Latest update: 12/11/2009 
- France - integration - religion - secularism

State, Religion... and Freedom?
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The debate examines if the French Model of a state without religion works. Is it possible to have a model for Society where beliefs and signs thereof are kept separate from the State?

QUESTIONING THE FRENCH MODEL

France has had a legal scenario where religion is not allowed in public life since the French Revolution. This was made more concrete by a law in 1905 of the Separation of Church and State. This dilemma is most evident today in the issue of Muslim headscarves in state schools. Should France allow freedom of religious expression? Or do the principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity help prevent symbols of faith being hijacked by extremists?

Debate hosted by France 24’s Mark Owen.
 
Guests:
Fiametta Venner, writer and political analyst.
Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor for Reuters
(via satellite from Bristol) Professor Tariq Modood, Founding Director of the Bristol University Research Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Citizenship
 

Programme prepared by Perrine Desplats

 

Watch the second part


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