SECULAR RULES FOR ALL

The vote by the French National Assembly on the law banning " conspicuous " religious symbols in schools has raised concern and incomprehension within the Anglo-Saxon mindset.

Indeed, secularity "à la française" bears on a radically different pattern compared to other models like the Protestant one which is an assembly of ethnic and religious groups. It is part of " l'exception française ". This is why some foreigners find it difficult to understand correctly the nub of the matter about French secularism.

Secularity is deeply rooted in the past and refers to revolutionary ideals: Article 10 of the 1789 Declaration of Citizens' and Human Rights proclaims : " No one shall be troubled for their opinions, even religious ones, provided that their demonstration does not disturb the order established by law "; moreover the December 1905 Church and State separation law states that: " The Republic ensures freedom of conscience. It guarantees the free observance of religion subject to the sole restrictions established in the interest of public policy. " and " The Republic does not recognise, remunerate or subsidise any religion ". Last but not least, the preamble of the 1946 Constitution and the 1958 Constitution have increased this principle to the rank of our most precious values: " France shall be an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic".

What is the meaning of secularity today? Secularity means neutrality of the State which enshrines equal rights and obligations of all. In public services and particularly in schools, citizens may not openly express religious or political opinions.
Secularism "à la française" provides common rules and common values, preventing " communitarianism ". It transcends individuals into a common fate. It is this framework that allows the coexistence of beliefs, traditions, and ideals while ensuring liberty for all.

Secularism has been a basic tenet of the country's progress in thought and underpinned a long history since the French Revolution. Conquered against obscurantism, built up in a movement of emancipation facing clericalism and the Catholic Church, secularism became the basis of strict equality and eventually everyone has sworn allegiance to the Republic.

However, this genuine model based on secularism is now being challenged, notably in schools, crucible of republican law, by religious radicals who wish to melt the private and public spheres. These long existing rules are to be reaffirmed by law even if it caused bafflement. Yet this new law is in no way an attack against religions, and it is by no means aimed against Islam, which is now the second numerous religion in France.

Assert it high and strong: secularism is a value that respects religious liberties and is equal to all. Prohibiting from schools signs or dresses that show off religious membership while maintaining soft religious affiliation, referring to all religions, simply puts boundaries to proselytizing and ensures tolerance, respect of each one's liberties and equal dignity for girls and boys .

In the past, the Protestant, the Jew, and the Catholic proved they adapted to the rules of secularism. Islam must equally find its place in this environment. It has -maybe more than others- some difficulties to set up its faith in accordance with our tradition, given the holistic nature of its dogma, but it is not beyond its reach.

The purpose of this law is also to put an end to cultural and communitarist withdrawal. For years, the scramble to adopt " diversity " postures took over on the common weal, self-exposure of ethnic differences, such as the harbour of religious signs or head-scarves, was brought forward upon common glue.

Above all, it is necessary to take into account a new phenomenon: the new radicalism of a minority of Islamic activists who seek to impose their religious dogma upon civil laws and exploit all the possibilities offered by democracy to this end. These segregationist drifts that show up not only in schools but in public hospitals and public offices undermine our system, and call for special vigilance.

It is important therefore to strongly reaffirm our principles, above all in schools. School is a place to learn and no to proselytise which is why we must strengthen the Republican principles. Whatever the private belief of the children, school is to transmit knowledge and common values. It teaches the universal values and encourages diversity but it must also monitor any drifts, violence and clashes of all kind, as well as racial, ethnic and sexual segregations.

Our model also allows the existence of private schools next to state schools, religious or not, endowed with a special status, enshrined in the 1959 law. The State keeps some control over these institutions, with which it ties up a contract, in compensation for public subsidies - including for example salaries of the teachers. The State's support implies that these private schools are opened to all children, without discrimination and that the teaching program is in accordance with the French values and Law: equal opportunities and treatment for men and women…

Obviously many Catholic schools owing to their long teaching tradition provide the children of all origins and beliefs with the same education.

Has Islam to prove that it can tie up a quality partnership with the State. If the first Muslim school in France that has been created in Lille in September 2003 meets these requirements, it may benefit from public subsidies. On the other hand, if it is only open to Muslims, there is no way to claim any arrangement and if by an unfortunate state of affairs, its teaching program was not in line with the principles of public order, in case pupils were taught for instance that Jews were the enemy of mankind, a judicial decision may close it.

There cannot be two sets of rules to apply our model; France must defend its integrationist tradition and refuse compromise.

Secularity is the right answer and proves that our model, after many centuries of confrontations, is the proper guarantee to ensure diversity in our integrationist tradition. However, as we have been sliding towards "communitarianism", in which ethnic or religious groups can segregate freely, it is imperative to reinforce this sacred principle, which is the root of national cohesion and civil peace.

Considering the current rise of religious radicalism, some naive and blind minds should not consider the "exception française" as evil but they should rather seize France as a role model.