Laicization, History of

Abstract

The French case is the main example of a process of laicization (which is different from a process of secularization) and we can distinguish two thresholds of laicization. The first threshold of laicization, around the period of the French revolution, is the permanent result of revolutionary upsets and is marked by three characteristics: (a) institutional fragmentation; (b) recognition of legitimacy; and (c) religious pluralism. Then finally, at the beginning of twentieth century, a liberal model prevailed and ensured the freedom of conscience, guaranteed the free exercise of religion, and respected the self-organization of each church. This can be seen as the second threshold of laicization. There are also three characteristics: (a) institution dissociation; (b) social neutral about religious legitimacy; and (c) freedom of religion. In Europe, other countries also show cases of processes of laicization which comprise analogies with the French case as well as specificities and we can mention three examples: Belgium, Spain, Italy. Nowadays, in Europe, whatever the degree of laicization, the various socities must face new problems. Moreover, the relations between the state and religion in most of the countries of the European Union tend to become a specific case of a larger European model. Finally, laicity can be seen as a close relation between the freedom of consience and the freedom of thought.