secularism
Perspective
Historian Joan Scott: 'Hardline secularism is as bad as hardline Islam'
"Secularism has been used to justify the subordination of women" is the provocative argument at the heart of the latest book by acclaimed cultural historian, scholar and author…
Veiled French union leader sparks another secularism debate
A controversy sparked by a student union representative's headscarf during a TV interview has reignited ongoing tensions over this Muslim headgear and its place in France’s…
French Connections
Flying Bells! How France celebrates Easter
Like other historically Catholic countries, France is a big fan of Easter which is known as Pâques. Traditionally, families gather for a big meal which usually involves lamb in…
France unveils new school 'secularism charter'
France unveiled its new “secularism charter” in publicly-funded schools on Monday in a move that has caused some tension within the country’s Muslim and other minority religious…
French plan to axe cross raises Polish ire
More than 38,000 people signed an online petition as of Thursday protesting against a French court order to remove a cross from a statue of the late Polish-born Pope John Paul II…
In The French Papers
Catholics on a crusade against France's top administrative court
FRENCH PAPERS - Tues. 31.10.17: La Croix gets a sneak peek at the Ministry of the Armed Forces' new plan to help the families of military personnel. Meanwhile, the small town of…
Trump set to ease ban on political activity by churches
President Donald Trump will take executive action on Thursday to ease a ban on political activity by churches and other tax-exempt institutions as part of an order on religious…
How French firms deal with religion in the workplace
The EU’s top court ruled that companies can ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols earlier this week, including headscarves. In this report, FRANCE 24 takes a look at…
European Hijab Ruling: Emancipation or Discrimination?
INTERNATIONAL PAPERS, 15.03.17: Papers in France, Germany and the UK react to the European Court of Justice's ruling that employers have the right to ban women from wearing the…
As burkini debate rages, both sides claim banner of French secularism
France’s highest court last week overturned a municipal ban on the full-body burkini swimsuit, a prohibition that ignited fierce debates with both sides claiming to uphold the…
'Pineapple Pizza Tests Limits of Presidential Power in Iceland'
INTERNATIONAL PAPERS - Thurs. 23.02.17: US officials receive a "chilly" welcome in Mexico with tensions running high over immigration. Meanwhile, British papers wonder if their…
French secularism: A shield against religious extremism?
French journalist Caroline Fourest has written a new book in which she defends France's secular model against criticism that it is too rigid and stifles religious freedom.…