Is B.C.E. and C.E. (used to replace B.C. and A.D.-Before Christ and Year of our Lord) just used in academia?

Question

I learned these abbreviations in Exploring World Religions in my college class. My friend's daugher is being taught A.D. and B.C. and was told this is universal. I was told new way is politically correct and takes out referance to Christ and respects all religions. What do people in France use every day? What about in the U.N? What about everyday people in other contries? Who uses what and what difference does it make and why? Isn't it just like us narrow- minded Americans to be still teaching our 13 year olds the old system and tell them it's universal? What's wrong with this picture?

Answer 1

It's being used now in reflection that the whole world is not Christian and I believe its a form of political correctness. I'm in England and I'm an academic and these abbreviations are printed in many of the more modern books and are now used widely. I don't agree with the left wing fundamental approach to political correctness but I do agree that there must be some consensus as to the international language of academia. It's irrelevent to me which abbreviation I use as long as I unserstand it and my wrritings are understood.

Answer 2

Being a historian, I use the BCE and CE over the old BC and AD. I'm not sure if anyone elaborated on what BCE and CE mean, but BCE means "before the common era" and CE "common era". It makes a bit of difference because the BC and AD refer to more of a Christian time table. For instance, BC "before Christ" is not an accurate way of determining dates. It is not a concensus when Christ was around, but more of an estimate. So, using BC can be more problematic....particularly if you are dating events around the time of Christ.

Answer 3

BCE and CE represent Before Common Era and Common Era. Both terms are widely used.

BCE and CE are used to deemphasize Christ from BC and AD. Textbooks and other books were written with BC and AD but the newer ones include BCE and CE.

Answer 4

seems like it's pretty much only in academia (ie. university level) and probably some other related fields, like anthropology; probably any teacher (of any grade) who doesn't like to use christian related lingo will try to avoid B.C. and A.D. personally i think it's all pretty silly.

Answer 5

any Jewish history book will use the BCE and CE terms. Non christians do use them regularly.

Answer 6

B.C.E. is the correct termonolgy for "Before Common Error"

Answer 7

i learned the BCE and CE in third grade, but haven't seen it used since then.

Answer 8

It's political correctness - you mustn't upset the Muslims they might slit your throat.

Answer 9

Pretty much.