Secularism corresponds to one of the fundamentals of French society, inscribed within the constitutional precepts of the Republic. The law of 9 December 1905 defined the three pillars of secularism: freedom of belief and worship; non-recognition by the State of any worship; freedom of organization of the churches. Today, all three of these pillars are being impacted by the transformations inherent in the process of European integration. The author addresses the issues of the fundamental relationship which exists between the concept of secularism and the State, and between national identity and the school system. In so doing, he looks into the ambiguities characteristic of the recent French debate, and which are due less to the concept of secularism per se, than to the 'French civil religion' and its normative links to the values of the Republic and to national identity.

This content is published in French : La laïcité en question ?