FRANCE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

FRANCE - Essay Example France has been an important model for religious freedom and thought in virtue of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in the year 1789 and several significant religions are practices in this country, though Roman Catholicism has been the major religion. "In the past, France was a predominantly Roman Catholic country. Since the 1970s, France has become a very secular country. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen says that Freedom of religion is constitutionally a right." (France Principle Religion) Sub-point 1: The other religions practiced in the country include Protestantism, Islam, Judaism and atheism. According to the CIA World Factbook, about 88% of the population in France practices Roman Catholicism, 5 to 10% practice Islam, about 2% Protestantism and 1% of the French population practice Judaism. Sub-point 2: The religious background of France has contributed highly to the progress of the Europe and the world and it is a nation which has contributed the world some of the fundamental principles of secularism and religion including the 'freedom of religion'. A profound analII. Main Point: Cultural Background of France: Family structure A profound analysis of the family structure in France confirms that several social, religious and cultural elements as well as movements have influenced the progress of its culture. The traditional family structure of the French culture, an extended family structure, continued for a long time due, mainly, to the values of the Catholic Church and the rural communities. "The outbreak of the French Revolution created a potent space for questioning the customs, laws, emotions, power relations, and gender assumptions that informed family life. During the 1790s the French Revolution radically redefined the family, its internal dynamics, and its relationship to the state." (Desan, 1) Sub-point 1: The French Revolution created a potent space for questioning the customs, laws, emotions, power relations, and gender assumptions that informed family life and it radically redefined the family, its internal dynamics, and its relationship to the state. Sub-point 2: There has been a vital shift from the traditional family structure to the modern family structure in the French society and culture. III. Main point: Cultural Background of France: Traditions of Religion and Family The traditions of the religion are mostly connected with those of the family and people celebrate religious festivals with lots of enthusiasm and variety in their families and the most important traditions of religion as well as family in France are in connection with Christmas. "Family celebrations begin with the decoration of the Christmas tree a few days before Christmas; candles and lights, tinsel and many colored stars are attached to it. On Christmas Eve when the children are asleep, little toys, candies and fruits are hung on the branches of the tree as a supplement to the gifts Santa Claus has left in the shoes before the fireplace." (Holiday Traditions of France) Sub-point 1: The traditions of