Religious Education in Public Schools of Alsace-Moselle in France


Gündüz T., Kılınç M.

Amasya İlahiyat Dergisi, vol.0, no.13, pp.323-355, 2019 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 0 Issue: 13
  • Publication Date: 2019
  • Doi Number: 10.18498/amailad.593403
  • Journal Name: Amasya İlahiyat Dergisi
  • Journal Indexes: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.323-355
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In France, where religion and state are strictly separated from each other with its own sense of secularism, the education system is structured in line with this understanding, and accordingly religion and beliefs are not included in the public education system. Alsace-Moselle in France, however, is an exception. Although located within the borders of France today, Alsace-Moselle differs, because of its own specific political and religious history, from other regions of France in terms of religious educational approaches and practices. In this study which data were collected through a literature review, we have investigated the reasons for the privilege in favor of religious education in the public schools of Alsace-Moselle, the legal basis of religious education and teaching, the approaches or models of religious education, and the status of members of various religion and beliefs, particularly of Muslims, in terms of rights and freedoms in the context of religious education. The article concludes that religious education in public schools is confessional and compulsory in a way that includes the right to an exemption under certain circumstances. General organization and financing of religious education are being provided by the state. The privileges in religious education are limited to the statutory cults (cultes statutaire), not included Islam and the other religions and beliefs, due to the historical legacy of the region and the existing legal rights and limitations.