Clericalism and secularism in the canton of Fribourg (Switzerland)

About the collusion between the Catholic Church and the State of Fribourg

Diminished, but still very present: clericalism in the style of Fribourg

In 1978, when I was hired as a teacher in a high school in the canton of Fribourg, it was imperative to have an approved denomination, even to teach mathematics. As I had deliberately omitted the religion section of my curriculum vitae, the headmaster demanded that I add it. In 1980, suspected of having links with a sect, a fellow French teacher was dismissed. The state took care of the teachers' private lives to ensure their ideological conformity. A characteristic feature of intolerance is the demonisation of those who do not share the pseudo-truths of the community. In this context, I had to hide my atheism. This is how I was deprived of religious freedom for many years. As the situation evolved only slowly, I never knew when I regained my freedom of belief.

Clericalism has diminished, but it remains very present. Even today, essential measures such as

• the ecclesiastical tax fixed by law,
• State funding of the Roman Catholic Faculty of Theology at the State University of Fribourg,
• the monopoly of the Christian Democratic Party on the Directorate of Public Education and
• catholic or Reformed religion lessons in public schools.

To this must be added the mentality, heir to a long tradition, which underpins all teaching. An attenuated form of clericalism is the promotion of a humanism based on Christian values. In practice, Christian teachers are allowed to preach the word of God, while others are asked to keep quiet. Feeling assaulted by the plurality of beliefs, the clerical demands that the state be tailored to its faith.

On the contrary, I demand that the rules be the same for everyone. Today, because of the lack of confessional commitment of young people, the clerical system is weakening, but it remains firmly in place. The undivided reign of the conservative party has left us with some beautiful remnants. That it was worse in the past is not enough to justify the current situation. The progress made has served to retain as many denominational privileges as possible that are partially compatible with the evolution of society. If a system is unjust, it is not enough to reduce it; it must be abolished. Current policy must take structural measures to ensure that the mistakes of the past cannot be repeated: it is a matter of moving towards secularism and separating the Church from the State.

Question or objection

Why are atheists against religions? He who does not believe can simply distance himself from religions, without any animosity.

Answer

The absence of faith does not imply the struggle against beliefs. There are atheists who are indifferent or benevolent towards religions. For example, Michel Bavaud published several books to declare his atheism, but continues to go to mass and pay Church tax. On another level, Buddhism and atheism are compatible. Those who did not live in the era when the Church exercised social control are more inclined to indifference. In any case, a distinction must be made between people and doctrines. It is necessary for all atheists to be tolerant and respectful towards believers, just as it is necessary for all believers to be tolerant and respectful towards atheists.

But doctrines must be subjected to criticism. If my social environment discriminates against me in the name of religion, it leaves me with only two options: to submit or to resist. An environment with a totalitarian tendency incites a brittle tone. A form of defence is expressed by rejection, which is totally different from attack.

By launching the anathema against the unbelievers:

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned. [Mark 16:16]

Christian religions proclaim an arrogant and sectarian attitude.

Each person has his or her own story. As far as I am concerned,

• during the period 1948-1968, I lived in Valais where Catholicism was the state religion; I underwent 13 years of indoctrination, of which 5 years were brainwashing; the experience of clericalism made me anticlerical [see Clericalism, never again!];
• the pre-Vatican II Catholicism I was taught did not recognise religious freedom and condemned human rights, which led me to reject Catholicism and to approach agnosticism;
• between 1968 and 1978 I studied mathematics, which contributed to the adoption of a rationalist point of view; the epistemology of the sciences [see Faith, science and epistemology], by highlighting the lack of objective foundations of religions, led me to atheism [see From agnosticism to atheism];
• from 1978 onwards, in the high school where I taught, I was deprived of religious freedom and forced to hide my atheism even in my private life; an example of the misappropriation of the philosophy course for religious purposes [read below] led me to support secularism.

I have suffered the assaults of a society that was trying to maintain old dominant positions, before having to retreat and deploy on new lines that it could defend with less activism and fewer means. I feel I have the right - the same right as that of self-defence - to write that I pass a negative judgement on Catholicism, while respecting Catholics as individuals.

The valiant defenders of the values conveyed by the Church - teachers and political authority combined - the defenders conscientiously prescribed to me what I was to think. If I have received their solicitude with ingratitude, it is because my suffering is neither understood nor recognised. It is the adherence of the schools in Valais and Fribourg to the objective of the Christian state that annihilates the empathy I desire.

Why does society view resistance to religion with a hostile eye when it favours religious indoctrination through a crypto-clerical policy known as "culture based on Christian values"? Other notices must be present in the public square. I call for more benevolence towards atheists.

LA LIBERTÉ (the largest daily newspaper in the canton of Fribourg), Wednesday 27 September 2013, FORUM - YOUR LETTERS – RELIGION.
Let us dialogue without judging each other. The new book by the writer Michel Bavaud, "L'Évangile de l'athée" (The Gospel of the Atheist), elicits this testimony from a reader.

JACQUES POCHON, Domdidier

If there is one teacher that I admired and appreciated at the training school for teachers in the canton of Fribourg, for his erudition, his humanism and his open-mindedness, it is Michel Bavaud. I was of course very surprised when I learned that he declared himself an atheist, but knowing his deep faith in man and humanity, it took a deep disillusionment and a long reflection I think for him to take this decision ("LL" of September 21).

I appreciate his frankness, independence of spirit and courage. I deeply respect his decision taken in complete freedom, his personal and independent search for the truth. I myself am a deep believer, but not in this limited and exclusive God that every religion claims to possess.

Thank you to Mr Bavaud for opening the door to intelligent reflection, dialogue and respect for the opinion of others. On the other hand, I do not understand the reaction of those who show "theological harassment" and those who have sent him insulting messages, thereby proving that they have forgotten Christ's message of love.

I myself left the Catholic Church (in 1970) when I discovered the Baha'i faith. It was made clear to me that becoming a Baha'i was incompatible with my profession as a teacher in the canton of Fribourg. Intimidation and mobbing got the better of me, and I went to teach under other skies. This allowed me to discover other horizons and to open my mind to other cultures and religions.

Let us dialogue, let us seek the truth together and we will advance love, unity and civilization. There is not just one path to reach the top. Thank you dear Mr Bavaud.

About the Representations of the Councillors of State of the Canton of Fribourg:
On Shrove Thursday, AT THE CONVENT OF THE CORDELIERS YOU WILL EAT

Types of official receptions, use of cantonal flags and banners, order of placement in processions, funerals, wines of honour, official congratulations: the 2011 protocol regulations leave nothing to chance. They are weighed down by the weight of history. For example, according to an 1879 agreement between the Cathedral Chapter of St. Nicholas and the Council of State, the anniversary of the Battle of Murten is traditionally celebrated on the third Sunday in June "with a thanksgiving service offered by the government in St. Nicholas' Cathedral". The town council of Murten, the authorities "based in Freiburg" and representatives of the army "close to Freiburg" are invited to attend. All these people, as well as the "celebrants and preacher", then share a meal. The Cathedral choir and orchestra are joined for the aperitif. There are many provisions governing religious events, and the protocol regulations devote a specific article to relations with convents. At the beginning of the year, the entire Council of State receives the Cistercian community of Hauterive, in principle represented by its father abbot, to present its vows. In autumn, the invitation is returned: the government is received in Hauterive "for a recollection meal", to which its former members are also invited. Once per legislature, the Council of State invites the community to a meal served at the Domaine des Faverges. This lunch is preceded by a liturgical service. On the other hand, the executive is invited to the convent of the Cordeliers for the meal on Shrove Thursday (the last Thursday before the first day of Lent). And in mid-Lent, he is the guest of the Capuchin convent. LR

Source: La Liberté of Wednesday 13 July 2016

Religious majority

In Switzerland, the legal religious majority has been set at 16 years of age. From this age, the pupil can decide for himself whether he wants to submit to religious indoctrination, but he is not always asked for his opinion, which makes the following actions, numbered 1, 2, and 3, completely illegal.

1. An example of the misappropriation of the philosophy course for religious purposes

Under the pretext that the foundations of philosophy must be carefully laid, with an emphasis on Greek Antiquity, a roundabout method consists of dwelling on Aristotle, emphasising first and foremost the features of his thought that were taken up by Saint Thomas Aquinas and which form the backbone of neo-Thomism.

«Philosophy fell on me, at the age when one is not wary, at the age when one fears above all mumps. It fell upon me in forced doses of Thomism, hours and hours of a weekly catechism. After having undergone Saint Thomas Aquinas, I acquired a definitive conviction: one cannot be both a saint and a philosopher at the same time, one must choose one's side, reflection or faith.»

Jean Ammann, La Liberté of August 19, 2017, Can philosophers be forgiven?

“Philosophy" instrumentalized by religion is not philosophy, but propaganda. One of its tendentious aims is to "dispose your heart so that God will give it to believe". In a high school in the canton of Fribourg where I taught, the philosophy course was given, from 1977 onwards, by a priest who was zealous for truth: it was there that the future bishop passed the torch of Thomism to the pupil who was to succeed him in the bishopric. This indoctrination, presented as neutral and state-sponsored, was imposed on entire classes until 1994. When the label does not correspond to the content, one can speak of deception. This hypocritical situation made me a supporter of secularism. Let's stop fuelling the misuse of the state in favour of a Church.

I tried to say that I saw a drift in it. The teachers concerned replied that I was not qualified to talk about philosophy. I see there the admission that it is a reserved area. Being less sectarian, I allow them to talk about mathematics.

Can one charitably hope that today philosophy is taught in a neutral way, and that one has given up putting it at the service of a religion?

2. An example of the misappropriation of theme days for religious purposes

South High School, Bulle

Coordination sciences-philosophy - March 5, 2001

To the teachers involved in the Blaise Pascal meetings as well as to philosophy teachers

Let's set the objectives

A pivotal century

For the scientific branches, the choice of the theme Blaise Pascal is very favourable. It allows us to develop subjects that are interesting and whose level can be adapted to that of our high school students. I had a lot of pleasure leading the workshop "Pascal and probabilities".

The 17th century was a pivotal century. For the sciences, it marked the beginning of a new era which saw, among other things, the birth of Newton's classical physics. But in order to take this turn, it was necessary to abandon everything that, in Aristotle's doctrine, is contradicted by the facts.

A tenacious tradition

While I was reflecting on the 17th century, I was caught up by ours. I received a surprising piece of information: in the study of their philosophy programme, some fourth grade classes have just come out of the Middle Ages. With only a few weeks of study remaining, their vision of philosophy will necessarily be truncated and distorted. That Aristotle, St Thomas Aquinas and some Catholic thinkers are taught is normal since they belong to our cultural roots. But, when their part represents the essential or the crowning achievement, a suspicion arises: wouldn't the teaching of philosophy be brought back to its Catholic dimension? Naturally, professors who are not concerned will be able to recognise themselves and will understand that my remarks are not addressed to them.

A daring wager

We can only encourage the study of Pascal's wager. It is a work that belongs by right to our culture. But it is not appropriate for this theme to refer to the same obsessive preoccupations as those of the philosophy course: "to dispose one's heart so that God may give it to believe". Given the general context, the event appears to be a high Mass of Catholic thought, and I am not happy to play the role of con-celebrant.

Let's set the objectives

In my opinion, a theme day should aim not to lock the pupils' minds into a system of thought, but to open up new horizons. There are so many interesting topics. For example, in an interdisciplinary framework, some elements of epistemology of science could be brought in. More generally, it seems to me that it is necessary to stimulate the critical spirit of the students because there is a crying need.

3. Computer interlude

The high school computer technician finished all his e-mails as follows (the excerpt is from 2008):

IT does not save, but helps - when everything works - in our daily tasks!

This is better: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." (The Bible - Ephesians 2:8)

Let's be clear: the proselytizing and propagandistic actions of a civil servant who wants to reconcile computer science and theology may be anecdotal. I see a much more serious problem in the fact that the social environment and the authority consider this behaviour acceptable and normal, even if it is publicly displayed for five years.

It would be impertinent to respond to a homily. The Catholic Church has been able to create a cultural climate in which victims are agreeing. The good shepherd obtains from his flock a submissive attitude.

A mocking or scornful article in La Liberté

The book review of Michel Bavaud " The Gospel of the Atheist", éditions de l'Aire, 2013, published in La Liberté of Saturday 21 September 2013 and signed Pascal Fleury, ends with these mocking or scornful words:

... we are waiting for the third volume of the trilogy. Its title would be quite obvious: "How I regained faith".

Would it be a good tone to make fun, not only of atheism, but also of atheists? Is La Liberté the newspaper of all the people of Fribourg, or only of those who conform to a certain religious tradition? One can be critical of beliefs, convictions and doctrines - and I would even say that one must - but one principle must be absolutely respected: people are entitled to respect.

The clerical regime in Fribourg has left its mark on the brains of some journalists. It is a question of discrediting atheism, of showing that it is devoid of consistency, while faith remains the only sure value.

The media readily relay religious and inter-religious discourse, but are reluctant to treat a-religious or anti-religious statements in the same way. In Switzerland, about 26% of the population is without religion. Why is it given so little consideration in the press? I will leave you to reflect on the following point: there are more people without religion than there are Muslims, but the press avoids making them credible and visible. Faith has the advantage of protecting people from doubt.

The Swiss CVP (Christian Democratic Party) has been in decline for several years. The C (Christian) is perceived as an obstacle by many city dwellers. In 2020, the party changed its name to "The Centre" in order to reach a wider electorate, but without changing its policy. The party continues to push the cantons to support the Christian Churches with the church tax and to promote Christian religious education in public schools.

Politics and religion should not be mixed. “Religious parties should be replaced by secular parties.” This advice given to Muslim countries also applies to the canton of Fribourg. Switzerland does not need a party that wants to maintain the remnants of clericalism.

The debates of the Great Council of the Canton of Fribourg

remain under the sign of the crucifix [photo 2017].

Call

If, for a Catholic, being a missionary is a moral duty, it is not the same outside the religious community: indoctrinating one's fellow citizens and their children is not a right. I appeal to the supporters of clericalism: practice your religion as you wish, but please leave others alone! The Kulturkampf ended in 1887 (to compensate for their loss of influence on the Federal Constitution, the Catholic cantons stepped up their counter-reform efforts), so you can stop fighting and return to civilian life. Thank you to all the brave!

Perhaps an organisation should be set up to help people with religious obsessions?

If you want to give back to God what you think is God's, don't forget to give back to Caesar what is Caesar's!

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