NOTES TO PAGES 504–6given by a religion to such or such a sign. Consequently, he was unable to understand the discrimi-
nations between man and woman that the wearing of a veil by some young girls could assume—
contrary to a basic principle of the Republic]’’ (Laı ̈cite ́et Re ́publique, 69–70). Insofar as school is
concerned, however, the report believes that, in dealing with some religious signs (texts), pupils
shouldnotconcern themselves with theological meanings (ibid., 34).
- ‘‘La laı ̈cite ́suppose l’inde ́pendence du pouvoir politique et des diffe ́rentes options spiritu-
elles ou religieuses: Celles-ci n’ont pas d’emprise sur l’E ́tat et ce dernier n’en a pas sur elles.... La
laı ̈cite ́implique la neutralite ́de l’E ́tat [Secularism presupposes the independence of political power
and of the different spiritual or religious choices: The latter do not have control over the state and
the former have none over them.... Secularism implies the neutrality of the state]’’ (Laı ̈cite ́et
Re ́publique, 30). - According to Bruno Etienne, most French Muslims are in favor of integration and con-
sumerism. In Marseilles, where there is a large concentration of Muslims, Etienne claims that only
17 percent practice their religion. Thus integration into a secular society and immersion in consum-
erism are both seen—rightly, in my view—as mutually supportive. (See the interview inLe Monde,
April 12, 2004: ‘‘Entretien avec Bruno Etienne; islamologue et professeur a` l’IEP d’Aix-en-
Province.’’) - ‘‘L’apprentissage de la citoyennete ́dans notre socie ́te ́riche de cultures et d’origines di-
verses suppose qu’on apprenne avivre ensemble. En articulant unite ́nationale, neutralite ́de la Re ́publique et reconnaissance de la diversite ́, la laı ̈cite ́cre ́e, par-delales communaute ́s traditionelles
de chacun, la communaute ́d’affections, cet ensemble d’images, de valeurs, de reˆves et de volonte ́s
qui fondent la Republique [Learning to be a citizen in our society, rich in cultures and diverse
origins, presupposes that one learn to live together. In articulating national unity, the neutrality of
the Republic, and recognition of diversity, secularism creates, beyond the traditional communities
of each, the community of emotions, that collection of images, of values, of dreams and wills that
establishes the Republic]’’ (Laı ̈cite ́et Re ́publique, 41). - ThusLaı ̈cite ́et Re ́publique, 58. A saleswoman in a large commercial establishment was
dismissed, however, for wearing a veil and refusing to remove it or wear a cap instead; in March
2001 the Paris court of appeal upheld the employer’s right to dismiss her. In another case, in
December 2002, the dismissal of an employee for wearing a veil in an office was annulled on the
ground that she was wearing one when recruited (ibid., 61). In fact, since 1989 the judgments in
particular cases on this subject have been inconsistent, not to say confused. - See http://www.education.gouv.fr/systeme_educatif/enseignment_prive.html. Of course, not all
the parents of children enrolled in these schools have concerns about the spiritual education of
their offspring; it is simply that they want them to have ‘‘a good education.’’ Because they are more
selective (i.e., middle class) and often better funded than public schools, religious schools tend to
maintain higher educational standards. Their teachers are also less likely to go on strike than those
working in public-sector schools. - Alsace-Moselle was reincorporated into France after the First World War, and therefore
after the 1905 law whose article 2 reads: ‘‘La Re ́publique ne reconnaıˆt, ne salarie ni ne subventionne
aucun culte [The Republic does not acknowledge, nor pay the salary of, nor subsidize any religion]’’
(cited inLaı ̈cite ́et Re ́publique, 52). - ‘‘La commission estime que la re ́affirmation de la laı ̈cite ́ne conduit pas a
remettre en cause le statut particulier de l’Alsace-Moselle, auquel est particulierement attache ́e la population de
ces trois de ́partements [The commission believes that the reaffirmation of secularism does not put
in question the particular status of Alsace-Moselle, to which the populations of these three depart-
ments are especially attached]’’ (ibid., 113).
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