European Union lowercases 'Christ'

WorldNetDaily ^ | November 1, 2005 | Staff

[FreedomCalls]

A new grammar rule devised by the European Union in Brussels stipulates the word "Christ" shall be spelled with a lowercase "c."

The rule was part of an orthography reform published in October, reported Canada Free Press.

The paper cites a German newssite, Kath.net, in reporting that the new guidelines also indicate the Dutch word for "Jews" (Joden) is to be spelled with a capital "J" when referring to nationality and with a lower-case "j" when referring to the religion.

The EU changes become mandatory next August. There are no penalties set out for those who insist on continuing to spell Christ with a capital "C."

Canada Free Press noted the title of Javier Solana, secretary general of the EU, was still to be spelled with capital letters.

Many Europeans have long discarded belief in God and in fact believe more deeply in ghosts than in a deity.

A new poll finds two-thirds of Britons said they believe in the existence of ghosts and spirits, but only 55 percent said they believe in the existence of God.

Meanwhile, 26 percent believe in UFOs, 19 percent in reincarnation and 4 percent in the Loch Ness Monster, Ananova reported.

[BikerNYC]

When the government dictates what words can be capitalized and which ones can't, you know you've surrendered too much freedom.

My government employed English teacher in high school always dictated which words could be capitalized and which could not.

[stevem]

This is truly an affront to the Messiah. It puts him in the same category as bill clinton.

[BlessedBeGod]

This weekend, I noticed the missalettes in the Catholic church I attend did not capitalize pronouns lilke "He" or "Him" in reference to God in the readings from the Old and New Testaments. I was disgusted.

[stevem]

The EU changes become mandatory next August. There are no penalties set out for those who insist on continuing to spell Christ with a capital "C."

You could face the mandatory "Tsk, Tsk."

[Junior]

Since "Christ" is a title, it should be capitalized when used with a name, such as "Jesus." By tradition, it is also capitalized when it stands alone, though technically this is not a requirement.

I'd like to see more details on this ruling. WorldNetDaily does not have good credentials in my book, and this reads like a conspiracy theory or urban legend.

[stevem]

A new grammar rule devised by the European Union in Brussels stipulates the word "Christ" shall be spelled with a lowercase "c."

Which ministry decided this? Does Brussels also have a Ministry of Funny Walks? Does Brussels have sprouts?

[The Red Zone]

Look here!

Can you sprachen that in English?

[Kurt_Hectic]

jEUsus!!!

[wolfcreek]

More room in Heaven for the rest of us.

[LZ_Bayonet]

So, from now on, they're the eu.

[flada]

I wOndEr HoW TheY wIll GeT This Past GerMaNy wHerE eVery NouN is CapitAliZed.

At least the grammar police here have no real power.

[Maurice Tift]

wHAT'S wRONG wITH tHESE eUROPEANS aNYWAY - aRE tHEY aFRAID oF Religion and Jesus. !SDRAWKCAB TI EVAH YEHT

[Gamecock]

Some Europeans tend to look at religion and religious faith as a sort of mental problem or difficulty.

This past Sunday evening I was discussing this very issue with my Chaplain at our favorite German restaurant. (Oddly, he is a Baptist and was enjoying a Hefeweizen, while I ,the Presbyterian, had a cup of coffee.)

Anyway, we figured out that the lack of Christianity in Germany is linked to several factors:

a) The "Higher Criticism" movement of the 1800s. While we had the same challenges in the US, Germany tended to be the epicenter of the whole movement. It gained a significant toehold in the 20's and 30's just in time for

b) Hitler. He executed men of the cloth who did not swear allegiance to him. In essence those who survived had sold their souls to Hitler. We figured that these were the same ones who bought into the Higher Criticism movement.

c) After the war, without a firm spiritual rudder, the Germans worshiped at the foot of Capitalist Industrialism. While these are a good thing, they can become very damaging if placed before God.

[chronic_loser]

We'll see, the Church is a tough, tough critter.

Sometimes confessions of faith don't come as formal official pronouncements. I also think they are the best ones. The Church is a tough, tough critter, with all its cankers and warts, because of its Boss.

Thanks for the words this a.m.

[xzins]

They killed 2 entire generations of their best men in Germany from 1914 to 1945.

If you think about it, the remaining men were those who were less able to bear weapons, protect nations, raise strong families, etc.

The survivors were their weakest and worst.

[workerbee]

There are no penalties set out for those who insist on continuing to spell Christ with a capital "C."

What in the world...? Penalties? For what would amount to, essentially, a "misspelling?" I'm so glad the Euros have their priorities in order.

[Frumanchu]

German Higher Criticism rolled like thunder through the church in the 19th Century. That coupled with Darwinian Evolutionism spread like wildfire and we're still recovering from it today. I think you guys are dead on in your assessment of why Christianity is so sparse in Germany.

[hershey]

Appalling. Uh, is Islam to continue to be capitalized, and the Koran? Probably.

[Little Ray]

The new rule also applies to Christmas and Christian, as well as Christ. All of these can potentially show up in documents.

[Little Ray]

I've always though of 'em as the ewwwwww.... or maybe the ewe.