xtian...Xmas

[BlaznFattyz]

using a greek symbol to represent christ is inherent in a languages written form, i imagine asian characters are the same. but the english language spells things out and to shorten it with just an X is, to me, just a way to speed up on typing or lingo, which seems disrespectful at the same time because it takes the word christ out of the word, and saying the greeks used X's way before, to me, is a weak argument because i dont think that is why people do it, nor do i personally acknowledge it as correct.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by pattimax

I hear you.

The term x-tian looked like a variation of martian when I saw it.

...just poor spelling...

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by BlaznFattyz

using a greek symbol to represent christ is inherent in a languages written form, i imagine asian characters are the same. but the english language spells things out and to shorten it with just an X is, to me, just a way to speed up on typing or lingo, which seems disrespectful at the same time because it takes the word christ out of the word, and saying the greeks used X's way before, to me, is a weak argument because i dont think that is why people do it, nor do i personally acknowledge it as correct.

English speaking people used it well after the Greeks, so the fact that it has been in use so long (centuries) is nothing "weak". The term simply fades in and out of use through the ages.

[BlaznFattyz]

The abbreviation Xmas for Christmas dates from the mid 16th century. The X is the Greek letter chi, the initial in the word Χριστός (Christos) “Christ.” In spite of a long and respectable history, today Xmas is offensive to many, perhaps because of its associations with advertising. It is not used in formal writing.

Source

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by BlaznFattyz

The abbreviation Xmas for Christmas dates from the mid 16th century. The X is the Greek letter chi, the initial in the word Χριστός (Christos) “Christ.” In spite of a long and respectable history, today Xmas is offensive to many, perhaps because of its associations with advertising. It is not used in formal writing.

Source

Well that I would agree with.

[Quahom1]

Wasn't always so, though.

1922, Ladies Home Journal advertisement

[wil]

Originally Posted by BlaznFattyz

In spite of a long and respectable history, today Xmas is offensive to many, perhaps because of its associations with advertising.

Originally Posted by Saltmeister

Even if a person deliberately used it as an insult, I don't see it as a problem with their attitude, but my own attitude.

Same source says: "Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas."

And from another source: Usage Note: Xmas has been used for hundreds of years in religious writing, where the X represents a Greek chi, the first letter of , "Christ." In this use it is parallel to other forms like Xtian, "Christian." But people unaware of the Greek origin of this X often mistakenly interpret Xmas as an informal shortening

You can please some of the people some of the time...the only way a business can go under is trying to please everybody!

So it in fact doesn't omit Christ, some just seem to think it does. (I did have a little latent issues with it, all resolved with this discussion) I doubt that Christ would care. I doubt that G-d is upset. Even if it were meant for evil...we should be able to make it for good.

And now that we know the TRUTH, that should affect our emotional attachment to what we perceive to be a negative...as we all here now KNOW it is not. We should start using it with pride...and educate others.

oh....and no one here considers blogging or texting or posting formal writing do they?? Can't be anything more informal than net forums...

oh...definitions and usage is soooo tricky.

[cyberpi]

I don't think anyone was called Jesus Christ in the day of Jesus Christ, were they? Was there anyone on the planet called Christian? Did they celebrate a Christmas? It seems like the person who might be offended is the person that coined the words for the translation, or maybe that group or generation.

I prefer to call Santa Claus the Satan Clause. Is there someone who will be offended?

[Saltmeister]

Originally Posted by wil

Same source says: "Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas."

Oh . . . I thought it was important to clarify this.

Christmas to me is . . . just Christmas.

I see a distinction between Christmas and Christianity. Christmas is a cultural activity. Christianity is a religion and involves dedication and devotion. For this reason I don't mind that Christmas involves buying and selling. While Christmas may celebrate Christ, it is a secular holiday observed also by atheists. It's part of Western culture.

I don't need a Christmas holiday. I can celebrate Christ every day. I don't need to make any day special. Every day is Christmas!!! Every day is a "Sabbath." Every day is special!!! For me the real Christmas and the real "Sabbath" is the Christmas/"Sabbath" within.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by cyberpi

I don't think anyone was called Jesus Christ in the day of Jesus Christ, were they? Was there anyone on the planet called Christian? Did they celebrate a Christmas? It seems like the person who might be offended is the person that coined the words.

I prefer to call Santa Claus the Satan Clause. Is there someone who will be offended?

Biblically, several people called Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God (which is translated as the "Christ"). Are we into semantics?

[wil]

Originally Posted by Saltmeister

I don't need a Christmas holiday. I can celebrate Christ every day. I don't need to make any day special. Every day is Christmas!!! Every day is a "Sabbath." Every day is special!!! For me the real Christmas and the real "Sabbath" is the Christmas/"Sabbath" within.

AMEN.

[lunamoth]

I think writing out Christian or Christmas is aesthetically more pleasing.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

I think writing out Christian or Christmas is aesthetically more pleasing.

I agree. It brings me closer to the situation. And it is warm and comforting...

[Prober]

Originally Posted by wil

I grew up with parents and folks got irritated, mad, made comments everytime they saw Xmas signs instead of Christmas signs...this was the 60's.

I also.

I got to say, I don't get it.

I don't use it, but it doesn't bother me. Seems we got bigger fish to fry...speaking of fish...we don't have any problem with that symbol do we?

Yeah...I don't think of it as something to fight over.

I find "x-tian" weird. I'll take the time to include "Christ" in my "Christian".

I don't mind X-mas, however, it being a pagan holiday (imo).

[Sunny C.]

What about when people write thanx?