milovany Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) Please only vote if you self-identify as a Christian if you don't mind. It was stated in another thread that "most" Christians find X-mas X-ianity offenisve -- that it "takes the Christ out" of the words, and is "atheistic." Others commented that it's not offensive to them, as Christians, because the "X" means "Christ." So, how do you vote? I know how I feel, and I know how I think the poll will turn out -- but I'm interested to see actual results. Feel free to comment with "other" thoughts, but for the sake trying to see if the statement "most Christians find this offensive," I'm only including Yes and No for replies. Thanks! Edited January 28, 2012 by milovaný Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntgoodwin Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) Doesn't bother me at all. I assume a poll is coming still, so I will vote in that when I see it. ETA: I may have just voted wrong. I chose, voted, then realized I may or may not have clicked the wrong one. I can't remember. Oh well. For some reason X-mas doesn't bother me at all, but xtian rubs me a little the wrong way. Not enough to offend me, but enough that I notice it. Edited January 28, 2012 by tntgoodwin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 X is the Latin letter for Christ. So, not at all offensive to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawana Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) X is the Latin letter for Christ. So, not at all offensive to me. Would'nt that be the Greek letter? Chi X? Wouldn't Latin be J (or I)? In any case, it does not offend me, because I see the X as standing for Christ/ Edited January 28, 2012 by Lawana Didn't finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Does not bother me at all. I assume that if someone uses "X" they are fully aware it stands for Christ. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I like Ligonier's short yearly post on this... http://www.ligonier.org/blog/does-xmas-really-take-christ-out-christmas/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalknot Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 My MIL is a hardcore Catholic. She uses this abbreviation, and doesn't feel the need to attend Reconciliation afterwards FWIW ;) :D However her considerably-less-hardcore daughter finds it "tacky" (her words). She isn't offended, she just doesn't care for it and won't use it herself. I know this because it came up just last month! (I didn't vote, just butting in an opinion LOL.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) Would'nt that be the Greek letter? Chi X?Wouldn't Latin be J (or I)? In any case, it does not offend me, because I see the X as standing for Christ/ So sorry, yes, Greek! :) More info: http://wordinfo.info/unit/3485/s:xmas Edited January 28, 2012 by Mrs Mungo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Doesn't' bother me in the least. And, even if it *didn't* mean Christ, there's more important things to get insulted over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justamouse Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I like Ligonier's short yearly post on this... http://www.ligonier.org/blog/does-xmas-really-take-christ-out-christmas/ That's a great, succinct, article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I think those who are accustom to Icon's and iconography do not struggle, because Jesus is always identified with X. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Princess Peach Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It doesn't bother me nearly as much as the word "prolly". :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milovany Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 It doesn't bother me nearly as much as the word "prolly". :D :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It doesn't bother me nearly as much as the word "prolly". :D :iagree: THAT drives me crazy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It doesn't bother me nearly as much as the word "prolly". :D Hahahaha! Me, too - I *detest* that word, and I'm not a person who detests much. But that......grrrr! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 To be honest, I think X as an abbreviation for the name of Christ has been around a long time, and was actually meant to show respect not disrespect. As others have pointed out, it is the first initial of the name Christ in Greek. I personally suspect it was used in place of the name out of a desire not to overuse/take the name of God in vain. Most people don't understand it's derivation, which is probably why some would take offense. --Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyCrazyMama Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Please only vote if you self-identify as a Christian if you don't mind. It was stated in another thread that "most" Christians find X-mas X-ianity offenisve -- that it "takes the Christ out" of the words, and is "atheistic." Others commented that it's not offensive to them, as Christians, because the "X" means "Christ." So, how do you vote? I know how I feel, and I know how I think the poll will turn out -- but I'm interested to see actual results. Feel free to comment with "other" thoughts, but for the sake trying to see if the statement "most Christians find this offensive," I'm only including Yes and No for replies. Thanks! It used to offend me until I learned, while homeschooling ;), that "X" means Christ. I didn't know that before.:001_huh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garddwr Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Here's an article with a good explanation of the origin and historical use of X as we find it in Xmas. I do think people are mistaken when they see Xmas and read it "X-mas"--I believe it is properly read "Christmas", just as "Mrs." is read "Missus" not "m" "r" "s" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggieamy Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It doesn't bother me nearly as much as the word "prolly". :D "X" doesn't bother me at all. However, prolly makes me want to gag. Hate it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 My mum is offended by it and posts rants against taking the Christ out of Christmas every year. Every year I remind her the X means Christ and she calms down. Rinse and repeat. :rolleyes: Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Not at all. Frankly, I think that taking offense at this is a sign of ignorance of the origins of Christianity and history of the Church. Taking offense to the X would be like take offense to the Jesus fish because it is a symbol instead of all spelled out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) I know that X can symbolize Christ. However, most of the people I have seen say 'xmas' accompany it with an eyeroll referring to Christianity and specifically Christmas as offensive. That usage is insulting, and I am offended by it. Edited January 28, 2012 by Carol in Cal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnitWit Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It does not bother me. I use it myself as an abbreviation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brehon Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I know that X can symbolize Christ.However, most of the people I have seen say 'xmas' accompany it with an eyeroll referring to Christmas as offensive. That usage is insulting, and I am offended by it. You know, I can understand that. I guess I choose to look at people like that as appropriating something about which they have no understanding and using it in an ignorant way. So, I choose to pity that ignorance. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRAAB Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It doesn't bother me at all. I use it myself sometimes since to me it means Christ. I wouldn't use in writing to some else if I knew they found it offensive though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizaG Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) I know that X can symbolize Christ.However, most of the people I have seen say 'xmas' accompany it with an eyeroll referring to Christmas as offensive. That usage is insulting, and I am offended by it. :iagree: The poll is difficult for me to answer as written, because it would depend on the context. ETA: For instance, if I knew the people in question were in the habit of using other terms to avoid saying the name of Jesus Christ (e.g. "Jebus" or "Yoshke"), or otherwise behaved mockingly toward matters important to our faith, then I would tend to find their use of "X-ianity" offensive, too. Because it would seem that they're using this (rather obscure) term as a loophole to avoid saying the word we normally use, IYKWIM. Edited January 28, 2012 by Eleanor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Not offended. I've done my share of pointing out what it means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 No, for the most part it doesn't bother me. But there are some people who use it in a derogative way and that bugs me. Personally it is faster for me to type out he Christ than find the cap-X. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 I know that X can symbolize Christ.However, most of the people I have seen say 'xmas' accompany it with an eyeroll referring to Christmas as offensive. That usage is insulting, and I am offended by it. Actually I don't get this. Wouldn't it be just as easy to argue that it is good for those who are offended by Christ to drop the usage of Christ in words such as Christmas? At least they aren't breaking the 4th Commandment by using the name in vain. I sometimes feel like its danged if ya do and danged if ya don't. A nonchristian offends folks if they use Jesus' name and they offend folks if they don't. I'd love for people to treat Christ's name with respect. I'd love for Christians to realize that it is much more of a violation of the 4th commandment to slap the title Christian on a health,wealth, and prosperity book than it is to write xian in a tweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 You know, I can understand that. I guess I choose to look at people like that as appropriating something about which they have no understanding and using it in an ignorant way. So, I choose to pity that ignorance. :) I edited to clarify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Actually I don't get this. Wouldn't it be just as easy to argue that it is good for those who are offended by Christ to drop the usage of Christ in words such as Christmas? At least they aren't breaking the 4th Commandment by using the name in vain. I sometimes feel like its danged if ya do and danged if ya don't. A nonchristian offends folks if they use Jesus' name and they offend folks if they don't. I'd love for people to treat Christ's name with respect. I'd love for Christians to realize that it is much more of a violation of the 4th commandment to slap the title Christian on a health,wealth, and prosperity book than it is to write xian in a tweet. It bothers me when people mock my Faith, particularly in a school setting that is supposed to be inclusive and nonsectarian. I would rather that they didn't refer to Christmas at all than mock it, and I have so often heard the word xmas as part of that mockery that it offends me. I also think that slapping the Christian title on prosperity gospel books to make them sell is pretty disgusting--have to agree with you there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It bothers me when people mock my Faith, particularly in a school setting that is supposed to be inclusive and nonsectarian. I would rather that they didn't refer to Christmas at all than mock it, and I have so often heard the word xmas as part of that mockery that it offends me. I also think that slapping the Christian title on prosperity gospel books to make them sell is pretty disgusting--have to agree with you there! And I understand how frustrating it can be to have your faith mocked. ;) That gets very old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Does not bother me at all. I assume that if someone uses "X" they are fully aware it stands for Christ. :D :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrappyhappymama Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 For some reason X-mas doesn't bother me at all, but xtian rubs me a little the wrong way. Not enough to offend me, but enough that I notice it. :iagree: I don't mind Xmas and use it myself sometimes. To me, it's just an abbreviated way of writing Christmas, and I pronounce it Christmas just as I pronounce Mr as Mister. Xtian bugs me a little bit, but only because I usually only see it used by folks who are antagonistic toward Christianity. So, it had negative connotations in my mind that Xmas does not. I am not offended by it, but it's not something I personally would use. So I didn't answer the poll, because for me, the answer to the question in the post title is different than the answer to the poll. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 X is the Latin letter for Christ. So, not at all offensive to me. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 :iagree: I don't mind Xmas and use it myself sometimes. To me, it's just an abbreviated way of writing Christmas, and I pronounce it Christmas just as I pronounce Mr as Mister. Xtian bugs me a little bit, but only because I usually only see it used by folks who are antagonistic toward Christianity. So, it had negative connotations in my mind that Xmas does not. I am not offended by it, but it's not something I personally would use. So I didn't answer the poll, because for me, the answer to the question in the post title is different than the answer to the poll. :iagree: Xmas is very common. X-ian is not. It seems to me that the use of "X-ian" usually has a reason behind it and most often that reason is antagonistic. Just my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ipsey Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 It bothers me when people mock my Faith, particularly in a school setting that is supposed to be inclusive and nonsectarian. I would rather that they didn't refer to Christmas at all than mock it, and I have so often heard the word xmas as part of that mockery that it offends me. I also think that slapping the Christian title on prosperity gospel books to make them sell is pretty disgusting--have to agree with you there! Christians make up 80% of the religious population in America according to the latest PEW report. http://religions.pewforum.org/reports It's not nice to have your faith mocked. But when you're being mocked, it may be come consolation to remember that there are very few to actually mock you compared with the number of "you" being mocked. Approximately 80% to 20%, assuming all of those 20% are interested in mocking Christians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 "X" has been used since forever - the middle ages? - as shorthand for Christ by Christians. I say we should accept the tradition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emzhengjiu Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 :iagree: Xmas is very common. X-ian is not. It seems to me that the use of "X-ian" usually has a reason behind it and most often that reason is antagonistic. Just my experience. :iagree: This has been my experience as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Comments on the article: “Put Christ back into Christmas†as a response to this substitution of the letter X for the name of Christ.I never thought that it was in response to X-mas, but rather in response to so many celebrating the holiday in a completely secular way. We don’t see people protesting the use of the Greek letter theta, which is an O with a line across the middle. We use that as a shorthand abbreviation for God because it is the first letter of the word Theos, the Greek word for God. I am familiar with the Greek, but I have never seen/noticed this abbreviation for God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolamum Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 I did not vote because I need an "other please explain" option. ;) Here's the thing. I am a Christian, but I don't like the term x- anything in regards to it. Simply because I don't. BUT, I also have no issue with it in general knowing the greek word/letters history behind it. So, in essence they are not removing it but keeping it there. I am not, however, in the boat where I hate people who do so or scold those who do. I just smile and write it out myself in regards to cards, letters, words, etc. ;) Still, I prefer to see it as a whole. After all I wouldn't want to be called an xian. That would just be weird, right? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 offensive? no. but i don't use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Where's the other? :) I am only annoyed when I know someone is using the x deliberately because they think "Christ" is a dirty word. They obviously don't realize (or don't care) about the meaning of "x." Still... it bugs me. So, the intent of the person writing xian (or xmas, etc.) is important to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 I never knew the x was a symbol for Jesus. (Which makes me think of the artist formerly known as Prince, who is now known as Prince...but I digress.) Xmas doesn't bother me too much. I thought people used it as a shorthand because they were too busy to write the whole word. I would shake my head at the crazy-busyness of people who couldn't take the time to write the whole word. Xtian is another matter. I've only ever seen people use xtian who are very anti-Christian. It reminds me of Voldemort--He Who Must Not Be Named. As if Christ and Christians are so heinous that the word "Christ" can't even be seen in print. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquinas Academy Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Ic xc ni ka :iagree: I write Christmas and Christian, but Xmas and Xtian don't offend me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane in NC Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Ic xc ni ka :001_smile: Not offended. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 No, its part of the abreviation for Greek "Chi Rho" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TracyR Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) I did not vote because I need an "other please explain" option. ;) Here's the thing. I am a Christian, but I don't like the term x- anything in regards to it. Simply because I don't. BUT, I also have no issue with it in general knowing the greek word/letters history behind it. So, in essence they are not removing it but keeping it there. I am not, however, in the boat where I hate people who do so or scold those who do. I just smile and write it out myself in regards to cards, letters, words, etc. ;) Still, I prefer to see it as a whole. After all I wouldn't want to be called an xian. That would just be weird, right? :lol: See this is where this all came from another thread where people were posting Christians as X-tains and Christianity as X-tainity. It really had nothing to do with Christmas (X-mas). Plus the Chi Rho is far from looking like the English letter X, and plus its been way over used by non Christians to actually mean taking Christ out of the picture that some do take offense to the X now. So this poll really isn't answering the question. Now if you polled : Do Christians' find the term X-tian and X-tianity offensive. Then you will get a WHOLE other answer. Edited January 29, 2012 by TracyR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Comments on the article:I never thought that it was in response to X-mas, but rather in response to so many celebrating the holiday in a completely secular way. I am familiar with the Greek, but I have never seen/noticed this abbreviation for God. IIRC, I think that may have been the origins of the "Keep Christ in Christmas" but yes, it has definitely expanded to the way it is now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Please only vote if you self-identify as a Christian if you don't mind. It was stated in another thread that "most" Christians find X-mas X-ianity offenisve -- that it "takes the Christ out" of the words, and is "atheistic." Others commented that it's not offensive to them, as Christians, because the "X" means "Christ." So, how do you vote? I know how I feel, and I know how I think the poll will turn out -- but I'm interested to see actual results. Feel free to comment with "other" thoughts, but for the sake trying to see if the statement "most Christians find this offensive," I'm only including Yes and No for replies. Thanks! Not offensive in the traditional sense. I do know people who do that to secularize it which does annoy me. I also have a problem with people insisting that it isn't taking Christ out, because, again, I know people who do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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