The Melbourne Museum in Australia has replaced the terms BC (Before Christ) and
AD (anno Domini or year of our Lord) for their Great Wall of China exhibit with the non-religious and nonsensical terms BCE (Before Common Era) and CE ( Common Era). 

It does appear that the museum has succumbed to political correctness by changing the references so as no to offend non-Christian visitors.  Instead they have confused visitors who have never heard the terms BCE and BE and can’t understand why the museum felt the need to do so.  As one visitor told the Herald Sun “It’s madness”.

The Museum’s chief executive Dr. J. Patrick Greene defended the terms by telling the Herald Sun that “We use BCE for exhibitions which are not related to the Western world? where BC and AD is not relevant,” and went on to say that “If we were dealing with exhibitions where the birth of Christ is relevant, then we would use BC/AD.”

This is a little bizarre to say the least in a country where about two thirds of the population identifies themselves as Christians.  Also the terms BC/AD make it explicitly clear when in history an event transpired.  Who in the world can make the same connection when using the words common era?

Fortunately even though the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney has also adopted the BCE/CE labels the National Museum of Australia in Canberra is holding firm and not confusing and confounding its visitors.

Museum patrons should voice their displeasure and ask Dr. Greene to revert back to the more widely accepted BC/AD terminology and not let his politically correct thinking rule the day.

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