28-07-2013, 12:33 PM
11
Re: Christian Names
To the older generation Bruce the use of the term "Christian name" has nothing to do with Christianity, it simply means "first name". But I agree that one has to be very careful in the use of what used to be everyday language. In Emmerdale there's a big argument going on about the use of the term "play the white man".
28-07-2013, 12:51 PM
13
Re: Christian Names
Originally Posted by Bruce
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It is not a question of feelings it is just ignorance and stupidity to ask a person their Christian name if you don't know if they are a Christian. My Malaysian friend is a Buddhist who visits Australia regularly when she was asked for her Christian Name by some half wit she had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. It was not because of poor English she speaks English, Bahasa, Mandarin and Hokkien fluently.Even asking First Name is misleading because her family name comes first in her name and is followed by her given names.
We live in an era of global travel we have to adapt to the world nothing to do with PC (whatever that means)
28-07-2013, 12:53 PM
14
Re: Christian Names
Originally Posted by Julie1962
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Emmerdale wouldn't be so daft it's Coronation street doing that one 
28-07-2013, 01:02 PM
16
Re: Christian Names
Well I think the one doing the complaining showed her ignorance.Christian name
1. A name given at baptism. Also called baptismal name.
2. A name that precedes a person's family name, especially the first name.
3. The term is loosely used to mean any person's first name as distinct from his or her surname Also called first name forename given name.
Free Dictionary - Christian Names
28-07-2013, 01:29 PM
17
Re: Christian Names
Originally Posted by Julie1962
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Well I'll be honest I haven't said Christian name in years as you say we can't always be sure if a person is or isn't a Christian. I usually ask what people prefer to be called when I need to talk to them so I don't make too many mistakes about what surname etc to use.
Takes but a moment and saves a lot of problems IMO
28-07-2013, 01:37 PM
18
Re: Christian Names
I think a person of a different culture or religion would be slightly baffled to be asked for a Christian name therefore I will now be asking 'what do you like to be called?' I mean some people hate their first name and use a second or third. I am living and learning.
28-07-2013, 01:48 PM
20
Re: Christian Names
Originally Posted by orangutan
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While I applaud your approach, Julie, and will try to follow suit, I still think the original post did portray PC gone mad. On forms now I think the term 'forename' is usually used, but like others I have never made the association between having a Christian name and religion. It was in common usage as meaning forename, and I can't help thinking that if someone objects so strongly to it there may be an underlying agenda.
Point has been made in this thread how insulting it is not to know other people's cultures but I think it more insulting when people come here and expect us to know theirs when they have no intention of embracing ours. If I lived any where else in the world I would embrace their culture not expect them to bend to mine.
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