Xians

[EasternPriest]

Hmmmmm..how best to say this. I don't want to sound thin-skinned. Those of you who know me know that I am not.

There seems to be a tendency in the forums to reduce the center of my faith system to an X. I do not believe in or worship X. I do believe in Jesus Christ, therefor I am a christian, and my faith is christianity.

I know that the X has become a popular form of shorthand, but it also has the potential effect of becoming dismissive. So, as a favor, could we do away with all the X's in our posts?

Blessings.....

[evilslinkycat]

Originally posted by EasternPriest
Hmmmmm..how best to say this. I don't want to sound thin-skinned. THose of you who know me know that I am not.

There seems to be a tendency in the forums to reduce the center of my faith system to an X. I do not believe in or worship X. I do believe in Jesus Christ, there for I am a christian, and my faith is christianity.

I know that the X has become a popular form of shorthand, but it also has the potential effect of becoming dismissive. So, as a fovor, could we do away with all the X's in our posts?


Very well put my friend.:) And no I would not call you thin-skined...

[Skye]

E.P. (can I do that)? lol

I have been wondering what xians meant(I know..I live in the back woods).

I am not Christian, never have been, however, I have always thought it was very disrespectful of the Christian religion to pointedly X out the main figure of thier belief. ie. xmas(I know what that one means:) )

I personally do not agree with many beliefs, however, there are many paths, and mine is but one. I will not define and set boundaries, on what I am not enlightend enough to perceive;)

[sylphanie]

Originally posted by Skye
I have always thought it was very disrespectful of the Christian religion to pointedly X out the main figure of thier believe.

Just as a side note, it isn't to "X-out" Jesus, but is rather from the Greek letter chias, which looks like an X. It's a pretty old tradition (read: hundreds of years). :)

Sylph

[Skye]

Originally posted by sylphanie


Just as a side note, it isn't to "X-out" Jesus, but is rather from the Greek letter chias, which looks like an X. It's a pretty old tradition (read: hundreds of years). :)

Sylph

Questions?

Is this 'old tradition' the way people today use the X?
Do many people today know what X means in Greek?

Not meaning to be rude, but I do not think the majority of people who substitute X for Christ are refering to an old Greek letter.

[sylphanie]

Originally posted by Skye


Not meaning to be rude, but I do not think the majority of people who substitute X for Christ are refering to an old Greek letter.

I'm not implying that they are. The tradition of using the X-like symbol for Christ was started by the Catholic church a long, long time ago. Unfortunately I don't have dates on hand, but I'll look and see if I can find references.

People don't necessarily understand that when they say "Good-bye" that originally was "God be with you," either. Most people don't think about it.

I'm also not saying that it's a good thing to do. A lot of feelings get hurt and a lot of people get offended by people doing things in ignorance. However, it's not necessarily a sign of disrespect. I just wanted to clarify. :)

Sylph

[gunner]

i'll agree with eastern priest on this, i don't think most of us or even many intended disrespect to him or his beliefs, and he does respect ours. while i've left christianity i still respect it's symbols and have long disliked the shortening of "christmas" to "xmas". by the way ep, "padre" is a marine's title of respect for chaplains and priests/reverends in general.

[Skye]

Originally posted by sylphanie


I'm also not saying that it's a good thing to do. A lot of feelings get hurt and a lot of people get offended by people doing things in ignorance. However, it's not necessarily a sign of disrespect. I just wanted to clarify. :)

Sylph

That the X was disrespectful, was just my opinion. As I said, I have never been Christian, however, I have never apprieciated people assuming things about my religion, therefore I TRY not to make assumptions about others.

[Spirahl]

I'm one that has done it, now that I'm aware of your feelings, I won't continue.
No disrespect intended, I had seen it around, and not being the greatest typist, allowed my laziness to copy.:o

[Xois]

X X X X X

HI EP!!! *waves sillily*

I am the X-Bandit!!!!

Do you remember the letter characters they had on seaseme street? ;)

Your old nemisis

Xois ;)

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by gunner
by the way ep, "padre" is a marine's title of respect for chaplains and priests/reverends in general.

and accepted gratefully:)

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by Xois
X X X X X

HI EP!!! *waves sillily*

I am the X-Bandit!!!!

Do you remember the letter characters they had on seaseme street? ;)

Your old nemisis

Xois ;)

hhehehe:p

[Socharis]

What about words like box sax max, we need the X, you may take our lives but youll never take our X's. :D lol

[Xois]

hehehe

[mol]

*reset*

[Draeconin]

No disrespect intended, but as I myself said, and has been verified by another, the use of the "X" in Xian is from the Greeks, and many hundreds of years old.

Along the path of our acquaintance, you'll probably see me make reference to to other obscure facts about your religion. I've done my homework, you see, when I was considering the Xian religion for myself.

[Wyrdsister]

Originally posted by EasternPriest
There seems to be a tendency in the forums to reduce the center of my faith system to an X. I do not believe in or worship X. I do believe in Jesus Christ, therefor I am a christian, and my faith is christianity. Wow, very well put, EP! :) I think you have really brought out something that most of us have never thought of before. I thank you - I always appreciate consciousness-raising!! :) :)

I will definitely think of the "Xians" shorthand much differently from now on. Your most profound sentance (IMHO) was "I do not believe in or worship X." ;) Very smart!

Thanks again, EP!

Wyrdsister
ever the seeker

[Celtic_Angel]

Originally posted by Skye
EI have been wondering what xians meant(I know..I live in the back woods).

Um...*stupid grin*... I hadn't known what a "Xian" was and it turns out that I am one. :( I always assumed it was some obscure religious group that I knew nothing about and so I would simply not read anything that included it. Sheesh, I feel blonde.

I have run into a lot of people though from many different faiths that have taken offense to people shorthanding the name of their path or faith and so I think it would be good to do away with it completely, no matter what a person's reason may be for using it. It saves a lot of time and energy just to play it safe and be curtious and not have to run the risk of offending someone and then end up arguing about it.

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by Draeconin
No disrespect intended, but as I myself said, and has been verified by another, the use of the "X" in Xian is from the Greeks, and many hundreds of years old.

Along the path of our acquaintance, you'll probably see me make reference to to other obscure facts about your religion. I've done my homework, you see, when I was considering the Xian religion for myself.

The use of an X may have occured many years ago, but I doubt as "Xians" or "Xtians"

Regardless of the homework you have done on your path, if someone here considers the use of "Xians" as inappropriate, shouldn't that be enough to discontinue its use?

[Mairwen]

Originally posted by sylphanie
Just as a side note, it isn't to "X-out" Jesus, but is rather from the Greek letter chias, which looks like an X. It's a pretty old tradition (read: hundreds of years). :)

Sylph

Thanks Sylph. I've mentioned this in the Jesus Thread in the Gods & Goddesses Forum. :D

[Draeconin]

Originally posted by EasternPriest


The use of an X may have occured many years ago, but I doubt as "Xians" or "Xtians"

Regardless of the homework you have done on your path, if someone here considers the use of "Xians" as inappropriate, shouldn't that be enough to discontinue its use?

If we were "politically correct" to that extent with every subject, no-one would be able to say anything about anything, for there is always someone who will take offense. And if we were fair, we would *have* to allow everyone the same rights, yes? So should we immediately change our ways every time someone objects to what we're doing? The fact of the matter is that many Christians themselves use the shortened version. It saves time, keystrokes, and space. (For those with arthritis, fibro and other such problems, saving keystrokes alone is reason enough.)

[Xois]

Here is the only definition I could find...

However, I have put the question to my boss who knows a lot about these matters as he was, at one point, in a monestery...

n abbreviation for Christian. This comes from the Greek name for Christ, Xristos, and is the same notation as in Xmas. Another variation on this is Xtian. It should be noted that this is not inherently any more insulting or denigrating than the word Christian itself.

from:http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/y2k/rel_def.htm

This website is a little bit over the top, but the definition seemed ok...

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by Draeconin


If we were "politically correct" to that extent with every subject, no-one would be able to say anything about anything, for there is always someone who will take offense. And if we were fair, we would *have* to allow everyone the same rights, yes? So should we immediately change our ways every time someone objects to what we're doing? The fact of the matter is that many Christians themselves use the shortened version. It saves time, keystrokes, and space. (For those with arthritis, fibro and other such problems, saving keystrokes alone is reason enough.)

Then I guess it's ok to insult you whenever I feel like it, if we are allowing everyone the same rights?

Please document that in current usage, many Christians today use the shortened version.

[EasternPriest]

Originally posted by Xois
Here is the only definition I could find...

However, I have put the question to my boss who knows a lot about these matters as he was, at one point, in a monestery...

n abbreviation for Christian. This comes from the Greek name for Christ, Xristos, and is the same notation as in Xmas. Another variation on this is Xtian. It should be noted that this is not inherently any more insulting or denigrating than the word Christian itself.

from:http://www.sullivan-county.com/nf0/y2k/rel_def.htm

This website is a little bit over the top, but the definition seemed ok...

As I've said before, I do not worship X, nor am I Greek, nor do I speak or worship in Greek.

[Xois]

As I've said before, I do not worship X, nor am I Greek, nor do I speak or worship in Greek.

Of course not...and if you don't like the word, perhaps people could simply not refere to YOU as Xtian...

However the fact remains that it is a word in current usage and one that is not considered offensive, in the general scheme of things...What I mean is its not like N*gger...a word that is accepted as negative...

I understand where you are coming from, yes...and I am sorry that i bothers you so much as it is often batted around...

:(

Xois

[Kaylara]

We are a diverse community here.

If a member requests that we refrain from using a certain term because it is incorrect, and personally offensive, then as a community and as friends who care about each other, we have a responsibility to refrain from using the offending term. I understand that there can be a lot of animosity towards Christianity because of the past. It just seems to me that by attacking Christianity or discussing anothers beliefs like they are inferior is very hurtful and demeaning. The Christians on this board deserve the same respect for their beliefs and opinions as everyone else here. I am closing this thread by saying; "Be nice to each other. Respect each other. And if certain modes of speach are hurtful to another here, then please refrain from it."

Blessings to you and all of yours.

Kaylara

*End Moderator Mode*