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.

[Ann]

It’s common knowledge that Wikipedia is not a reputable source for information. Quoting anti-Catholic sources such as Judaism online and an anti-Catholic protestant site is totally insufficient in regard to your claim that Christmas is an “invention� of Catholics. You made the assertion. Unless you can provide the irrefutable evidence to support what you assert, you haven’t proven anything.

Is this going to be another case in which you can neither prove you own position, nor disprove mine?

Ann

[fewwillfindit]

It’s common knowledge that Wikipedia is not a reputable source for information. Quoting anti-Catholic sources such as Judaism online and an anti-Catholic protestant site is totally insufficient in regard to your claim that Christmas is an “invention� of Catholics. You made the assertion. Unless you can provide the irrefutable evidence to support what you assert, you haven’t proven anything.

Another dance. Evidence is only refutable if it has been refuted. That's your job. The wiki article is positively replete with footnotes that you have yet to refute. I posted evidence. If you find it to be inaccurate, it is up to you to disprove it. Not with opinion, but with evidence. You have yet to do so. The old trick of attempting to discredit the source will not work. Don't worry about the source. Worry about the content.

[Darias]

It’s common knowledge that Wikipedia is not a reputable source for information. Quoting anti-Catholic sources such as Judaism online and an anti-Catholic protestant site is totally insufficient in regard to your claim that Christmas is an “invention� of Catholics. You made the assertion. Unless you can provide the irrefutable evidence to support what you assert, you haven’t proven anything.

Is this going to be another case in which you can neither prove you own position, nor disprove mine?

Ann

We're going off topic here.

Christmas didn't always exist. Sure many Christians celebrated Christs birth even before there was a Christmas, but it is well known that Jesus was not born in December and wasn't born in year 0.

Decorating pinetrees, magical elves, and toys, and flying reindeer and stuff like that are all secular or pagan traditions that have been adopted overtime.

Christmas developed as a tradition in the Catholic Church -- and it just so happened that the pagans who celebrated the winter solstice were lost and what better way to convert them than celebrate Christ's birth on their day?

There's nothing anti-Catholic about it; it's just a fact of history.

I'm a Protestant and I like Christmas just as much as anyone.

[fewwillfindit]

It’s common knowledge that Wikipedia is not a reputable source for information. Quoting anti-Catholic sources such as Judaism online and an anti-Catholic protestant site is totally insufficient in regard to your claim that Christmas is an “invention� of Catholics. You made the assertion. Unless you can provide the irrefutable evidence to support what you assert, you haven’t proven anything.

Is this going to be another case in which you can neither prove you own position, nor disprove mine?

Ann

We're going off topic here.

Christmas didn't always exist. Sure many Christians celebrated Christs birth even before there was a Christmas, but it is well known that Jesus was not born in December and wasn't born in year 0.

Decorating pinetrees, magical elves, and toys, and flying reindeer and stuff like that are all secular or pagan traditions that have been adopted overtime.

Christmas developed as a tradition in the Catholic Church -- and it just so happened that the pagans who celebrated the winter solstice were lost and what better way to convert them than celebrate Christ's birth on their day?

There's nothing anti-Catholic about it; it's just a fact of history.

I'm a Protestant and I like Christmas just as much as anyone.

Exactly. I keep it too. She's just in denial about who created it and what its origins are.

[Ooberman]

Concerning the cry of “bigotry,� I invite you to look up the meaning of bigotry. For my part, I simply responded to the topic by pointing out that there are people (many people) who use “x-ian� out of disrespect for Christianity. Why do you wonder as to the meaning of the word many? Many is not a couple (which is two), rather it is defined as a considerable number. I stated (based on their own answers) that a considerable number of non-Christians will openly admit that they refer to Christians as “x-ians� out of disrespect for Christianity.

I don't believe that you have seen many people use "xian" pejoratively. I would like you to back this up. I think you've seen it once or twice, but every other time you just assumed they were trying to be rude.

A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one exhibiting intolerance, irrationality, and animosity toward those of differing beliefs.

That is exactly what I mean.

Your overly defensive responses to this topic demonstrate that it is not enough for you to simply state your own reason for referring to Christians as “x-ians.�

Again, you seem to be trying to speak for the motivations of others. Stop it. i have told you what I mean by it.

You seem ...

Stop thinking you can psychoanalyze me. Read my words and accept that they are what I mean. i choose my words carefully.

You write as though you are guilty of something, but as I said, I believe you already made your reason for using it quite clear.

Why are you trying to suggest otherwise with the first part of your sentence, then? I write "as though"? Should I make something of what you are writing? maybe that you are a child molester because you seem to avoid using the word "child" when you type? See how absurd it can be?

Read my words and accept they are what I mean.


BTW, i notice you completely ignore my point about you not using "G-d" or Jesus (PBUH). And my point that the Xian heritage is not owned by you, but that I have has much right to it as any one else.

instead of trying to psychoanalyze me (you are doing a bad job of it anyhow), why not address the issues I raise? How about feweillfindit? He seems to have dropped the issue - perhaps he agrees with me now?

[Ann]

The yapping of one who is self absorbed never stops does it?

Ooberman,

You gave your reason. Move on. The point of my post concerned people who use “x-ian� to insult Christianity. If you are not one of them then why are you still carrying on like this? It’s foolish.

Ann

[Ooberman]

Then we are agreed. The use of "xian" is acceptable for Xian and non-Xian alike, yes? We can delete this entire thread?

[Lux]

Moderator Warning

The yapping of one who is self absorbed never stops does it?

This comment is very uncivil, and it is not the first one that I've seen from you, Ann. You need to watch your tone and show respect for others, regardless of how much you disagree with their positions.

[Slopeshoulder]

I'd agree if it was used pejoratively. But it is being used by educated people in "serious" discussion. "The Xian" I object to, as I do "The Athiest" when belligerent fundies use that term, because they are abstractions and generalizations.
But I can report from direct experience that the ordained professors at the following theology departments, seminaries, and divinity schools use the abbreviations Xian and Xty:
- Yale
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Fairfield University
- Episcopal Divinity School
- Andover Newton Theological
- Weston Jesuit
- Harvard
- The New Seminary

And I can report based on readings and speaking and corresponding with grads that it is common practice in every other school of this nature (e.g. top quality). It's just an abbreviation used by pros in the trade.

So now that folks here know this, I intend to use it all the time as a convenience. NEVER as an insult. EVER.

[cnorman18]

few, with respect, get over it. I'd agree if it was used pejoratively. But it is being used by educated people in "serious" discussion. "The Xian" I object to, as I do "The Athiest" when belligerent fundies use that term, because they are abstractions and generalizations.
But I can report from direct experience that the ordained professors at the following theology departments, seminaries, and divinity schools use the abbreviations Xian and Xty:
- Yale
- Boston College
- Boston University
- fairfiled University
- Episcopal Divinity School
- Andover Newton Theological
- Weston Jesuit
- Harvard
- The New Seminary

And I can report based on readings and speaking and corresponding with grads that it is common practice in every other school of this nature (e.g. top quality). It's just an abbreviation used by pros in the trade.

Add to that Perkins School of Theology (my seminary), Brite Divinity School, Dallas Theological Seminary, Virginia Theological Seminary, and on and on...