The 2004 French Religious Law

Religious law continues to be enforced by more than just the church. Many of the religious laws that people tend to follow the most are the religious laws that come from there religious faiths, but every so often, there seems to be other religious laws that arise. The source for some of these statures that arise as to new religious laws sometimes comes straight from the government. The government will enforce religious laws from time to time after they have carefully examined an inherent issue, or the risk of something potentially acting as one in the future. Most times, the reason for establishing the new religious laws is because they want to make sure that everyone has the religious freedom that they deserve. In doing so, they want to make sure that the proper religious laws are in place so that no one is offended by other religions that are not identified as their own. Now, some people agree with this, while others do not. A religious law has been causing some conversation over the past few years since its conception in the year 2004 on March 3. The religious law that was created was initiated in the country of France by the French Senate. The basis of the religious law was that there were to be no more wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols at public schools.

1. Although the new religious law that was passed by the French Senate states that there are to be no more wearing of “conspicuous” religious symbols, the new French religious law does not serve as a complete prohibition. For instance, the religious law does not prohibit the wearing of headscarves and other religious symbols in private schools and universities. Furthermore, the religious law that was passed by the French Senate in 2004, does not forbid these religious symbols from being displayed in all public places. Instead, it is kind of a reinforcement of previous religious laws that was passed to reiterate the message of religious freedom that previous religious laws were designed to define.

2. Although the government’s intentions are usually always positive when they are devising religious laws, some feel that this religious law that was passed by the French Senate was not a good decision. Some feel that in order for religious law to really appeal to the religious freedoms of all, everyone should be allowed to wear their religious symbols while in public school. While others agree that the best way to not offend anyone, while still giving people their religious freedoms is to ban the “conspicuous” religious symbols all together. No matter what belief system is most dear to the individual, whether they agree or not, many are saying that they feel that the intentions of the government in creating the religious law of 2004 was good.