Laïcité and atheism in France

Abstract

Atheists were among the most militant supporters of laïcité in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They saw it as a means of curtailing the traditional power of the Catholic church in French society. However, in recent years, the main religious groupings have come to the defence of laïcité as a protection for religious freedom. This article traces the changing relationship between atheism and laïcité in its different forms. It identifies the main groups that advocate both principles, and examines the work of recent secular thinkers who seek to offer an alternative ethical position and even an alternative spirituality. It argues that while some atheist groups still see laïcité as a crucial weapon in the battle against religious power, the leading atheist intellectuals are focusing instead on the personal beliefs and values of citizens, and are offering new perspectives on religion and secularism.