France Accuse of 'Totalitarian Secularism' after Nativity Scene Removed from Council Building

A French court ruled that a nativity scene must be removed from a council building in La Roche-sur-Yon. Christian Today reports that the court order was made after a secular campaign group said the display was “clearly a religious symbol.”

Jean Regourd, president of Fédération Nationale de la Libre Pensée said, "A nativity scene is a religious symbol, representing a specific religion.” 

"In theory it doesn't respect the law of neutrality of public buildings nor of the State, and it doesn't respect the freedom of conscience of a citizen who sees a religious emblem imposed on them".

A judge ruled that the nativity display went against the policy of "religious neutrality in public spaces.” Le Parisien reported that 86 percent of its readers were against the nativity scene removal. 

French politician Philippe de Villiers called the court decision “totalitarian secularism.”

Publication date: December 9, 2014