Throughout high school and my first two years at Georgetown, racial and religious conflicts have been popular topics when discussing French current events. The idea of laïcité, the separation between the affairs of state and religion, often presents itself in the mainstream media when there is a controversial instance where it was ignored. One of the most noted cases in recent years is undoubtedly the affair of the headscarf, where there was much debate over the legality in wearing a Muslim headscarf to school.
The idea of separation of church and state has been taught to American students as soon as they learn about the Constitution and the Founding Fathers. Nonetheless, in my time abroad, I have found the degree to which laïcité is followed to be surprising. While in the United States the sentiment is said to be important, religion often filters into daily life no matter your personal beliefs. Political campaigns are constantly filled with religious sentiment, and a candidate's religious identity is considered to be an important factor; on the other hand, French politicians are welcome to identify and practice a religion but rarely cite religious ideals as the motivating factors in lawmaking.
The interesting aspect about laïcité in France today is that certain aspects of daily life which originated from religious beliefs are now essentially institutionalized so that there is no debate over their removal. I am specifically referring to Sunday, which for Christian religions is known as the Lord's day. It shocks me that, to this day, everything is closed on Sundays. Universally, more shops and restaurants tend to close on Sunday either out of tradition, economic incentive, or need for rest, but in France this has been turned into a law, which has become contested in recent years. For me it has just proved to be inconvenient; it is proving extremely costly for others, as this April an IKEA outside Paris was fined over $700,000 for staying open on a Sunday.
In this particular example, a lawyer for a workers union, Vincent Lecort, defended the current law saying, "Working on Sundays calls into question the very foundation of society." Be that the case, society (not French society but society in general) is based on ancient practices of Christianity, and I find it interesting that these practices are defended vigorously in a country where laïcité is so strong.
The separation between church and state has become very distinguished, and over time religious issues have become political, economic, and social issues. President Sarkozy has started speaking about a new positive laïcité because the current climate has created a notion of negative laïcité where it is seen as politically incorrect to refer to religion in the political arena. Sarkozy introduced the idea when Pope Benedict XVI visited France in September, saying that it is important to allow faith into debates and to remember France's religious history.
Perhaps it is because of the US presidential election and the constant interviews with candidates that the difference between the two systems is made so clear. In America, religion is made a forefront aspect of politics while hiding under the protective shield of the First Amendment, and in France the president has to remind his people that it is acceptable to talk about religion every once and while because laïcité is ever-present.
The interesting aspect about laïcité in France today is that certain aspects of daily life which originated from religious beliefs are now essentially institutionalized so that there is no debate over their removal. I am specifically referring to Sunday, which for Christian religions is known as the Lord's day. It shocks me that, to this day, everything is closed on Sundays. Universally, more shops and restaurants tend to close on Sunday either out of tradition, economic incentive, or need for rest, but in France this has been turned into a law, which has become contested in recent years. For me it has just proved to be inconvenient; it is proving extremely costly for others, as this April an IKEA outside Paris was fined over $700,000 for staying open on a Sunday.
In this particular example, a lawyer for a workers union, Vincent Lecort, defended the current law saying, "Working on Sundays calls into question the very foundation of society." Be that the case, society (not French society but society in general) is based on ancient practices of Christianity, and I find it interesting that these practices are defended vigorously in a country where laïcité is so strong.
The separation between church and state has become very distinguished, and over time religious issues have become political, economic, and social issues. President Sarkozy has started speaking about a new positive laïcité because the current climate has created a notion of negative laïcité where it is seen as politically incorrect to refer to religion in the political arena. Sarkozy introduced the idea when Pope Benedict XVI visited France in September, saying that it is important to allow faith into debates and to remember France's religious history.
Perhaps it is because of the US presidential election and the constant interviews with candidates that the difference between the two systems is made so clear. In America, religion is made a forefront aspect of politics while hiding under the protective shield of the First Amendment, and in France the president has to remind his people that it is acceptable to talk about religion every once and while because laïcité is ever-present.
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