CE stands for "Common Era." It is a new term that is eventually expected to replace AD. The latter is an acronym for "Anno Domini" in Latin or "the year of the Lord" in English. The latter refers to the approximate birth year of Yeshua ben Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ). CE and AD have the same definition and value. 2000 CE = 2000 AD.
BCE stands for "Before the common era." It is expected to replace BC, which means "Before Christ." BC and BCE 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, sometime between 4 and 7 BCE. The term "common" simply means that this is the most frequently used calendar system: the Gregorian Calendar. There are many religious calendars in existence, but each of these are normally in use in only a small geographic area of the world -- typically by followers of a single religion. Groups in favor of CE/BCE: The Ethic of Reciprocity (the Golden Rule) suggests that one should not intentionally cause pain to other humans. We should treat others as we would wish to be treated. Since only one out of every three humans on earth is a Christian, some theologians felt that non-religious, neutral terms like CE and BCE would be less offensive to the non-Christian majority. Forcing a Hindu, for example, to use AD and BC might be seen by some as coercing them to acknowledge the supremacy of the Christian God and of Jesus Christ. However, there is nothing to prevent a person from defining CE and BCE as "Christian Era" and "Before the Christian Era" if they wish. Groups opposed to CE/BCE: Many Christians, particularly from the conservative wing of that religion, are distressed at the new terms. Some feel that AD and BC have been in use for centuries and that this tradition should be respected. Others see the switch to CE and BCE as just one more example of non-Christian religions being given precedence over Christianity. At its year-2000 convention at Orlando FL, the Southern Baptist Convention approved their Resolution 9: "On retaining the traditional method of calendar dating (B.C./A.D.)" With reference to the popularity of the CE/BCE nomenclature, it stated, in part: "...This practice is the result of the secularization, anti-supernaturalism, religious pluralism, and political correctness pervasive in our society. . . . The traditional method of dating is a reminder of the preeminence of Christ and His gospel in world history." The resolution recommended that Southern Baptist "individuals, churches, entities, and institutions...retain the traditional method of dating and avoid this revisionism. reproduced with minor editing for length from Religious Tolerance.org Chris Zizzo S-Trains list sponsor: http://www.americanflyertrains.com All the Flyer you desire...books and accessories too! To UNSUBSCRIBE from this list send a note to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
