Please join this weekly meme. Grab a copy of the photo above and link back to An Accidental Blog. Share with the rest of us your passion for France. Did you read a good book set in France? See a movie? Take a photo in France? Have an adventure? Eat a fabulous meal or even just a pastry? Or if you're in France now, go ahead and lord it over the rest of us. We can take it.
France is a dichotomy in the fact that it celebrates so many religious holidays, yet demands that people show no outward signs of their religion.
As we were walking in Aix en Provence one day, we came upon this government building.
And we were surprised me to see this statue of Mary, the Virgin Mother, on a government building. I guess people can't wear signs of religion, but the government is still catholic deep down.
In 2004, the government passed a bill against wearing any veils or signs for religious reasons in public schools. Most people think the goal was to prevent Muslim women from wearing the hijab in school. But for a country that wants no signs of religion, it's curious that it celebrates both Ascension and Pentecost in May with three-day or four-day weekends.
Even in a country I love, I'm not going to agree with everything.
But I see no harm in the occasional religious statuary on government buildings, like this one of Mary.
Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France. Please leave a comment and visit each other's blogs, too, so you can get your fix of France dreams.
8 comments:
The hijab should be banned for safety reasons (the person cannot be seen, if they commit a crime) and also it symbolizes subjugation of women.
There are statues all over France ..especially in places you wouldn't expect to find them. And how could the government get rid of them and why? These were long time before all the religious problems.
I understand how complicated this seems especially to Americans but the staues are a part of a long history in France.
Yes, I have no quarrel with the statues. I think they're interesting and historic. The Catholic Church was obviously a large part of the unification of France.
As Sally said, it's complicated, but when you consider just how very long and tangled the religious history of France, as well as other European countries is, it makes sense. Besides, religion creeps its way into American government and its buildings too.
Also, sigh, my first link is incorrect. Please don't use it:)
I love seeing the nativity scenes when I am in France. It drives me nuts that here in the US people get bent out of shape over them. Everyone should worship as they like.
I am sure that in public schools there are many children with crucifixes and medals with religious motifs!
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