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The AD/BC and BCE/CE systems are the same when it comes to historical dates. AD/BC dates were used by Catholic historians in the Middle Ages, while BCE/CE was developed later to remove religious connotations. Both methods have supporters and critics, but the use of BCE/CE is still limited.
In one sense, there really is no difference between an AD/BC and BCE/CE system when it comes to historical dates. The year AD 23 is exactly the same as the year AD 23, and 4004 BC is also 4004 BC. References to historical dates in both classifications should not confuse a researcher’s mind. Major historical dates such as 1492 AD, 1776 AD or 1941 AD would still be rendered as 1492 AD, 1776 AD and 1941 AD
The AD/BC method of identifying historical dates can be traced back to Catholic historians working in the early Middle Ages. Identifying historical dates up to that point was often a tricky proposition, since different historians worked with different calendars. A Roman historian would have used the Roman notation AUD, in which year zero was the largely symbolic foundation of Rome. Converting historical dates to the standard Gregorian calendar was not going to be easy. Using the birth of Jesus Christ as a central point made more sense to religious historians.
The term BC is short for “Before Christ”. The historical dates before the birth of Christ get smaller as they get closer to the theoretical but non-existent Year Zero. Historical dates after the birth of Christ are classified as AD, short for the Latin phrase Anno Domini, or “in the year of our Lord.” Contrary to popular belief, AD does not stand for “After Death”. The BC/AD
The system for identifying historical dates has been in continuous use since the early part of the Middle Ages, at least.
Several centuries after AD/BC historical date identification became popular, a new movement developed among scientists, historians, and some religious leaders. The period following the birth of Christ was now referred to in some quarters as the “Common Era.” The meaning of the word vulgar actually meant “common” at that time, not unpleasant or obscene. Eventually many areas of the Western world adopted the less Christ-centered term “Common Era.” Historical dates occurring before the year AD 1 would be considered BC, short for “Before the Common Era”.
The relatively new BC/CE reference for historical dates has had its share of supporters and critics. Critics see the new system as an attempt to remove the religious significance inherent in the BC/AD system. Even the BCE/EC method of assigning historical dates does not address the lack of a practical Year Zero in the BC/AD system. Modern scholars believe that the actual birth of Christ would fall around 7-4 BC, which makes the actual year of AD 1 relatively meaningless historically.
Proponents of the BCE/CE method of identifying historical dates argue that the removal of Christian references acts as a bridge between different religions and cultures. The BC/AD system appears to advocate Jesus Christ as the world’s superior religious figure, which could be seen as disrespectful to other religions and belief structures. Although the birth of Christ is still used as a reference in the BC/CE system, the Christian influence is not as evident.
Some have argued that the religious significance of the BC/AD method has already been largely forgotten, so the need for change is not immediately apparent. The use of BCE/CE is still quite limited, although some experts see it becoming the dominant means of identifying historical dates within a century or two.
