Political correctness

[Carpathian]

Personally the use of BCE or CE doesn't bother me. It simply reflects the fact that the majority of the world doesn't use the same calendar dating that was imposed by Western or European Christians on other populations. To 2/3rd of the world's population the year isn't AD or anno Domini. And FTDNA is a world wide company and, therefore, needs to use term accepted in a world wide system.

@keigh,

Are the 2/3 of the world's population that you cite who are not "Western or European Christians" now FTDNA customers and/or engaged in doing ancestral searches, nowpresent here in FTDNA in that ratio? Are they in a majority now?

Why should any small minority that exists in any community or population be accommodated to the point of having the majority accept revision of the terminology of their ancestral past to suit other minority ethnic groups? Who is dictating these terms?

[keigh]

@Carpathian, To me the use of BCE and CE are old standards as I have been using them since I came across the concept of universal dating in college which was over 50 years ago. I never think in terms of BC (Before Christ) or AD (in the year of the Lord) anymore. Since the use of BCE and CE have become increasingly more popular through the decades this whole discussion seems somewhat out dated and pointless.

[MMaddi]

Since the use of BCE and CE have become increasingly more popular through the decades this whole discussion seems somewhat out dated and pointless.

Exactly. I still use BC when discussing results from ancient DNA remains, but I'm not offended in the least that the standard abbreviations have shifted to BCE and CE. I can't believe that a minor change in an acronym can get people so upset.

As I posted before, the discussion is political (as in the thread's title, "Political Correctness," chosen by the original poster) and really has no place on a genetic genealogy board. It's not about genetic genealogy at all and it's pointlessly divisive. I suggest that those who think this is a big issue in their mind find a more appropriate place to debate it.

[Swennilsson]

It may well be that this discussion is a little out of place on a DNA discussion board. However, since many people have chimed in anyway, I will join them. I personally think the change to "BCE" and "CE" was rather silly, and motivated by political/social notions rather than any practical reasons. Perhaps I sound mean, but I frankly do not worry about offending people, especially if they are fools. I do not care if the origin of some term or unit of measurement had an arbitrary origin, e.g., an inch being the length of a certain number of barley corns. If it has worked well over time, I am fine with it. But everyone can make their own decisions on what terms they like. As for me, "BC" and "AD" have conveyed the time frame for a couple thousand years, and I have no plan to change just because some weenies fear someone might be offended. If they are, too bad.

[Carpathian]

@Carpathian, To me the use of BCE and CE are old standards as I have been using them since I came across the concept of universal dating in college which was over 50 years ago. I never think in terms of BC (Before Christ) or AD (in the year of the Lord) anymore. Since the use of BCE and CE have become increasingly more popular through the decades this whole discussion seems somewhat out dated and pointless.

Keigh,
This concept hasn't been universally accepted for 50 years, as you stated, as attested by your college experience. It is actually much older than that, but it has now recently become fashionable again, to serve a purpose. "Popular", indeed. Collegiate "Style Guides" now prevail.

I hope everyone reads this link, as it provides a fuller understanding of the topic:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Era

We are now living in the Vulgar Era. "This too shall pass."

P.S. Despite what you may think or say or advocate, neither "this whole discussion" nor history is ever "out dated and pointless".

[MMaddi]

It may well be that this discussion is a little out of place on a DNA discussion board. However, since many people have chimed in anyway, I will join them. I personally think the change to "BCE" and "CE" was rather silly, and motivated by political/social notions rather than any practical reasons. Perhaps I sound mean, but I frankly do not worry about offending people, especially if they are fools. I do not care if the origin of some term or unit of measurement had an arbitrary origin, e.g., an inch being the length of a certain number of barley corns. If it has worked well over time, I am fine with it. But everyone can make their own decisions on what terms they like. As for me, "BC" and "AD" have conveyed the time frame for a couple thousand years, and I have no plan to change just because some weenies fear someone might be offended. If they are, too bad.

Gee, and for some reason I called this discussion pointlessly divisive. I should have known that it would descend into name-calling sooner or later!

The bolded quotes above illustrate that there can't be rational discussion of an issue like this. So why tear each other up over what's essentially personally held beliefs, especially when they have nothing to do with genetic genealogy?