Date conventions

hingram · Posted: Mon Jun 11, 2007 1:13 pm Post subject: Date conventions

I unconsciously swap from BC/AD to BCE/CE dating (and visa versa) when writing and I need to commit myself to one format for the sanity of myself and my readers! I am aware that some groups are opposed to the use of BCE/CE and there is equal opposition to the BC/AD format.

Are there any set conventions about this? And what is the general preference of most readers?

Thanks,
Helen

michaelcounsell · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 3

I think the CE/BCE format is courteous when you expect to have Jewish readers who do not accept Jesus as Christ or Dominus -- or are we being over-cautious? Among Christians, BC/AD is most easily understood. Michael

True54Blue · Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 17 Location: Canada

I agree with Michael that your audience/publisher will dictate which terms you use. The other consideration is that I don't know how many times people have told me that BCE=Before Christian Era and CE=Christian Era. Although the terms have changed most Christians assume that it means the same thing. If speaking to Christians I use BC/AD although in higher education students should be taught what CE/BCE really mean.

Tom

hingram · Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 8:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for this. Yes, I agree that we should consider the intended audience when deciding which convention should be used and in most cases a publisher will take the decision out of our hands. I naturally gravitate towards BC/AD, but I worry that I am being disrespectful to some of my readers. Perhaps I am being a little overcautious.

I have also encountered this confusion amongst students concerning BCE=Before Christian Era and CE=Christian Era. I am never sure whether this is a genuine misinterpretation or an attempt to re-Christianise the terms…?

Helen

rgoode · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:11 am Post subject: Christian or Common Era?

Aaah the plot really thickens!

When I started out, I was told that BCE and CE meant Before Common Era and Common Era and that although there was an element of courtesy/political correctness [delete as you wish], the primary aim was to avoid confusion of different dating systems (particularly between Islamic and Jewish chronologies).

Because the BC/AD chronology is so much part of the modern (Westernised) world, it was felt that rather than constructing a totally new dating system, it would be less confusing to adapt the one that was most prevelant. It was also suggested that the fall of Jerusalem (70 CE) marked a turning point in Judaism and that (very) roughly Islam came about this time. Therefore, it seemed sensible to keep with the 'Christian' time frames, but also to make it more universal by being applicable to all.

The use of Christian, instead of Common, was permissable as a 'sop' to Christians who might be offended by an apparent secularisation of our dating system.

I was, however, given the impression that the BCE - CE system was being adopted throughout academia. Having read recently a number of history texts, I did not come across it once - so it appears to really only be used still within theology and religion.

I must admit that I use BCE-CE out of habit. It would be good to know if it is a cause for offense and/or confusion.

Richard

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