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AD and BC become CE/BCE
By Indira Das-Gupta Last updated at 00:00am on 19.02.02In what could be seen as their greatest victory to date, politically correct campaigners have succeeded in getting schools to scrap the Christian calendar.
Breaking with centuries of tradition, the terms "BC" and "AD" are to be replaced with a system known as the Common Era. The two dating schemes are identical and both use the birth of Christ as their starting points, but the secular version does not acknowledge this.
The Latin term Anno Domini, meaning in the year of our Lord, becomes Common Era, or CE, and Before Christ becomes Before the Common Era, or BCE.
The term "common" refers to the fact that the Christian calendar is the most frequently used around the world. The move has sparked outrage among Church leaders. The Rev Rod Thomas of Reform, the Church of England's evangelical network, said: "What they are attempting to do is educate children into believing there is a way of measuring our calendar that takes its dates from an event, the significance of which, they are trying to deny.
"The whole of the Western calendar has been based on BC and AD. To change that for no good reason is to do a disservice to our youngsters."
Colin Hart, from the Christian Institute, said: "This is ridiculous. Between three and four per cent of people in Britain are of a non-Christian faith. This is about white liberals imposing political correctness in schools to ensure children are cut off from the past, for fear of upsetting someone.
"Of course, it is perfectly acceptable to offend the vast majority."
Panels comprising teachers, councillors and religious representatives advise councils in England and Wales on religious education syllabuses.
But defending the change, a spokesman for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority said: "It's not a question of one way is wrong and one is right, more a question of which is most commonly used.
"CE/BCE is becoming an industry standard among historians.
"Pupils have to be able to recognise these terms when they come across them."
Reader views (8)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I do not see why the views of 4% should be allowed the change this system, as all the days of the week are named after Saxon/Norse gods, will we have to change these to please the incoming non Christians.
And the change from the wording Christ to common is much more offensive.
Perhaps people should show respect for the conventions of the country they come to live in.
CE should be Christian Era and BCE Before Christian Era.
- Martin Hinchcliffe., Hayes, England.
People who are offended by terms or words should not read them. It is
farcical to use BCE and CE to reference the same date as BC and AD.
Fake people need fake terms for their fake worlds.
JD
- Jd Gavin, Sydney
I have long considered the terms "BC" and "AD" to be deeply offensive, and wince whenever I see them. It's just the same with the months of the year and the days of the week, named as they are after pagan deities and long-gone Roman emperors. How much more comfortable it would feel to be writing these observations on Day 17 of Month 2 of 2009 CE. The arrival of Easter will be the next shock. How appalling that this provocative and divisive term for the Spring Festival should still be in use!
- David Helliwell, Oxford, England
This is an example of unjustified hysteria about terminology. The use of terms 'BC' and 'AD' is habitual in English speaking word, but as far as I know BCE and CE have been established standards in other counties for decades. This is how I was taught when I was at school.
- Jr, Poole, UK
Making this a rule, makes perfect sence. In fact, if it weren't a rule then the whole regiment of antichrist would not work. If you do not believe in the end times, you better now, beacuse the end times are comming. If you don't believe in the antichrist then you will be doomed. - God bless you!
- Mark, Sahuarita, USA
There is a move among students in evidence of a growing impatience with political correctness - a sociological man made disease with its origin in Harvard University USA (where else?).
The CE/BCE is one of the most ridiculous of the anti-Christian nature of political correctness, since the heresy of Jehovah's Witnesses have used this system almost from their invention in the mid 19th century. So, while the argument that Christianity is becoming a minority prevails, we have to put up with the usage of an even smaller minority.
One day England will wake up to find herself in the middle of a semi-literate desert. We cannot describe ourselves as English on official forms. Despite a legal right to do so, we are told we cannot fly our national flag in case it upsets someone and we have to live in a place called UK (or is that euck).
For God, England and St George? Don't make me laugh.
- Lionel Anthony, Congresbury England.
I am of the opinion if people of other religions do not wish to use these supposedly offensive terms then perhaps they shouldn't move to a country with a large Christian population. This is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to treating other religions with kid gloves, I myself am a Jedi yet am not offended by the terms BC or AD. People really need to get a grip and start standing up for themselves, or one day they will wake up and find their rights and abilities to affect the decision making process have been totally eroded, once this happens you wo'nt be able to reverse the process.
- Antony Parsons, Girvan Scotland
We are gradually losing all of our history and will in time become a Nation with nothing to be proud of, spending our time ensuring the happiness of other religions.
- Steve Hall, Brandon, Suffolk
