An age-old controversy
THE head of one of Australia’s largest Jewish schools has welcomed a forthcoming change in date standards, which is to be part of the new national curriculum.
THE head of one of Australia’s largest Jewish schools has welcomed a forthcoming change in date standards, which is to be part of the new national curriculum.
As part of the national history curriculum, BC (before Christ) and AD (anno domini) are to be replaced with BCE (before common era), BP (before present) and CE (common era), in a move that has reportedly outraged Christian leaders.
But Mount Scopus Memorial College principal Rabbi James Kennard was welcoming of the plan.
“At present, we do not have a specific rule and you will find both systems in use,” Rabbi Kennard said.
“But since Australia is proud to be a multicultural and secular country, it is quite wrong for students across the country to be expected to use AD, anno domini [or] the year of our lord, or BC, before Christ, when it might be very far removed from their own belief system,” he said.
A Moriah College spokesperson said the school did not have an official stand at present in regard to secular studies.
“Students in our classes tend to use both systems, with perhaps a preference for BCE/CE,” the spokesperson said.
But a spokesperson for Moriah’s Jewish studies department said: “In Jewish history, we have always used CE and BCE. In year 7, [students] are taught the difference and why as Jews we do not use AD and BC.”
The changes found further support from Australian Council of Jewish Schools executive director Leonard Hain.
“The Australian curriculum has not changed any practice and has endorsed what our schools have been doing for many years,” Hain said.
But the status quo did find an unlikely ally in Organisation of Rabbis of Australia president Rabbi Dovid Freilich.
“I believe that it is a great pity that any references to religion are being taken out of society in general,” he said. “I know that the reference to BC or AD is of Christian origin, [but] it doesn’t really affect me as a Jew because I don’t really acknowledge that situation.
“I don’t mind for example Christians having their various Christmas decorations and symbols in our shops at Christmas time, even though as Jews we don’t observe that season because it’s good to see religion in society, as long as nobody is forcing their particular beliefs on to others who don’t share those beliefs.
“Godliness in society is a good thing, if it is the impetus for ‘goodliness’. To rob society of religion and religious references promotes pure secularism, which is a detrimental step to humanity.”
GARETH NARUNSKY
Rabbi James Kennard has endorsed the change
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