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Definition: Christian |
ChristianAdjective1. (religion) relating to or characteristic of Christianity; "Christian rites". 2. Following the teachings or manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus Christ. Noun1. A religious person who believes Jesus is the Christ and is a member of a Christian denomination. Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved. |
"Christian" is a name that signifies or is derived from: "a Christian". |
Date "Christian" was first used in popular English literature: sometime before 1050. (references) |
Etymology: Christian \Chris"tian\, noun. [Latin christianus, Greek; compare to Anglo-Saxon cristen. See Christ.]. (references) |
| Domain | Definition |
Satire | CHRISTIAN, n. One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin. I dreamed I stood upon a hill, and, lo! The godly multitudes walked to and fro Beneath, in Sabbath garments fitly clad, With pious mien, appropriately sad, While all the church bells made a solemn din -- A fire-alarm to those who lived in sin. Then saw I gazing thoughtfully below, With tranquil face, upon that holy show A tall, spare figure in a robe of white, Whose eyes diffused a melancholy light. "God keep you, strange," I exclaimed. "You are No doubt (your habit shows it) from afar; And yet I entertain the hope that you, Like these good people, are a Christian too." He raised his eyes and with a look so stern It made me with a thousand blushes burn Replied -- his manner with disdain was spiced: "What! I a Christian? No, indeed! I'm Christ." G.J. Source: Devil's Dictionary. |
19th Century Satire | A member of any orthodox church. Source: Foolish Dictionary, 1904. |
Bible | Christian the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16). Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary. |
Literature | Christian [ch = k]. The hero of John Bunyan's allegory called The Pilgrim's Progress. He flees from the "City of Destruction," and journeys to the "Celestial City." He starts with a heavy burden on his back, but it falls off when he stands at the foot of the cross. Christian. A follower of Christ. So called first at Antioch (Acts xi. 26). Most Christian Doctor. John Charlier de Gerson (1363-1429). Most Christian King. The style of the King of France. (1469.) Pepin le Bref was so styled by Pope Stephen III. (714-768). Charles le Chauve was so styled by the council of Savonnières (823, 840-877). Louis XI. was so styled by Pope Paul II. (1423, 1461-1483). Since which time (1469) it was universally adopted in the French monarchy. "And thou, O Gaul, with gaudy trophies plumed, `Most Christian king.' Alas! in vain assumed." Camoens: Lusiad, book vii. Founder of Christian Eloquence. Louis Bordaloue, the French preacher (1632-1704). Source: Brewer's Dictionary. |
Slang in 1811 | CHRISTIAN. A tradesman who has faith, i.e. will give credit. Source: 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
A Christian is someone who adheres to the faith of Christianity. It is also someone who is a believer in Jesus Christ.
The term comes from the Bible, Acts 11:26.
Christian is also the name of the protagonist in The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan.
- ...and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called 'Christians'
Christian is also a popular first name, especially in Northern Europe.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christian."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
The term Christian Church expresses the idea of Christianity (the Christian religion) seen in its role as an institution. The phrase "the Church" in its widest sense (as "the Body of Christ") has a similar breadth.In practice the monolithic "Christian Church" has fragmented almost from its beginnings. Over the centuries into many individual Christian churches have emerged, each functioning in their own institutional manner and often viewing each other as sectarian or heretical. Thus definitions of the one "true" Christian Church may vary widely.
Compare and contrast Christendom, the Church Militant and ecumenism.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christian Church."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Christian County is a county located in the U.S. State of Missouri. As of 2000, the population is 54,285. Its county seat is Ozark6.Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,461 km² (564 mi²). 1,459 km² (563 mi²) of it is land and 2 km² (1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.16% water.Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 54,285 people, 20,425 households, and 15,645 families residing in the county. The population density is 37/km² (96/mi²). There are 21,827 housing units at an average density of 15/km² (39/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 97.31% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.42% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race. There are 20,425 households out of which 38.60% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.00% are married couples living together, 9.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% are non-families. 19.10% of all households are made up of individuals and 7.00% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.63 and the average family size is 3.00. In the county the population is spread out with 27.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.60% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 34 years. For every 100 females there are 94.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.50 males. The median income for a household in the county is $38,085, and the median income for a family is $44,428. Males have a median income of $31,929 versus $21,852 for females. The per capita income for the county is $18,422. 9.10% of the population and 7.10% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 13.20% are under the age of 18 and 7.80% are 65 or older.Cities and towns
*Billings
*Clever
*Fremont Hills
*Highlandville
*Nixa
*Ozark
*Sparta
*Spokane
*SpringfieldSource: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christian County, Missouri."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Christian Fittipaldi (born 18th January 1971, Sao Paulo, Brazil), is the son of former Grand Prix driver and team owner Wilson Fittipaldi, and the nephew of twice F1 Champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Christian was a highly rated young racing driver in the early 1990s, who drove 40 grand prix for Minardi and Footwork between 1992 and 1994.Fittipaldi graduated to Formula One following a Formula 3000 championship winning season in 1991. Opportunities to test and impress were limited at Minardi, though, and despite a number of points scoring positions early in 1993, Christian fell out with the team management and was dropped with two Grand Prix to go. He had one final crack at F1 in 1994 driving for the Footwork team, scoring two 4th places. Disillusioned with Grand Prix racing, however, Fittipaldi moved to America to race where he has been ever since.
Competing mainly in CART, Fittipaldi was a slow starter, noted for his consistency rather than his outright pace, although by the time he won his first Champ Car event at Road America in 1998, he was a championship contender due to his consistent finishing. However, just as Fittipaldi's American career looked to be taking off, he incurred the first of the two broken legs he suffered whilst racing Champ Cars. Although he was able to return both times and win further races, he never regained the consistent form that makes CART champions.
With his CART career on hold, Fittipaldi shifted his focus to NASCAR. He made 3 apperances in the Busch Series during 2001 and 2002. Although he wasn't impressive in those races, he caught the eye of Richard Petty, and he was signed to Petty Enterprises near the end of '02 and made his Winston Cup debut at Phoenix. In 2003, Christian made his first Daytona 500 start, in a one-race deal with Andy Petree, then made a handful of appearances for Petty in ARCA. In the summer of 2003, Fittipaldi became the driver of the illustrious 43 car after John Andretti was let go. Christian struggled and was reassigned shortly after the start of autumn, but remains with the team, driving the 44 car, and expects to run a full Cup season for Richard in 2004.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christian Fittipaldi."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
The first bishop of Prussia was the monk Christian of the monastery of Oliva near Danzig at the Baltic Sea, which was founded in 1178.Oliva became a part of the city of Danzig in the early 20th century as Danzig-Oliva.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christian of Oliva."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Christian X of Denmark (September 26, 1870 at Charlottenlund palace near Copenhagen - April 20, 1947) was King of Denmark 1912-1947 (and of Iceland 1912-1943), a period including two World Wars. In contrast to the monarchs of Norway and the Netherlands, who went into exile during the Nazi occupation of their countries, Christian X remained in his capital throughout the Occupation of Denmark, being to the Danish people a visible symbol of the national cause. In spite of his advanced age and of the precarious situation, he took a daily ride on horseback through his city -- not accompanied by a groom, let alone by a guard.His queen was Duchess Alexandrine of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
A popular urban legend that states that King Christian X wore a yellow Star of David armband in defiance of the occupying German authorities who had ordered the Jews of Denmark to wear them, is entirely false[1].
Preceded by:
Frederick VIIIList of Danish monarchs Succeeded by:
Frederick IXSource: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christian X of Denmark."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Christianity is a group of religious traditions that trace their origins to Jesus Christ, a Jew of the first century C.E., and assert that he is God, the son of God and messiah -- the Lord and sole Saviour of all humanity.
Introduction
Christianity consists of many branches, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, the various religious denominations of Protestantism. Other branches of Christianity have arisen which claim a separate historical lineage, such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to a 1993 estimate, Christianity was the most populous religion, at 2.1 billion followers (1 billion Catholics, 500 million Protestants, 240 million Orthodox and 275 million others), before Islam at 1.1 billion and Hinduism at 1.05 billion.
Christianity emerged from Judaism in the first century of the Common Era (C.E.). Christians brought many ideas and practices from Judaism, including: monotheism; the belief in a messiah (or Christ, which means "anointed one" - who Christians believe to be Jesus); certain practices of worship, such as prayer, reading from religious texts, a priesthood, the idea that worship here on earth is patterned after worship in heaven. The book of Acts, in the Christian New Testament (NT), says that Christ's followers were first called Christians by non-believers in the city of Antioch, where they had fled and settled after early persecutions in Palestine, probably just a few years after Jesus' death, (and ascension).—Acts 11:19, 26.
Christianity holds one central idea, claiming that: By faith in the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ individuals are saved from death both spiritual and physical by redeeming them from their sins (i.e. faults, misdeeds, disobedience, rebellion against God) through faith, repentance, and obedience; reconciling mankind to God through sanctification so that man can return to his place with God in paradise. Though, the full value of Jesus' sacrifice, and the extent and meaning of the words "death" and "paradise" is in dispute between the various Christian religions, along with the full merits of Jesus Christ's sacrifice.
Doctrine
The most crucial points in Christian teaching are Jesus' incarnation, atonement, crucifixion, death and miraculous resurrection to redeem mankind from sin and death. These events are believed by Christians to be the basis of God's work to reconcile humanity with himself. Many Christians believe that this emphasis on God giving his beloved Son for the sake of humanity is a key difference between Christianity and religions where the emphasis is instead placed solely on humans working for salvation. The most uniform and broadly agreed upon tradition of doctrine, with the longest continuous representation, repeatedly reaffirmed by official Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant definitions (although not without dissent, as noted below) asserts that specific beliefs are essential to Christianity, including:
Other ideas accepted by most Christian religions are:
- Mary, the mother of Jesus, bore in her womb and gave birth to the Son of God, who although eternally existent was formed in her womb by the Spirit of God. From her humanity he received in his person, a human intellect and will, and all else that a child would naturally receive from its mother.
- Jesus was innocent of any sin. Through the death of Jesus, believers are forgiven of sins and reconciled to God. Believers are baptized into the death of Christ. Through faith, they live by the promise of resurrection from death to everlasting life through Christ. The Holy Spirit is given to them, to bring hope and lead mankind into true knowledge of God and His purposes, and help them grow in holiness.
- Jesus is the Messiah hoped for by the Jews, the heir to the throne of David. He reigns at the right hand of God with all authority and power. He is the hope of all mankind, their advocate and judge. Until he returns at the end of the age, the Church has the authority and obligation to preach the Gospel and to gather new disciples.
- Jesus will return to receive the faithful to himself, so they will live eternally in the intimate presence of God.
- Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God. However, some creedal Christians disagree to some extent about how accurate the Bible is and how it should be interpreted.
Christianity is considered by Christians to be the continuation or fulfilment of the Jewish faith. However, many Christian organizations throughout history have had varying ideas about the basic tenets of the Christian faith, from ancient sects such as Arians and Gnostics, to modern groups such as Jehovah's Witnesses (who seek to reestablish primitive first century Christianity), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (who believe that God restored the apostolic priesthood to their leader, Joseph Smith, Jr in 1829, and who received many additional scriptures and teachings from Smith), and the Unification Church. The above groups, for example, differ from one another concerning what Jesus represented himself to be, although all believe him to be the Christ, and with different ideas believe him to have cosmic importance, some calling him a god or God, or others as simply a man. Some of these groups number themselves among the Christian churches, or believe themselves to be the only Christian church. Also, modern day liberal Protestant Christians do not define Christianity as necessarily including belief in the deity of Jesus, the virgin birth, the Trinity, miracles, the resurrection, the ascension of Christ, or the personality or deity of the Holy Spirit. Liberals may recommend belief in such things, or not, but differentiate themselves by defining as included within genuine Christianity anyone who explains their views or teachings principally by appeal to Jesus.
- God is a Trinity, a single eternal being existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- Jesus is both fully God and fully Man, two "natures" in one person.
- Jesus will return to receive the faithful to himself, so they will live eternally in the intimate presence of God.
Summary
The following diagram illustrates the manner in which Christian groups trace their own historical development:
See also: List of Christian denominations and History of Christianity
A detailed look at the various denominations of Christianity can be found in the Wikipedia article Christianity: Denominations.
Christianity today
Not all people identified as Christians accept all, or even most, of the theological positions that their particular church mandates. Like the Jewish people, Christians in the West were greatly affected by The Enlightenment in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Perhaps the most significant change for them was total or effective separation of Church and State, thus ending the state-sponsored Christianity that existed in so many European countries. Now one could be a free member of society and disagree with one's church on various issues, and one could even be free to leave the church altogether. Millions did take these paths, becoming freethinkers and developing entirely new belief systems such as humanism, atheism, agnosticism, and deism; others created liberal wings of Protestant Christian theology, and the long-suppressed Unitarian trend in Christianity became an acceptable choice for many. The Enlightenment had a much less profound impact on the Eastern Churches of Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy.
This gain in personal freedom of the general populace came with a price to those that wished to impose their religious ideas upon the people: the dissolution of the Christian community as an entity with civic legal authority. In the United States and Europe, many secularized Christians have long since stopped participating in traditional religious duties, attending churches only on a few particular days per year or not at all. Many of them recall having highly religious grandparents, but grew up in homes where Christian theology was no longer a priority. They have developed ambivalent feelings towards their religious duties. On the one hand they cling to their traditions for identity reasons; on the other hand, the influence of the secular Western mentality, the demands of daily life, and peer pressure tear them away from traditional Christianity. Marriage between Christians of different denominations, or between a Christian and a non-Christian, was once taboo, but has become commonplace.
There have been many responses to this phenomenon within the Christian community, including the development of literally thousands of Christian Protestant denominations, traditionalist splinter groups of the Catholic Church that do not recognize the legitimacy of many reforms the Catholic Church has undertaken, and the growth of hundreds of fundamentalist groups that interpret the entire Bible in a literal fashion.
The Persecution of Christians, both in the past and today, is the subject of a separate entry.
Christian Heresies
Adoptionism -- Albigensians -- Apollinarism -- Arianism -- Cathars -- Docetism -- Donatism -- Lollardy -- Mandaeans -- Manicheanism -- Monarchianism -- Montanism -- Patripassianism -- Pelagianism -- Priscillianism -- Psilanthropism -- Sabellianism --In classical times, Gnosticism exchanged ideas and symbolism with Christianity.
Christianity's Relationship with Other Faiths
For more information on the relationship between Christianity and other world religions over the years, see the Wikipedia article on Christianity and World Religions.
Christianity and Judaism
There are a number of articles on the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. These articles include:
Since the Holocaust, there has been much to note in the way of reconciliation between some Christians groups and the Jewish people; the article on Christian-Jewish reconciliation studies this issue.
- Comparing and contrasting Judaism and Christianity
- The Judeo-Christian tradition
- Christianity and anti-Semitism.
Messianic Judaism refers to a group of evangelical Christian religious movements, self-identified as Jewish, who believe that Jesus is the messiah. Contrary to Judaism, they are trinitarians, professing that Jesus is God, incarnate. Even though many Messianic Jews are ethnically Jewish, they are not considered part of the Jewish community by mainstream Jewish groups.
See Also
Other related topics: Jesus Christ, List of Christian denominations, List of Christians, history of Christianity, Christian eschatology, eschatology, the stories of Christianity, missions, missionary, History of Christian Missions, predestination, Great Schism, John 3:16 wide and narrow roads
- A summary of Christian views of homosexuality
- A summary of Christian views of women
- Relevant books: The Rise of Christianity (by Rodney Stark)
- Topics involving the art of Christianity: Christian Symbolism, Christian art, iconography
Eternal links
General
Organisations/Newsgroups
Critics
- Anti-Christ.net - FFTAC - alliance of individuals and organizations that are attempting to expose the atrocities of the church, and the government.
- Biblical America Resistance Front - resource for all who work to monitor and counter the social and political movement that aims to use its particular reading of the Bible as the basis of governance and American society.
- Forgery in Christianity - about the foundation of Christianity.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Christianity."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
See also Coptic language.
Coptic Christianity is the indigenous Christianity that developed in Egypt in the 2nd century AD. The Coptic Church is one of the Oriental Orthodox churches.
By some accounts there are approximately 50 million Coptic Christians, primarily in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Eritrea, and in significant numbers in Sudan and Israel, and in diaspora throughout the world. However, as applied to the Tewahedo Church of Ethiopia, which before 1950 was a part of the Coptic Church of Egypt, the word Coptic can be considered a misnomer because it means Egyptian. The Eritrean Orthodox Church similarly became independent of the Tewahedo Church during the 1990s. Those three churches remain in full communion with each other and with the other Oriental Orthodox churches.
The first Christians in Egypt were mainly Greeks and Jews in Alexandria, and according to tradition the church there was founded by St. Mark. In the second century Christianity began to spread to the rural areas, and scriptures were translated into local languages.
In the third century, during the persecution of Decius, some Christians fled to the desert, and remained there to pray after the persecutions abated. This was the beginning of the monastic movement, which was reorganised by St. Antony and St. Pachomius in the 4th century. It attracted the attention of Christians in other parts of the world, and many came to Egypt to see what was happening, and took monastic ideas back home with them, so monasticism spread throughout the Christian world. It was an indigenous movement of Egyptian Christians (the word "Coptic" means "Egyptian").
In the 4th century a theological dispute about the nature of Christ started by an Alexandrian priest called Arius spread throughout the Christian world as well. The First Council of Nicaea (AD 325) was called to resolve the dispute, and eventually led to the formualtion of the Symbol of Faith, also known as the Nicene Creed. Another theological dispute in the 5th century led to the calling of the Council of Chalcedon (AD 451), but many Egyptian Christians including many monks, were unhappy with the decisions of the council, and pro-Chalcedonian and anti-Chalcedonian parties formed in the church, and tried to get their candidates appointed as the Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, who was the chief bishop of the church in north-eastern Africa. Eventually the two parties split. Those who supported the Chalcedonian definition remained in communion with the other leading churches of Rome, Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem. The non-Chalcedonian group called them "Melchites", meaning "the king's men", because their party was supported by the Emperor in Constantinople. The non-Chalcedonian party became what is today called the Coptic Orthodox Church, and the Ethiopian Church followed their lead. Ever since then there have been two Popes in Alexandria. The Coptic Orthodox Pope today is Pope Shenouda III, while the Greek Orthodox Pope is Pope Petros VII.
The Chalcedonians sometimes called the non-Chalcedonians "monophysites", though the Coptic Church denies that it teaches monophysitism, which it regards as a heresy. They have sometimes called the Chalcedonian group "dyophysites". A term that comes closer to Coptic doctrine is "miaphysite", which refers to a conjoined nature for Christ, both human and divine, united indivisibility in the Incarnation.
Since the 1980s theologians from the two groups have been meeting to try to resolve the theological differences, and have concluded that many of the differences are caused because the two groups use different terminology to describe the same thing. In 1990, The Coptic and Greek Orthodox Churches agreed to mutually recognize baptisms performed in each other's churches, making rebaptisms unnecessary. In the summer of 2001, the Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox agreed to recognize the sacrament of Marriage as celebrated by the other. Previously, if a Coptic and Greek wanted to marry, the marriage had to be performed twice, once in each church, for it to be recognized by both. Now it can be done in only one church and be recognized by both.
The Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt is one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.
In the Coptic Church only men may be ordained, and they must be married before they are ordained, if they wish to be married. In this respect they follow the same practices as does the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The Copts traditionally speak the Coptic language, and the scriptures were written in the Coptic alphabet.
The name Copt is an Arabic rendering of the Coptic word for Egyptian, gyptios.
Famous Copts
See also: List of Coptic Popes, Abyssinian Church
- Boutros Ghali, the only Coptic Prime Minister of Egypt
- Boutros Boutros Ghali, Secretary General of the United Nations
External links
- Coptic Orthodox Church Network
- The Christian Coptic Orthodox Church Of Egypt
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Coptic Christianity."
(From Wikipedia, the free Encyclopedia)
Christians have experienced persecution throughout the history of Christianity. Persecution may refer to the arrest, imprisonment, beating, torture, and/or execution of Christians. It also may refer to the confiscation of or destruction of property of Christians, or verbal and/or written incitement to hate Christians which leads to such actions.
Persecutions of early Christians by Jews in the New Testament
Main article: Jews in the New Testament
The New Testament reports that the earliest Christians suffered persecution at the hands of the Jewish leadership of the day, commencing with Jesus himself. According to NT accounts, Judas Iscariot was paid by the priesthood and officers of the Temple to lead them to Jesus when he was alone and away from the crowds (Luke 22:4-6). He was then arrested (Luke 22:54) and taken before the Sanhedrin (ecclesiastical court) (Luke 22:66), who then took him before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, claiming that he was subverting Roman rule (Luke 23:2). Pilate did not consider Jesus had done anything deserving death, but according to the NT account the force of opinion from the Jewish leadership convinced him to have him executed anyway (Luke 23:13-24). The Romans then executed Jesus by means of crucifixion (Luke 23:33).
Pilate is otherwise historically known for callous disregard toward public opinion and brutal suppression of revolts, so many historians are skeptical of the Biblical account. According to Matthew 27, Pilate's wife told him of a dream warning him against any dealings with Jesus, which may be supposed to have influenced his judgement. Some have speculated that the New Testament account may have been purposely distorted by its authors to curry favour with Rome by switching primary responsibility for Jesus' execution from the Roman authorities to the Jews.
According to the New Testament accounts, persecution of Jesus' followers continued after his death. Peter and John were imprisoned by the Jewish leadership, including high priest Annas, who however later released them (Acts 4:1-21). Another time, all the apostles were imprisoned by the high priest and other Sadducees, only to be freed by an angel (Acts 5:17-18). The apostles, after having escaped, were then taken before the Sanhedrin again, but this time Gamaliel (a Pharisee well known from the Rabbinic literature) convinced the Sanhedrin to free them (Acts 5:27-40), which the Sanhedrin did, after having flogged them.
The New Testament recounts the stoning of Stephen (Acts 6:8-7:60) by the members of the Sanhedrin. Stephen is remembered in Christianity as the first martyr (derived from the Greek word "martyros" which means "witness"). Stephen's execution was followed by a major persecution of Christians (Acts 8:1-3), led by Paul of Tarsus (also called Saul), throwing many Christians into prison. According to the New Testament, this perecution continued until Paul converted to Christianity, after reportedly seeing a bright light and hearing the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus, where he was travelling to carry out more imprisonment of Christians (Acts 9:1-22). Acts 9:23-25 reports that "the Jews" in Damascus then tried to kill Paul. They were waiting for him at the town gates, but he evaded them by being lowered over the city wall in a basket by other Christians and then escaped to Jerusalem. Understandably, he had difficulty at first convincing the Christians in Jerusalem that he, their persecutor, had truly converted and was now being persecuted himself (Acts 9:26-27). Another attempt on his life was made, this time by "the Grecians" (KJV), referring to a group of Hellenistic Jews (Acts 9:29), whom he debated while in or around Jerusalem.
There is some debate over why Paul, before his conversion, persecuted Christians. One possibility is that he was punishing Jews who no longer observed Jewish Law. This seems unlikely, though, in part because the arrival of the messiah was not at that time a reason for abandoning the law; indeed, some scholars believe it was not until after Paul converted that Christians began preaching this. Moreover, there is evidence that the apostles observed at least parts of Jewish law for some time. Another possibility is that he was punishing Jews who were blaspheming God by claiming God became a man, and who were slandering Jewish authorities by accusing them of killing both God and the prophets who foretold His coming. Another possibility is that he was punishing Gentiles who did not observe Jewish law. This is less likely, since Jews never expected Gentiles among them (even visitors in their synagogues) to observe Jewish law. Another possibility has to do with intense missionary activity on the part of Christians in the years immediately following Jesus' death. Jesus was crucified as a rebel; for Christian missionaries to use synagogue pulpits to preach the claim that he would soon return, leading the armies of Heaven, to establish his kingdom, would have made the Jewish community vulnerable to accusations of treason, and thus to Roman punishment. Jewish leaders would have to suppress any apparent insurrection, or risk Roman wrath.
Persecution of Early Christians by Romans
According to the New Testament, Paul on his missions was imprisoned on several occasions by the Roman authorities. Once he was stoned and left for dead. Finally he was taken as a prisoner to Rome. The New Testament account does not say what then became of Paul, but Christian tradition reports that he was executed in Rome by being beheaded. Christian tradition reports that Peter was likewise executed in Rome, by crucifixion (upsidedown, at his request because he did not feel he deserved the 'honor' of dying in the same way as Christ died).Several major persecutions of Christians would later be launched during the Empire, including that of Nero, and worst of all that of Diocletian. These were generally characterized by arrest, imprisonment, torture, and execution by various means. Christians were often given opportunities to avoid further punishment by publicly offering sacrifices to Roman gods, and were accused by the Romans of atheism when they refused.
Yet some scholars believe some early Christians sought out and welcomed their persecutions:
Such interpretations may be impossible to conclude within a Christian point of view. Martyrs are uniquely exemplary of the Christian faith. However, suicide is murder, and is associated with treason to the faith - the very opposite of martyrdom - the way of Judas the traitor, not of Jesus the savior. In the Martyrdom of Polycarp, in paragraph four, it records the story of a Christian named Quintus who handed himself over to the Roman authorities, but turned coward and sacrificed to the Roman gods when he saw the wild beasts in the colosseum. It then reads, "For this reason therefore, brothers, we do not praise those who hand themselves over, since the gospel does not so teach." (This was written in the second century.) John the Evangelist never accused Jesus of suicide or self-destruction, but rather says that Jesus chose not to resist arrest and crucifixion.
- Jesus, too, says John, really committed suicide, and Augustine spoke of "the mania for self-destruction" of early Christians192. Roman authorities tried hard to avoid Christians because they "goaded, chided, belittled and insulted the crowds until they demanded their death.";193; One man shouted to the Roman officials: "I want to die! I am a Christian," leading the officials to respond: "If they wanted to kill themselves, there was plenty of cliffs they could jump off.";194; But the Christians, following Tertullian's dicta that "martyrdom is required by God," forced their own martyrdom so they could die in an ecstatic trance: "Although their tortures were gruesome, the martyrs did not suffer, enjoying their analgesic state."195 The Emotional Life of Nations
Early Persecutions in Other Sources
In 337 a war broke between the kingdom of Persia and the Roman Empire; this led to anti-Christian persecutions by the Persians. Over the next few decades, thousands of Christians died. In the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, Christian missionaries attempted to convert the Goths, which the Goths saw as an attack on their religion and culture. The Visigoth King Athanaric began persecuting Christians, many of whom were killed. In the 5th and 6th century, Arianism became prevalent among the Goths; during their forays into Italy, Gaul (France) and Spain they destroyed many churches and killed a number of Christian clergy.In 429 CE the Vandals (who were Arians) conquered Roman Africa. Catholics were discriminated against; Catholic Church property was confiscated. Thousands of Catholics were banished from Vandal held territory.
The New Catholic Encyclopaedia notes that "Ancient, medieval and early modern hagiographers were inclined to exaggerate the number of martyrs. Since the title of martyr is the highest title to which a Christian can aspire, this tendency is natural". Estimates of Christians killed for religious reasons before the year 313 vary greatly, depending on the scholar quoted, from a high of almost 100,000 to a low of 10,000.
Christian Persecution of Christians
Islamic Persecution of Christians
Iconoclasm
Enslavement of Christians in the Sudan today
Murder of Christians by Islamists in Pakistan
Oct. 28, 2001 - Lahore, Pakistan - terrorists muder 15 Christians at a church. On Sept. 25 2002 two terrorists went into the "Peace and Justice Institute", Karachi. They separated Muslims from the Christians, and then executed eight Christians by shooting them in the head.
Murder of Christians by Islamists in Indonesia
1998 - 500 Christian churches burned down in Java.November 1998 - 22 churches in Jakarta are burned down. 13 Christians killed.
Christmas Day 1998 - 180 homes and stores owned by Christians are destroyed in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
Easter 2000 - 800 homes and stores owned by Christians are destroyed in Poso, Central Sulawesi.
May 23 2000 - Christian fight back against a Muslim mob. 700 people die.
June 2001 - the Laskar Jihad declares Jihad against Christians. Muslim citizens are recruited by the thousands to exterminate Christians.
http://www.persecution.org/news/press2001-03-09.html
Discrimination and persecution in other Arab and Muslim nations
Saudi Arabia regularly imprisons Christians from other nations. Christians are arrested and lashed for practicing their faith in public. No one is allowed to be a citizen in this nation unless they are Muslim. Prayer services by Christians are borken up by the police, and people who convert to Christianity are often arrested.
http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/saudi_arabia.html http://www.persecution.org/concern/2001/09/p2.html Egypt regularly imprisons Christians. Muslims are severely punished if they convert to Christianity. Government funded newspapers and magazines regularly publish hatespeech towards both Christians and Jews. For example
An Egyptian government funded magazine published an interview with three Islamic clerics. They state that "another form of infidelity, namely the denial of Islam, and the message of Mohammed. All those who do not believe that Mohammed is Allah's prophet, and that the Qur'an was Allah's words revealed to him, are infidels, even if they were people of the Book, i.e. Jews, or Christians." The context of the article was that all people in the Western world are, by the Muslim definition, infidels. (Al-Musawwar, 11/24/01) Christians and Jews labeled as infidels
Christians are persecuted in Malaysia. http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/malaysia.html Islamic fundamentalists oppress and murder Christians in the Philippines. http://www.persecution.org/humanrights/philippines.html
Discrimination and persecution in Soviet Union and East Bloc nations
Richard Wurmbrand, author of Tortured for Christ described the systematic persecution of Christians in one East Bloc nation. Many Christian believers in the Soviet Union have told of being imprisoned for no other reason than believeing in God - a fate shared no less by Jewish believers
Persecution of Christians in China
Emperor Tang Wu Zong of China
Known as a Taoist zealot, he suppressed all other religions within China. Nestorianism, a first Christian branch in China, left China for good.
This occurred during the Tang Dynasty.
Qing Dynasty
When Emperor Jiaqing of China declared the close door policy, Christianity suffered the first drawback. After the Opium War, Christians became a target of hatred and many Christians were killed in the Boxer Rebellion.
People's Republic of China
The Communist government tries to maintain tight control over religions, so it outlaws all Christian churches, except those under the Communist Party's control (see article on Chinese House Churches).
Hindu Persecution of Christians
23 Jan 1999 - Graham Staines, an Australian Christian missionary aged 55 years, and his two sons, aged 8 and 10, were burned to death in the state of Orissa by members of Hindutva Parivar, a Hindu nationalist group
In Sept. 2002 eight Christian missionaries were beaten during worship services by Hindu fundamentalists. In Oct. 2002 the governor of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu issued an ordinance aimed at preventing people from converting to Christianity, under the guise of such conversions occurring due to "fraud". Christians may be sentenced to up to three years in jail if convicted of such a "crime".
Christian News Source with several articles on persecution of Christians in India
Discrimination in Israel
At various times, right-wing ultra-Orthodox Jewish political groups have proposed anti-Christian legislation in the Knesset (Israel's parliament); each attempt has been defeated.
Since its inception, the government of Israel has funded not only Jewish institutions, but has also provided significant funding for Muslim, Christian and Druze institutions and churches/mosques. However, Israel provides proportionally greater financial support to institutions in the Jewish sector; For example, only 2.4 percent of the Ministry of Religious Affairs budget for 1999 was allocated to the non-Jewish sector, although Muslims, Christians, and Druze constitute 20 percent of the population. Some Israelis hold that any funding for these faiths at all is not necessary, but given Israel's social and civic structure, more people hold that budget must be distributed on a purely proportional basis. In 1998 the Israeli High Court of Justice ruled that the budget allocation constituted "prima facie discrimination" but that the plaintiff's petition did not provide adequate information about the religious needs of the various communities. The court refused to intervene in the budgetary process on the grounds that such action would invade the proper sphere of the legislature.
The status of a number of Christian organizations with representation in Israel heretofore has been defined by a collection of ad hoc arrangements with various government agencies. Several of these organizations seek to negotiate with the Government in an attempt to formalize their status.
Missionaries are allowed to proselytize, although the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints voluntarily refrains from doing so under an agreement with the Government. A 1977 anti-proselytizing law prohibits anyone from offering or receiving material benefits as an inducement to conversion; however, there have been no reports of its enforcement. On December 6, a law prohibiting some missionary activity and the dissemination of some missionary material passed a first reading in the Knesset.
Jehovah's Witnesses suffered verbal abuse, assaults, theft, and vandalism; however, they reported that the police response to their complaints improved significantly during the year.
Discrimination in the West Bank & Gaza / Palestinian territory
In the 1990s there have been a substantial amount of anti-Christian incidents carried out by the Palestinian Authority; some Christian and many Jewish sources claim that this represents a pattern of deliberate mistreatment by the PA; others hold that these are isolated incidents that reflect the beliefs of the individuals involved, but not the society in general.
July 1997 - PA police broke down doors at "Abraham's Oak Russian Monastery" in Hebron. PA officers assaulted the monks and nuns and expelled them from the monastery. (Israel Government Press Office, July 9, 1997)
September 1997 - The PA police arrest and torture a Palestinian Arab Christian, Muhammed Bakr, for distributing Bibles to Muslims. (Jerusalem Report, September 4, 1997)
October 1997 - Israeli Government issues a report stating that “on the social and religious level, the few Christians remaining in PA-controlled areas are subjected to brutal and relentless persecution. Christian cemeteries have been destroyed, monasteries have had their telephone lines cut, and there have been break-ins to convents.”
August 1997 - Islamic militants in Beit Sahur attack Christian children. The PA attempts to cover the incident up; threats are made against people trying to investigate the story. (Jerusalem Post, October 24, 1997)
December 1997 - "Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority is waging a campaign of intimidation and harassment to punish Muslims who have converted to Christianity to renounce their new faith." (Telegraph (British newspaper, December 21, 1997)
The plight of Christians living under PA rule has become so serious that in 1998, two different American courts, one in Illinois and the other in North Carolina, accepted the threat of "religioius persecution" as grounds for granting asylum to Christians fleeing PA territory. (Jerusalem Report, April 2, 1998)
According to some Christian sources, Islamists in the West bank are using violence and threats of terror to scare Christians out of Palestinian controlled area. "Many local Arab Christians are afraid of retaliation by the Islamic movement, so we have tried not to get involved in our struggle. They're afraid to speak up but tell us this privately. There have been riots in Nazareth in which Christian property has been destroyed." In regards to a ne mosque being built next to a Christian shrine, the Basilica of the Annunciation, it has been reported that "The Muslims who are building illegally, have threatened us. They said that if we wanted to remian healthy, we'd better leave the area. They threatened us physically." Others sources noted that "For sure, many things have happened during the past few years, especially around Christmas and Easter holidays. Muslims have attacked Christians with knives and many other insturments. Christians have been hospitalized." (Source: Interviews in "The Jewish Week", "Caught Between Faith". p.23, Dec. 28, 2001) Muslim ipersecution of Christians has been reported by the International Christian Embassy (in Jerusalem) and the International Coalition for Nazareth, an umbrella group of multiple Christian denominations.
Some Christians living under Palestinian control dispute the idea that the PA is discriminating against them; they counter that since Israel no longer funds a Catholic radio broadcast, it is Israel itself which discriminates against Christians. Skeptics believe that the official Christian churches under Palestinian control are afraid to say anything different.
Palestinian Christians reject Israeli charges Palestinians deny charges of religious persecution
See also: Religious intolerance -- History of Christianity -- Religious pluralism
References
Let My People Go: The True Story of Present-Day Persecution and Slavery Cal. R. Bombay, Multnomah Publishers, 1998
Their Blood Cries Out Paul Marshall and Lela Gilbert, World Press, 1997.
In the Lion's Den: Persecuted Christians and What the Western Church Can Do About It Nina Shea, Broadman & Holman, 1997.
The New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967 (15 volume set)
External Links
- Voice of the Martyrs
- International Christian Concern
- Coptic Christians persecuted in Egypt
- Anti-Slavery organization
- Persecution of Christians in the Middle-East
- Religious Tolerance
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Persecution of Christians."
Synonym: ChristianSynonym: Christianity. (additional references) |
| Antonym: unchristian (adj). (additional references) |
| Context | Synonyms within Context (source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus). |
Benevolence | Noun: benevolence, Christian charity; God's love, God's grace; good will; philanthropy; unselfishness. |
Government | Party; Democratic Party, Republican Party, Socialist Party, Communist Party; Federalist Party, Bull Moose Party, Abolitionist Party; Christian Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party; National Socialist Worker's Party, Nazi Party; Liberal Party, Labor Party, Conservative Party. |
Heterodoxy | Protestant; Huguenot; orthodox dissenter, Congregationalist, Independent; Episcopalian, Presbyterian; Lutheran, Calvinist, Methodist, Wesleyan; Ana, Baptist; Mormon, Latter-day Saint, Irvingite, Sandemanian, Glassite, Erastian; Sublapsarian, Supralapsarian; Gentoo, Antinomian, Swedenborgian; Adventist, Bible Christian, Bryanite, Brownian, Christian Scientist, Dunker, Ebionite, Eusebian; Faith Curer, Curist; Familist, Jovinianist, Libadist, Quaker, Shaker, Stundist, Tunker; ultramontane; Anglican, Oxford School; tractarian, Puseyite, ritualist; Puritan. |
Judaism, Gentilism, Islamism, Islam, Mohammedanism, Babism, Sufiism, Neoplatonism, Turcism, Brahminism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sabianism, Gnosticism, Hylotheism, Mormonism; Christian Science. | |
Orthodoxy | The Church; Catholic Church, Universal Church, Apostolic Church, Established Church; temple of the Holy Ghost; Church of Christ, body of Christ, members of Christ, disciples of Christ, followers of Christ; Christian, Christian community; true believer; canonist; (theologian); Christendom, collective body of Christians. |
Adjective: orthodox, sound, strick, faithful, catholic, schismless, Christian, evangelical, scriptural, divine, monotheistic; true. | |
Piety | Believing, faithful, Christian, Catholic. |
Believer, convert, theist, Christian, devotee, pietist; the good, the righteous, the just, the believing, the elect; Saint, Madonna, Notre Dame, Our Lady. | |
| Source: adapted from Roget's Thesaurus. | |
Crosswords: Christian |
| English words defined with "Christian": born-again Christian ♦ Christian church, Christian liturgy, Christian religion, Christian theology, Congregational Christian Church. (references) |
| Specialty definitions using "Christian": Christian Institute, CHRISTIAN PONEY, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE NURSE, CHRISTIAN SCIENCE PRACTITIONER, Christian Traditions ♦ Flowers and Trees with Christian Traditions ♦ MERRY A-SE CHRISTIAN ♦ Weak-kneed Christian. (references) |
| Etymologies containing "Christian": Oersted. (references) |
| Non-English Usage: "Christian" is also a word in the following language with the English translation in parentheses. German (christian). |
| Domain | Usage | |
Screenplays | Christian, I'm a courtesan (Moulin Rouge!; writing credit: Baz Luhrmann; Craig Pearce) Gene Purdy seems to think you're the greatest thing since Christian Rock (The Dead Zone; writing credit: Aleksandar Djordjevic) Your friend Christian is a cakeboy (Clueless; writing credit: Amy Heckerling.) And the Christian rock (Seinfeld; writing credit: Andreas Lenze; Bea Schmidt) No Homer, God didn't burn your house down, but he was working in the hearts of your friends be they Christian, Jew, or miscellaneous (The Simpsons; writing credit: Artur Brauner; Paul Hengge) | |
Lyrics | Drinkin' was forbidden in my Christian country home ("My Home's in Alabama"; performing artist: Alabama) Talking out your neck sayin' you're a Christian (Doo Wop (That Thing); performing artist: Lauryn Hill) | |
Clever | Ethical man -- a Christian holding four aces. (references; author: Mark Twain) The best vitamin for a Christian is B1. (references; author: unknown) It is good to be a Christian, and you know it. But it is better to be a Christian and show it! (references; author: unknown) Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a mechanic. (references; author: unknown) | |
Movie/TV Titles | The Christian Licorice Store (1971) Windjammer: The Voyage of the Christian Radich (1958) Dr. Christian (1956) Hans Christian Andersen (1952) | |
Song Titles | Sister Christian (performing artist: Night Ranger) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | ||
| Domain | Title | ||
References | |||
Books |
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Periodicals | |||
Theater & Movies |
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Music |
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High Tech |
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Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Thumbnail | Description & Credit | Thumbnail | Description & Credit |
 | Ralph W. Woodworth checking tide gauge in Boston Harbor Tides party of R. W. Woodworth From article in Christian Science Monitor, July 23, 1926. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection. |  | "Fooling around" - Cornelius Meaney staging fight - sometimes this was for real In 1941 a C&GS officer was seriously wounded by a bolo-wielding juramentado Occasionally Christian crewman from North would disappear in the Muslim South. Credit: Coast & Geodetic Survey Historical Image Collection. |
 | Catalog of Oceanographic Equipment Contained in the Collection of the Museum of Oceanography of Monaco. 1. "Photometers 2. Current Measuring Devices" by Christian Carpine. Bulletin de l'Institute Oceanographique , Vol. 73, No. 1437. 1987. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now. |  | Figure 43. A Plessey current meter and recorder. Built by Plessey Electronics circa 1969. This instrument was conceived by the Christian Michelson Institute of Bergen, Norway, under the auspices of the undersea oceanographic committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Credit: Sailing for Science - the NOAA Fleet Then and Now. |
 | Maj. Christian Ledet, flight surgeon for the Iowa Air National Guard's 132nd Fighter Wing, Des Moines International Airport, Iowa, settles into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft just prior to flight-testing the new Libelle anti-gravity suit. |  | Staff Sgt. Ronald Smith, team of Airmen 1st Class Christian Bellenger and Patrick Angel. |
 | Caption: Messrs. Rosenstein, Ludwig Ott, Goldstein, T.D. Greenlee (In Hat), Christian Christiansen, Paul S. Laverty, and H.W. Lancaster in Chemistry Lab; West Orange, NJ; 1910; {10.383/5} (jpg). |  | Dr. Christian Anfinsen looks at molecular model / George Tames. Credit: National Library of Medicine. |
 | Cunradus Froman / Joh. Frentzel, 1672. Christian Römstet Sculp. Credit: National Library of Medicine. |  | Ridgway Library building (proposed to be erected on Broad & Christian Streets under the will of Dr. James Rush) / Addison Hutton, architect. Credit: Library of Congress. |
Source: pictures compiled by the editor from various references; see picture credits. | |||
 |
| "Siddnaiya, Syria" by Geoff Hartman Commentary: "Christian church in Siddnaiya near Damascus, Syria." |
Source: photographs selected by the editor, with permission from the photographers. |
| Author | Quotation |
Christian Bavell | Doubt whom you will, but never yourself. |
Christian Nevell Bovee | Tearless grief bleeds inwardly. |
| Mind unemployed is mind un-enjoyed. | |
| Hope is the best part of our riches. | |
| Bad taste is a species of bad morals. | |
| Our first and last love is... self-love. | |
Joseph Addison | See in what peace a Christian can die. |
Robert Browning | How very hard it is to be a Christian! |
William Penn | To be like Christ is to be a Christian. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | |
| Author | Date | Quotation |
John Locke | 1690 | Bilson, a bishop of our church, and a great stickler for the power and prerogative of princes, does, if I mistake not, in his treatise of Christian subjection, acknowledge, that princes may forfeit their power, and their title to the obedience of their subjects; and if there needed authority in a case where reason is so plain, I could send my reader to Bracton, Fortescue, and the author of the Mirrour, and others, writers that cannot be suspected to be ignorant of our government, or enemies to it. (Second Treatise of Government) |
Communist Manifesto | 1848 | Nothing is easier than to give Christian asceticism a Socialist tinge. (reference) |
Treaty of Versailles | 1919 | The Allied and Associated Powers agree that where Christian religious missions were being maintained by German societies or persons in territory belonging to them, or of which the government is entrusted to them in accordance with the present Treaty, the property which these missions or missionary societies possessed, including that of trading societies whose profits were devoted to the support of missions, shall continue to be devoted to missionary purposes. (reference) |
Winston S. Churchill | 1946 | Except in the British Commonwealth and in the United States where Communism is in its infancy, the Communist parties or fifth columns constitute a growing challenge and peril to Christian civilization. ("Iron Curtain" Speech) |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Title | Author | Quote |
Les Miserables | Hugo, Victor | They answer only to Christian names |
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man | Joyce, James | A squad of christian brothers was on its way back from the Bull and had begun to pass, two by two, across the bridge |
King Richard III | Shakespeare, William | Else wherefore breathe I in a Christian land |
Gulliver's Travels | Swift, Jonathan | I made the Captain a very low bow, and then turning to the Dutchman, said, I was sorry to find more mercy in a heathen, than in a brother Christian. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Subject | Topic | Quote |
Business | Major cities have Christian churches and Hindu and Sikh temples, some built on land donated by the ruling families. (references) | |
In May and June, two firebomb attacks on Christian churches in Luebeck showed signs of right-wing, anti-foreigner motives. (references) | ||
The market for high-end or selective products, with names like Christian Dior, Estee Lauder, Lancome, Chanel, Givanchi, Yves Saint Laurent, Helena Rubinstein, Elizabeth Arden, Nina Ricci is practically closed to Russian manufacturers. (references) | ||
Children | Zimbabwe | Indigenous African churches that combine elements of established Christian beliefs with some beliefs based on traditional African culture and religion generally accept polygyny and the marriage of girls at young ages; they also generally approve of healing only through prayer and oppose science-based medicine including the vaccination of children. (references) |
Civil Liberties | Malaysia | Most visas for foreign Christian clergy are approved. (references) |
Morocco | Muslim, Christian and Jewish religious leaders presided. (references) | |
Economic History | Tunisia | There is no indigenous Christian population. (references) |
Papua New Guinea | Almost two-thirds of the population is Christian. (references) | |
Nepal | Nepal also has small Muslim and Christian minorities. (references) | |
Human Rights | Hungary | In 2000 a Cameroonian asylum seeker, Ebune Christian Ecole, died while being deported. (references) |
Comoros | On Anjouan local authorities continued to attempt to suppress or convert the Christian minority. (references) | |
Israel and the occupied territories | One of those killed, Ishaq Sa'adeh, was a well-known peace activist and history teacher at a Christian school in Bethlehem. (references) | |
Indigenous People | Bangladesh | On Easter Sunday, the Forestry Department inaugurated an eco-park on the lands of the predominantly Christian Khasi tribals in Mouluvibazar. (references) |
Minorities | Somalia | There is a small, low-profile Christian community. (references) |
Greece | In the minds of many, an ethnic Greek is also Orthodox Christian. (references) | |
Political Economy | Lebanon | The Parliament consists of 128 deputies, equally divided between Christian and Muslim representatives. (references) |
Jordan | The evangelical Christian community reported fewer incidents of governmental harassment during the year. (references) | |
Sudan | Authorities arrested approximately 100 persons, including Christian clergymen and charged them with public disturbance. (references) | |
Political Rights | Nigeria | Middle-belt and Christian officers dominate the military hierarchy. (references) |
Moldova | The rightwing Popular Christian Democratic Party received 8.3 percent of the vote. (references) | |
Panama | In July the Christian Democrat Party held a convention and changed its name to the Popular Party. (references) | |
Travel | Egypt | Most others are Christian, either Copts, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, or Anglican Protestants. (references) |
West Bank | The normal workweek varies depending on the business, although most firms are closed on Fridays (Muslim holiday), even if the owner is Christian. (references) | |
Women | Yemen | Shari'a-based law permits a Muslim man to marry a Christian or Jewish woman, but no Muslim woman may marry outside of Islam. (references) |
Worker Rights | Poland | Small spin-offs from mainstream Solidarity include the rival factions Solidarity '80 (250,000 members), August '80, and the Christian Trade Union Solidarity (Popieluszko). (references) |
Belgium | Because of restrictive interpretation of the legislation in force, only the Christian, Socialist, and Liberal trade union confederations have access to the National Labor Council. (references) | |
Venezuela | The CTV's top leadership includes members of several political parties, but the majority are affiliated with one of the traditional parties, Democratic Action or the Christian Democrats (COPEI). (references) | |
Lexicography | Devil's Dictionary | MONDAY, n. In Christian countries, the day after the baseball game. |
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits. | ||
| Speaker | Phrase(s) |
Deepak Chopra | Well, I think we have a clash right now between two paradigms. The first paradigm says, you know, it's based on Christian theology which says, I'm a sinner, I must atone for my sins. I must pray for forgiveness. I must seek redemption. |
Rush Limbaugh | Because I think Bush does have his eyes on the policy at the end of the day that will do us the most good, and his base in the conservative Christian community see the same thing. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| Speaker | Term | Phrase(s) |
George Washington | 1789-1797 | The consular convention, too, with His Most Christian Majesty has stipulated in certain cases the aid of the national authority to his consuls established here. |
John Adams | 1797-1801 | All sober inquirers after truth, ancient and modern, pagan and Christian, have declared that the happiness of man, as well as his dignity, consists in virtue. |
James Madison | 1809-1817 | Because the establishment proposed by the Bill is not requisite for the support of the Christian Religion. |
John Quincy Adams | 1825-1829 | There has, indeed, rarely been a period in the history of civilized man in which the general condition of the Christian nations has been marked so extensively by peace and prosperity. |
Andrew Jackson | 1829-1837 | But the removal of the Indians beyond the limits and jurisdiction of the States does not place them beyond the reach of philanthropic aid and Christian instruction. |
James Buchanan | 1857-1861 | We ought to cultivate peace, commerce, and friendship with all nations, and this not merely as the best means of promoting our own material interests, but in a spirit of Christian benevolence toward our fellow-men, wherever their lot may be cast. |
Ronald Reagan | 1981-1989 | Over the past several decades, West European and other social democrats, Christian democrats, and leaders have offered open assistance to fraternal, political, and social institutions to bring about peaceful and democratic progress. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| "Christian" is generally used as an adjective (general or positive) -- approximately 96.69% of the time. "Christian" is used about 6,010 times out of a sample of 100 million words spoken or written in English. Its rank is based on over 700,000 words used in the English language. Some parts-of-speech are not covered due to the samples used by the British National Corpus. (note: percents less than one-hundredth of one percent have been omitted) |
| Parts of Speech | Percent | Usage per 100 Million Words | Rank in English |
| Adjective (general or positive) | 96.69% | 5,811 | 1,680 |
| Noun (proper) | 2.08% | 125 | 28,650 |
| Noun (singular) | 1.23% | 74 | 38,813 |
| Total | 100.00% | 6,010 | N/A |
Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits.
| The following table summarizes the usage of "Christian" based on a population census conducted in the United States. Ranks and frequencies are based on all names reported and classified. |
| Name | Usage/Gender | Usage per 100 million Persons | Rank in USA |
| Christian | First name Female | 10,000 | 903 |
| Christian | First name Male | 65,000 | 236 |
| Christian | Last name | 21,000 | 564 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from several corpora; see credits. | |||
| "Christian" is a name that signifies or is derived from: "a Christian". | |||
| The following table summarizes names derived from the word "Christian". | |||
| Name | Gender | Language | Meaning |
| Christer | Male | Danish | A Christian |
| Kristen | Male | Danish | A Christian |
| Christian | Male | English | A Christian |
| Christiana | Male | English | A Christian |
| Christianne | Male | English | A Christian |
| Christina | Male | English | A Christian |
| Kristian | Male | Finnish | A Christian |
| Christian | Male | French | A Christian |
| Christiane | Male | French | A Christian |
| Christianne | Male | French | A Christian |
| Christian | Male | German | A Christian |
| Christiane | Male | German | A Christian |
| Karsten | Male | German | A Christian |
| Cristiano | Male | Italian | A Christian |
| Krystyn | Male | Polish | A Christian |
| Cristiano | Male | Portuguese | A Christian |
| Cristian | Male | Romanian | A Christian |
| Kristian | Male | Scandinavian | A Christian |
| Cristián | Male | Spanish | A Christian |
| Christer | Male | Swedish | A Christian |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references.
| |||
| The following table summarizes names related to "Christian." | |||
| Name | Gender | Language | Related Name |
| Christer | Male | Danish | Christian |
| Kristen | Male | Danish | Christian |
| Christian | Male | English | N/A |
| Christiana | Female | English | Christian |
| Christianne | Female | English | Christian |
| Christina | Female | English | Christian |
| Kristian | Male, Female | Finnish | Christian |
| Christian | Male | French | N/A |
| Christiane | Female | French | Christian |
| Christianne | Female | French | Christian |
| Christian | Male | German | N/A |
| Christiane | Female | German | Christian |
| Karsten | Male | German | Christian |
| Cristiano | Male | Italian | Christian |
| Krystyn | Male | Polish | Christian |
| Cristiano | Male | Portuguese | Christian |
| Cristian | Male | Romanian | Christian |
| Kristian | Male, Female | Scandinavian | Christian |
| Cristián | Male | Spanish | Christian |
| Christer | Male | Swedish | Christian |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Country | Name | Country | Name |
| Denmark | Christian Hansen Holding Aktieselskab | France | Christian Dalloz SA |
| Germany | Christian Adalbert Kupferberg & Compagnie Commandit-Gesells | United Kingdom | Christian Salvesen Plc |
| (more examples...) |
Source: compiled by the editor from Icon Group International, Inc.
Expressions using "Christian": Ancient Christian magic ♦ become christian ♦ calendar christian ♦ Christian Aid ♦ Christian Brethren ♦ christian church ♦ christian clergy ♦ Christian Commission ♦ Christian Connection ♦ Christian counseling ♦ christian County ♦ Christian court ♦ Christian courts ♦ christian Dior ♦ Christian Endeavor Young People's Society of ♦ christian era ♦ christian Friedrich Hebbel ♦ christian Friedrich Schonbein ♦ christian holy day ♦ christian Huygens ♦ Christian hypnotherapy ♦ Christian iconography ♦ Christian Institute ♦ christian Johann Doppler ♦ christian liturgy ♦ christian name ♦ Christian Positive Thinking ♦ Christian psychology ♦ christian religion ♦ christian Schonbein ♦ christian science ♦ Christian Scientist ♦ Christian Seneca ♦ Christian Socialism ♦ Christian socialist ♦ christian theology ♦ christian year ♦ Christian Yoga ♦ confess the christian faith ♦ congregational Christian Church ♦ early christian ♦ Georges Joseph Christian Simenon ♦ Hans Christian Andersen ♦ Hans Christian Oersted ♦ Jan Christian Smuts ♦ jewish christian ♦ Johan Julius Christian Sibelius ♦ muscular Christian ♦ Pass Christian ♦ Rasmus Christian Rask ♦ Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel ♦ the christian faith ♦ The United States Christian Commission ♦ Woman's Christian Temperance Union ♦ Women's Christian Temperance Union ♦ young mens christian association ♦ young Men's Christian Association ♦ young Women's Christian Association. Additional references. | |
| Hyphenated Usage | |
Beginning with "Christian": christian-allegorical, christian-based, Christian-bernard, christian-controlled, Christian-cum-romantic, christian-dominated, christian-hebraic, christian-humanist, christian-influenced, christian-marxist, christian-minority, christian-moslem, christian-name, christian-national. | |
Ending with "Christian": anti-christian, judaeo-christian, non-christian, party-christian, post-christian, pre-christian, romano-christian, social-christian, un-christian. | |
Containing "Christian": Hand-Schueller-Christian Syndrome, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, jewish-christian-islamic, non-Christian priest, Schuller-Christian disease. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
| The following statistics estimate the number of searches per day across the major English-language search engines as identified by various trade publications. Hyperlinks lead to commercial use of the expression at Amazon.com. |
| Expression | Frequency per Day | Expression | Frequency per Day |
christian music | 7,052 | christian job | 791 |
christian | 6,469 | christian book distributor | 753 |
christian book | 3,178 | christian bale | 745 |
christian single | 2,165 | christian movie review | 726 |
christian dating | 2,164 | christian rock | 703 |
christian chat | 2,103 | christian science monitor | 702 |
christian dior | 1,948 | christian t shirt | 692 |
eric christian olsen | 1,919 | christian wallpaper | 689 |
christian lyrics | 1,843 | family christian book store | 663 |
christian magazine | 1,705 | christian lassen | 647 |
christian book store | 1,637 | christian chat rooms | 637 |
christian art | 1,538 | christian college | 631 |
christian clipart | 1,337 | christian riese lassen | 629 |
christian guitar tab | 1,214 | christian poem | 597 |
christian sheet music | 1,134 | christian radio | 574 |
christian music lyrics | 1,099 | christian pen pal | 574 |
christian song lyrics | 1,085 | christian school | 568 |
christian song | 934 | christian ministry | 560 |
christian web site | 838 | contemporary christian music | 554 |
christian gift | 829 | christian riese lassen print | 548 |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Language | Translations for "Christian"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses. | |
Afrikaans | Christen, Christelik. (various references) | |
Albanian | i krishterë. (various references) | |
Arabic | مسيحي (messianic), نصراني, المسيحي, النصراني, إنساني (human, humane, philanthropic). (various references) | |
Bulgarian | свестен човек, свестен (decent), разбран човек, християнски, християнин (believer), благочестив (devotional, devout, pious), благоприличен (decent, decorous, modest, proper, tasteful). (various references) | |
Chinese | 基督教徒 , 基督教 (Christianity), 基督徒. (various references) | |
Czech | křestní jméno (christian name, forename, given name). (various references) | |
Danish | kristen. (various references) | |
Dutch | christen. (various references) | |
Esperanto | kristano, kristana. (various references) | |
Faeroese | kristin. (various references) | |
Farsi | مسیحی . (various references) | |
Finnish | kristitty, kristillinen. (various references) | |
French | chrétien. (various references) | |
Frisian | kristlik, kristen. (various references) | |
German | christlich, christ. (various references) | |
Greek | χριστιανόσ (gentile), χριστιανός, χριστιανικόσ. (various references) | |
Hebrew | נוצרי (nazarene). (various references) | |
Hungarian | keresztény (member of christ). (various references) | |
Indonesian | nasrani, kristen. (various references) | |
Italian | cristiano (gentile). (various references) | |
Japanese Kanji | キラー衛星 (Christ, Christian priest, killer satellite), クリーム色 (Christian Dior, Christian name, Christian Science Monitor, Christiania, Christmas, Christmas cake, Christmas card, Christmas carol, Christmas concert, Christmas Eve, Christmas present, Christmas tree, clean, clean energy, clean float, clean heater, clean hit, clean rice, clean room, clean up, cleanup trio, clear, clear lacquer, clearance, clearance sale, cleaver, click, clinic, clinometer, clip, clipper, clipping, clitoris, cream, create, creation, creative, creative agency, creative group, creativity, creator, creole, cricket, crinoline, critic, critical, criticism, critique, crystal, crystal glass, EDTV, Extended Definition Television, Kripke, Kristiania, vented heater), 信者 (adherent, believer, devotee). (various references) | |
Japanese Katakana | しんじゃ (adherent, believer, devotee, sacred snake), キリシタン , クリスチャン . (various references) | |
Korean | 기독교인. (various references) | |
Malay | orang Nasrani, kristen. (various references) | |
Manx | Creestee. (various references) | |
Papiamen | kristian, kristan. (various references) | |
Pig Latin | istianchray.(various references) | |
Polish | chrześcijanin. (various references) | |
Portuguese | cristão. (various references) | |
Romanian | creştin (fellow, soul). (various references) | |
Russian | христианский, христианин христианский, христианин. (various references) | |
Scottish | Crìosdaidh (a Christian). (various references) | |
Serbo-Croatian | hrišćanski (gentile), hrišćanin (gentile). (various references) | |
Spanish | cristiano (person). (various references) | |
Swahili | Mkristo. (various references) | |
Swedish | kristen (gentile), kristlig. (various references) | |
Thai | คริสตศาสนิกชน. (various references) | |
Turkish | saygıdeğer (August, considered, esteemed, estimable, honorable, honourable, respectable, Reverend, venerable, well-considered, worshipful, worthy), merhametli (benignant, charitable, Clement, compassionate, gracious, lenient, merciful, pitiful, pitying, propitious, samaritan, softhearted, tenderhearted), iyi insan, hristiyan kimse, hristiyan (nazarene, the galilean), Hirístíyan, dini bütün kimse, dürüst (above board, candid, conscientious, dinkum, direct, downright, fair, faithful, Frank, guileless, honest, incorruptible, jannock, just, level, moral, on the square, open, plain, regular, right, righteous, right-minded, sincere, single minded, single-hearted, sporting, Square, straight, straight as a die, straight out, straightforward, upfront, upright, upstanding, virtuous). (various references) | |
Ukrainian | християнська душа, християнський, християнка, християнин (disciple), крістіан, людина (human, man, mortal, person, personage, sire). (various references) | |
Welsh | Cristion. (various references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references. | ||
| Language | Period | Translations |
| Latin | 500 BCE-Modern | christianus, RM:Partida cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra. (various references) |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references. | ||
| Language | Date | Source | Acts Chapter 26, Verse 28 |
| Greek (transliterated) | 250 BC | Septuagint | O de agrippaV proV ton paulon efh en oligw me peiqeiV cristianon genesqai |
| Latin | 405 | Vulgate | Agrippa autem ad Paulum in modico suades me Christianum fieri |
| Middle English | 1395 | Wyclif | And Agrippa seide to Poul, In litil thing thou counseilist me to be maad a cristen man. |
| Renaissance English | 1526 | Tyndale | Agrippa sayde vnto Paul: Sumwhat thou bringest me in mynde for to be come a Christen. |
| Jacobean English | 1611 | King James | Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. |
| Victorian English | 1833 | Webster | Then Agrippa said to Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. |
| Basic English | 1964 | Ogden | And Agrippa said to Paul, A little more and you will be making me a Christian. |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |||
| Language | Acts Chapter 26, Verse 28 |
| Albanian | Atëherë Agripa i tha Palit: ''Për pak dhe po ma mbush mendjen të bëhem i krishterë''. |
| Cebuano | Ug si Agripa miingon kang Pablo, "Nagahunahuna ka diay nga dali mo ra akong mahimong Cristohanon!" |
| Croatian | Agripa æe Pavlu: "Zamalo pa me uvjeri te kršæaninom postah!" |
| Danish | Men Agrippa sagde til Paulus: "Der fattes lidet i, at du overtaler mig til at blive en Kristen." |
| Dutch | En Agrippa zeide tot Paulus: Gij beweegt mij bijna een Christen te worden. |
| Finnish | Niin Agrippa sanoi Paavalille: "Vähälläpä luulet taivuttavasi minut kristityksi". |
| French | Et Agrippa dit à Paul: Tu vas bientôt me persuader de devenir chrétien! |
| German | Agrippa aber sprach zu Paulus: Es fehlt nicht viel, du überredest mich, daß ich ein Christ würde. |
| Hungarian | Agrippa pedig monda Pálnak: Majdnem ráveszel engem, hogy keresztyénné legyek. |
| Indonesian-Bahasa Sehari-hari | Lalu Agripa berkata kepada Paulus, "Kaukira gampang membuat saya menjadi orang Kristen dalam waktu yang singkat ini?" |
| Indonesian-Terjemahan Lama | Maka Agerippa pun bersabdalah kepada Paulus, "Nyaris engkau meyakinkan aku menjadi orang Kristen." |
| Italian | E Agrippa a Paolo: «Per poco non mi convinci a farmi cristiano!». |
| Latvian | Tad Agripa sacîja Pâvilam: Tu gandrîz mani pârliecini kïût par kristîgo. |
| Maori | Ano ra ko Akaripa? ki a Paora, Wahi iti kua riro atu ahau ki tau, ki ta te Karaiti tikanga. |
| Norwegian | Men Agrippa sa til Paulus: Det mangler lite i at du overtaler mig til å bli en kristen. |
| Portuguese | Disse Agripa a Paulo: Por pouco me persuades a fazer-me cristão. |
| Rumanian | Wi Agripa a zis lui Pavel: ,,Curknd mai vrei tu sq mq kndupleci sq mq fac crewtin!`` |
| Russian | бЗТЙРРБ УЛБЪБМ рБЧМХ: ФЩ ОЕНОПЗП ОЕ ХВЕЦДБЕЫШ НЕОС УДЕМБФШУС иТЙУФЙБОЙОПН. |
| Shuar | Takui Akripia chichaak "Maaj, ishichik awajtame Papru, Yus-shuar ajastin" Tímiayi. |
| Spanish | Entonces Agripa dijo a Pablo: --¡Por poco me persuades a ser cristiano! |
| Swahili | Agripa akamjibu Paulo, "Kidogo tu utanifanya Mkristo!" |
| Swedish | Då sade Agrippa till Paulus: "Föga fattas att du övertalar mig och gör mig till kristen." |
| Uma | Na'uli' Magau' Agripa mpo'uli' -ki Paulus: "Ha nu'uli' -kona mojoli mpobawai-a jadi' to Kristen hangkale'liu-e?" |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | |
Derivations | |
Words beginning with "Christian": christiania, christianias. (additional references) | |
Words ending with "Christian": unchristian. (additional references) | |
| |
"Christian" is suggested in spellcheckers for the following: chistian, chorasmian, Chretien, Chrichton, chrisitan, christain, Christal, Christianne, Christiano, christina, Christinae, Christobal, Chrystean, crestian, cristian, Cristofano, Crostain, krystian, Shristava. (additional references) | |
| Source: compiled by the editor, based on several corpora (additional references). | |
Scrabble® Enable2K-Verified Anagrams | |
Direct Anagrams: trichinas. | |
| Words within the letters "a-c-h-i-i-n-r-s-t" | |
-1 letter: rachitis, trichina. | |
-2 letters: chitins, citrins, narcist, satiric, tahinis, tarnish. | |
-3 letters: actins, airths, anisic, antics, arshin, cairns, canthi, casini, chains, chairs, chants, charts, chinas, chints, chitin, citrin, crista, iatric, inarch, instar, isatin, ischia, nastic, nitric, rachis, racist, raisin, ricins, santir, shairn, shanti, snatch, snitch, stanch, starch, strain, tahini, trains, triacs. | |
-4 letters: acini, actin, airns, airth. | |
| Words containing the letters "a-c-h-i-i-n-r-s-t" | |
+2 letters: anarchistic, chrismation, christiania, harmonicist, interchains, unchristian. | |
+3 letters: anorthositic, antihysteric, antistrophic, brachiations, cantharidins, chrismations, christianias, haircuttings, harmonicists, inheritances, intrapsychic, misanthropic, rhetoricians, rhizoctonias, saccharinity, scintigraphy, unhistorical. | |
+4 letters: anachronistic, antihysterics, chlorinations, containership, haruspication, histaminergic, nonhistorical, ornithischian, scintigraphic, theoreticians, uncharismatic. | |
+5 letters: actinomorphies, antiarthritics, anticensorship, antihistorical, antimonarchist, antirheumatics, apprenticeship, archimandrites, architectonics, arithmeticians, bronchiectasis, churchianities, containerships, disinheritance, haruspications, historicalness, histrionically, ichthyosaurian, noncharismatic, nonpsychiatric, ornithischians, saccharinities, scintigraphies, spinthariscope, trichomoniases, trichomoniasis. | |
| Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. | |
| 1. Definition 2. Synonyms 3. Crosswords 4. Usage: Modern | 5. Usage: Commercial 6. Images: Slideshow 7. Images: Photo Album 8. Images: Digital Art | 9. Quotations: Familiar 10. Quotations: Historic 11. Quotations: Fiction 12. Quotations: Non-fiction | 13. Quotations: Spoken 14. Quotations: Speeches 15. Usage Frequency 16. Names: Frequency | 17. Names: Derived from 18. Names: Company Usage 19. Expressions 20. Expressions: Internet | 21. Translations: Modern 22. Translations: Ancient 23. Bible Trace 24. Derivations | 25. Anagrams 26. Bibliography |
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