Legal concepts of freedom of conscience and secularization in the new and modern history of France

Shestopalov Mikhail Andreevich

This article examines the evolution of ideas about freedom of conscience and separation of Church and state in France. On the basis of the materials translated by the author from scientific sources in French, the reasons for the emergence of secularism and its consequences are presented. It is noted that this process received a significant development during the great French revolution. Ideas about freedom of conscience and secularization are reflected in the 1789 Declaration of human and civil rights. There is a gradual displacement of the Church from public life. Conversion of all Church property to state ownership, transfer of functions of registration of birth, marriage and death exclusively to state bodies. In 1905, the Law on the separation of churches and the state was adopted, which established a regime for the complete secularization of the French state and society. The education is exclusively secular. Liberalization of the regime in the mid-twentieth century and enshrined in the Constitution of the principle of respect for the government of all faiths leads to the weakening of Christian values in French society and integration of different religions, offers a modern model of Church-state relations in France.

Keywords:France, state, religion, Church, Catholicism, secularization, secular state.