"What does the abbreviation 'xian' mean? Is it an insult?"

[aidanjm]

What does 'xian' mean?

"When writing the name "Christ", it is quite common to abbreviate it to X or x, representing the first letter (chi) of the Greek XPICTOC khristos. For example, "xmas" is a common abbreviation of "Christmas". "Xian" just means "Christian".

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the use of the abbreviation "xian" or "xtian" for "Christian" dates back at least as far as 1634. Before that, it was more usual to take the first two letters of XPICTOC, and write "xpian" for "Christian". Priests would record Christenings using the shorthand "xpen" or "xpn".

So no, it's not an insult."

http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/arguments.html#xian

http://thewaronfaith.com/christianbs.htm

 

[Shawn]

never heard of that.

 

[aidanjm]

it's commonly used among free-thinkers and atheists

 

[ElFenix]

ummmk

 

[thehstrybean]

"Xian" is a common name free thinkers use for "Christian."

Yeah, sure. Because Christians can't be free thinkers at all...

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
"Xian" is a common name free thinkers use for "Christian."

Yeah, sure. Because Christians can't be free thinkers at all...

by definition, xians are not free thinkers


From Wikipedia:

Freethought

Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that beliefs should be formed on the basis of science and logical principles and not be comprised by authority, tradition, or any other dogma. The cognitive application of freethought is known as freethinking, and practitioners of freethought are known as freethinkers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought

 

[her209]

Its like why people don't write out the word, pl*co.

 

[TheGizmo]

Originally posted by: her209
Its like why people don't write out the word, pl*co.

Plinco? is that the game on the Price is Right where you drop the big disc and it hits these pins and eventually falls into a pocket labeled with a cash amount?

 

[vi edit]

X-mas = Christmas.
Xian - Christian.

 

[her209]

Originally posted by: TheGizmo

Originally posted by: her209
Its like why people don't write out the word, pl*co.

Plinco? is that the game on the Price is Right where you drop the big disc and it hits these pins and eventually falls into a pocket labeled with a cash amount?

No, that's Plinko

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
X-mas = Christmas.
Xian - Christian.

I generally use X-tian, but yeah...same thing...

 

[Ultralight]

No, it is not an insult. Your explanation of howthe Greek is used is correct.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: vi_edit
X-mas = Christmas.
Xian - Christian.

I generally use X-tian, but yeah...same thing...

Then why don't you use X-tmas?

Makes as much sense, no?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: aidanjm
Before that, it was more usual to take the first two letters of XPICTOC, and write "xpian" for "Christian".

I"m an XPian. I use Windows XP.

 

[Conky]

P&N.

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
"Xian" is a common name free thinkers use for "Christian."

Yeah, sure. Because Christians can't be free thinkers at all...

Of course not, that would be a contradiction in terms. Christians (like members of any organised religion) restrict their thinking by default.

 

[IEC]

At first I thought I was reading pinyin for some Chinese word...

 

[Evadman]

You must be using an archaic pronunciation. Like whne you say ask instead of ax.

 

[iamaelephant]

Originally posted by: Evadman
You must be using an archaic pronunciation. Like whne you say ask instead of ax.

*Runs back to the Matt Groening thread, skipping excitedly*

 

[BrokenVisage]

XIAO XIAO!

 

[daveymark]

it's not an insult. The only ones who think it is are some of the atheists and anti xtians. As a result, they try to emphasize the use of the word in an attempt to troll, however it rarely works.

 

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
"Xian" is a common name free thinkers use for "Christian."

Yeah, sure. Because Christians can't be free thinkers at all...

by definition, xians are not free thinkers


From Wikipedia:

Freethought

Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that beliefs should be formed on the basis of science and logical principles and not be comprised by authority, tradition, or any other dogma. The cognitive application of freethought is known as freethinking, and practitioners of freethought are known as freethinkers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freethought

Yeah, all Christians believed in a predefined dogma and refuse to change

Originally posted by: iamaelephant

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
"Xian" is a common name free thinkers use for "Christian."

Yeah, sure. Because Christians can't be free thinkers at all...

Of course not, that would be a contradiction in terms. Christians (like members of any organised religion) restrict their thinking by default.

Nice generalization, although I would expect nothing less from a troll...So, good job!

 

[sygyzy]

What the heck is a free thinker? Xian is simply a shorthand representation of Christian. Take a religious studies class and trust me, you'll start using it. It's just practical common sense.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: daveymark
it's not an insult. The only ones who think it is are some of the atheists and anti xtians. As a result, they try to emphasize the use of the word in an attempt to troll, however it rarely works.

Bingo.

I'd like to point out that the OP is about as far from a free-thinker as anyone possibly could be. He doesn't think for himself, he just parrots the propaganda of his particular ideological group. Anyone who disagrees is free to question him on his particular dogmas and watch him get all pissy. It's fun.

Originally posted by: thehstrybean
Yeah, all Christians believed in a predefined dogma and refuse to change

Yep. That's why for 2,000 years they've remained entirely of one group and one dogma. Oops... no, they haven't.