Does this bother anyone else?

[Crankyshank]

My MIL has started in on how rude it is for people to use "XMAS" instead of "Christmas". She thinks it's disrespectful to Jesus.

No matter how many times we have explained that the X is for Xristos -Christ in Greek, she still thinks it's a sign of how lazy people are nowadays when it comes to religion.

Is anyone else offended by the use of Xmas?

 

[Bichon Barb]

Not offended. Now if someone used that as a greeting on the Xmas ( ) card, then I'd think that was lazy. But it's what is in your heart that counts.

 

[Lewski709]

Not offended, but in Catholic school it was a no no and I know some people who don't like it at all. If you are atheist then yes, I would be offened, especially if you celebrated the holiday too.

 

[CamColt]

I wouldnt say Im offended, but I always write it out and I prefer it written out. Must be the 13 years of Catholic school.

 

[Kitty 34]

It doesn't offend me but I do, personally, right it out each time.

 

[disykat]

It kind of bothers me even though I know about the X for Christos. I generally put a P through the X just so there's no doubt in anyone's mind I mean it as a religious symbol. Personally the only place I've used the abreviation is on my boxes of decorations that go in storage. It seems lazy to use it.

I think the offense comes from the general feeling that Christmas to many is a secular holiday only. It sort of feels like the x is stamping out the word Christ - kind of like an insult to those for whom "Jesus is the reason...".

 

[snoopy]

Hmmm, I am a product of 12 years of Catholic school and am not at all bothered by Xmas. I never actually thought about it before, I don't remember hearing it was a no-no.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Originally posted by Crankyshank
Is anyone else offended by the use of Xmas?

I ran all over a crowded office screaming "Xmas, Xmas, Xmas." Five Catholics, three Methodists, an Episcopalian, and a non-denominational guy named Fred from Altoona failed to be offended.

In the spirit of the season, I'm staying neutral.

 

[Lewski709]

Good work Pat.......poll the public force! I am roflmao

 

[DoeWDW]

I prefer to write it out and to see it written out, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm offended. Christmas means many things to many people, so if they feel Xmas is appropriate for them, so be it.

 

[tkd lisa]

I usually only abbreviate it to fit it into the tiny spaces on my purse calendar, or to save typing on the DIS . I'm not offended, but every time I write Xmas I do think about Xing out Christ (one of those things also taught in Baptist schools!)

 

[Minnesota!]

I am not offended, but take it to be disrespectful. I have also learned that it is taking the Christ out of Christmas. I mean really, it is only 5 more letters.

 

[JESW]

It's not that I am offended, but it ranks with spelling out Polynesian rather than Poly - just two words I prefer to spell completely.


Jill

 

[Pebblszzz]

I'm not personally offended by it (although my mom used to go nuts if anyone did that), but I always spell it out. Christ is important in my life, so I feel I'm being disrespectful to Him if I use Xmas.

But that's just me, so if someone else does it, I might think them a little lazy, but it would be such a quick and fleeting thought that it doesn't change my opinion of them nor do I feel offended.

 

[phamton]

I know you have probably seen this:
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/xmasabbr.htm

The X abbreviation of 'Xmas' for 'Christmas' is neither modern nor disrespectful. The notion that it is a new and vulgar representation of the word 'Christmas' seems to stem from the erroneous belief that the letter 'X' is used to stand for the word 'Christ' because of its resemblance to a cross, or that the abbreviation was deliberately concocted "to take the 'Christ' out of Christmas." Actually, this usage is nearly as old as Christianity itself, and its origins lie in the fact that the first letter in the Greek word for 'Christ' is 'chi,' and the Greek letter 'chi' is represented by a symbol similar to the letter 'X' in the modern Roman alphabet. Hence 'Xmas' is indeed perfectly legitimate abbreviation for the word 'Christmas' (just as 'Xian' is also sometimes used as an abbreviation of the word 'Christian').

None of this means that Christians (and others) aren't justified in feeling slighted when people write 'Xmas' rather than 'Christmas,' but the point is that the abbreviation was not created specifically for the purpose of demeaning Christ, Christians, Christianity, or Christmas -- it's a very old artifact of a very different language.

I am not offended but I do know that some people are. I don't use it except as a personal abbreviation but not for Christmas cards, etc.

 

[Flyfly_Eclipse]

thanks for posting that phamton...I found that very interesting. I'm Catholic and I get slightly offended, but only if people do not acknowledge the "reason for the season" at all.

Though the song "Can't Spell Christmas Without Christ" comes to mind.

 

[phorsenuf]

I don't get offended per se, but it does bother me to see it written that way. I never use the X even in small places ...just can't bring myself to do it. Darn Catholic school!!! Well, I suppose all those years too in a Baptist Church didn't help either. LOL

 

[GeorgeG]

It doesn't bother me. I'm not religious and my daughter who is has dubbed me a devout heathen, which fits as well as anything, I guess.

Even so, I think Christmas has become way too commercial and by the time it actually gets here, the holiday spirit has been taxed (in many ways) and even the most religious people I know are glad it's over. I think that's sad.

 

[Bon Bon]

Well, up until today I was very offended and did voice my opinion on this a couple of times. To me, taking the "Christ" out of Christmas is taking away the whole meaning (Catholic girl). But I admit, I was ignorant of the X meaning Christos. This is a very interesting and enlightening thread. Thank you all for sharing.

Ditto GeorgeG. It's become way too commercialized. So sad! But we can each make a difference in our own families.

 

[Micca]

May I be the first to wish everyone a happy Xgiving