I got another one today...
Press Release - Secularism and religious freedom
From: Raelian Movement <usa@rael.org>
Press Release
Raelian Movement
Saturday January 24th, 2004
SECULARISM AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
The French representatives are about to vote a law that will forbid
wearing the Islamic veil in school,*in the name of "respecting
secularism".
This new infringement on individual freedoms, that at the same time
forbids the kippa for the Jews and the crucifix for the
Christians,*illustrates the mental confusion that prevails in France, a
country that still dares pretend to be the homeland of the Human Rights.
Secularism is one of the most beautiful values of modern countries. It
guarantees,*by applying the admirable rule of*separation of*Church
and*State, that*the public education system will not promote any
religion, neither in content of the courses, nor in the decoration of the
buildings. The respect for secularism is meant to keep state employees
from interfering*with the freedoms of*citizens through the promotion of a
particular religion, and not to keep people from living the religion or
atheism of their choice.
It is extremely important that public schools do not*promote any
religion, not even*the belief in any god. It is also very important to
respect the freedom, guaranteed by the Human Rights,*stating that each
individual has the right to choose and live his religion or atheism
freely.
A school where*young Jews with*kippas, Christians with*large
crucifixes,*veiled Muslim girls, Sikhs with their turban, atheists with a
tee-shirt proclaiming that there is no god or Raelians with their
medal*coexist*fraternally*but*where the teaching is totally secular*is a
school that respects the separation of Church and*State. Such a school
develops*respect and tolerance, which the world so dearly needs,
and*promotes the integration of immigrant minorities.
Defending secularism is crucial, but it does not imply*losing*individual
freedoms. In other words, the principle of secularism is*to limit the
power of the administration and not*to limit*individual freedoms.
France, true to itself, has again chosen to*limit individual freedoms in
the name of totalitarian and dictatorial principles.
In Canada, it is admirable to see*Sikhs custom or police officers working
with their turban. Can one imagine French police officers dressed the
same way? The very fact that we cannot even imagine it proves to what
extent*individual freedoms have disappeared in France.
For*interview requests, please contact our public relations office at:
305-690-9800 or
donnajn@bellsouth.net*
www.rael.org/press