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Controversy over the use of
"CE/BCE" or "AD/BC" dating notation

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Overview:

CE stands for "Common Era." It is a relatively old term that is experiencing rapidly increased usage in recent years. It is expected to eventually replace AD. The latter is an abbreviation for "Anno Domini" in Latin or "the year of the Lord" in English. The latter refers to the approximate birth year of Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ). CE and AD have the same and value. 2004 CE = 2004 AD. The word "common" simply means that it is based on the most frequently used calendar system: the Gregorian Calendar. .

BCE stands for "Before the common era." It is expected to eventually replace BC, which means "Before Christ," or "Before the Messiah." Years in the BC and BCE notation are also identical in value. Most theologians and religious historians believe that the approximate birth date of Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus) was in the fall of a year, sometime between 7 and 4 BCE. However, we have seen estimates as late as 4 CE and as early as the second century BCE.

Of course, one can always interpret the letter "C" in CE and BCE as referring to "Christian" or "Christ's" The Abbreviations Dictionary does exactly this. ₁ The "C" has also been interpreted as "Current."

Topics covered in this section:

Introduction: Groups in favor and opposed to CE/BCE. Visitors' comments. Our decision

	Religious calendars. Meaning of 1 BCE & 1 AD. History of the AD/BC & CE/BCE notation
	Justification for the use of CE/BCE. Trends

References:

The following information source was used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlink is not necessarily still active today.

1. R.S. Wachal, "Abbreviations Dictionary: A Practical Compilation of Today's Acronyms and Abbreviations," Houghton Mifflin, (1999). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store

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Latest update: 2009-APR-20
Author: B.A. Robinson

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