The Origin and History of the B. C. E, C. E Dating System ( As well as

In recent years, a persistent criticism has been leveled against the use of the BCE, CE system (Before the Common or Current Era, Common or Current Era), rather than BC, AD (Before Christ, Anno Domini or Year of Our Lord ), in dating historical events. This designation, it is claimed, is nothing more than an attempt to remove Christ from the calendar in keeping with the subversive effects of political correctness. The use of BCE, CE, opponents claim, is offensive to Christians who recognize time as dated up to, and away from, the birth of Jesus. Further, it is claimed that BCE, CE makes no sense because it refers to exactly the same event as BC, AD. Those who oppose the use of the common era designation also seem to feel that the use of BC, AD is actually stipulated by the Bible or in some way carries biblical authority. In this episode the prolific writer Joshua J. Mark guides us through the history of B. C, A. D and B. C. E, C. E and debunks quite a bit of myth and