BCE/CE usually refers to the Common Era (the years are the same as AD/BC). The simplest reason for using BCE/CE as opposed to AD/BC is to avoid reference to Christianity and, in particular, to avoid naming Christ as Lord (BC/AD: Before Christ/In the year of our Lord).
when did they change BC to BCE? CE stands for “common (or current) era”, while BCE stands for “before the common (or current) era”. These abbreviations have a shorter history than BC and AD, although they still date from at least the early 1700s.
Just so, what is the difference between BC and BCE?
There is no difference in dating, just in the terms. Anno Domini is Latin for in the year of the Lord referring to the birth of Jesus Christ. B.C. means before Christ and B.C.E. stands for Before the Common Era.
What is BCE history?
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.
