Amen. (So to speak.) I get SO ticked off when these scientists use that cumbersome "abbreviation". At first I thought it meant Before the Christian Era and wondered why the useless change. Then I read Before the Common Era and it became clear that this was just another anti-Christian gambit. I suspect some of these scientists have to use it because of peer pressure, but I'm glad to see some that buck the trend.
Like you, I am not into any religion but I go out of my way whenever afforded the opportunity to use AD or BC. The triviality of the anti-West/anti-Christian crowd is amazing.
I prefer “BG” — Before Gregorian.