Why does France ban religious symbols in schools?

[Anonymous]

[WindAtMyBack]

I don't know the details of what's being done in France. But here in the US it's about separation of church and state. Try putting a cross in a public American school and see what happens.

The thing is that it goes too far. It's often said, "freedom of religion, not freedom from religion". A school teacher leading prayers in the classroom is one thing. A kid or group of kids who pray on their own is another thing. A kid who wears some kind of religious symbol is yet another thing.

I don't know what's happening in France, but I know it's been very controversial here in the US. Where do you draw the line between freedom of religion and freedom from religion?

[slatyb]

Because they are divisive or coercive. The French motto is "Liberté, Fraternité, Egalité", but another important principle of French life is Laïcite -- the separation of religion from the public sphere.

[4ngelic]

they want to keep school and childhood in gen as neutral and non religious as possible. french society doesn't really like religion and has contempt for it. they also think ostentary religious symbols would cause kids to stand out and maybe face bullying or be treated differently

[genericname85]

that's not a new law, it existed since 2004. schools are there to teach children, not to delude them. that's similar in lots of european countries.

[FunkyMonkee]

Isn't religion a form of superstition? I don't think they're allowed to teach that in schools!

[Miristheiss]

France just needs to expel/deport 6 million muslims.

Do not worry about symbols.

[Spencer10]

Only public schools. The separation of church and state.

[DrPepper12]

Because they take their secular republic very seriously.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Secular fanaticism.(Quebec, Canada's largely French-speaking province, also ban religious symbols in schools.)

[msc545]

Probably for the same reason the US does, organized religion can exert an unreasonable influence on the political structure.

[Anonymous]

because they want muslim to be their official religion. the only one they tolerate. the only one they accept.

[Kaneki05]

France based for once

[loveslongnails]

Because they're smart.