Indeed, but I’ll point out the Bible isn’t the chief authority for Roman Catholics.
I don’t think religeon has anything to do with it in France.
BBC NEWS | Europe | The deep roots of French secularism
Sep 1, 2004 - The deep roots of French secularism. France is not the only Western country to insist on the separation of church and state - but it does so more militantly than any other. Secularism is the closest thing the French have to a state religion.