that one post I rb'd earlier about France and laicité and Macron celebrating Chanukah is still making me made just thinking about it. That came in the same week as Masha Gessen being almost stripped of the Hannah Arendt prize because they wrote an essay about Gaza (incidentally, Gessen is Jewish). I'm just really, massively tired of the current climate in Western Europe where political and civil authorities pay lip service to diversity and pluralism but actually actively suppress diverse voices. Case in point, lots of framing Judaism = Israel while actively making life harder for their Jewish communities.

I'm not eloquent enough to word this properly, but it's infuriating to witness. It's not a new attitude by any means, but it's rooted in racism and xenophobia and I hate that it's getting so much fresh mileage lately. I wish more people (& local press) called it out for what it is.

hey whats up turns out i have debts and bills to pay like everyone else and could still use financial support from you guys. im audrey, an autistic trans woman from ottawa, occupied ontario. im 29 and need help with my rogers bill and personal debts. i owe about $150 to two loan sharks and can only pay one off this week and told them both id have the money by the end of the week. im not worried about my friend who bought me a hockey jersey i can pay him back its the bastards at cashmoney that i owe $142.37 or some shit because my payment bounced for absolutely no reason (not enough money haha i thought i was fine but nintendo and tsn showed up to collect for absolutely no reason). i dont care how much i owe rogers ill pay them eventually but i wish i could get sportsnet so i can watch the womens world cup. idc who has it i just wanna watch the hockey again god dammit!!

sorry for being like this. my paypal address is [email protected]. i lost my wallet with my debit and ids so i wont have access to this money until i get my shit back or replaced later this week.

im back at the psych ward the third time this crazy ramadan fuck my life man. they want you eating when the suns up and fasting when the suns down and breaking your fast at 8 in the morning once the sun is bright. fuck the christian white supremacist nightmare that is laicité already. i could use help.

navigating transmisogyny and ableism is already hard enough for me. im a culturally christian white girl raised by french catholics with guilt complexes like no tomorrow and celebrating ramadan even just in solidarity and friendship as a white christian is structurally impossible in this racist islamophobic society. cant imagine what its like for actual muslims here in canada or at this hospital dealing with that shit personally. they wont let me integrate and consider or familiarize myself with any alternate perspective these white supremacists.

Humour...Grinçant : les vignettes vachardes de l'actu de la semaine (24 -31 mars)

Bon j’espère que vous n’avez pas trop souffert du changement d’heure, perso j’ai jamais compris l’intérêt, mais sans doute n’étant pas assez intelligente, je n’arrive pas en en saisir toutes les subtilités ! Quoi qu’il en soit encore une heure passée à la trappe ! Pour un réveil tonique voici la sélection de vignettes vachardes de la semaine, régalez-vous c’est offert ! Vive la laicité, encore…

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[Vidéo] Reportage à Trappes, laboratoire de l’islamisation de la France

Le 9 décembre, l’IFOP a publié une enquête réalisée auprès de 1.000 Français musulmans sur les questions de religion et de laïcité (lire l’article de Marc Baudriller). Importance accordée à la religion dans les différents aspects de la vie, perception de la laicité, abayas… tous les sujets sont évoqués sans détours. Continue reading Untitled

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#4: On St. Paul St. Louis du Marais Church

Tucked away between the many shops, restaurants, and bakeries of the Marais is the centuries-old St. Paul, St. Louis du Marais Church. The bright red doors are hard to miss, and one feels almost obligated to go inside. The interior, like many of the churches in Paris, is absolutely extravagant. You have to tilt your head all the way back to take in everything. The expansiveness of the church reflects the humility one would feel when standing in front of God. This feeling was apparent when attending Catholic Mass at St. Eustache church. The ornate decoration of the church combined with the architecture made me feel small and the music that drifted over us reminded me of how sacred the space was. I was filled with a sense of awe during mass. Although I could understand little of what was being said, the feeling of holiness was unmistakable. As someone who grew up Catholic, mass was very nostalgic for me, and I am lucky enough that these memories are comforting ones. The smell of the incense and the melodies of the Latin chants were instantly recognizable to me. While I don’t speak French, I understood the significance of each part of the service.

Visiting the mosque on the other hand was a very unique experience for me. I had never been in a mosque and had only a surface-level understanding of the Islamic faith. However, the same sense of reverence and presence of God was also apparent in the mosque. In the center of the mosque was a beautiful garden, modeled after a desert oasis. The garden served as a reminder of the presence and beauty of God for all who visited the mosque, much like the beauty and size of St. Eustache church. Although I am not Muslim, viewing the mosque and better understanding Islam has helped me realize the similarities to my own religious beliefs. I think that exploring other religions and experiencing different places of worship allows us to better appreciate the people around us. While we may not agree with the religious beliefs of others, gaining a more intimate knowledge of other religions allows us to realize their internal logic and the awe they inspire.

While there are plenty of religious buildings in France, modern religious expression is a different thing entirely. The definition of religious freedom in France is different from the definition I grew up with in the United States. Although I grew up in a largely Christian area, religious diversity was taught to me as an opportunity for everyone to practice any or no religious without the fear of being persecuted. In France freedom of religion or laicité, is more akin to freedom from religion. This means the citizens of France have the right to not be exposed to religion in government funded spaces. Thus, religion is seen as more of a private aspect of life than a public one, which is very different than what I experience in the US. The concept of laicité is effective for ensuring that no one feels that a religion is being pushed on them, however it runs into problems where some religious practices are necessarily public. For example, the Islamic faith necessitates that Muslim women wear head coverings such as a hijab or burka. It becomes impossible for one to adhere to their religion while also upholding Laicité. In recent years it seems as though laicité has been used to suppress Muslims more than other religious groups. The many burka and hijab bans throughout Europe prevent many Muslim women from being able to leave their house or participating in society. The policy that was supposed provide freedom has become oppressive to certain groups. While laicité may work for Christian and atheist populations, it prevents those with visible aspects of their religion from practicing.

While religion in Paris is quite diverse, you will likely not see this reflected in the city beyond the church, synagogue, or mosque. Religion is a private matter in French culture and will likely remain that way despite the challenges it may cause for some religious groups.

Blog post #4 - Religion

During this trip, we attended a Roman Catholic Mass, visited a mosque, and toured the immigration museum as a class. Along with that, some friends and I visited the Saint Mary Catholic Church, looked around at the beautiful windows, and sat to reflect. To me, these were incredibly valuable experiences that I believe everyone should have. I truly believe that experiencing and learning about different perspectives is crucial to self growth. This belief of mine is only ever strengthened when I am in positions to experience other cultures and religions. For example, I took a world religions class and a class about the devil last year and both shared a lot about religions. Not only did I learn about entirely different religions, but I also learned how similar these religions were to my family’s. Furthermore, I learned more about Christianity and how Christian thought has shaped the world and media.

Similarly, being in a different country with different expectations and a language I do not comprehend very well was overwhelming at times. However, I learned a lot and was able to break the barrier in my mind that just because French people have a different culture and language, we are not so different. It is easy to let a cultural and language barrier make one feel very separate from people, but after this trip I have gained a greater perspective of the world.

I do not question my own religion much more than I already did before this trip. I always appreciate religious diversity because it reminds me that so many people believe in something passionately and I have no right to claim who is wrong or right. It is one of those times where I appreciate feeling small and not needing to control anything. I typically avoid Christian services because of the way the religion has been weaponized against people. I also have simply never felt a difference spiritually whether or not I go. I have never gotten much out of church. I believe in God, but feel uncomfortable in religious settings. I feel like it is a personal thing for me. In other words, it’s something I keep to myself. If I talk to God, I would much prefer that no one is around to witness it because I would be embarrassed.

This brings me into the topic of laicité. Contrasting with the American belief of freedom of religion, France has established laicité, freedom from religion. I find this to be problematic for a few reasons. First, the exposure to other religions and beliefs that are different is so necessary for personal growth, as I have mentioned before. I worry that laicité hinders society’s empathy, creates further divisions between people, and makes people feel uncomfortable having a religion at all. Obviously, I am less concerned about Christianity, since it is the majority religion, but other religions such as Islam or Hindu are ones I am worried are discriminated against in the name of laicité. France has national holidays with work off for Catholic holidays, but everyone lets it happen because they like having time off. To me, it feels like laicité might apply less to Christianity than other religions.

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Religion in France

The French hold the value of laicité, which translates to “secularism” in English. This implies freedom from religion, rather than the freedom of religion that we have in America. While in France, I had the chance to visit many religious sites and take in their significance to the French people.

I attended a Roman Catholic Mass at St. Eustache Church. While I was raised Christian and have attended many a church service, this was the first Catholic Mass I had ever been to. I, of course, was blown away by the scale of the church. It dwarfed everything surrounding it. The interior was equally as impressive. Attending a mass was an intimidating and strange experience for me on many levels. On the one hand, I felt like I had a grasp on what a Christian service looked like, but realized I had no idea what I was doing and how to behave respectfully in the context of the mass. I became very hyper-fixated on what everyone else was doing, and how important the service was to each individual who was in attendance. It was definitely an incredibly rigid and traditional service that followed a very precise structure of rituals. I was caught off guard by the formality of it all, as my experience in church was incredibly casual. It was also unfortunate that the sermon was all in either French or Latin, as I can’t speak or understand either language and therefore had a hard time trying to engage outside of just following along with what other people were doing. 

I visited an additional church on my own time. The church I chose to spend time in was the Saint Merry church. The Saint-Merry church is a Catholic church that is located right near the Pompidou Museum. Though it was built during the late Renaissance, it was still built with a french gothic look. I really liked the juxtaposition that the church has with both the Pompidou’s external look and the modern street art on the buildings next to it. The interior of the church was less extravagant than I would have expected based on its exterior, though it was beautiful nonetheless. Once again, there was a sense of somberness when entering the church. It was obvious to tell that this was a sacred place that held meaning to many people and to France as a whole.

Visiting the Mosque, on the other hand, felt more personally significant but less significant in the context of France. It was both an incredibly different and interestingly similar experience. In both this visit and attending mass, I felt like I was stepping into something that was far more foreign to me than it should have been. I felt a sense of guilt for not knowing more about the practices and the space I was entering, and also wanting nothing more than to be respectful even in my lack of knowledge. The difference, however, was the welcoming nature of the mosque, as well as from the people who were there working and practicing. I didn’t feel ashamed for not being a “member” or having knowledge of their religion, but felt the sense that they wanted to share and have their space and religion be known.

One thing I took notice of was the location of the churches compared to the Mosque. First, one can generally say that you could find a church almost anywhere you look in Paris. France is certainly not hurting for churches. Even so, I noticed that there seemed to be a difference between population and wealth of location. I remember thinking when approaching the Mosque that there didn’t seem to be many people around, and that I seemed to feel removed from the city and the “nicer” areas. St. Eustache Church, on the other hand, was certainly located centrally in a cityscape. There were many people around and buildings everywhere. It wasn’t hidden away in the way the Mosque felt to be. This is interesting because the Mosque was actually built by the state, which was an act of support, but also then chose to build it in the spot they did.

The fact that the state built the Mosque brings into question the effectiveness of France living up to their value of laicité. The building of a religious building by the state seems to go against the goal of laicité. However, one could also say that the presence of so many churches all throughout France is also against laicité because it places Christianity right in the face of anyone who lives in Paris. Personally, I don’t think that laicité is working. I see how this is a good idea on paper. It makes sense to try and keep religion a personal thing that isn’t overly publicized or placed upon others who wish to live without it. However, given the presence of so many churches, it is nearly impossible to create a freedom from religion, because this symbol of religion is everywhere. 

Essentially, laicité works for Christians because their expressions of religion aren’t nearly as “suppressed” as that of other religions. Not only are churches are everywhere, but there are national holidays that give people days off of work nationwide which are Catholic holidays. This is clearly not separating religion from the country, but people don’t seem to have a problem with it. On the other hand, women being unable to wear head coverings is laicité in “practice”, but clearly suppresses an expression of religion that we don’t see happening in Christianity. While this was a ruling in France, I personally saw more women in head coverings while in Paris than I have probably in my entire life. This religious diversity took getting used to, as I’m not used to seeing diversity in the population of any kind given where I grew up my whole life.

Laicité is a difficult topic to discuss, in my opinion. Religion is highly influential in everyone’s lives, often in completely different ways. To try to shelter people from religion means oppressing others who wish to practice religion. I find this to be a dangerous thing, as we can see that this isn’t being enforced equally across religions. 

I found being in the presence of religiously significant locations to be a moving and solemn experience that made me feel grounded. I also found value in learning the customs and beliefs of different religious practices. It was easy to do so with so many establishments accessible, which is much different than it is at home. There are churches everywhere in Holland, but I genuinely couldn’t tell you where the nearest mosque is. I wish that it would be possible in America to have exposure to other religions and these sorts of learning experiences so readily available in the same way that it is in France.

Religion in Paris & Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement

#4 - Visit one historic church we did not visit together 

Having the opportunity to experience a multitude of religious spaces including Roman Catholic mass, visiting the Grande Mosquée de Paris, and touring the Immigration Museum while in Paris offered me a great comparison to similar spaces I have visited within the United States. Through my church’s confirmation process, I have had the opportunity to visit a catholic mass, Mosque, and learn about their histories within the united states. Some comparisons I can draw are through that of the general layout of the spaces. The general spaces that are used to perform the services were very similar. Some of the main differences I observed were the general age gaps between the Parisian and American religious spaces. The majority of the American spaces I have visited are not historic buildings and merely held some historic items within them. In contrast to this, the majority of religious spaces in Paris are historic structures, as well as hold historic religious items within them. 

Top left: view of the organ at St. Eustache Roman Catholic Mass

Top right: Outside of St. Eustache

Bottom: the Grande Mosquée de Paris gardens



Similar to how my confirmation visits were intended to open our eyes to other religions and their differences from my own, visiting these spaces helped further my understanding of the religions of France. Understanding the connections between the religious diversity of France and its history of colonization also opened my eyes to the differences between historic France and modern-day France. One specific detail that stood out to me in connection to this was the details surrounding the French government building the Grande Mosqueé de Paris for the people of Paris’s religious freedom. In terms of the French laicité, I feel that while it does have some areas of technical difficulty, it generally is positive for the majority of the French people. While it has areas of concern in relation to the wearing of religious garments in public or school, and also the national use of catholic holidays, its overall impact is positive in my opinion. Choosing to let people choose their religion, or choose to not participate at all matches along well with the general French mindset of choosing what is best for the majority of its people.

Top left: Sign marking Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement as a recognized historic monument

Top right: Another sign recognizing its history

Bottom: the details of the entrance of Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement church



I also had the opportunity to visit Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement in a moment of free time. Standing as a historic site of Paris, it was interesting to be able to walk around and reflect on the importance and history formed within the monumental space. Built-in the style of the Roman basilicas in 1826, the city of Paris commissioned its design by Etienne-Hippolyte Godde. From the entrance of the building, its detailed exterior facade of relief sculptures helps it stand out as an important place of religion. When entering the inside of the building, the first thing I noted was the high level of detail included in the ceiling. Other than the ceiling, main paintings toward the end of the space, and the occasional stained glass window, this building truly sticks to the Historic Roman influence, not bothering with too much extra grand detail. It feels as if this space is choosing the more simple interior and choosing to focus on the purpose of the space itself rather than over-exaggerate the details.  

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Top left: Inside Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement Church

Top right: Inside Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement Church Cont.

Bottom: The ceiling details of Saint-Denis-du-Saint-Sacrement church



Paris Art History May Term Post #4: Reflecting on Religion in Paris

         While exploring the Marais neighborhood in search of vintage shops, my group stumbled upon the Parish Church of Saint-Paul of Saint-Louis (Read here for background on the church). Its imposing size and vibrant red door immediately captured our attention, drawing us inside. Once within its walls, we encountered a breathtaking soaring ceiling that showcased its power and magnificence. It was truly awe-inspiring to wander through the space and absorb the remnants of the Christian belief. Paintings, statues, and chandeliers adorned the cathedral, vividly depicting the tenets of faith. The interior of the church resembled many others we had encountered, sharing a common thread of opulence reflected in the lofty ceilings and gilded artifacts. In my personal opinion, I find the cathedrals in Paris to be captivating structures to investigate.

As part of my class, I had the privilege of attending Mass at Saint Eustache with my classmates. Although the service was conducted in French and I couldn't comprehend the words, it was a remarkable experience. Being a Protestant, it was fascinating to observe the rituals of a Catholic mass. Despite feeling somewhat out of place, I made an effort to participate in the singing and prayers, occasionally humming to compensate for my limited knowledge of French. The Mass truly seemed like a work of art, and I cherished witnessing the ceremonial processions and listening to the majestic organ music. This exposure to a different religious practice proved immensely valuable in fostering my understanding and appreciation for faiths beyond my own.

Being in a religiously diverse city was something I truly enjoyed. As a Christian from West Michigan, I was rarely, if ever, exposed to religious views different from mine. As part of my class, we received a guided tour of the Grande Mosquée de Paris (Click here for more information on the mosque). This being my first time seeing a mosque and being inside one, I was blown away by its beauty. Tucked inside was a gorgeous garden that reflected the Islamic view of an oasis following life on earth. Walking through the halls reminded me that other religions are valid and beautiful. I truly feel like being exposed to other faiths helps to grow in my own by challenging my own beliefs and traditions.

However, a substantial portion of the religious assortment in Paris can be attributed to its imperialistic origins. As I learned in my class, a wave of immigration occurred after the First World War to address the aftermath of the war, resulting in the influx of various faiths and backgrounds. While the presence of a mosque is commendable, it serves as a reminder that its establishment was primarily driven by the recruitment of workers from Algeria and other Muslim territories under French control. This partially accounts for the remarkable religious diversity that exists in the city of Paris.

In Paris, adherence to the principle of laicité is observed, which advocates for the separation of religion and the state, emphasizing secularism. Unlike the United States of America, one's religious background is considered a highly personal matter in France. The involvement of religious perspectives in government and public affairs is discouraged, but individuals retain the right to private religious beliefs. As I learned in our class, laicité emerged as a response to the conflicts with the Catholic Church in the late 19th century (Click here for history and purpose of laicité). To counterbalance the considerable influence of the clergy, measures were implemented to maintain a religiously impartial public sphere. Nonetheless, laicité poses challenges for individuals who wish to outwardly express their faith, such as through clothing and accessories (For more information on laicité and the surrounding debates, click here). A significant point of contention stemming from laicité is the ongoing debate on whether outward displays of faith, such as wearing hijabs, should be allowed. During my time in the city, I only encountered a few individuals wearing head coverings. It struck me that religious expression was not a prevalent topic of discussion. While I believe that more time spent in the city would have provided further opportunities to explore religious identities, I sensed that the subject was treated with discretion.

Overall, I deeply value the development of my religious awareness. Prior to this journey, I held a clear lack of knowledge regarding France's approach to religion and its restrained outward expressions. Acquiring this understanding enables me to expand my learning and personal growth as both a Christian and a global citizen. Moreover, encountering diverse beliefs fosters an enhanced comprehension and appreciation for others. It also prompts me to reflect upon my own convictions. By challenging my faith, I am able to foster its growth and progress. (771 Words).

Historic Church and Religious Diversity

I love the great diversity of people from all backgrounds in Paris. It has allowed me to experience many different cultures in one city. It is extremely enriching to observe what practices many individuals incorporate into their daily lives. Growing up in a Christian home in West Michigan, I was not exposed to a significant amount of religious diversity in my own community. My grandparents are Italian and my dad was raised in the Roman Catholic church. My great grandfather on my mom’s side was a preacher and she was raised in the Protestant church. When my brother and I were born, my parents decided to commit to the Roman Catholic church, send my brother and I through faith fromation classes and first communion, and attend mass weekly. I have always had a strong faith and also enjoy seeing how others incorporate faith into their own lives!

Additionally, during our time in Paris, we had the privilege of experiencing a Roman Catholic mass and exploring a mosque. While I grew up in a Christian household and attend mass frequently, it was absolutely fascinating to experience a service in Paris at St. Eustache. The grandiosity of the beautiful cathedral left me in complete awe. The stained glass windows were stunning as the mid-morning sun shone through them and the ceiling reached an incredible height. I was also fascinated by the sheer size of the pipe organs and the beautiful melodies that reverberated around the church throughout mass. Although I was generally able to follow the order of the mass, it was extremely interesting to experience it in a different language. Aside from our class trips, I was able to explore Paroisse Saint-Merry on my own time. Even though this church is also Roman Catholic, it was siginificantly different from St. Eustache. While the church was incredibly beautiful, it was not quite as massive and grand as St. Eustache. I was able to visit it right before mass began during the afternoon of Sunday, May 28th. The church was under partial construction which greatly limitied my ability to view the altar, but its ceilings and architecture were magnificent. Stepping into any Parisian church immediately turns my mind to hisotry!

Our class trip to the Grande Mosquée de Paris was amazing! It was my first time entering a mosque and I was thrilled to take it all in. The architecture and designs were beautiful, created in a traditional, Moroccan style. As we stepped into the mosque, I immediately noticed how peaceful and tranquil the atmosphere was. It was extremely quiet, aside from birds chirping and leaves rustling in the central garden, in order for people to gather and focus on God. The intricate patterns of the colorful tiles, gorgeous fountains, and open-air spaces all added to the overall tranquility. Since the muslim population is substantial in Paris, it is extremely important for them to have a place to come gather and worship together. 

The experience of visiting a mosque and visiting a French Catholic church varied greatly from my religious experience at home. While it was not what I am accustomed to, it only strengthed my faith and demonstrated that our amazing God is working across the globe in many ways. Being in a religiously diverse city allowed me to expand my West Michigan perspective and learn more about those that do not have the same customs or beliefs that I do. I was incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to grow in my own faith by experiencing it globally. 

While a significant part of Paris’ population is religious in some form, there is a clear divide between the church and the government. French laicité calls for no ties between the government, public life, etc. and religious affiliations. Citizens are free to worship how they desire and participate in their chosen religion (or no religion). This idea encourages less division between the people and decreased emphasis on religious ties. While this idea generally satisfies most of the citizens, it may cause a decrease in individuality and the celebration of differences. It was fascinating to see how common Roman Catholicism is in this part of the world and how France approaches religious differences (701 words).

Blog Post #4- Visiting a Historic Church

On Thursday, May 25th, I visited Saint Merry’s church in the 4th arrondissement. We visited this beautiful historical piece of Paris in the later afternoon and were able to experience a bit of what goes on at this church. This place of worship was built between the years of 1500 and 1550, in honor of an important priest and monk, Saint Meridius, who was nicknamed Saint Merry who died in the area where the church stands now (Paroisse Saint Merry). Saint Merry’s is a gothic style church and is often called “Notre-Dame la petite”, as it shares many architectural similarities with this iconic landmark (Paroisse Saint Merry). When walking around this church, we saw many beautiful murals, stained glass windows and high ceilings. This church is currently under restoration on part of the altar, and many of the murals, however it was still very busy! There were many people who popped in to walk around, pray, or just sit and admire the beauty. It is in a very bustling area with many shops and restaurants, so it seemed like a place where many people come to pray and have some quiet time. 

Visiting this church, and many other churches and places of worship in the city of Paris showed me that there is a lot of religious diversity here! From what I have experienced, churches are most prominent in Paris, which is a result of its past being so rooted in Catholicism and Chrisitanity. However, it seems that any religion or religious beliefs are pushed upon people here, which is something that is more common in the United States. I think that it is very important to keep religion out of the public sphere, more importantly politics and I think for the most part the French do a great job of that. Laicité, or freedom of and from religion seems to be working in that respect, that it is left out of important happenings in the country. However, sometimes the freedom FROM religion can almost be encroaching on people’s right to demonstrate their faith. For example, when we talked in class about how muslim students aren’t allowed to wear a hijab, which is a common headdress that practicing islamic people wear. They aren’t allowed to wear it because religion is such a private thing in France. I’m sure that most students are not outwardly preaching their religion in public schools, however, it is still too big of a display of religion for the country of France. I definitely understand why laicité was put into place, as I also believe that it is important to separate religion and government, but it isn’t necessarily working for everyone. 

I did really enjoy learning about religion in France and just in general. I grew up Catholic, so going to that Mass was so cool for me. It reminded me of when I was a kid and I didn’t know what was going on in the service, so I just looked around the church and studied its features. Similarly, because the Mass was all in French, I didn’t understand much, so I looked around at the beauty of the church. Saint Eustache was way more beautiful and extravagant than any of the churches in Michigan, but even so it reminded me of being a kid. I did appreciate knowing the regular flow and sequence of mass, as it made it much easier to follow.  

Citations:

“Vidéos Du Patrimoine: Paroisse Saint Merry: Paris.” Paroisse Saint Merry, www.paroissesaintmerry.fr/histoire. Accessed 28 May 2023.

Entry #4: Religion

After visiting the Centre Pompidou and viewing some amazing contemporary art, I spotted a gorgeous old church nearby. After a bit of research, I found out that this church was called Saint Merry Church. It looks incredibly aged on the outside, with signs of water and wind damage on the stone façade. We ventured inside to see a beautiful gothic-style interior. The ceiling had the classic gothic ceiling, with crossing ribbing. The walls featured grandiose stained glass windows and large murals. In the middle stands a white marble statue of Jesus Christ on the cross, surrounded by angels. 

While sitting in the church, I thought back to last Sunday. One week ago, I attended my very first Catholic Mass- all in French. While I have attended Methodist church services my entire life, I have never been to a Catholic service. This being said, the entire service was in French and Latin, both of which I can’t speak more than a few words of. This made my first Catholic service incredibly confusing. While I had been informed about some basic things by a few friends, I was still unsure what to expect. I was that a Catholic service required a lot of standing and sitting, that I wouldn’t be able to take communion, and that there would be a lot of singing. For some of my classmates, going to a Catholic service was very routine, and while they might not have understood everything due to it being in French, they understood the flow of the service. For me, on the other hand, this experience was incredibly new and educational. I had never been in a Catholic church for a service before, but I loved seeing all of the gorgeous stained glass windows, statues, murals, and organ pipes in the ones we’ve visited. The practices of a Catholic service were much more rigid and repetitive than what I was used to in a church setting, but it was interesting to see everyone following along in perfect rhythm with the Priest. 

While on this trip, we also visited a mosque. I had never visited one before, and I found myself in awe of the beauty and intricacies of the tile walls. The outside area was filled with greenery and blue tiles, and it was incredibly peaceful. Seeing this mosque and learning more about the different rooms’ significances allowed me to have a deeper appreciation for the Islamic religion.

I grew up in a very culturally and religiously diverse city. We had many different Christian, Catholic, Jewish, Mormon, and Muslim places of worship in my hometown. Rather than the diversity impacting my religion, I rather found appreciation for everyones’ religious beliefs. Going to a public school with peers of many different religions allowed me some insight into others practices, cultures, and views. I believe this is part of what shaped me into who I am today, and I always strive to be accepting and open minded of what others believe in.  Recently, I learned that the French believe in laicité, or secularism. This means that they believe in freedom of religion, but not in the same way that we do in America. They feel that the people should have freedom from religion, rather than freedom to express religion freely. This typically means that people are expected to keep their religious beliefs to themselves, and not push them on anyone else. While many are in favor of this idea, it doesn’t benefit everyone. This concept has been weaponized against those who practice the religion of Islam, due to the recent uprising of Islamophobia throughout the world. The women of the religion have been told that they are not allowed to wear any type of religious covering, such as a hijab or burka, in certain public places, as it contradicts the idea of laicité. Personally, I feel as though it is completely unfair to ban these coverings, and that the French should rethink their interpretation of laicité.

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France is culturally a Catholic country. France is full of many old historic Catholic churches among the city however many of the French no long no longer practice the religion. Over the years France has grown to be a very religiously diverse city. During my time in France I attended both Catholic Mass and visited a mosque. I am a Christian so both of these religions and their practices were unfamiliar to me. I have friends and relatives who are Catholic and in many ways it is similar to the Christian faith as they both believe in the same God. One of the main differences between the Christian and Catholic faith that I am familiar with is that Catholics believe that during the Eucharist the bread and wine used for communion become the body and blood of Jesus Christ. I also learned that Catholics believe that the Pope is a spiritual descendant of the apostle Peter. 

The Mass service was in French so it was difficult to follow along. I did learn that they use incense as a sacrament to God. The smoke of incense is symbolic of sanctification and purification. It also symbolizes the prayers of the faithful. It is an outward sign of spiritual realities. The service was much more structured than that of the Christian service. There were a lot of repeat phrases, the music was much more traditional than many Christian services which suited the classic style of the St. Eustache Church the Mass took place in. This Church dates back to the 13th century and is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. 

While in Paris we also visited a Mosque, a holy space for Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God and that Muhammad is God's messenger. The Mosque we visited as a class is known as the Grand Mosque of Paris and is located in the 5th arrondissement and the oldest mosque in Metropolitan France and is also one of the largest Mosques in France. One of the things that I thought was really cool about the Mosque were all the pretty and lush gardens located inside the structure. The gardens were located in the center of the Mosque and were rather large with trees, flowers and fountains, creating a very calming atmosphere. Also located in the Mosque were prayer rooms, a small library, a gift shop and a cafe restaurant. We were not able to enter the prayer room however we saw others present in the room. Upon entering the prayer room it is customary to wash your feet and hands as it is a holy area. 

While in Paris I also visited San Sulpice on  which is a Roman Catholic Church. Walking up the steps and through the grand doors of the church, I were amazed by the sheer height of the ceilings and incredible architecture. The walls and ceiling of the Church were also covered in Beautiful murals such as “Jacob Wrestling with the Angel” and “Heliodones Driven from the Temple” by Eugene Delacroix. It’s truely amazing to me how these massive high vaulted ceilings were designed and created hundreds of years ago. Visiting these religious spaces and being in a religiously diverse city was an eye opening experience. I was able to learn more about other religions unfamiliar to me and get a glimpse of what their religious practices look like. I can do this from a Christian perspective while still remaining strong in my faith but appreciating the values of faiths different from my own. From my experience in France French laicité does seem to be working, French citizens can choose who they want to worship and their are spaces available for them to do so.

Entry #3: Religion

In my time here, I have had several experiences with religion in Paris that showcase the religious prominence and diversity within the city. We went into Paroisse Saint Paul Sain Louis Marais church which was built from 1627 to 1641 in the Marais. This church is located between shops on the Rue Saint-Antoinne and draws people in with its large red doors and beautiful architecture. We went in at a time when mass was not going on but we were able to appreciate the beauty and spiritual value of this church. It is clear that Catholic and Christian traditions, churches, and religions are well established within Paris and have been present for a long time when looking at these places of worship. Attending mass at St. Eustache was a very valuable experience as I was able to spend time in a beautiful and historic place of worship. It was very interesting to sit through mass where I was unable to understand what was being said but still understand the rituals that occur during Catholic mass. This allowed me to reflect on the universality of religion, in this case, Christianity, and to understand that feeling close to God during worship is all that is necessary for individual spirituality. Being able to stare at the stonework, stained glass, and paintings that adorn St. Eustache during mass showed me how the architecture makes one feel smaller than God while providing comfort in one’s relationship with God. 

Visiting the Grande Mosquée de Paris was a very interesting experience as I had never been to a mosque before. I have learned about Islam through Muslim friends and a world religion class but seeing an Islamic place of worship in person was beneficial in furthering my understanding of the religion. Being able to see the architecture of the building, the prayer rooms, the gardens, the calligraphy, and the tile work helped me to further understand the importance of not having artistic representations of their religion outside of calligraphy so they do not worship idols or disrespect their faith in any way. I have not lived in cities that have much religious diversity in my life so being able to spend time in Paris, a religiously diverse city, has allowed me to understand religion better as a whole. My own faith has not been directly impacted by the city but my understanding of the importance of respecting all people’s religions has been strengthened as I have seen how important it is to a diverse group of individuals. In reflecting on religious diversity in the city of Paris, it is interesting to see the number of individuals wearing religious attire even though France is a secular nation. In several public places, I saw women and girls wearing Hijabs which was not something that I expected to see as much as I did given the several laws that have been passed against women wearing this attire in state buildings. French laicité is seemingly the freedom from religion within France that makes this nation a secular one. It can be seen in the lack of religious imagery in governmental areas but this imagery is very present throughout Paris in famous artwork, historic buildings, and the chapels that are scattered throughout the city. It is also apparent that people proudly and outwardly show their religion through attire or their attendance at worship services for their religion. Although it does not seem to be a large issue, this does go against laicité because religion is still very visible in the city of Paris. (591 words)

Post #4: Historical Church Visit and Reflection of Religious Buildings

The church I decided to visit was the Saint Denis du Saint Sacrement. This is a Roman Catholic Church that was built from 1826 to 1835 by an architect named Godde. When looking at this church from the outside, it is rather simple with a “peristyle with four ionic columns topped with a triangular pediment” (explained in the photo). There are two statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul outside by the doors in niches. There is a clock above the door as well. Once inside, it reminded me a lot of the first church we visited together “Église Saint Germain des Prés” with the columns present separating the two areas of seating, however, the ceilings were quite different. In Saint Denis du Saint Sacrement there were detailed flowers on the ceilings that matched the stone, and a beautiful painting of Jesus in the back end of the church. I felt free to walk around the church and explore at my own pace, and we went towards the early evening so there wasn't a service going on, however, there were a few people inside seated and praying. The ceilings did not create a cross appearance as the columns were built vertically. The beautiful stained glass was a common characteristic shared between the churches we have visited together and I am amazed at the detailing and how each individual piece was placed at a time. 

Visiting the different religious buildings does impact my faith. It puts into perspective just how large and spread out God is. I love traveling almost halfway across the world and several people here believe in the same God as me. It brings me a sense of comfort knowing how many lives are impacted by God and how we share a similar love and worship for the same God. I am not Catholic and have never attended a Mass service before so it was interesting to participate and experience one and compare the similarities and differences of my Chirsitan church at home. The flow of the service is similar with psalms, music, some kind of sermon relating, but the way to take communion is quite different. It was so interesting to hear Dr. Krause explains what Catholics believe communion to be and how it differs from Christian denominations. It allowed me to be in someone else’s shoes and see the way they serve God. Going to the Mosque was a different and eye opening experience for me. Not being Muslim, I was less familiar with their ways of worshiping, but it was so influential to learn more about the religion and getting to see the peaceful oasis of the Mosque. When visiting the immigration museum, this was the first time I had experienced these religious buildings, a more negative connotation within the visual aspects of the building. After spending a large amount of time looking at the exterior carvings, as well as the paintings inside, it was hard to be appreciative of the artwork that was portraying racism from the colonial time period. However, this experience allowed me to see what ways society was viewing the different countries, and how we can learn from them.

I do believe that the French laicité seems to be working in Paris from my experiences so far. The places we have visited have been kind, open, and respectful of tourists, and understanding that we are coming to learn and observe the differing values and religious practices. I feel that these places are respected by the majority of socialization, and that those who choose to participate do, and those who don’t aren’t looked down upon. I would assume some people may feel that it doesn’t work for everyone in the population, as most things don’t, however, I would say during my time here in Paris these environments we have spent time in have been positive and peaceful experiences. 

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ACTU-INFO | En Ouganda, le pasteur Frank Mutabaazi de Mbarara a quasiment perdu la vue. Tombé dans une embuscade, il a été aspergé d'acide  Se connecterÉdition: InternationaleDevise: CHF FAIRE UN DON RUBRIQUES Toute l'actualité   Revue de presse   Bible   Culture   Economie   Eglises   Histoire   L'édito de la semaine   Laicité   Liberté religieuse   Mission   Monde   People   Religions   Société Accueil La Boutique À propos La rédaction Mon compte Changement d'adresse Nous contacter Éditeur: alliance-presse.info ACCUEIL  ACTUALITÉ  LIBERTÉ RELIGIEUSE  PERSÉCUTION: UN PASTEUR OUGANDAIS ASPERGÉ D’ACIDE AVANT NOËL Persécution: Un pasteur ougandais aspergé d’acide avant Noël  © Istock - Photo d'illustration En Ouganda, le pasteur Frank Mutabaazi de Mbarara a quasiment perdu la vue. Tombé dans une embuscade, il a été aspergé d'acide. Evangéliques.info6 Jan 2023 Partager: En Ouganda, pays à majorité chrétienne, la persécution perdure dans plusieurs régions à dominance musulmane. Le 22 décembre, à quelques jours des fêtes de fin d’année, le pasteur Frank Mutabaazi de Mbarara avait voulu raccompagner en voiture un homme se faisant passer pour un croyant qui le félicitait pour son «merveilleux sermon» dans une Eglise de la capitale Kampala. Il est en fait tombé dans une véritable embuscade, relate le Morning Star ennemi de leur religion ainsi qu’un trompeur qui n’est pas digne vivre». En convalescence, le pasteur peine à manger et ne peut s’endormir sans de puissants médicaments. Même si les chrétiens y sont majoritaires (41 millions sur 48 millions), l’Ouganda est un pays où la persécution demeure. «Dans l’est du pays et dans les localités à majorité musulmane, comme Mbale et aussi la capitale Kampala, la persécution y est alors très forte, souvent violente, et tout particulièrement à l’égard des chrétiens d’arrière-plan musulman», décrit Portes Ouvertes en ce début d’année. https://www.instagram.com/p/CnHCESgOT8v/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=