The Secular State and its Discontents: Religious Freedom in France

The French Republic takes pride in its secular nature. However, the Republic’s policies have often been hostile to religion—from its early contests with the Catholic Church to its more recent laws regarding Muslim citizens and subjects. This presentation will examine the French model of secularism, known as laïcté, to help explain the Republic’s stance on the religious expression of its subjects and the problems that arise when it’s implemented in society. It will also compare the French model to the intersection of religion and secularism in the United States

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