Xian

[c4ts]

It's "Christian," not "Xian!" While "Xmas" might work even though you should really use a hyphen, X followed by a vowel makes a Z sound, so while "Xmas" is impossible to pronounce literally, "Xian" looks like you're saying "Zian." It drives me nuts having to correct myself every time I see it not to go "Zian." Is it really that much work to type four more letters? This is a forum for intelligent discussion, not some lowbrow cell phone text messaging center where every letter costs you a dollar, so try not to make it look like one. And another thing, it looks like a crazy culty language distorting code word, especially since I've only seen it used by people on this board. If you want to know why there are all these religious nuts who come in here and make posts about how atheism is a cult ("atheism" meaning the posts on this board), maybe it's because they saw the word "Xian" and jumped to conclusions.

c u l8er doodz

[Polux]

I have used it, but thought it was usual. English is not my native language!

[EdipisReks]

jesus built my hotrod.

[neutrino_cannon]

While I can neither recall specifics nor post links, I believe that the abbreviation is a fairly old one, hardly endemic to the internet or even the atheist community.

It's just as legitimate as any other abbreviation, like "damned".

[EdipisReks]

Originally posted by neutrino_cannon
While I can neither recall specifics nor post links, I believe that the abbreviation is a fairly old one, hardly endemic to the internet or even the atheist community.

It's just as legitimate as any other abbreviation, like "damned".

from what i remember, the abbreviation is a nearly 1000 year old greek one originated by christians themselves. the blathering at the top of the thread was amusing, however. in a jesus built my hotrod kind of way.

[EdipisReks]

lol! (http://www.faqs.org/faqs/judaism/FAQ/scjp-admin/section-14.html) google is so neat!!! let's rant instead, however, because google too hard for head! yay! c U l8r d00d!

[Marquis de Carabas]

from EdipisReks's link
Those wishing to avoid offending those bothered by terms such as these might
consider choosing alternate phrases.
From now on, instead of "Xian," I will use "Sheep." :D

[EdipisReks]

Originally posted by Marquis de Carabas
From now on, instead of "Xian," I will use "Sheep." :D

works for me. i also like "sheople"

[UserGoogol]

Personally, I read Xian (when I don't read it corectly) as if it was a Chinese word. Which, as it happens, it is.

[geni]

Originally posted by UserGoogol
Personally, I read Xian (when I don't read it corectly) as if it was a Chinese word. Which, as it happens, it is.

I always thought it was a place name

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