40:11; 44:28; Jer. 25:34, 35; Nahum 3:18;
John 10:11, 14; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25; 5:4). The duties of a shepherd in an
unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led
forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were
to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep
strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest,
seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep
require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose
has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the
wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to
the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure
himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset.
Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild
beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Sam. 17:34).",
Deane's David.
Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
