Op Ed
B’nai B’rith France President Philippe Meyer wrote the following op-ed “Defending Secularism is Daring to Name Things” for the French Jewish community newspaper Actualité Juive.
It is not enough to say that the question of the veil has recently occupied the media debate, to the point of excess. The political instrumentalization for some, the misleading pretext of victimization for others, there is of course nothing convincing and reassuring as these sterile discussions finally have the effects that we know about the undermining values of the Republic whose secularism is an essential component.
This complex debate on secularism conveys irresponsible fantasies and dangerous counter-truths if it is allowed to be monopolized by unconvinced but obvious minds. It goes well beyond the question of the wearing of a veil by accompanying students of school trips. It has been a long time since French legislation decided on the essential for the respect of laïcité as it has always been inscribed in our republican tradition, namely the prohibition of any ostentatious religious sign within the spaces of the Republic and in other very specific cases concerning, in particular, the burqa or the full veil which distorts the status of women in our society. Things are clear and do not justify unnecessary discussions.
What is needed on these issues is both the firmness of the principles and the correctness and courage on how to express them in view of the importance of its issues. In fact, this debate is now partly misguided. What poses a problem is not secularism itself, nor the law of 1905, even if some alterations can be envisaged, but the non-respect of the founding principles of this French secularism, so important for the cohesion of our society, by certain groups or movements from political and radical Islamism seeking to impose politically their unacceptable vision of society. It is this extremist vision, carrying hatred, divisions and violence, that must be fought without compromise.
Defending secularism today is above all daring to name things.
In this respect, it is worth remembering that Judaism in France has always been fully respectful of the secularism and values of the Republic, as evidenced by the recitation in the synagogues every Shabbat of prayer for the Republic. On this subject, we have no lessons to receive from anyone so much our fidelity to republican values is inscribed in our history. We can not accept the slightest collateral damage that would result from the inability to enforce to others what has always been part of our identity. But the anxiety of the Jewish French is largely based on the undermining of these values, at school, in certain territories of the Republic, and in public spaces.
It is essential to return to our fundamentals and uphold the laws of the Republic. In this debate on secularism, what is above all at stake and expected is the firmness of the public authorities to enforce its very principle that political Islamism fights. Otherwise, the situation will only get worse, which will inexorably fuel the electoral push of populist and extremist parties. These same parties share with these enemies of secularism objective and nourishing interests: the spread of hatred and division, and the desire to destroy what is the soul and the backbone of our society of freedom and fraternity to better impose their archaic and deadly model. A clearly defined and firmly respected secularism is a major barrier to these disastrous plans. That’s why some people fight her so much. That’s why we can not let them do it.
This complex debate on secularism conveys irresponsible fantasies and dangerous counter-truths if it is allowed to be monopolized by unconvinced but obvious minds. It goes well beyond the question of the wearing of a veil by accompanying students of school trips. It has been a long time since French legislation decided on the essential for the respect of laïcité as it has always been inscribed in our republican tradition, namely the prohibition of any ostentatious religious sign within the spaces of the Republic and in other very specific cases concerning, in particular, the burqa or the full veil which distorts the status of women in our society. Things are clear and do not justify unnecessary discussions.
What is needed on these issues is both the firmness of the principles and the correctness and courage on how to express them in view of the importance of its issues. In fact, this debate is now partly misguided. What poses a problem is not secularism itself, nor the law of 1905, even if some alterations can be envisaged, but the non-respect of the founding principles of this French secularism, so important for the cohesion of our society, by certain groups or movements from political and radical Islamism seeking to impose politically their unacceptable vision of society. It is this extremist vision, carrying hatred, divisions and violence, that must be fought without compromise.
Defending secularism today is above all daring to name things.
In this respect, it is worth remembering that Judaism in France has always been fully respectful of the secularism and values of the Republic, as evidenced by the recitation in the synagogues every Shabbat of prayer for the Republic. On this subject, we have no lessons to receive from anyone so much our fidelity to republican values is inscribed in our history. We can not accept the slightest collateral damage that would result from the inability to enforce to others what has always been part of our identity. But the anxiety of the Jewish French is largely based on the undermining of these values, at school, in certain territories of the Republic, and in public spaces.
It is essential to return to our fundamentals and uphold the laws of the Republic. In this debate on secularism, what is above all at stake and expected is the firmness of the public authorities to enforce its very principle that political Islamism fights. Otherwise, the situation will only get worse, which will inexorably fuel the electoral push of populist and extremist parties. These same parties share with these enemies of secularism objective and nourishing interests: the spread of hatred and division, and the desire to destroy what is the soul and the backbone of our society of freedom and fraternity to better impose their archaic and deadly model. A clearly defined and firmly respected secularism is a major barrier to these disastrous plans. That’s why some people fight her so much. That’s why we can not let them do it.