Xianity vs Christianity

[fewwillfindit]

I am not sure if this is the proper subforum in which to be raising this issue, and I hope that I am not overstepping my bounds in doing so. I've noticed the term "Xian" being applied to Christians in various threads. It is not my intention to call out any specific individual or individuals.

I consider Xian to be a pejorative term, and I think that it is disrespectful. We do have a name by which we are called, and that is, "Christian." I am stating the obvious here, but the term means, "of Christ." We are not "of X," and we do not worship a Savior called X. We worship Christ.

To call it Xianity is to imply that the name of the One after Whom it is named isn't even worthy of mention. This also implies that He is just one of a plethora of various flavors of gods from which to choose, and ours just happens to be god-X. I understand that many promote the latter viewpoint, but Christians to not.

I would request that it become a forum-wide rule, that satirization of the names of various religions or non-religions that are represented on this forum should not be allowed, in light of the primary thrust of this forum, which is "civil and engaging debate."

After all, it would be disrespectful for theists to go around applying satirical monikers to non-theists. Instead, we call them non-theists, because that is what they choose to be called. I would ask for the same level of respect.

[fewwillfindit]

So, he's offended by "Xian" but only when non-theists use it. OK. Noted. I will continue to use it because 1. it is easier 2. it means the same thing 3. it pisses off religious extremists like him.

I win!

And with this statement we have arrived at the entire reason that I objected to the use of this term, and the entire reason for this thread. Your motivation for using it is instigative, and designed to offend, hence my objection.

This does not fit the definition of civility.

I don't use it BECAUSE it offends you, I use it because it is easier to type. That it offends you is just an added bonus.

You can post reply after reply that is chock-full of complete untruncated words, yet when you get to the word "Christian" it becomes too laborious to type out the full word? Do you really expect anyone to buy that?

After all, I can't live my life wonder what does or doesn't offend you

You don't have to wonder. You've already admitted that one of the reasons that you use this word is to provoke the anger of Christians.

Can you see you are wrong about your latest post and that "Xian" has a fully historical and accepted usage?

Can you see that I already stated that I am well aware of the historicity of the term, and that what I object to is the malicious motivation behind its usage by non-Christians such as yourself?

[Lux]

Can you see that I already stated that I am well aware of the historicity of the term, and that what I object to is the malicious motivation behind its usage by non-Christians such as yourself?

That's not really fair, just because Ooberman admitted he does it to offend christians it doesn't mean all non-theists do it with the same intent.

[cnorman18]

I don't know that I've ever used "Xian"; I tend to be punctilious and write everything out, subjunctive case and all. But I shall take especial care NOT to use it now.

Whatever one's beliefs, I think it neither CIVIL nor RATIONAL to go out of one's way to be purposely annoying or to deliberately goad or provoke, whatever reasoning lies behind it. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior among my personal friends, and -- speaking as a moderator now -- I, for one, don't intend to tolerate it on this forum.

Word to the wise and all that.

[fewwillfindit]

I don't know that I've ever used "Xian"; I tend to be punctilious and write everything out, subjunctive case and all. But I shall take especial care NOT to use it now.

Whatever one's beliefs, I think it neither CIVIL nor RATIONAL to go out of one's way to be purposely annoying or to deliberately goad or provoke, whatever reasoning lies behind it. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior among my personal friends, and -- speaking as a moderator now -- I, for one, don't intend to tolerate it on this forum.

Word to the wise and all that.

Can you see that I already stated that I am well aware of the historicity of the term, and that what I object to is the malicious motivation behind its usage by non-Christians such as yourself?

That's not really fair, just because Ooberman admitted he does it to offend christians it doesn't mean all non-theists do it with the same intent.

I just did a site-wide search of the term, and (surprisingly) I did find a few uses of the term that were seemingly innocent. Bernee used it recently, and although he is not a Christian, I have found his posts to be insightful and lacking ill will, so I certainly wouldn't attribute any bad intentions to his use of the term. There are others who use it, but infrequently. The vast majority of the uses of the term are by Ooberman, who seems to use it whenever he can slip it in, and it is his posts that sparked this thread.

In light of the search results, I do not think it would be fair to everyone else if this term was disallowed, as there are a few benign instances of its usage on this forum.

I will just ignore Ooberman's use of the term, and I apologize for making an issue out of it.

[SteveC]

I am not sure if this is the proper subforum in which to be raising this issue, and I hope that I am not overstepping my bounds in doing so. I've noticed the term "Xian" being applied to Christians in various threads. It is not my intention to call out any specific individual or individuals.

I consider Xian to be a pejorative term, and I think that it is disrespectful. We do have a name by which we are called, and that is, "Christian." I am stating the obvious here, but the term means, "of Christ." We are not "of X," and we do not worship a Savior called X. We worship Christ.

To call it Xianity is to imply that the name of the One after Whom it is named isn't even worthy of mention. This also implies that He is just one of a plethora of various flavors of gods from which to choose, and ours just happens to be god-X. I understand that many promote the latter viewpoint, but Christians to not.

I would request that it become a forum-wide rule, that satirization of the names of various religions or non-religions that are represented on this forum should not be allowed, in light of the primary thrust of this forum, which is "civil and engaging debate."

After all, it would be disrespectful for theists to go around applying satirical monikers to non-theists. Instead, we call them non-theists, because that is what they choose to be called. I would ask for the same level of respect.

I have never used, Xian, and don't plan to. When you participate on debate forums you have to develop a thick skin. As an atheist, I've been called a lot of things, sometimes I deserved it, most times I didn't. What I didn't do is react to it – never let them see you sweat.

[Ooberman]

Can you see that I already stated that I am well aware of the historicity of the term, and that what I object to is the malicious motivation behind its usage by non-Christians such as yourself?

That's not really fair, just because Ooberman admitted he does it to offend christians it doesn't mean all non-theists do it with the same intent.

I don't use it to piss people off! Please quote me properly! I use it because it is easier to type. That's it. That is does piss off jerks is just a bonus.

[Goat]

I am not sure if this is the proper subforum in which to be raising this issue, and I hope that I am not overstepping my bounds in doing so. I've noticed the term "Xian" being applied to Christians in various threads. It is not my intention to call out any specific individual or individuals.

I consider Xian to be a pejorative term, and I think that it is disrespectful. We do have a name by which we are called, and that is, "Christian." I am stating the obvious here, but the term means, "of Christ." We are not "of X," and we do not worship a Savior called X. We worship Christ.

To call it Xianity is to imply that the name of the One after Whom it is named isn't even worthy of mention. This also implies that He is just one of a plethora of various flavors of gods from which to choose, and ours just happens to be god-X. I understand that many promote the latter viewpoint, but Christians to not.

The "X" comes from the Greek letter Chi, which is the first letter of the Greek word Χ�ιστός, translated as "Christ".

So, from a historical point of view, it is not being disrespectful.

[Ooberman]

I will just ignore Ooberman's use of the term, and I apologize for making an issue out of it.

Instead of ignoring my use of it, why don't you appreciate my use of it? It is historical, I am talking about YOUR Lord and Religion, and maybe you can read the context I use it in? Just because I don't worship Xianity, and have some negative things to say about it doesn't mean I use the term pejoritively.

What happened to charity?

Again, I use it because I use the term a lot and it is easier to type "Xian" rather than Christian (Which I just had to type 4 times to get it right - I type fast).

Even by your own addmission I use it a lot. So, it makes sense.

Look, i'm not trying to blow smoke up your ass about why I use it. If you can't accept that I use it for speed, and that it has a historical reference is YOUR problem and YOUR inability to acceot that atheists can actually say "Christ" without being angry or hateful.

The OP is a perfect example that deserves the prayer: "Dear Jesus, please save me from your followers"

[Jester]

Moderator Comment

I don't use it to piss people off! Please quote me properly! I use it because it is easier to type. That's it. That is does piss off jerks is just a bonus.

As you seem to be unclear on the matter:
Stating directly that you consider making others angry to be a "bonus" is against the rules regarding incivility. A truly mature debater would be eager to avoid offending, rather than openly reveling in it.

[Ooberman]

I am not unclear on this matter, since I know my true motivation. In fact, I researched it before I started using it regularly and found it to be an honored tradition among REAL Xians. In fact, there are early manuscripts that shortened "Christos" to "X". Go figure.

The reason I say it is a "bonus" is because it is ONLY from Xians who are more sanctimonious than educated. That has been my experience from being on these boards for almost 7 years. I don't believe religious bullies should be bowed to = especially since the term is NOT derogatory.

Look, I know I need to tone it down and I am trying, but this is an issue that crops up every once in a while and it's always the same thing: eventually the offended person realizes it is a term often used by people more pious than themselves and means the EXACT SAME THING. Any offense is ON THEIR PART, not an attempt by the user to offend. I DON'T USE IT TO OFFEND!

Lord knows I say many offensive things - am I supposed to refrain from saying anything the Taliban-like zealot is offended by? They are offended by so much!

He, as they all do, will realize their outrage is misplaced, and while I deserve an apology, I don't ask for one. I am generous in my charity - since I love my enemy.