Using Law to Limit Religious Freedom: The Case of New Religious Movements in France

France, with its approach to managing religion known as laïcité, has been almost unique among Western nations in religious freedom for minority groups and movements. In recent decades it passed widely criticized laws efforts implement a program of social control over such groups, including both new movements (NRMs) well older that have functioned France many decades. Examining why how this happened helps reveal can be curtailed modern society using the legislative process law. We apply theories from sociology law offered by Donald Black William Chambliss, other relevant ideas, understand situation developed France. Black’s concepts status intimacy are particularly useful, is Chambliss’ dialectic law, which emphasizes human volition lawmaking. Chambliss focuses on societies develop resolutions resolve dilemmas they attempt conflicts arise contradictions functions. The role courts situations will also addressed. conclude liberalistic humanitarian national motto (“liberté, égalité, fraternité”) French Republic does not necessarily lead non-discrimination non-persecution nontraditional groups. resolution obtained About–Picard was, predicted final one, continue exist about address concerns society.