Religion

[Serena Moonsilver]

No: HPFGUIDX 78817

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "bluesqueak" <pipdowns at e...> 
wrote:

> Pip!Squeak:
> 
> Ollivander uses 'Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.' [PS/SS Ch. 
> 5].  This supports the idea that some wizards are (actively or 
> nominally) Christian. 
> 
> 'BC' (Before Christ) both implies that the birth of Christ was 
> important, and uses a title associated with Christian claims 
> (Christos, Lord or messiah). So someone of a non-Christian religion 
> would be more likely IMO to use something like B.C.E (Before Common 
> Era).
> 
> Pip!Squeak

Yes, but B.C.E is a more modern usage, B.C. is more traditional and 
since Rowling tries to make the impression that Ollivander is very, 
very old, it seems likely that's why she used B.C. instead of B.C.E.