A.D., B.C. - not P.C.

The American Thinker ^ | November 18th, 2004 | Selwyn Duke

[jim35]

I will continue to use BC and AD because it accurately reflects the reference point from which we measure our dates. Changing it would be silly, since it would simply be a refusal to acknowledge what is, for the purpose of being PC. Also, if it has any chance of upsetting university professors, it's got to be good.

[socal_parrot]

Now, there's a useful scale. Changes every day.

I was doing some research on Anasazi artifacts and saw that the "present" in BP is defined as 1950. I guess not much has changed since then.

[Junior]

January and March were named after Janus and Mars, the Roman pagan gods of war, and of gates and doors and entrances and exits, respectively.

Well, he got these bass ackwards, didn't he? Mars is the god of war and Janus the other things.

As for the BCE and CE thingy, I see nothing wrong with it. It does not change the culture one iota, because most people can't even use AD and BC correctly (the former goes before the date and the latter after).

My personal pet peeve, however, is the lack of a year 0. I think we should take 1 BC (or BCE) and make that the year 0. Dates before then would be proceeded by a minus sign (-) making the whole BC/BCE thingy moot.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[jim35]

That sounds like a good way to measure time to me! When we invade France, we can make them do it that way too! BTW, CUTE BABY! Also; what DOES happen when you get an electrical engineer wet?

[wideawake]

You have an actual reason to adopt the terminology, and the terminology was originally begun by Jewish scholars in the 1800s, I believe.

The real issue is secularized Christians or secularized children of Christians who adopt it purely to thumb their noses in the faces of serious Christians.

[priceofreedom]

The truth is, if I was Christian I would use the bc/ad terminology it makes sense. I guess if it was before jesus I would use that, but the letters Bj would open up a whole new can o worms. The word Christ in reference to one whom Jews do not accept as the messiah is the main problem for most Jews and that is the reason for the different terminology

[tjwmason]

No BC or AD? Fine, how about we call the current year 228 US. New Years Day will from now on occur on July 4.

That's actually a very sensible idea (if one is chucking out one's Christian heritage), the Romans dated from the foundation of the City. I have been known to add Anno Regis Elizabetha 53 to the date (the 53rd year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth).

The only problem then is that you have to know that the Queen came to the throne in 1952, and I have to know that the U.S. was founded in 1776, and we both have to know that Kenya was granted independence in 1963. Many dates to remember for international relations.

[Tax-chick]

later

[KC_for_Freedom]

I agree, it was the Jews who first used the BCE CE terminology and being Jewish it make perfect sense to use these terms in Jewish books. (Of course truely Jewish documents would use the Old Testament dating.)

That being said, it makes no sense to me to rewrite the rest of the world because someone does not feel comfortable with the Christian terminology. Jews should just get use to a lot of Christianity. We Americans should use some of our recent political capital and end the PC movement. The left believes it is progressive and modern to rename everything and attempt to offend no one. Well, it is ridiculous to attempt this and only shows a leftist agenda to do away with a system of morality that has existed since the founding of the country. I agee with this post, obnoxious elitists should be thrown in the rubbish bin along with their modernist movement.

[Mudboy Slim]

We withstood the push to make US go with the Metric System, I reckon we'll overcome this as well...LOL!!

FReegards...MUD

[ArrogantBustard]

Now, there's a useful scale. Changes every day. Where do these doofus losers come from anyway?

Archaeology? I've seen the term BP used in the context of Carbon 14 dating. It sort of makes sense, there, since that is in fact what ¹⁴C dating purports to measure.

[msdrby]

So, in changing the current date to 2008, would it be considered a third term, or would we still be eligible for 4 MORE YEARS!!

[Petronski]

Anyone remember the decimal calender sketch from Saturday Night Live?

Classic.

[dmz]

weird, the most important day is the day AFTER you signed up for FR?

[msdrby]

I like it!! Maybe a constitutional amendment is in order?

[malakhi]

Thats funny! thats how to fight this..just keep saying Ad and BC,

How 'bout those who want to use "BC" and "AD" feel free to do so, and those who prefer "BCE" and "CE" feel free to do so?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I told my kids if they ever came home from school with anything but B.C. and A.D. on their homework, I would march them and their teacher into the pricipal's office and tear up their homework in front of them.

Fear works.

[malakhi]

BCE and CE are obnoxious

So don't use them. But why should it bother you if other people do?