The abbreviation BCE (for "Before Common Era") is sometimes used in English-speaking countries to denote years before the traditional reckoning of the birth of Christ. It is equivalent to BC (for "Before Christ").
Usage of BCE is promoted 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.