Intelligent laity

“Secularism is one of the pillars of our Republican deal, one of the bases of our democracy, a founding element of our yearning for coexistence. Let’s not dissipate this precious conquest”. Thus begins the lengthy statement released by the Conference of French Religious Leaders, underlining their stand in the framework of the debate on secularism. The age-old issue was brought to the fore a few days ago by the President of the French republic Nicholas Sarkozy and his ruling UMP party. As they were called into question, religious leaders issued a statement titled “Debate on secularism. Religious leaders advocate serenity and vigilance”. The Conference of French Religious leaders was set up past November 23. It represents France’s six main religions, namely Roman Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Protestant, Orthodox Christian and Buddhist.A public forum. It all began with UMP’s plan to hold a public forum on secularism on April 5 “the place of faith in France, notably of Islam”. The planned debate on secularism flared up France’s political realm and its public opinion. The promoters say the purpose of the forum is “to tune down the tone of the debate” so as “to encourage understanding” of the problems linked to State-religion relations in France. But some describe the forum on secularism “useless and dangerous” thus fearing that “what is being presented as a debate on Islam may turn out to be a debate against Islam”. In the opinion of the president of the French Islamic Council (CFCM) Mohammed Moussaoui, “in the ongoing electoral campaigns, there is no place for a serene debate, given also the international framework marked by the worrying developments in Arab-Muslim countries”.A common word. Having been called into question, the faith leaders decided to convey their stand with a written statement which – they point out – “is unmarked by polemics nor partisanship”. “We did believe however, that a common word was necessary”. They add: “our cohesion is significant, as it was made possible owing to the climate of cooperation established among religions, which includes French ‘laïcité’ and its evolution”. The faith leaders underline that this cohesion should not be understood as “syncretism” nor as “uniformity”. “We’re working together with mutual trust, integrating our respective stories and identities. We continue having different approaches on several issues, but without transforming our differences in factors of opposition”.A risk. In referring to the UMP initiative, the faith leaders cautioned: “The rapid evolution of political agendas on the eve of important elections for the future of our country could result in the issue becoming confused, and that would only be prejudicial”. The leaders do “not consider the current political context to be favourable to the debate”. And they add: “debates are always a token of sound vitality, and dialogue is always needed”. The religious leaders also conveyed their perplexities to whether “the debate should be run by a political party alone”. Religious leaders recall the “1905 Law” which “all faiths have endorsed without reservations”, along with the colloquiums and seminars, which have addressed the question of ‘laïcité’ and its application across the years. They mention the “in-depth” work of the Machelon Commission along with the “abundant intellectual production of articles and reflections” on the subject. They remark: “The list could be long and it illustrates in detail the richness and the profundity of our French experience of secularism”.Good intelligence. The faith leaders announced that they will hold a public debate in October, and concluded: “Upset by ongoing political, economic, financial and moral crises, the ongoing period lacks clarity, but certainly it doesn’t lack hope! The duty of those in charge is to enlighten the path and develop solutions aimed at the common good. Let’s not add to the confusion during what is already a troubled period. Let us jointly commit ourselves for the “laïcité” of good intelligence”.