Posted on 09/05/2007 4:30:16 PM PDT by wagglebee
PARIS, September 5, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Newly elected French President Nicholas Sarkozy did not shy away from tackling controversial issues in his campaign and he has, once again, engaged a politically hot topic in a nation previously renowned for its secularism. In a letter written by Sarkozy and publicized yesterday, he addressed the teachers of France, calling on them to take part in a "renaissance" and to reflect on the huge responsibility placed in their hands - the responsibility to "guide and to protect the spirit and the sensibilities that are not yet completely formed, that have not yet attained maturity, which are searching, which are still fragile and vulnerable."
Sarkozy explained that such a national rebirth would only be possible through a reform of the French education system. Sarkozy clarified that such a reform must include "rewarding the good, punishing the faults, cultivating an admiration of that which is good, just, beautiful, great, true and profound and [cultivating] a detestation of that which is bad, unjust, ugly, insignificant, untrue, superficial and mediocre. That is how a teacher renders his service to a child in his care."
In his letter, Sarkozy bucked the secularist establishment that has long mandated a total rejection of religion presence in any French schools or curricula. "I am convinced that we should not leave the issue of religion at the school door." He cautioned that he was not advocating for proselytizing in schools or teaching solely "within the framework of a theological approach."
Rather, Sarkozy explained, "The spiritual and the sacred always accompany human experiences. They are the source of all civilization. One can open up [more] easily to others and one can dialogue more easily with people of other religions when one understands their religion."
French secularist forces argue that teaching religion or allowing the presence of religion in any form in educational facilities only serves to foster confrontation and animosity.
Sarkozy continued in his letter to remind educators that they must instill the virtue of patriotism in their young charges so that they will grow to be responsible citizens of France, of Europe and of the world. He also called on educators to work to inspire an appreciation for culture in France's young people.
Sarkozy drew his letter to a conclusion, echoing a teaching of the Catholic Church in this regard. He said, "Parents, vous êtes les premiers des éducateurs." Translated, it means "Parents, you are the primary educators." Sarkozy encouraged parents to be intimately involved in the education of their children. Alluding to the many difficulties that parents of today face in an age of broken homes, expensive education and high unemployment rates. Sarkozy promised governmental effort to make education possible for all young French citizens.
Sarkozy concluded his letter, "The time for a new beginning has come. It is to this new beginning that I invite you. We will navigate it together. We are already slow [in beginning]."
As previously reported by LifeSiteNews.com, this is not the first time that the present president has called for a more public acceptance of religion in France. In 2006, Sarkozy, then acting as the French interior minister, called for France to repudiate its anti-religious prejudice and look again at a positive relationship between Church and state.
In a book-length interview entitled La République, les religions, l'espérance [The Republic, the Religions, and Hope], Sarkozy recalls critically "the preceding generations" that "scorned, despised, and ridiculed priests and friars."
Sarkozy also previously called for permission for religious organizations to take advantage of state funding for charitable work. He criticizes those who "think it is natural for the state to finance a soccer field, a library, a theatre, a childcare center; but whenever it is a matter of the needs of a place of worship, the state should not spend so much as a penny."
All too often, election candidates employ strong political platforms during campaigns that then discreetly morph into watered down versions of a previous promise to constituents. So far, newly elected French President Nicholas Sarkozy is staying true to his campaign promises to "give the place of honor back to the nation and national identity [of France]."
See the entire untranslated Sarkozy letter at:
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0...
Read Previous LifeSiteNews.com Coverage:
Pro-Family Candidate Elected President of France over Gay 'Marriage', Euthanasia Supporter
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/may/07050705.html
France's Choice for President: Gay "Marriage" or Re-Marriage Between Church and State
http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2006/jun/06061906.html
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France used to be the heart and soul of Christianity in the 12th-century. Things do change.
We shall see. I wonder if the attacks against him will be as vicious as they’d be coming from the left in this country.
The left is France is a lot more vicious than the left here.
It will be uncomfortable.
This from the President of France? Who wouda thunk it?
I sense that the sport of French-bashing will be ending.
Did not Socrates show us that education comes from confrontation. Students cannot confront that which is hidden from them. Spinoza's critique of religion did not come from an ignorance of the Bible. Without a thorough knowledge of the Bible, it isn't possible to confront the wise: Shakespeare, Chaucer, Milton, Dante, Goethe, Rousseau, Nietzsche, etc. The mushroom treatment (being kept in the dark and fed BS) is no substitute for an education.
I do too. I had a good feeling about Sarkozy from the moment I heard about him and I think he’ll lead France into a good future.
Once you get out of Paris and into the French countryside, the French are great people.
I meant to ping you to this too.
I remember that it was mainly the Parisians that triggered the Revolution and Terror, not the country people.
The people in the countryside were the ones killed.
Thank you!
And he certainly isn’t wasting any time.
This guy has given me a small bit of hope for Europe. They may wake before it is to late.
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