Some spring-cleaning items from the mailbox

Rabbi Marc Gellman

My column on using BCE/CE rather than BC/ AD brought in a ton of mail. Most were like this from T:

“Thank you, Rabbi Marc, for your insightful column the BC/AD controversy. In my mind it has always offended me, but your explanation is perfect. I shall no longer be offended and I’m gaining insight into what offends others just by reading that column. But why I really wrote this email is concerning the last part where you mention the teacher who said “Do you love me?” and then this teacher asked again “Do you know what hurts me?” I think that was quite profound — if you don’t know what hurts someone then how can you love them? I will use that in my teaching and my personal life. Thank you again for your valuable insights on faith.”

But then there was this embarrassing note from J in West Palm Beach, Fla.:

“Good morning Rabbi Marc Gellman, I read your column today about BCE and CE with interest because I have never seen BCE and CE used before. I am probably just not noticing it, I guess. I do understand your point of view.

“But, what does BCE and CE mean/stand for. I read and re-read your column and could not find what these letters stand for/an explanation of their use. So, please email me and tell me what they are. Thank you.”

Oops! Sorry. BCE just means “Before Common Era” and CE means, “Common Era.”

In the category of “I think you just sent me a compliment but I’m not completely sure” …

“Rabbi, I think you’re a jerk. I have always thought so, BUT I have to give you props for today’s column (”How word choices can affect others”). Too many people seem to think that all citizens of this country are Christians; that, in fact, we’re a Christian nation. I guess being a Jew — even just a ‘cultural’ Jew — doesn’t count. (Hell, we know that for many ‘good’ Christians being Muslim doesn’t count, either.) And too many ‘Christians’ believe that they are being disrespected and discriminated against. (That’s a laugh — all those poor, super-sensitive ‘true believers’ who would ram their faith down everyone else’s throat.) My point is simply this — you said what needed to be said: We should respect others’ beliefs if we want them to respect ours. By the way, I don’t believe in God. (And I think I have good reason.) I think all organized religion is a scam. But I wear a Star of David on my neck every day; for me it is a political statement — it says ‘I am NOT a Christian.’ L’chayim.” — From C

Thank you, dear C, for your … compliment? Thank you also for being such a fine example of your point that, “We should respect others’ beliefs if we want them to respect ours.” I will reread my column if you reread your response. — Rabbi Marc Gellman, Ph.D., Jerk.