What is the Difference Between BC and BCE?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The terms BC (Before Christ) and BCE (Before the Common Era) are used to denote years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Both terms are used in the Gregorian calendar, which is the global standard for measuring dates, despite originating in the Western Christian tradition. The main difference between BC and BCE is their religious connotations.
BC stands for "Before Christ" and directly refers to the birth of Jesus Christ as the main starting point. On the other hand, BCE stands for "Before the Common Era" and is considered a more secular and inclusive term that does not directly mention Jesus Christ. The year 500 BCE is the same year as 500 BC.
In summary, the difference between BC and BCE lies in their religious implications:
- BC (Before Christ) directly refers to Jesus Christ's birth as the starting point.
- BCE (Before the Common Era) is a more secular and inclusive term that does not directly mention Jesus Christ.
Comparative Table: BC vs BCE
The terms "BC" and "BCE" are used to denote dates in the past. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:
| Term | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| BC | Before Christ | Used in traditional chronology to represent years before the birth of Jesus Christ. (1 BC) |
| BCE | Before the Common Era | Used in modern chronology to represent years before the Common Era (CE) began. (1 BCE) |
Both BC and BCE are used to represent the same concept of time, but BCE is considered more accurate as it does not rely on a specific religious or cultural context. In this sense, BCE is more suitable for scholarly and scientific writings, while BC is often used in religious and cultural contexts.
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