Many Questions:

[Dan]

Bismillah

As-salam alaikum

UmmAiman, in my history and other courses in college, the abbrevations "C.E." mean "Common Era." It is a new term to get away from the religious implications you pointed out with B.C./A.D. Also, the time that used to be called B.C. is now more commonly known as B.C.E. or Before Common Era. I knew of this change before I became a muslim and I believe that it is a trend that is being perpetuated to secularize the Western nations even more.

Jazak Allah

As salam alaikum