[Vision2020] Xian, Xtian

[Donovan Arnold]

Ralph,
   
  Are you Greek? No. Are we in Greece? No, was Christ Greek? No. So why are you using this ONE word in Greek and nothing else, in a context that is offensive when used in English? The ancient history is not relevant, what is relevant, is that you are using it as an "f-you" to Christians. You know this, other atheists on the board know this, Christians know this, so please stop insulting us and your colleagues by pretending otherwise. You would not do use offense language to Gays, Jews, Hispanics, individuals with disabilities, even if the words you used had a Greek historical context that was not intended to offend, so doing so to Christians shows a double standard. 
   
  "I have known about this contraction for years before you were even a 
zygote."
   
  Ralph, I don't care if you were there for the nailing of Jesus. You are still incorrect in your understanding of Christian beliefs. 
   
  See, Ralph, you are arguing that life after death doesn't exist because it says so in the Old Testament.Most Christians are aware that life after death did not occur until, after, Christ died on the cross. 
   
  Before Christ died, people were just put in the ground, end of story. After Christ died, we were saved and united with Christ.
   
  Christians, believe in an afterlife, because Christ himself died and rose again. He demonstrated that there is life after death. Christians also believe in life after death because of personal spiritual believes that you have probably not yet experienced. 
   
  Best Regards,
   
  Donovan

Ralph Nielsen <nielsen at uidaho.edu> wrote:
  Donovan, you forgot to give us your professional Xtian opinion about 
the Oxford English Dictionary. Is it "is a valid source of historical 
information"?

I have known about this contraction for years before you were even a 
zygote. I have copies of the Greek New Testament, where Christ is 
spelled with a capital "X."

I received my first serious instruction in the Bible from James 
Brashler, a scholar who worked for many years translating some of the 
Nag Hammadi codices from Coptic and Greek into English. I have 
attended regional conventions of professional Bible scholars for more 
than a dozen years. Three years ago I went to their international 
convention in San Antonio TX. There were 8,400 of us; I was 
privileged to hear some of the top Bible scholars alive today. I have 
some of their books in my library.

I have the feeling that you don't like that the Hebrew Bible (OT) 
says there is no meaningful life after death and nobody went to 
heaven (except two people). If you think I'm wrong, perhaps you would 
like to tell us how many people in the OT died and went to heaven. 
(OT is a standard scholarly abbreviation for Old Testament. I hope it 
doesn't offend you.)

Best regards,

Ralph Nielsen


On May 21, 2008, at 7:29 PM, Donovan Arnold wrote:
> Ralph,
>
> If you honestly believe the "Urban Dictionary", as you quoted, is a 
> valid source of historical information, then you are also aware 
> that using the word "Xtian" is offensive to Christians and I 
> believe you are being disingenuous that is not your intent.
>
> "3. xian
>
> A word that atheists use because, for some reason, they think it's 
> supposed to insult Christians. "
>
> "Donovan, I'm just trying to educate you a bit about the Bible and
> Christianity."
>
> Again, I think you are being disingenuous, Ralph. That isn't your 
> interest, you don't understand Christianity, and your attitude is 
> contemptuous. If you spent a little time in a Christian Church and 
> listened to a Pastor, you would understand why your understanding 
> of the Bible and Christ is incorrect, as is your perceptions of 
> what and why Christians believe what they do.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Donovan
>

> Ralph Nielsen wrote:
> From Urban Dictionary.com
>
> Xtian
>
> An abbreviation for "Christian". Based upon the first letter (Chi,
> which looks like an X) of the Greek word for Christ (Christos). The X
> therefore being a traditional symbol for Christ. Xtian is often used
> rather than Xian to avoid confusion with the Chinese city.
>
> This abbreviation is often mistaken as derogatory by some Christians
> unaware of the history of the people of their faith.
>
> Example: Nero used the Xtians as a scapegoat and had them persecuted.
>
>
> RN: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Xtian has been used
> since the middle of the 16th century. We also use Xmas for Christmas
> and Xian for Christ.
>
> XP (Chi Rho), another abbreviation for Christ, has been known since
> before the time of Constantine, in the 4th century. It is a fairly
> common in church decoration in Catholic and Episcopalian churches. I
> would imagine it is in Greek Orthodox churches as well.
>
> Donovan, I'm just trying to educate you a bit about the Bible and
> Christianity. I take the Bible seriously and when I use the abbrev.
> "Xian" I'm taking Christ and Christianity seriously. If you find this
> offensive, the problem is your ignorance, not my knowledge.
>
>
>
>
>
>

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