whats up with the "Xtians"?????

[Nietzsche]

In a world in which Christmas Nativities that have been displayed at city hall for over 100 years are suddenly forbidden, some "X-ians" are a little sensitive to other instances where it appears CHRIST is being removed from the celebration of His birth or the English language. Please try to have some patience with us if we seem hypersensitive about certain things. It may not be justified, but it is not 100% without cause.

But the X literally means "Cross". It's a holdover of a far more illiterate time. Also, advertizing costs money.

 

[sojourner]

I think that "lazy" is probably too strong of an accusation, but even you should be willing to admit that translating "The Right Reverend Eugene Robinson" into Greek and then using just the first letter of each Greek word, while shorter than "The Right Reverend Eugene Robinson", it is also less clear to an predominantly English speaking audience than an English abbreviation would be.

The people using the pejorative know what it means, though. They're just being pejorative.

 

[philbo]

Ever sent/received Morse Code? Shortcuts like this are welcomed as a timesaver.

No - in some respects I can understand those sorts of abbreviations in text messages/tweets where space is constrained, but I still can't forgive them

"Lazy" the way some have applied it here is misleading, because I'm well aware that the posters intentionally misuse it as a character slam, just to get my goat. "Lazy" is a character judgment. "Efficient time saver" is expediency. It has to do with a thinly-veiled judgment as to motive and the implied character-flaw behind it. And then they try to backpedal by saying "It's not a judgment -- 'lazy' isn't a bad thing." When that's not really what they're implying by using the term in this case. I still say it's no different than saying "64th note" rather than "hemidemisemiquaver." No one accuses those people of being "lazy." And if "Xian" is lazy, so is saying "Bishop Robinson," instead of "The Right Reverend Eugene Robinson." Either it's all "lazy," and everyone is guilty, or it's not, and no one is guilty.

Is describing efficient time saving as "lazy" efficient time saving, or simply.. er..

 

[sojourner]

Is describing efficient time saving as "lazy" efficient time saving, or simply.. er..

No. Not in this case.

 

[atpollard]

But the X literally means "Cross". It's a holdover of a far more illiterate time.

Didn't someone else say it was 'rho', and isn't that the first letter in the Greek word?
In any case, "t" or "T" or "I" (depending on which tradition you ascribe to Jesus crucifixion 'platform') would more literally mean cross.
"X" would only literally mean cross to St. Andrew.

Also, advertising costs money.

I am not hating on the advertisers for using "X-MAS" ... it makes perfect sense on a sign for lots of reasons ... I just do not think that the primary motivation for the advertiser is to honor Constantine and the Theological Scholarly tradition - as some appear to have suggested.
They just want to fit a long word on a small sign in letters big enough to be read from a distance.
Clearly, legibility from a distance is not why "Xian" or "Xy" is being used on this site.
I would also suspect that honoring Constantine and the Theological Scholarly tradition is also not the primary motivation for using "Xian" on this site either.
"Lazy" is too negative, but "convenient" is probably a more accurate description of the motivation than 'honoring any tradition'.

Setting aside all of my witty responses (or not so successful attempts at wit), the use of "Xian" and "Xy" reduces comprehension among those who might visit "Religious Forums" and be unfamiliar with those shorthand abbreviations.
Some posters will not care ... "people who come here should know what they are talking about or go get an education" seems to be a popular attitude.
That is no skin off my nose (or any other part of my anatomy).
However, in my world, being understood is pretty important.
I care about what things that I 'take for granted' might actually be impeding communication.

 

[Nietzsche]

Didn't someone else say it was 'rho', and isn't that the first letter in the Greek word?
In any case, "t" or "T" or "I" (depending on which tradition you ascribe to Jesus crucifixion 'platform') would more literally mean cross.
"X" would only literally mean cross to St. Andrew.

Nice try, but Greek & English are different languages, and the 'Xmas' thing is found primarily in Germanic-speaking areas(English, German, Dutch, so on). In 1600 the average peasant couldn't spell his name, let alone read a sign. But they knew what "Mass" was, and the common vernacular of "crossing" something was depicted with an X. So you would see "Xmass", and it eventually lost the extra s.

It's just a matter of language development.

I am not hating on the advertisers for using "X-MAS" ... it makes perfect sense on a sign for lots of reasons ... I just do not think that the primary motivation for the advertiser is to honor Constantine and the Theological Scholarly tradition - as some appear to have suggested.
They just want to fit a long word on a small sign in letters big enough to be read from a distance.
Clearly, legibility from a distance is not why "Xian" or "Xy" is being used on this site.
I would also suspect that honoring Constantine and the Theological Scholarly tradition is also not the primary motivation for using "Xian" on this site either.
"Lazy" is too negative, but "convenient" is probably a more accurate description of the motivation than 'honoring any tradition'.

Setting aside all of my witty responses (or not so successful attempts at wit), the use of "Xian" and "Xy" reduces comprehension among those who might visit "Religious Forums" and be unfamiliar with those shorthand abbreviations.
Some posters will not care ... "people who come here should know what they are talking about or go get an education" seems to be a popular attitude.
That is no skin off my nose (or any other part of my anatomy).
However, in my world, being understood is pretty important.
I care about what things that I 'take for granted' might actually be impeding communication.

I personally never use Xmas or Xtian, but that's just me. I just also don't see what's offense about it. And you're absolutely right, people don't do it because of Constantine anymore. But it started out as a method to aid the illiterate, and we've held onto it because it's short & simple way to convey a meaning.

 

[Koldo]

It's the Same. Thing. Writing "Dr." instead of "Doctor" is the same thing as writing "Xtian" instead of "Christian." It's shorthand. It's an abbreviation. Just because you don't recognize it or like it or whatever doesn't mean that it's "lazy." Stop trying to justify yourself.

Stop. Trying. To. Justify. Yourself.
It only makes things worse. Just get over it already.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I dont think its because it is tedious to type the whole word. I understand cuting 'super cali fragil listic expi ali doshes' short, but "Christian"?

Why?

I've done it a few times. Not as a rule, but here and there. Mostly when writing out a billion gift cards, and wanting to churn through them. I'm aware that some are not fans of it, but they don't appear to include any of the folks the gift cards were for. Plus, they're often little buggers (err...the gift cards, not the recipients)

At the risk of rehashing some of what has already come, why would you see how I write Christmas as offensive? I'm don't tend to write (pbuh) after writing Mohammed's name, although that is an abbreviation anyway. Confusion on top of confusion.
Isn't it more offensive that I'm doling out 'Merry Christmas' wishes to all and sunder without holding the least belief in Christ? And, incidentally, why do I capitalise God, Christ, etc?

*shrugs*

If you're looking for any consistent reasoning in how I deal with religion, you'll struggle to find it. But I can assure you, on the rare occasions I write Xmas, I am not trying to offend anyone.

[petty]PS. Don't has an apostrophe, to denote the missing letter. What we save by writing don't as opposed to do not, buggered if I know. But we do it.[/petty]

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Its a pet peeve. I assume using pbuh and G-d are also used because of tradion as with respect. I see it the same reference when the capitolize God. Christians will say that God is not just any god. Which I assume Christ just not any christ. Hence, why the X.

I find it interesting the different cultural ways to show respect. However, to Christians, why do they cap the G and C but replace the Chris X. Looks inconsistent.

Unless they give reason that X is more appropriate Latin for Christs name. Non christians, I dont see a problem. It just nags me. Call it a writers flaw.

I've done it a few times. Not as a rule, but here and there. Mostly when writing out a billion gift cards, and wanting to churn through them. I'm aware that some are not fans of it, but they don't appear to include any of the folks the gift cards were for. Plus, they're often little buggers (err...the gift cards, not the recipients)

At the risk of rehashing some of what has already come, why would you see how I write Christmas as offensive? I'm don't tend to write (pbuh) after writing Mohammed's name, although that is an abbreviation anyway. Confusion on top of confusion.
Isn't it more offensive that I'm doling out 'Merry Christmas' wishes to all and sunder without holding the least belief in Christ? And, incidentally, why do I capitalise God, Christ, etc?

*shrugs*

If you're looking for any consistent reasoning in how I deal with religion, you'll struggle to find it. But I can assure you, on the rare occasions I write Xmas, I am not trying to offend anyone.

[petty]PS. Don't has an apostrophe, to denote the missing letter. What we save by writing don't as opposed to do not, buggered if I know. But we do it.[/petty]

 

[sojourner]

Stop. Trying. To. Justify. Yourself.
It only makes things worse. Just get over it already.

Stop trying to justify yourself by telling me to stop trying to justify myself. It's only making things worse. Your assessment is incorrect. Just get over it already.

 

[Koldo]

Stop trying to justify yourself by telling me to stop trying to justify myself. It's only making things worse. Your assessment is incorrect. Just get over it already.

Don't you think you are too old to repeat what other people say like that ?
If you want me to be your master, it is alright though.

 

[sojourner]

Don't you think you are too old to repeat what other people say like that ?
If you want me to be your master, it is alright though.

Mirrors are never too old to reflect the flaws of the ugliness that gazes into them.

 

[Koldo]

Mirrors are never too old to reflect the flaws of the ugliness that gazes into them.

Are you saying that by personal experience ?

 

[sojourner]

Are you saying that by personal experience ?

Weak. This is known as the "Pee-Wee Herman Fallacy" -- "I know you are, but what am I?"

 

[Ouroboros]

Every time I see "X-ian", I read out in my mind "Ex-ian."

Now, if you're an ex-christian, would it be accurate to say you're an x-x-ian? Dos-Equis-ian?

Ah. Beer! Always the right answer.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Unless they give reason that X is more appropriate Latin for Christs name. Non christians, I dont see a problem. It just nags me. Call it a writers flaw.

Sounds fair enough to me. I would NEVER have a pet peeve that wasn't completely supportable by...err...

*remembers his views on pretty much everything*

....scrap that. Carry on.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Sounds fair enough to me. I would NEVER have a pet peeve that wasn't completely supportable by...err...

*remembers his views on pretty much everything*

....scrap that. Carry on.

Haha. Pretty much everything is starting to give me a pet peeve these days.

 

[Zardoz]

Weak. This is known as the "Pee-Wee Herman Fallacy" -- "I know you are, but what am I?"

You two play nice or you go in timeout.

Myself, I use Xian, and Xmas and G-d and Jay Witnesses, and a lot of other substitutions.

For reasons of my faith, not as insult. Feel insulted? Sorry, that's your problem, making assumptions.

 

[sojourner]

You two play nice or you go in timeout.

Myself, I use Xian, and Xmas and G-d and Jay Witnesses, and a lot of other substitutions.

For reasons of my faith, not as insult. Feel insulted? Sorry, that's your problem, making assumptions.

Oh oh! I don't want to have to sit at the Naughty Computer...

 

[Muffled]

Hi.....
Well, there's a small problem there.
You're 'telling' people how to address your faith.
I get fed up with people who 'tell' me how to say their names.
It's like an English born and 'refined' lady in our street who has decided that her name needs an acute and a grave accent, turning it from simple Helen into Haylan. She corrects everybody who calls her 'Helen'.And yet she addresses me by the shortened form of my name!! I love these objectionable people........ not!

Here's one for you. There are some atheists out there who are very upset when people wish them 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Easter' and especially 'God Bless you'. Did you know that? Do you personally make sure that the persons who you offer these sentences, will not be upset by them?

Well? You want to be socially correct, so do you check folks' objections before you speak to them?

If it is a stranger I believe in wishng him a Happy holiday. If I know a person is a fellow Christian I wish him a Merry Christmas. I wish my JW brother-in-law a Merry Chrstmas and polay Christmas music on the radio because I enjoy bugging him about it since they don't celebrate it.