The BBC is facing a backlash from leading presenters over suggestions that they should use ‘religiously neutral’ terms instead of ‘BC’ or ‘AD’ to avoid causing non-Christians offence. Guidance from the broadcaster’s ethics specialists suggested that the modern phrases ‘common era’ and ‘before common era’ should be considered as potential replacements for Anno Domini and Before Christ. The proposal caused consternation among Christian traditionalists and some of the corporation’s most famous names, who promised to ignore the idea. James Naughtie, the presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, said: ‘Nobody has suggested this to me, and if they do, they will get a pithy answer. His fellow Today presenter, John Humphrys, said he did not see ‘a problem’ with using BC and AD, as the terms were ‘clearly understood’ by most audiences. During his Sunday morning political programme on BBC1, Andrew Marr said that he would also continue to use the traditional date descriptions
Pray: for the BBC to concentrate on broadcasting rather than to try and undermine internationally held convention. (Ec.3:11)