Secularism and post-secularism in action and in thought. The case of France

Abstract

The authors of the article try to identify and describe the processes that led to the strong secularization of French society. They point out that they developed, not guided by the "natural" laws of social development, but were the result of a well-thought-out policy of the rulers. The revolution of 1789 was a turning point for this process. The groups that then took power and their successors, modified the laws, reformed education systems, and confiscated property and church buildings from the clergy. Of course, the Enlightenment ideas of freedom, equality and fraternity for all were a very attractive program of changes, but without the aforementioned means of pressure, and often coercion, the shape and scope of secularization in France would be definitely different.