Article 2 of the French Constitution reads:
(1) France is an indivisible, secular, democratic, and social Republic. It ensures the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction as to origin, race, or religion. It respects all beliefs. (this amendment was added in 1946, many years after the constitution was created in the 1800's)
This amendment was to insure the French never had to suffer through a corrupt church reigning over the government as their ancestors did. That is the spirit of this amendment, it was not intended to serve as a bedrock for further amendments limiting personal religious accessories such as scarves. The fact that the new amendment does exactly that crosses the line from being simply a good division of church and state, and becomes an encroachment upon civil liberties. This was not something that was passed or asked for by the French people themselves, but rather, by their representatives who passed this bill in the legislature. Americans, how many times have your representatives passed bills contrary to your wishes? Of course, this might reflect the French public's belief that their society is in danger of being overrun by outside immigrants. Most immigrants to France are Muslim and represent only 8% of the population, but some demographers say that a high birth rate amongst these could lead to Muslims becoming the majority in only 25 years.
"Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin opened four days of debate on the bill by laying out the reason for the ban. "Certain religious signs, among them the Islamic veil, are multiplying in our schools. They are taking on a political meaning," he said. "Some want to know how far they can go. We are giving them a response today."
"The French government introduced a bill Tuesday in the National Assembly that would ban religious symbols in public schools. The bill, backed by President Jacques Chirac, would forbid large crosses, skullcaps and Sikh turbans. But the measure is aimed mainly at head scarves worn by some Muslim girls. "
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2004-02-03-head-scarves_x.htm
In France, they are getting away with something American conservatives could only dream of; controlling the representation of a particular culture to slow their influence amongst the French. No problem, I think that's a great idea. Let's do it here, too. Let's institute the same policy in America and close our doors to the Muslim populace, let's protect our whitebread culture.
Alas, that will not come about any time soon, can one imagine the immense amount of screaming and pinching by the media, the people, and the partisans? This is my point, the French are doing something we in America would not find acceptable, but they may think of themselves as part of the "free world".
As for America and it's Patriot Act, I think the correct phrase is not "supported by many" but "ignored by most". There is apathy and then there are those that are totally ignorant of it's devastating and far reaching effects. The rest are hawks and stuffies who believe the act will never touch their door.
