Religious education in France: A study on the region of Alsace-Moselle

The state of France introduces itself as a secular and democratic republic. In 1905, religion and state were separated from each other and religion was considered as a personal right. In the Alsace-Moselle region, which was dominated by the German Empire at the time, this law could not be applied. Therefore, there was no separation of religion and state. In 1918, when the French state was re-established, the French state created a special status. In 1919, a vote was held on the implementation of French legislation in these regions. As a result of the voting, French legislation was not implemented in these regions and the old education system was accepted. The non-secular education system pointed to the continuation of the religious classes that existed before 1919. Since then, religious education in the Alsace-Moselle region is legally maintained in within the educational system. This study aims to investigate religious education in the Alsace-Moselle region. As this is relatively new research topic in Turkey, research design of this thesis is mainly descriptive based on documentary study. In this study, the general education system and religious education in France with a focus on Alsace-Moselle region were examined. This study also investigates the historical background affecting the structure of the educational system of the country, the structure of formal education, the legal basis on which religious education and education system is based, the discussions about and the content of religious education in private schools. In addition, the reasons for exceptional religious education in Alsace-Moselle, the privileges provided by the special status of the region in the field of religious education, the models and approaches adopted in religious education in public schools, the opportunities of different religious and sect members, especially Muslims, questioned in this study.