Forum:BC/AD vs BCE/CE

Anyone else think we should standardize on a naming convention? Right now, I've seen dates in BC and AD (that's "Before Christ" and "Anno Dominus") as well as BCE and CE ("Before Common Era" and "Common Era").

Personally, I prefer BC and AD--not because I'm religious (I'm not), but because of my firm conviction that "Common Era" just sounds dumb. :)

Nightsky 01:54, 28 June 2008 (UTC)


 * One one hand, using "BC/AD" might seem like a bad idea because they have a Christian context and it seems to be quite clear that Christianity is not correct in the Whoniverse (what with the Devil being an alien and all that). It could also be argued that "BC" is in English and "AD" is in Latin, so the dating system itself is inconsistent. Also, it's generally agreed (in the real world, at least) that Jesus was born before 1 AD, so it's also incorrect terminology. On the other hand, "BCE/CE" is not something that everyone will understand, and "BCE" takes up another byte per usage than "BC". 06:27, 28 June 2008 (UTC)


 * I was under the impression that BCE/CE are pretty well known. Even if it's not, it would be pretty easy to figure it out from context. Also, it's not like adding another is going to make a big difference. I'm all for using the BCE/CE. --


 * I'm also for using BCE/CE, especially with regards to the Whoinverse and all. --Tangerineduel 17:46, 28 June 2008 (UTC)


 * In Voyage of the Damned, the Doctor says that he was present at the very first Christmas (or something like that), and that he got the last room. 24.6.46.177 02:13, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

BC and AD is what's used in the show (eg Exit Wounds) so that's what shoul be used. Jack's the man - 21:04, 28 June 2008 (UTC)

OK, so that's three votes for BCE/CE and two for BC/AD. Shall I start changing things, then?

One other bonus for BCE/CE is that correct usage is simpler. Correct usage in the BC/AD system is " B.C." or "A.D. "; in the BCE/CE system, it's " BCE" or " CE". Nightsky 19:57, 29 June 2008 (UTC)
 * That's being fussier than the source material. I'm not arguing the grammatical correctness, but it's neither the common modern practice with BC/AD nor what obtains in the scripts of Doctor Who.  Czech Out  ☎ | ✍ 09:43, 10 July 2008 (UTC)
 * I agree with Jack's the man. So better make that three votes each way. &mdash;  beeurd  talk 19:50, 1 July 2008 (UTC)


 * I believe BC/AD should be used as it is used at the BBC and they make Dr Who. AD was used ib The Fires of Pompeii Lizzie Harrison 19:59, 1 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Yeah, in retrospect, I was really hasty. Forget I said anything, and let the voting continue! Doubtless a consensus will emerge Nightsky 20:30, 1 July 2008 (UTC)
 * I think in-universe articles you've gotta use BC/AD because, as has been said above, it's what actually was used in context. I mean, one of the names for the pilot is 100,000 BC. I'm not sure I've ever heard BCE/CE in the context of any televised show. Instead, they're more along the lines of this quote from The Fires of Pompeii: "It's 79 AD, 23d of August. Which makes Volcano Day tomorrow." If it's good enough for the Doctor, it's gotta be good enough for this wiki.  Czech Out  ☎ | ✍ 09:32, 10 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Agreed although i prefer the other way it is refered to in the show as BC/AD and this wiki is about the show so we should use what they use Dark Lord Xander 09:36, 10 July 2008 (UTC)