The abbreviation BCE (for "Before Common Era") is used in AngloSaxon countries to denote years before the traditional reckoning of the birth of Christ. It is equivalent to BC (for "Before Christ"). This terminology is preferred by some academics who claim it it does not force the reader or writer to accept Christian theological claims. They say it is significant because it recognizes that many people in modern society are not of the Christian faith.
However, some also believe the "C" in CE and BCE to stand for "Christian".
See also CE.