Are we finally over the debate; greetings, happy holidays, happy xmas merry Christmas?as

[pearl]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect. Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

 

[Lain]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect. Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

If this was a debate it was beneath human dignity to engage in.

Strangely enough I grew up not saying "merry Christmas" or anything, for as a particular sort of American Protestant, we didn't celebrate any of that. I'm still a "happy holidays" kind of guy because of it.

 

[Altfish]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.

It was never a debate; it was a talking point of the right wing to stoke the culture wars.

 

[exchemist]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect. Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

I've always wished people a Happy Christmas, and took particular pleasure in doing so when I lived briefly in the USA. I also only send Christmas cards with a religious theme, generally paintings of the madonna and child or something. Just something to draw attention gently to the point of the feast, in a secular world.

But the Xmas thing I had not realised, though of course it makes perfect sense, from Χρίστος. I shall feel freer to use this abbreviation in future.

 

[Secret Chief]

It was never a debate; it was a talking point of the right wing to stoke the culture wars.

Yes, there's more serious matters to be outraged by, such as the socialist BBC banning the Last Night of the Proms. And only allowing black female conductors. Ideally in a wheelchair. Or something.

 

[exchemist]

Yes, there's more serious matters to be outraged by, such as the socialist BBC banning the Last Night of the Proms. And only allowing black female conductors. Ideally in a wheelchair. Or something.

...and sporting a rainbow beret with a Save the Whale badge on it.....

 

[Altfish]

Yes, there's more serious matters to be outraged by, such as the socialist BBC banning the Last Night of the Proms. And only allowing black female conductors. Ideally in a wheelchair. Or something.

I refuse to watch BBC news because it is too pro-government, and QT is so biased I've given up.

 

[metis]

We're celebrating Chanukah over our oldest daughter's house this evening, so this trpe-2 diabetic guy may not survive. Nice knowing ya!

 

[metis]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

Yep, and if I don't know the person's religion, I usually say "happy holiday".

 

[SomeRandom]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect. Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

Lol I remember seeing that on the news. And my staunchly conservative Christian uncle said they were being a bunch of damned pansies. (He used some other choice words that I will not repeat here.)
The whole thing is ridiculous and is an instance where the older generation (not everyone obviously) are such snowflakes. Even as they call my generation and the younger zoomers “oversensitive.” Smh

 

[Secret Chief]

I refuse to watch BBC news because it is too pro-government, and QT is so biased I've given up.

Me too. Kuenssberg might as well be on the tory party payroll. In fact, probably is.

 

[Stonetree]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect. Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

I also thought,'Xmas' was a way to take away a religious connotation from the holiday. I,too,have learned something new today, Thank You,Pearl.

 

[Twilight Hue]

It was never a debate; it was a talking point of the right wing to stoke the culture wars.

Really?

And here I was thinking about the toxic aversion by the left over manger scenes and singing religious Christmas carols and wishing people a merry Christmas.

 

[Altfish]

Really?

And here I was thinking about the toxic aversion by the left over manger scenes and singing religious Christmas carols and wishing people a merry Christmas.

Have you got any examples of this? I never have come across it. My granddaughter is having a nativity play, there are Xmas trees in my town, we have a lantern parade.
My wife will be decorating our house with holly, mistletoe, etc. We will have a wreath on the door.

And I'm an atheist

 

[RestlessSoul]

Yes, there's more serious matters to be outraged by, such as the socialist BBC banning the Last Night of the Proms. And only allowing black female conductors. Ideally in a wheelchair. Or something.

You can get arrested just for being a straight white male in Sadiq Khan’s London nowadays, apparently. I haven’t been, yet, but I’m waiting for the knock on the door since I read that in the Daily Mail.

 

[SomeRandom]

Really?

And here I was thinking about the toxic aversion by the left over manger scenes and singing religious Christmas carols and wishing people a merry Christmas.

I’ve never heard about this. Were manager scenes trashed or vandalised?
I know some pretty out there Leftists and even they would be appalled. Hope the vandals were prosecuted, if so.
In saying that the “opposition” over such a commotion was apparently so fierce even the news in my country covered it (albeit somewhat mockingly.)

 

[Secret Chief]

You can get arrested just for being a straight white male in Sadiq Khan’s London nowadays, apparently. I haven’t been, yet, but I’m waiting for the knock on the door since I read that in the Daily Mail.

These days...

 

[QuestioningMind]

I remember several years ago this was a hot item much debated with conservatives.
That somehow 'xmas' was an insult to Christians etc.

This abbreviation for Christmas is of Greek origin. The word for Christ in Greek is Xristos. During the 16th century, Europeans began using the first initial of Christ's name, "X" in place of the word Christ in Christmas as a shorthand form of the word. Although the early Christians understood that X stood for Christ's name, later Christians who did not understand the Greek language mistook "Xmas" as a sign of disrespect. Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

The entire 'War on Christmas' narrative was made up by conservative leaders to keep their base angry and afraid.

 

[AlexanderG]

Really?

And here I was thinking about the toxic aversion by the left over manger scenes and singing religious Christmas carols and wishing people a merry Christmas.

Manger scenes on public property are unconstitutional. I'd be very interested if you found an example for any other version of this being an issue. Manger scenes on church property or private property are of course totally fine, barring mundane problems like loud music playing out of them at midnight, etc.

And yes, big corporations started using "Happy Holidays" because they wanted to appeal to as many customers as possible. It's a rational tactic under capitalism. That's it. Literally no one else cares, except Christian rabble-rousers who have been taught to look for persecution everywhere, or cynical politicians/preachers looking to gain more power by appealing to fear.

 

[exchemist]

You can get arrested just for being a straight white male in Sadiq Khan’s London nowadays, apparently. I haven’t been, yet, but I’m waiting for the knock on the door since I read that in the Daily Mail.

Funny, that. I'm one of those, living in deepest SW12 and don't seem to have had any problems.

Mind you, I did get two burly policemen ringing my doorbell at 1300 a couple of weeks ago - but that was after I picked up and reported a 6 inch kitchen knife I had found lying in the street. (I wondered if someone had tried to get rid of a weapon by chucking it out of a car window or something.) I expected the fuzz to maybe get in touch after a couple of days but these guys showed up on the doorstep within 2 hours of my email. I was quite impressed.