The fuzzy world of laicity

'Laicity' is a key word among those that structure the analysis of the relations between the state, religious factors, and social interaction. It does this by way of values and norms. Being 'lay' implies a social attitude, a state of public conduct distinct from religion, or even hostile to any religious manifestation. In French, laicité is composed of 4 dimensions that have no causal or geometric relationship with each other. Laicité is an ideological reference, a normative instrument of power. The 1990s saw renewed interest in publications on the role of the state in the religious definition of national culture and common values. In this special issue, explores the contradictions, paradoxes and transactions between public institutions and social actors. (Quotes from original text)