AD stands for Anno Domini, the year of our Lord. Since a large percentage (over 2/3) of the world's population doesn't believe in the divinity of Jesus, it would not be reasonable to expect non Christians to refer to Jesus as their Lord against their will. I think it's entirely appropriate for you to use AD - but I think it's unreasonable to try to compel others to do so.
> “I think it’s entirely appropriate for you to use AD - but I think it’s unreasonable to try to ***compel others*** to do so.”
Excuse me? “Compel others”? No one is compelling anyone in archaeology or any science where a system of calendar is necessary.
The usage of BCE/CE in place of BC/AD for the Christian calendar is a deceitful encroachment of altered basis planned in a revisionist attack.
It is the same behavior that brings down crosses, moves extracurricular bible study groups out of public schools even though Islamic studies are permitted, brings lame complaints about using “Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance or icons of the Ten Commandments in Congress or prohibits Christian speech in public places, all because a few are somehow offended.
Nothing bars others from using any number of different calendars. There is no excuse and no explanation for BCE/CE other than a blackout of Christian tradition. BC/AD are a part of history; BCE/CE are not.
Today the Jewish calendar is year 5775; use that or be polite and gracious by writing 5775 (2014) or use the Chinese year or any of the following calendars:
Akan,
Ancient Macedon,
Ancient Mexican ,
Armenian,
Assyrian,
Astronomical,
Attic,
Aztec,
Babylonian,
Bahá’í,
Bengali,
Berber,
Buddhist,
Bulgar,
Byzantine,
Chinese,
Coligny,
Coptic,
Discordian,
Egyptian,
Enoch,
Ethiopian,
Fiscal,
Florentine,
French Republic,
Germanic,
Gregorian,
Hebrew,
Hellenic,
Hindu,
Ibibio,
Igbo,
Indian,
Iranian,
Irish,
Islamic,
ISO,
Jain,
Jalali,
Japanese,
Javanese,
Juche,
Julian,
Kurdish,
Lithuanian,
Malayalam,
Maya,
Mesoamerican,
Minguo,
Nanakshahi,
Nepal,
Nepali,
Obsolete,
Old Icelandic,
Pentecontad,
Positivist,
Rapa Nui,
Revised,
Roman,
Romanian,
Rumi,
Runic,
Runic,
Soviet,
Swedish,
Tamil,
Thai,
Thai,
Tibetan,
Xhosa,
Yoruba,
Zoroastrian,
or propose an entirely new calendar systems.