From: Timwi timwi@gmx.net JAY JG wrote:
You know, I've always found this AD vs. CE debate extremely stupid. Like, as if renaming "AD" to "CE" would immediately, suddenly and magically remove all connections with any religion! Guys, it's still the number of years after Jesus' birth, whether you like it or not.
Actually, it's not, which makes the usage even more problematic.
Argh! Come on now, you know exactly what I meant. The point isn't that the measurement is inaccurate. The point is that renaming it to "CE" does not make it a different measurement. It is still based on the same Christian considerations.
When one uses the B.C. system one is able to make the rather bizarre statement that "Christ was born 4 to 6 years Before Christ". At least Before the Common Era does away with that.
Jay.