French hypocrisy over head scarf/separation of church and state

[AndrewR]

To me, the argument in France right now is a farce. The French government's position is anti-Muslim, but they are doing it in a way to seem neutral. The issue of head scarves has been percolating in France for some time now, back to when I lived there '92-93, and it was discussed a little bit though there weren't many Muslim girls/women wearing the veil. It's become more of an issue because more and more Muslims are turning to more strict Islamic tenets, and numerous Muslim women are wearing the veil these days.

Now, for background, the French have a serious race relations problem between the "original French" (whites) and the immigrant population, though it's almost exclusively North Africans/Arabs. From what I have seen, the black Africans seem to get along fairly well, but there aren't too many of them especially compared to the numbers of Arabs. I remember having the distinct impression that the race relations in France were worse than the race relations in the United States between whites and blacks. I still think that's the case.

Regardless, interesting fact to shed some additional light on the subject. In Alsace, in the northeast bordering Germany, the French government actually PAYS PRIESTSs AND MINISTERS' SALARIES as well as lodging expenses! I never knew this until I was there last month, but apparently when the government renounced state support for the religious, Alsace was part of Germany. When Alsace rejoined France, the law was not implemented (it was specifically kept actually).

Here's the kicker: The French government does NOT pay the salaries of Muslim imams, only Protestant ministers and Catholic priests. So, while the French government insists they are being true to the church/state separation principle, they are paying religious leaders in Alsace. Further, while they are saying they are neutral in their approach to religions, they exclude Islam from their payroll.

I find it fascinating that the French government, which supports Arab nations on the global playing field, deliberately discriminates against Arabs living within the borders of France.

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
To me, the argument in France right now is a farce. The French government's position is anti-Muslim, but they are doing it in a way to seem neutral. The issue of head scarves has been percolating in France for some time now, back to when I lived there '92-93, and it was discussed a little bit though there weren't many Muslim girls/women wearing the veil. It's become more of an issue because more and more Muslims are turning to more strict Islamic tenets, and numerous Muslim women are wearing the veil these days.

Now, for background, the French have a serious race relations problem between the "original French" (whites) and the immigrant population, though it's almost exclusively North Africans/Arabs. From what I have seen, the black Africans seem to get along fairly well, but there aren't too many of them especially compared to the numbers of Arabs. I remember having the distinct impression that the race relations in France were worse than the race relations in the United States between whites and blacks. I still think that's the case.

Regardless, interesting fact to shed some additional light on the subject. In Alsace, in the northeast bordering Germany, the French government actually PAYS PRIESTSs AND MINISTERS' SALARIES as well as lodging expenses! I never knew this until I was there last month, but apparently when the government renounced state support for the religious, Alsace was part of Germany. When Alsace rejoined France, the law was not implemented (it was specifically kept actually).

Here's the kicker: The French government does NOT pay the salaries of Muslim imams, only Protestant ministers and Catholic priests. So, while the French government insists they are being true to the church/state separation principle, they are paying religious leaders in Alsace. Further, while they are saying they are neutral in their approach to religions, they exclude Islam from their payroll.

I find it fascinating that the French government, which supports Arab nations on the global playing field, deliberately discriminates against Arabs living within the borders of France.

YAEFT (Yet Another Evil Frog Thread)


all offically recognized religions receive some sort of state funding in France
Alsace is an exception because they are still using the pre 1905 law

in the rest of France this is a non issue

The creation of a Muslim school financed by the state like other private religious schools, will help to integrate France's 5 million Muslims, say supporters. But there is concern, even among Muslims, that it could isolate and radicalize Muslim students.

nice to see that you are applying something that does not exist in 98% of France


you better change the title too - only applicable in a very small part of France -

 

[gaga38]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
To me, the argument in France right now is a farce. The French government's position is anti-Muslim, but they are doing it in a way to seem neutral. The issue of head scarves has been percolating in France for some time now, back to when I lived there '92-93, and it was discussed a little bit though there weren't many Muslim girls/women wearing the veil. It's become more of an issue because more and more Muslims are turning to more strict Islamic tenets, and numerous Muslim women are wearing the veil these days.

it is true that now many woman are wearing the veil but what you seems to fail to understand is that the law is PRO-LAICITY and not against a religion
french society has been based on the principle of laicity for 200 years while america is based on a principle of religion
dont try to apply your culture to another country

I remember having the distinct impression that the race relations in France were worse than the race relations in the United States between whites and blacks. I still think that's the case.

i believe you should go to france one more time or look in some part of big cities in the us
i remember cases of black ppl beaten and killed by white policemen in the us
racism is everywhere but i remember in '92 the riot at los angeles and i am sure there are countless examples
when i spent a year in the us i had the feeling that non wasp where treated like lesser ppl but it was just an impression

I find it fascinating that the French government, which supports Arab nations on the global playing field, deliberately discriminates against Arabs living within the borders of France.

for the situation in alsace see the previous answer
france do not support arab nations as you seem to affirm
france did not support iraq if that's what you mean
france was for an operation from un and has always condemned the situation in iraq
well it is so easy to do some french bashing

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

FAU! French Apologists UNITE! 15,000+ dead while the French President and his Health Minister go to Canada to beat the heat, as opposed to taking precautions that could have mitigated the lose of innocent life, but this was Mother Nature and ?beyond their control.? Point out the violations of U.N. sanctions/resolutions by France and their dealings with Saddam post-Gulf War I and you are a ?France? basher?French Apologist?.UNITE!!!!!!

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
FAU! French Apologists UNITE! 15,000+ dead while the French President and his Health Minister go to Canada to beat the heat, as opposed to taking precautions that could have mitigated the lose of innocent life, but this was Mother Nature and ?beyond their control.? Point out the violations of U.N. sanctions/resolutions by France and their dealings with Saddam post-Gulf War I and you are a ?France? basher?French Apologist?.UNITE!!!!!!

did you forget your medicine today???

 

[AndrewR]

YAEFT (Yet Another Evil Frog Thread)

The French have an issue with Arabs. Simple. Has nothing to do with "frog" bashing. Incidentally, I don't notice any use of derogatory terms in my post, only yours.

all offically recognized religions receive some sort of state funding in France
Alsace is an exception because they are still using the pre 1905 law

in the rest of France this is a non issue

Then explain why the funding of religious leaders has not been extended to imams in Alsace.

nice to see that you are applying something that does not exist in 98% of France

Did I say that the state salaries for religious leaders existed in all of France? Did I mention that it specifically exists in Alsace only? Someone needs to calm down for a rational discussion, and it isn't me.

it is true that now many woman are wearing the veil but what you seems to fail to understand is that the law is PRO-LAICITY and not against a religion
french society has been based on the principle of laicity for 200 years while america is based on a principle of religion
dont try to apply your culture to another country

Answer these questions:
1) When did the French government stop paying salaries of priests and ministers? What year (hint: 1905)? When did that happen in the States?
2) What constitution were the French using prior to 1960 or so? Did it (they) mention religion? I honestly don't know, but I do know that the same Constitution which was adopted in the late 18th century in the United States is still in effect, and it included a separation of church and state clause way back then.
3) Who is Le Pen, and why is his influence important in the debate on Muslims in France? Address specifically the areas of Alsace and Provence, Nice foremost.
4) If laicite is indeed so religion-neutral, then why was the specific issue la voile and not crucifixes or other religious symbols? Which religion will be most affected by this application of church and state separation?

Don't delude yourself into thinking that this ISN'T targeted against Muslims.

As for a comparison of race relations, no war was fought against blacks by the U.S. government in the 20th century, unlike L'Algerie.

Let me also say that I don't hate the French by any stretch of the imagination. I lived there for a year, and I just spent another month there during November. I do not, however, like French politicians or French government policy in specific areas. That has nothing to do with me being a francophobe. I have no specific love for Muslims, especially radical ones, after what they (the radical ones) did to my countrymen in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania (and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Philippines, Kenya...).

 

[maluckey]

Flame suit on, and engaged. My opinions are.................

The French bailed out of Viet-Nam and left the pieces for everyone else to clean up. They recently made it clear recently that it was fine for millions to live in tryanny in Iraq. They took little or no precautions to aleviate heat related injuries in their country this summer, causing over a thousand needless deaths, but cannot let someone wear a symbol of their faith in God.

Let me see, 10/03/1941, French Council of Ministers issued the "Statut des Juifs", which declared Jews unable to have legal rights, or a profession. The Vichy government then stripped citizenship from any Jew that arrived in France after 1927. They ordered selloff of Jewish owned securities, and confiscated Jewish properties. Also they began arresting all foreign Jews in 1941, and sent the to the camps. They did this on their own volition, and without being ordered to do so by the Nazis. The French Government after 50 some od years has officially aknowledged it's wrongdoing (finally). They are making reparations to those who can prove they were affected. This proves to be difficult since they exterminated entire family lines in some cases.

They still are removing basic freedoms from their people.

I am less and less proud to be a second generation American Citizen of French heritage. Each day I feel more and more that the Vichy Government was no fluke. It's a way of life.

 

[Red Dawn]

They recently made it clear recently that it was fine for millions to live in tryanny in Iraq.

As an American it was fine with me too, especially after those bastards celebrated in the streets after 9/11. I never supported the invasion to free those fsckers, I supported it because I thought there were stockpiles of WMD's, direct links between Osama and Saddam and that Iraq had a Nuclear weapons program well under way. Oops, fsck me, fooled again!

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

Originally posted by: maluckey

I am less and less proud to be a second generation American Citizen of French heritage. Each day I feel more and more that the Vichy Government was no fluke. It's a way of life.

I had to read your post twice, as I just looked at the clown and expected another 'clown post' from our resident clown...I couldn't believe what I was reading until I checked the name.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx

Originally posted by: maluckey

I am less and less proud to be a second generation American Citizen of French heritage. Each day I feel more and more that the Vichy Government was no fluke. It's a way of life.

I had to read your post twice, as I just looked at the clown and expected another 'clown post' from our resident clown...I couldn't believe what I was reading until I checked the name.

This from a Dr. Suess Character?? LOL

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

They recently made it clear recently that it was fine for millions to live in tryanny in Iraq.

As an American it was fine with me too, especially after those bastards celebrated in the streets after 9/11. I never supported the invasion to free those fsckers, I supported it because I thought there were stockpiles of WMD's, direct links between Osama and Saddam and that Iraq had a Nuclear weapons program well under way. Oops, fsck me, fooled again!

Where did you get the idea that there was a direct link between OBL and Saddam? I thought every speech I hear and Sunday talk-show I watched had a myriad of politicians asserting that there wasn't a link? Did the LA Times or NYT print something to the contrary?

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

double-post....Entschuldigen Sie mir bitte

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

holy triple post, batman...sorry

 

[gaga38]

Originally posted by: AndrewR


The French have an issue with Arabs. Simple. Has nothing to do with "frog" bashing. Incidentally, I don't notice any use of derogatory terms in my post, only yours.

yes there is racism in france like in the us
and "arabs" are also french for the most part

Then explain why the funding of religious leaders has not been extended to imams in Alsace.

because the law stated only the catholic church (i dont believe that in 1900 there were any imams in alsace


[q
2) What constitution were the French using prior to 1960 or so? Did it (they) mention religion? I honestly don't know, but I do know that the same Constitution which was adopted in the late 18th century in the United States is still in effect, and it included a separation of church and state clause way back then.
3) Who is Le Pen, and why is his influence important in the debate on Muslims in France? Address specifically the areas of Alsace and Provence, Nice foremost.
4) If laicite is indeed so religion-neutral, then why was the specific issue la voile and not crucifixes or other religious symbols? Which religion will be most affected by this application of church and state separation?[/quote]

point 1 i dont know

point 2 : the separation of church and state int the constitution was established in 1905 (http://www.assemblee-nat.fr/histoire/eglise-etat/sommaire.asp in french)

point 3 : Le pen is a racist a mild version of your KKK, some one who feeds on the fear of the stranger

point 4 : i remind you that the law states that all the religion will be concerned, all visible signs ( ask the jews if they are happy with this law but hey french are also anti-semitic)

Don't delude yourself into thinking that this ISN'T targeted against Muslims.

it is targeted to a certain form of islamism
wearing a veil is not a part of the islamic religion, it is a deviance from certain aera. I know a lot of muslims and none is wearing a veil

As for a comparison of race relations, no war was fought against blacks by the U.S. government in the 20th century, unlike L'Algerie.

indeed but algery was a french colony and french government had some problem with the independancy of this country because lots of french lived there (les pieds noirs)

I do not, however, like French politicians or French government policy in specific areas. That has nothing to do with me being a francophobe. I have no specific love for Muslims, especially radical ones, after what they (the radical ones) did to my countrymen in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania (and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Philippines, Kenya...).

i think we might say that for all politicians, and i do not like specifically the american governement atm but i spent some time near ny and i loved the ppl there

 

[freegeeks]

The French have an issue with Arabs. Simple. Has nothing to do with "frog" bashing. Incidentally, I don't notice any use of derogatory terms in my post, only yours.

nice generalizations


and you have a problem with everything that doesn't fit your egocentric US narrowminded views

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

They recently made it clear recently that it was fine for millions to live in tryanny in Iraq.

As an American it was fine with me too, especially after those bastards celebrated in the streets after 9/11. I never supported the invasion to free those fsckers, I supported it because I thought there were stockpiles of WMD's, direct links between Osama and Saddam and that Iraq had a Nuclear weapons program well under way. Oops, fsck me, fooled again!

Where did you get the idea that there was a direct link between OBL and Saddam? I thought every speech I hear and Sunday talk-show I watched had a myriad of politicians asserting that there wasn't a link? Did the LA Times or NYT print something to the contrary?

Excuse me, between the Iraqi's under Saddam and Al Qaeda.

 

[Dari]

If you look for a synonym for HYPOCRISY in the English dictionary, FRANCE will be one of them.

Fact is, they will use Arab incompetence and anger against the U.S. while being bias against those very arabs once the picket signs are down and the protests over. The frenchmen will go to their nice homes while the arabs will go to their large ghettos where they are systematically raped and assaulted. Unfortunately, most of the crimes in the arab ghettos go unsolved because the weak french have designated those areas "No Go" areas. The french are animals.

BTW, this low-level tension is bound to boil over because the arabs' jobless rate is significantly higher than the national average of 10%.

 

[gaga38]

Originally posted by: Dari
If you look for a synonym for HYPOCRISY in the English dictionary, FRANCE will be one of them.

Fact is, they will use Arab incompetence and anger against the U.S. while being bias against those very arabs once the picket signs are down and the protests over. The frenchmen will go to their nice homes while the arabs will go to their large ghettos where they are systematically raped and assaulted. Unfortunately, most of the crimes in the arab ghettos go unsolved because the weak french have designated those areas "No Go" areas. The french are animals.

BTW, this low-level tension is bound to boil over because the arabs' jobless rate is significantly higher than the national average of 10%.

i just love when u rave like that
google king los angeles 92 you ll see america's best about justice and racism
lol
i had a good laugh

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: gaga38

Originally posted by: Dari
If you look for a synonym for HYPOCRISY in the English dictionary, FRANCE will be one of them.

Fact is, they will use Arab incompetence and anger against the U.S. while being bias against those very arabs once the picket signs are down and the protests over. The frenchmen will go to their nice homes while the arabs will go to their large ghettos where they are systematically raped and assaulted. Unfortunately, most of the crimes in the arab ghettos go unsolved because the weak french have designated those areas "No Go" areas. The french are animals.

BTW, this low-level tension is bound to boil over because the arabs' jobless rate is significantly higher than the national average of 10%.

i just love when u rave like that
google king los angeles 92 you ll see america's best about justice and racism
lol
i had a good laugh

I didn't say the US didn't have her own problems, but the hyprocisy here is with the french. Don't try to transfer the topic.

 

[gaga38]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: gaga38

Originally posted by: Dari
If you look for a synonym for HYPOCRISY in the English dictionary, FRANCE will be one of them.

Fact is, they will use Arab incompetence and anger against the U.S. while being bias against those very arabs once the picket signs are down and the protests over. The frenchmen will go to their nice homes while the arabs will go to their large ghettos where they are systematically raped and assaulted. Unfortunately, most of the crimes in the arab ghettos go unsolved because the weak french have designated those areas "No Go" areas. The french are animals.

BTW, this low-level tension is bound to boil over because the arabs' jobless rate is significantly higher than the national average of 10%.

i just love when u rave like that
google king los angeles 92 you ll see america's best about justice and racism
lol
i had a good laugh

I didn't say the US didn't have her own problems, but the hyprocisy here is with the french. Don't try to transfer the topic.

you choose to transfer the topic
at the beginning this topic had nothing to do with the us
but hey it is too good to do some french bashing
and indeed calling french animal rise the level of the discussion
and the hypocrisy here is with some "americans" who are prompt to criticize the situation in france while the situation in the us is quite worse

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

Originally posted by: gaga38


i just love when u rave like that
google king los angeles 92 you ll see america's best about justice and racism
lol
i had a good laugh

...and you should google 'French Anti-smitic attacks'; or, just turn to a credible source (by communists/socialists alike on here) here


It is of paramount importance to take a principled stand against the advocates of communal hatred on all sides. Especially in the country that is home to Europe?s largest Muslim population of around six million and to 700,000 Jews?making France the world?s fourth largest population centre for Jewish people after Israel, the United States and Russia. This is lent additional urgency not only by the terrible events unfolding in the Middle East, but also by the recent electoral success of the fascist National Front (FN) leader Jean-Marie Le Pen, who placed second in the first round of France?s presidential elections.

The man who once described the Holocaust as ?a detail of history? is seeking to foster anti-Muslim sentiment while portraying himself as a friend to France?s Jewish people due to his advocacy of law-and-order measures and anti-Muslim stance.

Spokesmen for the Israeli government have made repeated calls for France?s Jews to emigrate. In February, Sharon himself said Israel was preparing for an exodus of French Jews due to ?this dangerous wave of anti-Semitism.? On April 10, the Israeli government said the emigration of all 700,000 French Jews had become a ?necessity? and announced the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee on the issue. Following Le Pen?s success in the presidential primaries, Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Elie Yisha, who heads the ultra Orthodox Shas Party, called on French Jews to emigrate to Israel, insisting that the ?Jews of Europe, and the Jews of France in particular, cannot remain indifferent in the face of growing anti-Semitic attacks, which the French authorities seem unable to stop.?

Okay, so the largest Muslim population in Europe resides in France, yet France is attacking its Muslim citizenry with legislation that would refuse Muslims to show faith to their religion...assimilation at its best.

 

[Strk]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

YAEFT (Yet Another Evil Frog Thread)

The French have an issue with Arabs. Simple. Has nothing to do with "frog" bashing. Incidentally, I don't notice any use of derogatory terms in my post, only yours.

all offically recognized religions receive some sort of state funding in France
Alsace is an exception because they are still using the pre 1905 law

in the rest of France this is a non issue

Then explain why the funding of religious leaders has not been extended to imams in Alsace.

nice to see that you are applying something that does not exist in 98% of France

Did I say that the state salaries for religious leaders existed in all of France? Did I mention that it specifically exists in Alsace only? Someone needs to calm down for a rational discussion, and it isn't me.

it is true that now many woman are wearing the veil but what you seems to fail to understand is that the law is PRO-LAICITY and not against a religion
french society has been based on the principle of laicity for 200 years while america is based on a principle of religion
dont try to apply your culture to another country

Answer these questions:
1) When did the French government stop paying salaries of priests and ministers? What year (hint: 1905)? When did that happen in the States?
2) What constitution were the French using prior to 1960 or so? Did it (they) mention religion? I honestly don't know, but I do know that the same Constitution which was adopted in the late 18th century in the United States is still in effect, and it included a separation of church and state clause way back then.
3) Who is Le Pen, and why is his influence important in the debate on Muslims in France? Address specifically the areas of Alsace and Provence, Nice foremost.
4) If laicite is indeed so religion-neutral, then why was the specific issue la voile and not crucifixes or other religious symbols? Which religion will be most affected by this application of church and state separation?

Don't delude yourself into thinking that this ISN'T targeted against Muslims.

As for a comparison of race relations, no war was fought against blacks by the U.S. government in the 20th century, unlike L'Algerie.

Let me also say that I don't hate the French by any stretch of the imagination. I lived there for a year, and I just spent another month there during November. I do not, however, like French politicians or French government policy in specific areas. That has nothing to do with me being a francophobe. I have no specific love for Muslims, especially radical ones, after what they (the radical ones) did to my countrymen in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania (and Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Philippines, Kenya...).

1) Don't know
2) The current French constitution was written in 1958, so prior to that, they were using one from quite some time ago.(not sure if they were using the one from the 4th Republic.)
3) He is a racist and is supporting the expulsion of immigrants. Most countries have plenty of politicians like this. Yes, he did run for President and did make it to the second election.
4) Don't know

Also, the war in Algeria was not fought because the country is black, it was because that was one of the few colonies France did not want to give up. Remember, this is the same time we were hitting blacks with fire hoses and other violent actions because they wanted equal rights; not all wars are declared.

 

[gaga38]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
...and you should google 'French Anti-smitic attacks'; or, just turn to a credible source (by communists/socialists alike on here) .

yes there are attacks against jews in france but because you attack someone doesnt mean you are anti semitic
so if i have an disagreement with someone i am a raciss (antisemitic if it is a jew)? what a generalization
but you should notice that in every country in which jews and arabs are mixed have this kind of pbs
and you should google anti arab us
you ll see that in the us it is not the jews who are attacked but the arabs (and i dont mention the "black" people)

and quoting a sentence of the head of the ultra Orthodox Shas Party is quite bad because this man advocates the elimination of the palestinian

 

[zephyrprime]

gaga38: Please define "laicity". I can't find it in the english or french dictionary.

 

[AndrewR]

yes there is racism in france like in the us
and "arabs" are also french for the most part

Would maghrebins be a better term? I realize that they are French citizens, though of a different racial background.

because the law stated only the catholic church (i dont believe that in 1900 there were any imams in alsace

Actually, it's both Catholics and Protestants. I find it hard to believe that a) the law cannot be rescinded, or b) that it cannot be extended to include imams.

point 2 : the separation of church and state int the constitution was established in 1905 (http://www.assemblee-nat.fr/histoire/eglise-etat/sommaire.asp in french)

Right, my point exactly. The principle in the United States predates that of the same in France. The earlier accusation was therefore misplaced.

point 3 : Le pen is a racist a mild version of your KKK, some one who feeds on the fear of the stranger

Right, and he has strong support in Provence and, as I read a little while ago in Le Monde, a growing support in Alsace (around 10%). That same level of support for parallel ideas does NOT exist in the United States. It may be an undercurrent, but no politician in the U.S. could ever retain that kind of support with blatantly racist ideas.

it is targeted to a certain form of islamism
wearing a veil is not a part of the islamic religion, it is a deviance from certain aera. I know a lot of muslims and none is wearing a veil

True, my mistake. However, thank you for the admission -- that's my point! It IS targeted at Islam, albeit a certain (but growing) portion.

Thank you, gaga38, for a rational and reasoned response. Now, on the other hand...

and you have a problem with everything that doesn't fit your egocentric US narrowminded views

Freegeeks, I thought you were capable of a sensible discussion, but apparently I was wrong. My mistake!

Also, the war in Algeria was not fought because the country is black, it was because that was one of the few colonies France did not want to give up. Remember, this is the same time we were hitting blacks with fire hoses and other violent actions because they wanted equal rights; not all wars are declared.

Ok, I take your point about the social unrest in the '50s and '60s in the United States, but it still doesn't rise to the level of brutality and open conflict that existed in Algeria against a completely Islamic-North African rebellion. The scars of Algeria run deep -- do you think the Algerians and others who witnessed French atrocities (Muslims were just as guilty, I know) were not affected by them and retain hatred for it?

gaga38: Please define "laicity". I can't find it in the english or french dictionary.

The word in francais is laicite, with an accent on the last "e". The translation is secularism, basically.