1 CE: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>David Tribe
m (Protected "1 CE" [move=sysop])
imported>Anthony Argyriou
(major cleanup)
Line 1: Line 1:
<b>1 CE</b> is considered to be the base point of the modern reckoning of [[time]].  It shares the same time with 1 AD, the time of the previous [[anno domini]] system.  The year before 1 CE is [[1 BCE]], as with the old anno domini system (where 1 CE is preceded by [[1 BC]]).
'''1 CE''' is considered the first year of the modern [[calendar]].  It is the same year as '''1 AD''', the time of the [[anno domini]] system.  The year before 1 CE is [[1 BCE]], as with the anno domini system (where 1 CE is preceded by [[1 BC]]). The title "CE", for '''Common Era''' or '''Christian Era''' was proposed as a secular substitute for '''anno domini''', which implies acceptance of the Christian belief of [[Jesus]] as divine.


== Reasons for change ==
== Reasons for change ==
The anno domini system was created by [[Dionysius Exiguus]] in the year 525, beliving that the date was 525 years after the birth of [[Jesus]].  This system was adopted by the early Christian church, primarily at the urging of [[Bede]], and spread with throughout [[Europe]] and to the rest of the world.  This became an important part of the [[Gregorian calendar]], which was defined and controlled by the [[Catholic church]].


The Anno Domini system was created by a monk in the year 525, beliving that the date was 525 years after the birth of [[Jesus]].  This system was adopted by the early Christian church, which spread with [[Christianity]] throughout [[Europe]] and to the rest of the world.  This became an important part of the [[Gregorian calendar system]], which was defined and controlled by the [[Catholic church]].
However, even to Bede, it was evident that an error had been made in the original calculations.  The birth of Jesus is now believed to have happened several years before 1 CE; the current belief is that Jesus was born four years before the original calculations held him to be born, at [[4 BCE]].   
 
However, centuries later, it became obvious that errors had been made in the original calculations.  The birth of Jesus is now believed to have happened several years before 1 CE; the current belief is that Jesus was born four years before the original calculations held him to be born, at [[4 BCE]].  Some believe that the Catholic Church may change the official Gregorian calendar to set the new date to be in line with the more recent figure, if it is agreed to by papal scholars.  Fearing the loss of millions of dollars in conversion costs and potentially life-destroying mathematical mistakes by using two different dating standards, businesses are beginning to use CE and BCE instead of AD and BC, but without changing the dates.  That way, even if the Church does change the dating system, advancing (or possibly reducing) the Gregorian year, all the old dates will still be correct internally, mitigating the confusion.
 
CE (and BCE) were originally used as abbreviations for the English phrases "Christian Era" and "Before Christian Era" -- loose translations of the [[Latin]] phrase <i>anno Domini</i>. Some people translate them  as "Before the Current Era".


== Notable Events ==
== Notable Events ==

Revision as of 16:14, 1 March 2007

1 CE is considered the first year of the modern calendar. It is the same year as 1 AD, the time of the anno domini system. The year before 1 CE is 1 BCE, as with the anno domini system (where 1 CE is preceded by 1 BC). The title "CE", for Common Era or Christian Era was proposed as a secular substitute for anno domini, which implies acceptance of the Christian belief of Jesus as divine.

Reasons for change

The anno domini system was created by Dionysius Exiguus in the year 525, beliving that the date was 525 years after the birth of Jesus. This system was adopted by the early Christian church, primarily at the urging of Bede, and spread with throughout Europe and to the rest of the world. This became an important part of the Gregorian calendar, which was defined and controlled by the Catholic church.

However, even to Bede, it was evident that an error had been made in the original calculations. The birth of Jesus is now believed to have happened several years before 1 CE; the current belief is that Jesus was born four years before the original calculations held him to be born, at 4 BCE.

Notable Events