Religious symbols juxtaposed with national landmarks

Sacred Symbols in a Secular State: Can Germany Learn from France?

Rhea Morgan in Politics & Policy June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Navigating the complex interplay of religious expression and secular values in an increasingly diverse society."

The visibility of religious symbols in the public sphere has become a highly debated topic. While controversies surrounding Christian symbols, such as crucifixes in Bavarian classrooms, have occurred, the focus has shifted to the wearing of Muslim headscarves by teachers or legal trainees, and calls for a general ban on the burka.

France, with its concept of laïcité (secularism), is often looked to as a model, having implemented a burqa ban in 2010. This has been followed by similar measures in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Tessin. The issue extends beyond clothing, encompassing debates about nativity scenes in town halls and the renaming of traditional festivals to remove religious connotations.

These conflicts arise from the presentation of religiously grounded symbols. While Christian symbols are sometimes involved, Muslim-associated symbols are increasingly at the center of criticism. This raises the question: How can a multireligious society balance freedom of expression with the principles of secularism and social cohesion?

The French Laïcité: A Model for Germany?

Religious symbols juxtaposed with national landmarks

France's laïcité, enshrined in a 1905 law separating church and state, aims to overcome societal divisions. The law, while not explicitly defining laïcité, serves as its foundation. It emerged from a history of conflict between the French Republic and the Catholic Church, particularly concerning state control over education.

The principle of laïcité is affirmed in Article 1 of the 1946 Constitution, declaring France an indivisible, secular, democratic, and social republic. Public education is mandated to be free and secular. The constitution does not include any invocation of God.

Legalistic Approach (laïcité republicaine): Adheres strictly to the 1905 law, guaranteeing freedom of conscience and religious practice within the bounds of public order.
Accommodating Approach (laïcité ouverte): Recognizes the importance of religion in society and seeks to accommodate religious practices where possible, leading to debates about funding religious institutions.
Identitarian Approach (laïcité intégrale): Aims to remove religious symbols from all aspects of public life, viewing laïcité as a fundamental principle of civil society and raising concerns about intolerance towards Islam.

Germany's approach, rooted in the Basic Law, emphasizes state neutrality and the freedom of religion. The Federal Constitutional Court has characterized the relationship between state and religious communities as 'reciprocal independence within a system of coordination or as a partnership.' This fosters cooperation rather than hostile separation.

Finding Common Ground: A European Approach?

The comparison reveals both commonalities and differences. Both countries uphold the separation of state and religious institutions, individual freedom of belief and conscience, and the right of religious communities to self-governance.

However, differing interpretations of secularism and neutrality lead to contrasting approaches in the public sphere. France's emphasis on laïcité often results in stricter regulations on religious symbols in state institutions, while Germany prioritizes religious freedom, leading to more accommodation.

Ultimately, navigating the complexities of religious symbols in a secular state requires a commitment to both constitutional principles and mutual respect. Only through open dialogue and a willingness to find common ground can societies foster integration and social cohesion while upholding the fundamental rights of all citizens.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is Laïcité and why is it important?

Laïcité is the French principle of secularism, enshrined in a 1905 law that separates church and state. This principle is fundamental because it aims to overcome societal divisions by ensuring the state remains neutral in religious matters, fostering an environment where all citizens can practice their beliefs freely. The French approach has been followed by similar measures in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Tessin. The concept is critical for managing the visibility of religious symbols and navigating conflicts that arise from them.

What are the different approaches to Laïcité in France?

The three main approaches to Laïcité in France include: the Legalistic Approach (Laïcité Republicaine), which strictly adheres to the 1905 law and guarantees freedom of conscience and religious practice within public order; the Accommodating Approach (Laïcité Ouverte), which recognizes the importance of religion in society and seeks to accommodate religious practices; and the Identitarian Approach (Laïcité Intégrale), which aims to remove religious symbols from all aspects of public life. Each approach impacts how religious expression is managed in public spaces, influencing debates around religious symbol visibility, such as those involving the wearing of Muslim headscarves or the display of nativity scenes.

How does Germany's approach to religion differ from France's Laïcité?

The key difference lies in how the state interacts with religion. France's Laïcité, rooted in the 1905 law, promotes a strict separation between church and state. Germany, based on its Basic Law, emphasizes state neutrality but also fosters cooperation between the state and religious communities, reflecting a system of reciprocal independence. This impacts how religious symbols are viewed, the role of religion in public education, and the overall approach to religious diversity within the country.

How can a society balance religious freedom with secular principles and social cohesion?

In a society with various religious views, the balance is maintained through legal frameworks and societal norms. France's Laïcité and Germany's Basic Law both uphold individual freedom of belief and conscience. The legalistic approach of Laïcité, for example, is designed to manage the visibility of religious symbols. The goal is to promote social cohesion by ensuring that the state remains neutral and that all citizens are treated equally regardless of their religious beliefs. This involves navigating complex issues like the wearing of religious symbols in public and the role of religious institutions in society.

Why is the visibility of religious symbols in public spaces a significant issue?

The significance of the issue of religious symbols lies in their ability to spark public debate. These symbols may be Christian symbols, such as crucifixes, or symbols associated with Islam, like the headscarf. The display of these symbols in public spaces can cause conflict. These conflicts are at the heart of how secular states such as France and Germany manage religious diversity. Navigating these issues requires a balancing act of religious freedom and public order, impacting social cohesion and the rights of all citizens.