I agree with you in spirit of what you said.
What do I care if I call priest 'father' or 'rev' or by his first name after I get to know him well enough and if he wants me to do so!  I rather like to call priest 'father' because I don't have to think about how he would like to be called. 
Beside, I can't remember people's name well!  Well, I respect/like the servants of God.  I used to pray for all the priest I know everyday before I pray for my family until the clergy sex abuse of children scandals in our archdiocese break out.  I thought calling priest 'father' was an expression of love from a family.  They are people and they need family's love as much as anyone else.
For heaven's sake, one should think about pray to love God & neighbor better instead worry over silly thing as what calling priest 'father' could imply.