“
Secularism has become an abstract dogma brandished at all costs.
In a column
published in Le Monde
,
on the occasion of the national day of secularism this Friday, December 9, the first secretary of the Socialist Party, Olivier Faure, the number two of the left party, Corinne Narassiguin and the PS deputy of Essonne Jérôme Guedj defend this "
universal and timeless principle
".
“
Faced with certain fragmentations of our society
”, they believe, “
we need more than ever
” secularism.
Recalling the law of separation of Church and State of December 9, 1905, the socialists praise a principle "
which establishes a legal framework that protects the freedoms of conscience and worship
".
But now, they argue, the interpretation of the 1905 law “
must adapt to the contemporary context while remaining faithful to its original spirit
”.
“
Since the beginning of the century, secularism has again been shaken up, and first by Islamism
”.
Refusal of the term "Islamophobia"
A “
political ideology
” which “
attacks freedom of conscience and religious freedom of Muslims by prohibiting all theological debate
”.
This is also why, they continue, “
we socialists refuse to use the term 'Islamophobia'.
It was promoted by those who use the reality of anti-Muslim racism and hatred to denounce any criticism of Islam
”.
Teacher training and protection
Thus the signatories propose to make December 9 “
a day of republican celebration devoted to secularism and its pedagogy
” and “
that teachers be trained and supported to deal with the question of respect for secularism in daily behavior, that they are protected and supported in situations of conflict
”.
Finally, Olivier Faure, Corinne Narassiguin and Jérôme Guedj propose "
creating a Defender of Secularism, on the model of the Defender of Rights
".