The meaning of "B.C.E."?

[Chris Puttock]

Fortunately for the western hemisphere, the Gregorian calendar was
adopted by the Republic of China on January 1, 1912 at least for
official business, otherwise this discussion may have been a different
one.  

For 800 million of the present-day populace of China who continue to use
the traditional Qing Dynasty calendar, and therefore also many of our
Asian colleagues, this year is 4703 (Chinese Lunar Calendar), the year
of the Rooster ....... as recognised by the United States Postal
Service.  



Dr. Christopher F. Puttock
Director, Bishop Museum Laboratories
Collections Manager of Botany, Dept of Natural Sciences
Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu HI 96817

tel: (808) 848 4177; fax: (808) 847 8252




-----Original Message-----
From: Taxacom Discussion List [mailto:TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU] On
Behalf Of Ron Gatrelle
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 9:21 AM
To: TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU
Subject: Re: The meaning of "B.C.E."?

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas G. Lammers" <lammers at UWOSH.EDU>
To: <TAXACOM at LISTSERV.NHM.KU.EDU>
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2005 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: The meaning of "B.C.E."?


snip
> Though if anyone wants to start a movement to go back to the AUC
dating
(ab
> urbe condite -- from the founding of Rome), I wouldn't object.
>
>
> Thomas G. Lammers, Ph.D.
*************

So I guess that we should just go by the adage.. When in Rome do as the
Romans do.  :-)  (= what does a Journal's editor want.)    A system of
time
reference is just that - it really doesn't matter (except to those to
whom
it matters) which is employed as the objective is simply _efficient
technical communication_.   "Christ" is just as good a marker as any.
Using AD - BC is not "religious" in my twisted view simply because it
references a well known _historical MAN_.  The vast majority of Jews
reject
this man a their Christ (endemism).   A great many Christians do not (or
no
longer) perceive of "him" as "Him" = God.  Virtually all religions
consider
this actual historical person a good guy (pretty anti-"religious"
himself
though) to great teacher to prophet.    As an evangelical ordained
Christian minister I personally don't consider the BC - AD thingy as
anything "special" and in fact,  actually consider it pretty much just a
secular thing.   Personally I like the BP (no not the gas company!)  the
Before Present - which just passed.   Perhaps like this thread should -
except to those to whom it matters.

Rev Ron (or if you say it fast over and over Rev-wrong).


PS  It is just wayyyyy to lover-ly a day here in jolly 'ol South
Carolina
to get trepi-dated about anything - except that I am on the wrong side
of
the window.