State and church in France : regulation and negotiation

International audienceIn France the distinction between the secular and religious domains is the result of a slow evolutionary process of secularization over a period of two centuries. A key element was the law of separation between churches and State in 1905. Secularization also produced a pluralistic socio-cultural system, which permits an increase in religious supply, issued from outside or inside existent churches. The religious landscape became complex due to the growth of certain groups. Nowadays, efforts to regulate Muslim communities are leading towards a new tendency of state control of religious activities in two fields, namely places of worship and school activities. Religious plurality is recognized by the State in the name of the freedom of beliefs. Private organizations are used for the public practice of religion and easily obtain places of worship. However, this has necessitated a large number of regional or local arrangements. In the name of the freedom of thought, the school system of the Republic is ensured by public schools, or by Catholic or Jewish schools, subject to strict public control. In this matter, there is only minimal tolerance of other denominations