<DIV>Ralph,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>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. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <TABLE id=entries cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=index>"3. </TD> <TD class=word>xian </TD> <TD></TD></TR> <TR> <TD> <DIV align=left> </DIV></TD> <TD class=text colSpan=2> <DIV class=definition align=left>A word that atheists use because, for some reason, they think it's supposed to insult Christians. "</DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left> </DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2>"Donovan, I'm just trying to educate you a bit about the Bible and <BR>Christianity."</FONT></DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT
size=2>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. </FONT></DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2></FONT><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2>Best Regards,</FONT></DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV class=definition align=left><FONT size=2>Donovan</FONT></DIV> <DIV class=definition> </DIV> <DIV class=definition> </DIV> <DIV class=definition> </DIV> <DIV class=definition> </DIV> <DIV
class=definition> </DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><BR><B><I>Ralph Nielsen <nielsen@uidaho.edu></I></B> wrote:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">From Urban Dictionary.com<BR><BR>Xtian<BR><BR>An abbreviation for "Christian". Based upon the first letter (Chi, <BR>which looks like an X) of the Greek word for Christ (Christos). The X <BR>therefore being a traditional symbol for Christ. Xtian is often used <BR>rather than Xian to avoid confusion with the Chinese city.<BR><BR>This abbreviation is often mistaken as derogatory by some Christians <BR>unaware of the history of the people of their faith.<BR><BR>Example: Nero used the Xtians as a scapegoat and had them persecuted.<BR><BR><BR>RN: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Xtian has been used <BR>since the middle of the 16th century. We also use Xmas for Christmas <BR>and Xian for Christ.<BR><BR>XP (Chi Rho), another abbreviation
for Christ, has been known since <BR>before the time of Constantine, in the 4th century. It is a fairly <BR>common in church decoration in Catholic and Episcopalian churches. I <BR>would imagine it is in Greek Orthodox churches as well.<BR><BR>Donovan, I'm just trying to educate you a bit about the Bible and <BR>Christianity. I take the Bible seriously and when I use the abbrev. <BR>"Xian" I'm taking Christ and Christianity seriously. If you find this <BR>offensive, the problem is your ignorance, not my knowledge.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><p>