Nur Republic finds itself, on this Sunday, October 16, around the memory of Professor Samuel Paty, cowardly assassinated in the name of a barbaric ideology two years ago to the day. No one has forgotten the chilling dread that gripped us at the news of this heinous crime. The memory of Samuel Paty obliges us. It imposes an ardent obligation on us: never to give in to those who try to undermine respect for secularism in the schools of the Republic.
Unfortunately, this commemoration coincides with an upsurge in attacks on secularism in schools. This phenomenon is not new, but it is experiencing a resurgence, as evidenced by the figures provided by the Ministry of National Education and Youth. These figures reflect a reality that must be faced.
Our vigilance is all the more essential since these attacks on secularism are today adorned with the falsely flattering advantages of modernity, thanks to the deleterious role played by social networks. The principle of secularism is called into question by young people in search of transgression, who no longer seem to understand the need for it. They are encouraged to do so by their entourage as well as by a whole nebula of religious influencers of a new kind who, with a large audience, encourage young people to circumvent the law.
It is therefore more necessary than ever to recall a few essential elements with regard to respect for secularism in the school environment.
Protect our children
Why ? First of all to protect our children: the school is above all the place for the creation of a common culture, the exercise of free will and the learning of citizenship. Secularism is precisely intended to protect students there from proselytism and pressure from an environment that would prevent them from feeling free to express their opinions.
Then because secularism allows freedom of expression, pluralism of convictions and equality between girls and boys. Nothing prevents you from expressing your religious beliefs outside of school, in the private sphere. We must constantly remember that secularism is in no way the negation of religion, and even less the stigmatization of a religion. When the State defends the principle of secularism, it guarantees the freedom to believe or not to believe, it defends religious freedom and freedom of expression.
How ? We have a compass in this area: the law of March 15, 2004 regulating, in application of the principle of secularism, the wearing of signs or clothing showing religious affiliation in public schools, colleges and high schools. The application of this law has been, since its promulgation, informed by valuable case law from the Council of State. The 2004 law covers not only religious signs or garments in nature, but also signs or garments which become what could be described as religious garments « par destination ». In this matter, it is indeed the intention that counts.
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