I'm not a judge...but I usually am the one at my local tourny explaining rulings to people about how cards work. This came up and I gave my two cents, but one of the players disagreed and they played it out the wrong way (i think).

and the crack dragon:

I think we all see where this question is going. Player A has a Birdie on the field and on player B's turn he summons CED and blows up the field. Now on Player A's turn he says "I get to special summon my Sacred Phoenix". I politely said that is not the case, as CED didn't destroy your Sacred Phoenix, it was just sent to the graveyard. He got mad and said they're the same thing. But I'm not sure if maybe there's some kind of exception to the rule on this one. I'm pretty sure i'm right, but a confirmation would be nice.

Sending is not the same as destroying. It's just like tributing is not the same as destroying, they are two totally different things.

Sacred Phoenix of Nepthys will not be special summoned when it is SENT to the graveyard by the effect of Chaos Emperor Dragon.

Yeah, you were right as sending and destroying are 2 different things (hence, why they have completely different wording on some cards). Like how Levia-Dragon - Daedalus actually DESTROYS all cards on the field, but Neo Daedalus SENDS all cards on the field and in both player's hands to the graveyard. So some things that would normally activate with Daedalus WON'T with Neo Daedalus.

There's an easy way to remember that there is a difference...just remember that woodland sprite+butterfly dagger does not equal instant win.