French law no. 2001-504 dated june 12, 2001 as a source of religious discrimination and social destabilization

Abstract

The article analyzes the so-called anti-cult and anti-sectarian legislation through the example of French Law no. 2001-504 dated June 12, 2001. The author analyzes the prospects of general anti-cult legislation, as well as the causes and the processes of actualization of the aforementioned matter on the territory of France. The analysis of the French Law leads to the conclusion about its shortcomings and disputed contents. The key objections to the regulation are the following: terminological imprecision and substantive deficiencies, the possibility of applying it in spite of the legislator's intentions on the broadest range of legal entities, citizens' associations and other organizations and institutions; creating a predisposition to destabilize the social environment; opposing to the constitutional freedoms and rights and the principles of religious equality; contribution to the legalization of religious discrimination.

Keywords

• religious communities
• religious sects
• cults
• discrimination
• religious freedom
• equality