Le symbole républicain de la laïcité en France

Abstract

In France, secularism is identified with the Republic. No religion is recognized by the State. Secularism is liberal in so far as it recognizes any kind of religious expression in the private sphere, nevertheless it controls it or even prohibits it in the public domain. The struggle for secularism was elaborated under the III Republic (1875-1940) and, since then, it has become a symbol of the French Republic. Nowadays, Muslim religion is in tension with the legal limitations of religious sign’s bearing in public areas. In addition, Muslim communitarianism is perceived as a threat to the values of the Republic. The question is how to modernize French secularism? The Concordat in force in Alsace-Moselle could be a source of inspiration.