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In France, the right to free association is based on a 1901 law defining the privileges and obligations of all groups wishing to carry out cultural, humanitarian, and sports activities. A 1905 amendment to this law specified the conditions for religious freedom; for example, a religious group must have a certain number of members and limit its activities to religious services.

In practice this means that anyone seeking to set up a Bible school or soup kitchen must comply with the 1901 law, thus becoming subject to the same strictures as secular organizations.

Most Christian leaders agree that harassment usually occurs when local officials sanction individuals, groups, and institutions that fail to comply with tax, employment, safety, and zoning rules. But such sanctions seem unfair when other groups frequently ignore these rules without penalty.

Sebastien Fath, a social scientist with a government research institute, points out that the French media react negatively.

"The law provides complete freedom," Fath says, "but in daily life, French public opinion is quite opposed to evangelism, and that's where things get difficult."

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ReligiousTolerance.org examines religious intolerance in France, a country pledged to "respect all beliefs."

The Apologetics Index's section on France includes information and links on the new law.

The Center for Studies on New Religions has posted the full text of the French "Anti-Cult" law in English, an editorial on seven things you can do and a collection of various articles.

A 1995 French National Assembly report on cults, reprinted on an ex-Jehovah's Witness site, includes the list of sects many are angry about.

The U.S. State Department's most recent report on religious freedom in France was released September 5, 2000.

Because of extreme national sensitivity following the Solar Temple suicides, public opinion is generally supportive of the French legislation designed to combat "movements of a quasi-religious nature."

In April, Michel Tabachnik went on trial for his involvement in Solar Temple and the 74 suicides between 1994 and 1997.

Religious and public action groups have spoken out against the law, including The Baptist World Alliance and Concerned Women for America.

Conservative Web site WorldNetDaily examinesthe law's possible effects on Southern Baptists.

In the way of precedents, the adoption of the law paves the way for Hong Kong to outlaw the Falun Gong.

The French Protestant Federation Web site can be read in a rough English translation.

The Nimes Theological Institute Web site has an English version.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide called for action against the "anti-sect" law.

Previous Christianity Today articles on French religious freedom include:

Christian Groups Labeled 'Cultic' | Christians in France put on same list as apocalyptic and satanic groups. (Sept. 6, 1999)

How Free Are We? | One year later, Christian leaders examine the International Religious Freedom Act. (March 6, 2000)

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July 8 2001, Vol. 45, No. 9