A is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah (the Christ in Greek-derived terminology) prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, and the Son of God. through the Syriac (Aramaic); Masihi (مسيحي) means followers of the Messiah. Another Arabic word sometimes used for Christians, particularly in a political context, is Salibi; this refers to Crusaders and has negative connotations.

Asian terms

Nasrani or Nasranee may also refer to the Syrian Malabar Nasrani people, a Christian ethno-religious group from Kerala, India, are a mixed race people of Chaldean, Malayali Brahmin, Syriac, Jewish and other Malayali Hindu Castes in decreasing percentage of ethnic ancestry.

In India Christians also call themselves "Isai", and are also known by this term to Hindus and others in south Asia. This is related to the name they call Jesus, "Isa Mesih".

In the past, the Malays used to call the Portuguese Serani which meant "followers of the Nazarene". The term Serani is used for the creole Christian community of Malaysia today.

The Chinese word is (pinyin: jīdū tú), literally "Christ follower."

Demographics

As of the early 21st century, Christianity has around 2.2 billion adherents. The faith represents about a quarter to a third of the world's population and is the largest religion in the world, with approximately 38,000 Christian denominations. Christians have composed about 33 percent of the world's population for around 100 years. The largest Christian denomination is the Roman Catholic Church, with 1.166 billion adherents, representing half of all Christians.

{| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Twenty countries with the most Christians |- bgcolor=#CCCCFF ! Country ! Christians ! % Christian |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 243,186,000 |style="background:#5A4FCF; text-align:center;"| 78.4% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 174,700,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 90.4% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 105,095,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 94.5% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 99,775,000 |style="background:#5A4FCF; text-align:center;"| 70.3% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 90,530,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 92.4% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 76,281,000 |style="background:#0047AB; text-align:center;"| 48.2% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 66,959,000 |style="background:#ADD8E6; text-align:center;"| 5.0% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 63,825,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 90.0% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 55,070,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 91.1% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 54,978,000 |style="background:#0047AB; text-align:center;"| 64.5% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 49,400,000 |style="background:#0047AB; text-align:center;"| 59.9% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 44,502,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 97.6% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 41,973,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 91.5% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 39,843,000 |style="background:#5A4FCF; text-align:center;"| 79.7% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 37,561,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 92.7% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 36,526,000 |style="background:#6F00FF; text-align:center;"| 95.7% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 35,568,000 |style="background:#5A4FCF; text-align:center;"| 77.2% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 35,014,000 |style="background:#0047AB; text-align:center;"| 53.5% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 34,774,000 |style="background:#5A4FCF; text-align:center;"| 85.1% |- | (details) |style="text-align:right;"| 29,943,000 |style="background:#5A4FCF; text-align:center;"| 88.6% |}

See also

Christendom

Christian Church

Conversion to Christianity

Cultural Christian

Lists of Christians

Rice Christian, referring to people who profess Christianity for material benefits

References

Category:Christian terms Category:New Testament Greek words and phrases Category:Religious identity

Coordinates	51°30′09″N0°07′39.7″N
Alt	Christian Bale in a black suit at a movie premiere.
Caption	Bale in June 2009
Birth name	Christian Charles Philip Bale
Birth date	January 30, 1974
Birth place	Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1982–present
Spouse	Sandra Blažić (2000–present; 1 daughter)

Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor.

Settling for four years in Bournemouth and Henley-on-Thames, Bale was educated at Shiplake Church of England Primary School; the independent Dolphin School, Berkshire; and at the Bournemouth School. He played rugby. Bale has described his childhood, with respect to his mother being in the circus, as "interesting". He recalled his first kiss was with an acrobat named Barta.

As a child, he trained in ballet and guitar. His sister Louise's work in theatre also influenced his decision to become an actor. Bale's father was very supportive of his son's acting, resigning from his job as a commercial pilot to travel and manage Bale's burgeoning career. The elder Bale later married feminist icon Gloria Steinem, and died, aged 62, on 30 December 2003, from brain lymphoma.

Bale's first foray into acting was a commercial for the fabric softener Lenor in 1982, when he was eight years old. In 1990 he played the role of Jim Hawkins opposite Charlton Heston (as Long John Silver) in Treasure Island, an adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic book.

In 1992, Bale starred as Jack Kelly in the Disney musical Newsies, and followed it up in 1993 with another release, Swing Kids, a movie about teenagers who secretly listened to forbidden jazz during the rise of Nazi Germany. Bale provided the voice for Thomas, a young compatriot of Captain John Smith, in Disney's Pocahontas (1995) and in 1997 played Arthur Stuart in Velvet Goldmine, Todd Haynes' tribute to glam rock. In 1999, Bale contributed to an all-star cast, including Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stanley Tucci, and Rupert Everett, portraying Demetrius in an updated version of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

1999–2001

In 1999, Bale played serial killer Patrick Bateman in American Psycho, director Mary Harron's adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' controversial novel. Bale was briefly dropped from the project in favor of Leonardo DiCaprio, but DiCaprio eventually dropped out to star in The Beach, and Bale was cast once again. He researched his character by studying the novel and prepared himself physically for the role by spending months tanning and exercising in order to achieve the "Olympian physique" of the character as described in the original novel.

Equilibrium was Bale's third film of 2002, costing US$20 million to produce but earning just over US$5 million worldwide. a transformation he described as "very calming mentally" was then cast as the voice of the title character, Howl, in the English language dub of the Japanese director's fantasy anime adventure Howl's Moving Castle, an adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones's children's novel. Its profits in the US were US$4,711,096, a fraction of its worldwide gross (US$235,184,110). With the help of a personal trainer, Bale succeeded in meeting the deadline, gaining a total of in six months. He went from about 130 lbs to 230 lbs. To attain a deeper understanding of the character, Bale read various Batman comic books. He explained his interpretation of the young boy: "Batman is his hidden, demonic rage-filled side. The creature Batman creates is an absolutely sincere creature and one that he has to control but does so in a very haphazard way. He's capable of enacting violence — and to kill — so he's constantly having to rein himself in." For Bale, the most gruelling part about playing Batman was the suit. "You stick it on, you get hot, you sweat and you get a headache in the mask," he said. "But I'm not going to bitch about it because I get to play Batman."

2010–present

Bale starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in the David O. Russell-directed 2010 drama The Fighter.

Like his late father, businessman David (1941–2003), Christian Bale actively supports environmental groups such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. Feminist activist Gloria Steinem became Christian Bale's stepmother when she married David Bale on 3 September 2000;

During an interview promoting his 2009 film Public Enemies Bale said he is a video game fan, specifically of the Metal Gear Solid series. When questioned if he was in the running to play Solid Snake, Bale stated that he prefers to devote his spare time to constructive things and dislikes discussing his personal life.Francis Sullivan | |- | 1993 | Swing Kids | Thomas Berger | |- |rowspan="2"| 1994 | Prince of Jutland | Amled | |- | Little Women | Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence | |- | 1995 | Pocahontas | Thomas | Voice Only |- |rowspan="2"| 1996 | | Edward Rosier | |- | | Stevie | |- | 1997 | Metroland | Chris Lloyd | |- |rowspan="2"| 1998 | Velvet Goldmine | Arthur Stuart | |- | All the Little Animals | Bobby Platt | |- |rowspan="2"| 1999 | | Demetrius | |- | Mary, Mother of Jesus | Jesus of Nazareth | TV Movie |- |rowspan="2"| 2000 | American Psycho | Patrick Bateman |Chlotrudis Award for Best ActorNominated — Empire Award for Best ActorNominated — London Film Critics Circle Awards for British Actor of the YearNominated — Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor |- | Shaft | Walter Wade, Jr. | |- | 2001 | Captain Corelli's Mandolin | Mandras | |- |rowspan="3"| 2002 | Laurel Canyon | Sam Bentley | |- | Reign of Fire | Quinn Abercromby | |- | Equilibrium | Cleric John Preston | |- |rowspan="2"| 2004 | | Trevor Reznik | Nominated — European Film Award for Best ActorNominated — Saturn Award for Best ActorNominated — London Film Critics Circle Awards for British Actor of the Year |- | Howl's Moving Castle | Howl | Voice For English Language Dub Only |- |rowspan="4"| 2005 | Batman Begins | Bruce Wayne/Batman |MTV Movie Award for Best HeroSaturn Award for Best ActorNominated — Empire Award for Best ActorNominated — Scream Awards For Best SuperheroNominated — Scream Awards For Most Heroic PerformanceNominated — Irish Film and Television Award For Best International Actor |- | ''Batman Begins (Video Game) | Batman (voice)/Bruce Wayne (voice) | Video GameVoice Only |- | Harsh Times | Jim Luther Davis | Also Executive Producer |- | | John Rolfe | |- |rowspan="2"| 2006 | Rescue Dawn | Dieter Dengler |San Diego Film Critics Society Awards — Special Award (Also for I'm Not There and 3:10 to Yuma) Nominated — Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture |- | | Alfred Borden |Nominated — Empire Award for Best Actor |- |rowspan="2"| 2007 | | Dan Evans |San Diego Film Critics Society Awards — Special Award (Also for I'm Not There and Rescue Dawn) Nominated — London Film Critics' Circle Awards — British Actor of the Year |- | I'm Not There | Jack Rollins/Pastor John |Independent Spirit Award — Robert Altman Award (with Todd Haynes, Laura Rosenthal, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, Ben Whishaw, Marcus Carl Franklin, Bruce Greenwood, Charlotte Gainsbourg)
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards — Special Award (Also for 3:10 to Yuma and Rescue Dawn) |- | 2008 | | Bruce Wayne/Batman |Empire Awards — Best Actor — The Dark Knight
Scream Awards — Best Superhero — The Dark Knight
People's Choice Awards — Favorite Superhero
People's Choice Awards — Favorite On Screen Match Up (with Heath Ledger)
People's Choice Awards — Favorite Cast (with Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal)
Nominated — People's Choice Awards — Favorite Male Action Star
Nominated — People's Choice Awards — Favorite Leading Man
Nominated — Scream Awards — Best Fantasy Actor |- |rowspan="2"| 2009 | Terminator Salvation | John Connor | |- | Public Enemies | Melvin Purvis | |- | 2010 | | Dicky Eklund | Alliance of Women Film Journalists For Best Supporting Actor Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorBlack Film Critics Circle For Best Supporting ActorBoston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor Boston Society of Film Critics for Best EnsembleBroadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorBroadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast Central Ohio Film Critics Circle Association Awards For Best EnsembleChicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorDallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorFlorida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorIndiana Film Journalists Association Award for Supporting Actor Iowa Film Critics Award for Best Supporting ActorKansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting ActorLas Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorNational Board of Review Award for Best Supporting ActorNew York Film Critics Online Award For Best Supporting Actor North Texas Film Critics Award for Best Supporting ActorOklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting ActorOnline Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorPhoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorSatellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association For Best Supporting ActorUtah Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorVancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting ActorWashington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated — Central Ohio Film Critics Circle Association Awards For Best Supporting ActorNominated — San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorNominated — San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best CastNominated — Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best EnsemblePending — Denver Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting ActorPending — Dorian Award for Best Film Performance of the YearPending — Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion PicturePending — London Film Critics Circle Awards for British Actor of the YearPending — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PicturePending — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role |- | 2011 | The 13 Women of Nanjing | John | filming |- | 2012 | The Dark Knight Rises | Bruce Wayne/Batman | pre-production |}

Other awards and nominations

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Award category ! Title of work ! Result |- | 2009 | West Point Cadet Choice Awards | Best Exemplification of Leadership | | Won |}

References

External links

Category:1974 births Category:Alumni of Bournemouth School Category:English child actors Category:English expatriates in the United States Category:English film actors Category:Living people Category:People from Haverfordwest Category:People from Bournemouth Category:People from the Greater Los Angeles Area

Christian Rosha Hosoi ( ; born October 5, 1967) is an American professional skateboarder. He is also known by the nicknames "Christ" and "Holmes". Hosoi is married to Jennifer Lee and has four sons, James Hosoi, Rhythm Hosoi (from a previous relationship), Classic Hosoi and Endless Hosoi. He is currently living in Huntington Beach, California.

Skateboard career

Hosoi started skating at seven or eight years old with veterans such as Shogo Kubo, Tony Alva, Stacy Peralta, and Jay Adams as his idols. His father, Ivan "Pops" Hosoi became the manager of the Marina Del Rey Skatepark, and Christian quit school and spent his time there where he quickly developed his emerging talent. In 1979, as an amateur, Hosoi was sponsored by Powell Peralta. He left Powell Peralta a year later when they wouldn't allow him to turn professional and joined Dogtown Skateboards. After Dogtown went out of business shortly thereafter, he turned pro at the age of 14 with Sims Skateboards.

Christian Hosoi emerged as one of the top competitors of vertical riding alongside such pros as Steve Caballero, Mike McGill, Lester Kasai, and Mark "Gator" Rogowski with an eventual rivalry developing with Tony Hawk with contrasting styles in both skateboarding and lifestyles—Hosoi, known for his flair and graceful style, and Hawk raising the bar with his technical ability and difficult tricks. Hosoi invented the Christ Air and Rocket Air, and was renowned for pulling huge aerials; at one point he was the world record holder. Vertical skateboarding grew in spectator popularity with prize money to match. This, combined with major endorsements with Converse, Swatch, and Jimmy'Z, as well as receiving a pro model wheel, the OJ II Hosoi Rocket through Santa Cruz Speed Wheels, earning Hosoi more money than he'd ever dreamed of. In 1984 he formed his own company, Hosoi Skates, first distributed through Skull Skates, then through NHS-INC. The board proved to be so popular that it was counterfeited. When street skating began to emerge in the mid-to-late 80s, Hosoi proved a threat as well, winning both the vert and street contests at the Lotte Cup contest in Japan in 1989.

Contest history

Placed in top 5 in 1980 Van's/Offshore Amateur State Finals (California) in boys 11-13 division

1st in 1985 NSA Summer Series #5 (Vancouver, BC): pro vert

1st in 1985 NSA

2nd in 1986 Expo 86 (Vancouver, BC): vert

1st in 1987 Thrasher Savannah Slamma I, street

2nd in 1987 Vision Ramp N' Rage Down South: vert

1st in 1988 Vision Skate Escape: vert

2nd in 1988 Ohio Skateout: street

1st in 1988 Ramp Riot Bells beach(Australia): vert

1st in 1988 Titus World Cup (Germany): vert

2nd in 1988 Titus World Cup (Germany): street

2nd in 1988 Vision Bluegrass Aggression Session: vert

1st in 1989 NSA Savannah Slamma III: Arena Street Style

2nd in 1989 NSA Gotcha Grind: vert

1st in 1989 Japan Slam Jam (Japan): vert

3rd in 1990 Disco in Frisco: street

3rd in 1990 NSA All Pro Mini Ramp Jam Hawaiian Style: mini ramp

1st in 2008 the 10th Annual Tim Brauch Memorial Contest Grandmasters Event

1st in 2008 Etnies GVR Skull Bowl - Masters (Lake Forest, CA)

Overall Best ‘80s in 2008 The “All ‘80s All Day Vert Challenge”

the 1st annual Team event at the 2009 Ultimate Boarder.

2nd in 2009 Pro-tec Pool Party-Master's division

TransWorld Legend Award 11th 2009

1st in 2009 the X Games 15 Skateboard Park Legends contest

2nd in 2009 the 11th Annual Tim Brauch Memorial Contest Grandmasters Event

1st in 2010 the X Games 16 Skateboard Park Legends contest

Incarceration

Hosoi's pro career began to falter as a recession hit the US in the early 1990s and the new street skating stars began to overshadow vertical riders in media coverage. Hosoi faced bankruptcy after financial difficulties with a series of failed skateboard companies like Tuff Sk8s, Sk8 Kultur, Milk, and Focus, in addition to a growing addiction to drugs.

In 1995, Hosoi was arrested on two minor offenses, and a warrant for his arrest was issued for failing to appear in court. To avoid arrest, Hosoi stopped attending competitions and demos, including declining an invitation to the first X Games (then the Extreme Games), which was going to be marketed as a renewed rivalry between Hawk and Hosoi.

Christian was finally captured in January 2000 at the Honolulu airport. He was apprehended while attempting to transport nearly of crystal methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Honolulu. He was charged with trafficking with the intent to distribute, a federal crime. He was sentenced to 10 years incarceration, of which he served 4 and was released from the San Bernardino Central Detention Center in June 2004.

Christianity

He was supported by the skate industry during his incarceration. The Emergency division of Black Label Skateboards issued a Hosoi pro model deck. Shorty's and Chad Muska released a tribute deck featuring an homage to Hosoi's first pro model deck on Sims with the Rising Sun graphic. He also received guest models through Mark Gonzales' Krooked Skateboards and Pocket Pistols Skateboards; both decks feature his famous Hammerhead shape.

In June 2004 Hosoi's sentence was reduced for good behavior and he was released on parole. Hosoi married girlfriend Jennifer Lee. He became a born-again Christian through the urging of his wife and her uncle, Pastor Christopher Swain. He also earned his high school diploma. Hosoi continues to be open about his new-found faith, having become ordained as an associate pastor, and has resumed his skateboarding career.

Hosoi was the subject of the 2006 documentary film Rising Son - The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi that detailed his initial success, drug addiction, and conversion to Christianity.

Christian joined forces with Jay Haizlip, Brian Sumner, and others to create The Uprising, a skate based ministry.

In 2008 The Uprising was documented by Steelroots, a Christian Youth Television Network, and made into a reality television show. The first season comprised eight episodes following the ministry around California and England. Season 2, began airing in fall 2009.

References

Brooke, Michael (1999). Concrete Wave: The History Of Skateboarding. ISBN 1-894020-54-5.

Sports Illustrated (June 7, 2004). Skate and Destroy article by Karl Taro Greenfeld

External links

HosoiSkates.com - Official site

Christian Hosoi Reborn, Theme magazine, February 2008

The Uprising The Uprising Reality Series on Steelroots.com

Rising Son - The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi on IMDB.com

iamsecond Christian Hosoi video testimony on iamsecond.com

Category:1967 births Category:American skateboarders Category:Living people

Coordinates	51°30′09″N0°07′39.7″N
Name	Christian Burns
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Christian Anthony Burns
Born	January 18, 1974Wigan, United Kingdom
Instrument	Singing, Acoustic/Electric Guitar
Genre	Pop
Occupation	Singer, songwriter
Years active	1999–present
Associated acts	BBMak, Tiësto, Armin Van Buuren

Christian Burns (born Christian Anthony Burns on January 18, 1974 in Wigan) is an English musician and the son of Tony Burns of "The Signs", a Liverpool-based rock band signed to Decca Records in the 1960s.

Career

Burns was a member of the popular British band, BBMak, along with Mark Barry and Stephen McNally. The group sold nearly three million albums worldwide and had a Top 5 single with "Back Here", in the UK. In the United States, "Back Here" reached number 1 in the charts and received heavy video play on MTV and TRL.

In 2003, the band broke up, and all the members went on to pursue solo careers. Since then Burns has been collaborating with other artists and dance projects. In 2007, he worked with Tiësto on the track "In the Dark", for the album Elements of Life. He also collaborated with a Dutch based dance project, Allure, on the track entitled "Power of You".

He has also collaborated with Benny Benassi, on the song "Love and Motion", and American singer, Jes Brieden, on the song 'As We Collide'.

He is featured heavily on BT's 2010 album These Hopeful Machines, co-writing the songs "Suddenly", "The Emergency", and "Forget Me". He provides lead vocals on "Suddenly" and backing vocals on "The Emergency", "Forget Me."

He also has upcoming tracks with Richard Durand "Night & Day", also Armin Van Buuren's "This Light Between Us" taken from his album " Mirage" released in September 2010. Other collaborations include tracks by David Guetta, Matt Darey, Sebastian Ingrosso, and Dirty South.

He is currently in a new band called The Bleach Works, and is due to release a new album in 2011.

Discography

For Christian Burns discography with BBMak see BBMak Discography

Soundtracks

2005 - "Sky High" - "Everybody Wants to Rule the World"

2006 - "Little Athens" - "Tranqulized" (as Inhaler)

Singles

Co-Productions

2007 - "In the Dark" (as Tiësto featuring Christian Burns) - #133 UK

2008 - "Something About You" (as Inhaler featuring Christian Burns)

2008 - "Power of You" (as Allure featuring Christian Burns)

2010 - "Suddenly" (as BT featuring Christian Burns)

2010 - "Night & Day" (as Richard Durand featuring Christian Burns)

2010 - "Save This City" (as Phonic Funk featuring The Bleachworks)

2010 - "This Light Between Us" (as Armin Van Buuren featuring Christian Burns)

Collaborations

2008 - "Love And Motion" (with Benny Benassi)

2010 - "The Emergency" (with BT)

2010 - "Invincible" (with Matt Darey/Urban Astronauts)

External links

Inhaler, Christian Burns and BBMak Website

Category:1974 births Category:BBMak members Category:English male singers Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Liverpool