This week in the “Vrai du Faux Junior”, we answer students’ questions about secularism, especially at school.
The students of the André-Derain college, in Chambourcy in the Yvelines, asked us about the principle of secularism in society, but especially at school. To answer some of their questions, documentary filmmaker Jean Crépu. He directed the documentary Freedom, equality and secularism . With his camera, he went several times to a primary school, as well as to a college in Rhône-Alpes to see how the question of secularism was understood, both by teachers and by students.
Origins and meaning of secularism
Louis asks us “where does the word secularism come from and when was it established in schools?” Thanks to the Eduscol website of the Ministry of Education, and on the Junior Senate website, you can find a lot of information to answer these questions. We learn that the word laic comes from Latin laicus which means “common, of the people” to designate all people who are not part of the church.
Jean Crépu explains to Louis that the origins of secularism “date back to the end of the 19th century, when there were the first Jules Ferry laws, then in 1905, the truly emblematic date, which is the separation of Church and State and which we celebrate every year, the December 9 as Secularism Day.
Freedom to believe or not to believe
Ashley asks us if it’s true”that secularism prohibits anyone from availing himself of his religious beliefs”. Secularism is the principle in France which guarantees everyone’s freedom to believe or not to believe. This is based on three principles, first equality: we are all equal before the law regardless of our religion or our opinion. Then freedom: we are free to believe, or not to believe, to express our religion or our opinion, but always with respect for the freedom of others. Finally the neutrality of the State which does not have the right to impose on anyone a religion or even not to believe.
At school, secularism does not change its definition, it is also taught as we see in Jean Crépu’s documentary. You can very well talk about your religion or other religions in general, but with respect for the beliefs and freedoms of others. Thus no adult or any student should say and impose what another student should believe or not believe. Finally, at school you don’t wear conspicuous religious signs, you don’t show your religion too visibly.
Jean Crépu explains that Ashley’s question often comes up in his exchanges with students and teachers, he recalls that “secularism is not there to prevent. It is there, rather, to guarantee freedom and this is not always well understood”. On the other hand, he noted throughout his filming sessions “that there was on the part of the teachers, in any case on the part of a good number of teachers, the time necessary to explain, to debate, because these are notions that deserve debate.
Yes, the FFF has called football referees to order in the name of the principle of secularism
Siffrandie asks us if it’s true”that French referees were ordered not to interrupt Ligue 1 football matches during Iftar (the ftour) with the sole excuse of secularism?” (The ftour, or iftar, is what marks the time of breaking the fast in the month of Ramadan). It’s true, the French Football Federation, the FFF, got the message across by email to the referees last March, explaining that he “was brought to the attention of the Federation of match interruptions following the breaking of the Ramadan fast. These interruptions do not respect the provisions of the statutes of the FFF“.
According to the president of the federal commission of arbites at the FFF, who had reacted following this email, the lifts came from certain amateur level meetings which would have been stopped to allow practicing players to hydrate, which is against the rules. He also recalledthe first article of the statutes of the federation on the demanding respect of the principle of secularism in football”.
Sports Minister Amélie Oudéa-Castéra also reacted to Mouv on April 5: “In France, we have a base of secularism which is there to preserve everyone’s religious convictions, freedom of conscience, everyone’s freedom to believe or not to believe.“