When you use it, which do you use?

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Chamber005

Chamber005

Carbonite Member
BC/AD or BCE/CE

Was just introduced to the latter today on the Science Channel. Seems a bit pointless and potentially confusing. I don't remember any history or classical civilization classes ever using "Common Era" to define time.
 
I'm a BC/AD guy. I heard that other version years ago and just rolled my eyes. I mean, why not rename AM & PM to BN and AN (before noon and after noon)? It's just unnecessary.
 
Hawk Teflon said:
I'm a BC/AD guy. I heard that other version years ago and just rolled my eyes. I mean, why not rename AM & PM to BN and AN (before noon and after noon)? It's just unnecessary.
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Unless you take issue with the world running on a calendar that hinges on the importance of someone you may or may not believe in. Granted, it has become an almost universally accepted reference, the meaning of which is rarely an issue. But for those who are at odds with religion being such permeating factor in even objective portions of our lives, I can see how the religious based reference can be a problem. It's not as though AD means "after Christ died". In means "The year of our Lord". What if He's not your Lord?
 
Ah! My eggshells have arrived! I'll try to make some shoes out of these.

I understand what you're saying, but I've always heard it translated as "The year of The Lord." In the same way that King George wasn't MY king, he was still a king to some people.
 
Yeah, I'm thinking this thread won't last long :grin:

But while it's here...I realize that we need to have some point in time as a reference to create a calendar. That's a given. No matter what point is picked, someone will believe that it is arbitrary and/or favors a certain point of view. Starting the current calendar where it is favors the Christian tradition. Not surprising, since, IIRC, it was developed by a pope. I don't think there is any way around that part of the issue.

However, I think the language used to describe that calendar (or at least it's timeline, as I am aware that there are months and days of the week that are named after deities of differing traditions) can be perceived as the same type of favoritism. If the literal translation is "the year of the Lord", (I'm not up on my Latin) then that doesn't really change my position much. King George was a king. That was his title. We don't allow his kingship to define our calendar. He occupies a small slice of history. The reference "AD" permeates it. By embracing that we give the concept of a Christian deity validity.

By dividing our timeline to the things that happened before Jesus and those that happened after Jesus gives his presence tremendous authority, even if you are an atheist. And there is no doubt that his life and death have had an immense impact on our history. Arguably moreso than anyone that ever lived. It would be crazy to change that now. However continuing to refer to the portions of that timeline by referencing the divinity of Jesus can appear to be...favorable to that religion.

I want to be clear that I don't give a crap one way or the other. The calendar on my iPhone doesn't go back that far. I'm just trying to point out that I understand why some people would have a problem with it.
 
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Hawk Teflon said:
I'm a BC/AD guy. I heard that other version years ago and just rolled my eyes. I mean, why not rename AM & PM to BN and AN (before noon and after noon)? It's just unnecessary.
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No rename AM & PM to, IL and ID. It's Light, It's Dark. Why confuse people.
 
Personally, I use BC/AD but I have no problem with those who use BCE/CE. As long as I know what year it is...:cheesy:
 
Jim Brennan said:
You are obviously overlooking the complications of Daylight Savings Time.
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Ahh...

ISL, ISD. It's Sorta Light, It's Sorta Dark.

Flawless I say, Flawless....

broken_clock_sticker-p217923578437445479qjcl_400.jpg
 
I totally understand and agree with the idea that basing our calendar on this guy assumes acceptance of the Christian teachings, but that doesn't really touch on the naming thing. The numbers start and stop at the same point regardless of what you call it, and everyone knows why. I personally use BC/AD, but I also don't roll my eyes or otherwise care of people use CE/BCE. As long as we all know what we're talking about, it's just a synonym.
 
I really didn't know that there was a debate about it... and I'm not a christian, so you'd think I would. I'm fine with whatever works.
 
I guess it's like Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays then?

I think it just seemed weird to specifically negate that one thing in all of our language. I mean if that's the case science certainly shouldn't be calling the Sun the Sun or the Earth the Earth or Mars Mars. I think BCE/CE is meant as an aversion to Christiantity specifically.
 
Chamber005 said:
I guess it's like Merry Christmas vs Happy Holidays then?

I think it just seemed weird to specifically negate that one thing in all of our language. I mean if that's the case science certainly shouldn't be calling the Sun the Sun or the Earth the Earth or Mars Mars. I think BCE/CE is meant as an aversion to Christiantity specifically.
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Well, yes. It is an aversion to Christianity. Or rather it is an aversion to basing all of our historical references on the religious significance of an event. The translation is the key. As a kid I always thought BC meant "before Christ" and AD meant "after death". Those references are HISTORICALLY significant. "Year of our Lord (or the Lord)" is religiously significant.
 
As this thread is only getting minimal attention and some points for all sides made without any heat, Im going to close it. Whilst its relatively OK now, I feel it may run a little outside our forum guidelines in time.
 
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