You moved the headstones, but you didn't move the bodies. BCE and CE still represent the Gregorian calendar. The separation between BCE and CE is still the estimated date of the birth of Christ (off by 4 to 6 years, incidentally). The religious significance is unchanged. If anything, BCE/CE are MORE religious because nobody cares what BC and AD stand for; they use them because they're common. Whereas BCE and CE draw attention to the fact that some wanted change.
Why did they want change? Because they were offended. Why were they offended? Because their sensibilities were agitated by two letters following a date...
Also, we don't live in an increasingly diverse world. We live in an increasingly homogenized and politically sanitized world. Political correctness is the toady in the front of the class reminding the teacher he forgot to give everyone homework, and we (people who've seen this spiel time and time again) are doing what we've always done: Saying No.
The change is unnecessary. Why not just use the one you prefer and let a thousand flowers bloom? I've certainly never told atheists and Jews they shouldn't use BCE/CE. Use whichever one you want, it doesn't matter.
You moved the headstones, but you didn't move the bodies. BCE and CE still represent the Gregorian calendar. The separation between BCE and CE is still the estimated date of the birth of Christ (off by 4 to 6 years, incidentally). The religious significance is unchanged. If anything, BCE/CE are MORE religious because nobody cares what BC and AD stand for; they use them because they're common. Whereas BCE and CE draw attention to the fact that some wanted change.
Why did they want change? Because they were offended. Why were they offended? Because their sensibilities were agitated by two letters following a date...
Also, we don't live in an increasingly diverse world. We live in an increasingly homogenized and politically sanitized world. Political correctness is the toady in the front of the class reminding the teacher he forgot to give everyone homework, and we (people who've seen this spiel time and time again) are doing what we've always done: Saying No.
The change is unnecessary. Why not just use the one you prefer and let a thousand flowers bloom? I've certainly never told atheists and Jews they shouldn't use BCE/CE. Use whichever one you want, it doesn't matter.