Christians, do you find the abbreviated term "xmas" offensive?

Question

I'm not religious myself, but i have a friend who is a christian. I was jotting down my to-do list and i wrote "xmas". She said it's a term thats offensive to christians. I can see her point; after all, the word "Christ" has been removed. But is it really a big deal, i was only scribbeling a note? I hope this dosent cause offense to anyone. Thanks

Answer 1

People who are upset by something so silly are simply foolish. Christmas, or "Xmas", have as much to do with Christ as Olive Garden does with Italy! (Sorry, Olive Garden!).

Christ was born in September or October, according to the bible. Early Christians hijacked the pagan celebration of Saturnalia (on 25 December).

Any Christian who is more offended by the word "Xmas" than they are by the homeless people in their own town is not a Christian. Tell her to quit whining and go work at the Soup Kitchen. Jesus would be much more pleased with that than with her misguided proof-reading efforts!

Answer 2

The X in Xmas stands for the Greek Letter Chi (X) which is short for Christ. The X was often used by the earliest Christians to symbolize Christ, because it was the first sound in the word Christ, and because it sort of looks like a cross. Even in Scotland, the St. Andrews X cross is used to symbolize Christ. So, Xmas is not, and should not be found to be offensive by any Christians who've studied it's usage.

Answer 3

Sometimes yes, but sometimes no. It depends on the context. Wikipedia lists it as a degrading term toward Christians. The band DC Talk proclaims in their song "Jesus Freak" that they're not ashamed to be called such. It really depends on how it's used and how the individual takes it. The link goes to a private profile, by the way. Only their friends can view it.

Answer 4

Yes it is. As with all offenses by words it is like water on a ducks back to me. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. It is very much as bad as calling us "xians". How would it be percieved if we called atheists "a-ho's" as an abbreviation. or called Jews something they didn't like or called muslims "mu's". It is disrespectful. If the intent is to be disrespectful, by all means go right ahead but don't whine and cry when you are treated as such. Just don't pretend innocence when people get angry with your outward "unintentional" bigotry.
And no it is NOT a Greek abbreviation. The word Christ has NEVER been substituted with a Greek "X" (pronounced "kee") in any scripture or church documents.
And by inferrence you will only find it used here by atheist and anti-christians. So, what does that demonstrate?

Answer 5

If you are not religious yourself .. then she should not find it offensive .. or at least .. If I were your religious friend I would not find it offense. 1st off .. xmas isn't .. wasnt originally a christian holiday .. nor is it the birthday of christ .. 2nd off ..if you are an atheist .. then you wouldn't believe it anywayz.. and writing *christmas* wouldn't matter to you .. whichever way you write it

Answer 6

Would it bother you to have your name abbreviated in some fashion that you don't approve of? Yes, it is offensive. If we can't take a moment to spell Christmas out, then are we taking the time to PROPERLY acknowledge the reason why we even celebrate it? It is NOT just another day off of work or school you know.
I personally will NOT buy anything that has the mispelling on it. I find it VERY disrespectful and wrong. It's a marketing shortcut, used as a toy to keep religion out of the holiday and greenbacks in the company pocketbook....

Answer 7

Im not a Christian but I do celebrate "x-mas" I dont find it offensive that people do this but I do find it lazy and I myself am guilty of this.

Answer 8

I prefer to keep Christ in Christmas, but I don't get offended at people who abbreviate either. What a waste of time, and very legalistic.

Answer 9

Some will say that the X stands for Christ in the Greek, and technically that is correct, but people using it today, and the term
Xian do it only to be offensive ! Therefore, yes, it is offensive !
God Loves You ! He Really Does !
OM

Answer 10

Yes that term Xman or Xtian is offensive to ppl who truly know God and love Him, and know Jesus is their saviour.
When we put X, it means removed. as in when we see parks not to skate in, etc. There is an X thru the skating skin. When ppl remove the Christ out of Christian terms, they are removing Jesus, and that is offense. Jesus is the reason for Christmas, even that this day is a pagan holiday. STill Christians today, some do, still celebrate Christian that believe in Jesus, and to have the X thru Christian terms instead of Jesus, is just offensive. Jesus is the reason for Christmas, Christianity. Jesus is the reason for EVERY SEASON and every holiday. Absolutely yes yes yes.
ALso, there is such power in the name of Jesus, when we speak His name, Holy Spirit power comes to us to get us thru this life and all that one must go thru as we walk this journey one day at a time, with our Lord.
The more we speak the name of Jesus, the more power we will have from the Holy Spirit, which was given to us because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
But, as a young Christian, I used to say those things as well with the X. Until God really convincted me of it. God will forgive us for doing it, but He calls us to STOP.
Just ask God to forgive you, realize the power in the name of Jesus Christ, and use it more and more and more TILL JESUS does come to take us home.
God bless you. HE loves you still, and forgives you. Dont let it hold you down or back. Thats what the devil once. God will find a way to convict us of sin, and then instead of change, so often, the devil comes in and leads us to shame or guilt. That gets us further away from God. Sin is to lead us to Jesus for forgivness, not to lead us to the devil with GUILT and ShAME>
God just doenst operate that way.
God bless you. HAppy Thanksgiving to you today.
God does so much for us all, and just think, HE has only just begun to bless His ppl. Till Jesus comes again, we are being blessing.
Press on with Jesus < CHILD OF GOD> HE HAS SUCH A PLAN FOR ALL OF US AND weill take you as far as you allow Him to take you.
Jesus is Lord...