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Jens 'n' Frens
Idle thoughts of a relatively libertarian Republican in Cambridge, MA, and whomever he invites. Mostly political.
"A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures." -- Daniel Webster
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Tuesday, February 10, 2004 :::
It would appear that Paris is no longer worth a Mass. The wearing of religious symbols in French schools will be banned in order "to protect France's secular traditions". France's secular traditions don't go back very far compared to its religious traditions -- perhaps to the French Revolution?
"The Republic and secularism are strengthened," said Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, hailing "the magnitude of this vote."
If secularism is defined as atheism, or at least the suppression of religious views, it may indeed have been strengthened. But since this quotation has probably been translated, I won't be critical of Mr. Raffarin for the choice of words. Both AP and the BBC cite protests by Muslims and "human rights" groups; AP also cites a protest by the World Jewish Congress. There is no word if there are any Christians left in France or, if so, what they thought.
::: posted by Eric at 6:36 PM
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