French Windows - current-news-observed

2025-2026 Research Residencies at the Paris Institute for Advanced Study

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 02 May 2024 20:55:34 +0200

The Paris Institute for Advanced Study is a research center in the social sciences, humanities and cognitive (neuro)sciences, and a partner of the main Parisian higher education and research institutions.

Please look at the 2025-2026 research residencies call at the Paris IAS ! It offers exceptional researchers in the social sciences and humanities the opportunity to develop a research project in ideal conditions that include: a full academic year (10 months) of time for research away from teaching and administrative responsibilities, insertion in an international and interdisciplinary community of top-level researchers and the largest concentration of scientists in Europe, within an excellent work and living environment in the heart of Paris.

More here (link)

Gen Z in Europe: more devout than their elders?

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 22:39:00 +0100

I recently found this article in Evangelicals Now Magazine:

The Global Religion 2023 survey, conducted by market research service Ipsos, interviewed 19,000 people in 26 countries. It has revealed that ‘in countries where religious practice is high, older adults tend to engage in it more than the young, while in countries where religious practice is low, young people tend to have higher engagement.’...

Let me confess I missed this European survey 10 months ago. But it is better late than never.

The whole IPSOS findings can be read here (IPSOS, GLOBAL RELIGION 2023).

Among the data, 5% of non-catholic Christians in France, including Evangelicals

Evolution of religious landscape (Switzerland)

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:21:00 +0200

According to the new study juste released by the Federal Statistical Office (Switzerland)...

Between 2010 and 2021, the proportion of Roman Catholics and Reformed Protestants fell slightly (by 6 and 7 percentage points respectively), in contrast to that of Muslims and other Islamic communities (+1 point). The proportion of Jewish communities has hardly changed whereas that of persons without religious affiliation has risen by 12 percentage points.

And Evangelicals themselves may represent about 2,5% of the Swiss population.

Link

Discover the French Collaborative Institute on Migration

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 18 May 2023 19:21:00 +0200

As I've just been honored to be accepted as a fellow at the French Collaborative Institute on Migration, let's put some light on this great research structure.

There are ten « Convergence Institutes » (collaborative institutes) in France that were created in 2016 and 2017 on behalf of an international jury leading the 2nd Programme des Investissements d’Avenir.

The goal is to gather scientific research by gathering 600 researchers from various institutions to combine disciplines and create an original training program. The French Collaborative Institute on Migration (CI Migration) is the only program that brings together social sciences, human sciences and health sciences.

Within the CI Migration, 5 specialised thematic departments and a department dedicated to the academic course (Master’s Degree on Migrations) have been established.

Link

Harry Belafonte (1927-2023)

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 00:05:00 +0200

"You can cage the singer but not the song"

Harry Belafonte (1927-2023)

Grateful for Jim Beckford (1942-2022)

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 19 May 2022 10:12:00 +0200

A Prominent British Sociologist of Religion, James A. Beckford passed away last week.

Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Warwick, he leaves a great legacy. President of the Association for the Sociology of Religion (1988-89), of the International Society for the Sociology of Religion (1999-2003), he taught also in France as a visiting professor, first at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS, 2001), then at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE, 2004). Many French scholars working on the field of religion will miss him greatly. His research legacy remains and will inspire the coming generations.

Link

Open Door Ministries, World Watch Research: methodology explained

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:07:00 +0100

Rooted in the Evangelical world, but aiming global audience, Open Doors Ministries started in 1955 from a Dutch founder.

Its department World Watch Research was set up to carry out research into the persecution of Christians on a solid foundation that aims to withstand scholarly scrutiny and accepts academic guidance. WWR has been gathering and publishing detailed data on the persecution of Christians since 1992. One of their main tools for tracking and measuring the extent of persecution in the world is the World Watch List (WWL). WWL methodology has gradually evolved since the 1990s. In 2012, the methodology was comprehensively revised in order to provide greater credibility, transparency, objectivity and academic quality. In 2013 and 2016, further refinement of the methodology took place.

Here is an uptade of the methodology they use. Link.

France: at least flowers are not locked down

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 23:05:02 +0100

Visiting the French Protestant Historical Society (SHPF), rue des Saints Pères, Paris, on the day French Prime Minister announced a third lock-down.

Understanding 'laïcité', France's special brand of state secularism

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 17:16:00 +0100

France's particular brand of secularism, known as "laïcité", is considered a backbone of the French Republic. And yet this separation of church and state is a touchy subject and often misunderstood. Its backers say it's the glue that lets the French live together in harmony despite their differences, but critics say it's anti-religious and increasingly used to stigmatise Muslims. So what exactly is "laïcité" and is it compatible with a modern multicultural society? Florence Villeminot and Genie Godula take a closer look in this episode of French Connections Plus.

LINK TO THE VIDEO (FRANCE 24)

2020 : a Christmas to remember

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 14:18:00 +0100

Diffamation and reply : French pastor Samuel Peterschmitt strikes back

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 23:48:00 +0100

50 years ago, French Evangelicals were still shy sideliners. Today, as they reach 1 million of believers, it is not the case anymore. They have somehow become "mainline", not within French global socieyty, but at least within French protestantism.

An example among many is the open way French world champion Olivier Giroud (who already scored 44 goals for the French football national team) speaks about his Evangelical faith in many mainstream media.

This new visibility of French Evangelicals explains also why they do not hesitate to engage in public debate when they feel wrongly accused. A recent example can be found with Pastor Samuel Peterschmitt, leader of one of the 6 megachurches of continental France (the "Porte Ouverte Chrétienne" in Mulhouse, East of France).

Last february, his church became the scapegoat of Covid19 propagation. Many diffamatory comments lead this church, and his pastor, to be targeted.

Pastor Samuel Peterschmitt did not hide. After having received substantial backing from various circles (including the mainstream weekly Paris Match), Samuel Peterschmitt replied on solid ground, deconstructing the diffamatory accusations through a book which has just been released. Written with a mainstream journalist (from the weekly Marianne), the title is "La déferlante" (the flood), ed. Première Partie, 2020.

Art of the steal: when it's time to return what belongs to Africa

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 23:00:00 +0100

French museum are full of pieces inherited from Colonization.

Good news: President Macron (France) and President Rajoelina (Madagascar) have agreed that a very precious royal item, belonging to the House of the last queen, Ranavalona III, would be given back to Madagascar today.

Crown surmounting the royal canopy of Queen Ranavalona III (raised as protestant), on display at the Musée de l’Armée de Paris, is due to return to Antananarivo on November 5, 2020 for a simple loan before being definitively returned to Madagascar after the adoption of a law of exception by the French Parliament.

Having visited the Madagascar royal palace, I could not applaud more to this process of returning to Madagascar this cultural property, a symbol of Malagasy history.

Link

Standing by Nice

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 23:28:53 +0100

White Catholics for Trump (2020)

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 11:36:00 +0200

According to the 2020 French media, it seems that Trump's religious support only comes from White Evangelicals. That's wrong.

While it is not deniable that US white Evangelicals remain Trump's strongest religious ally (with an approval rate around 75%), let's not forget that a strong majority of US White Catholics do support Donald Trump too.

According to the last research released by the Pew Forum on the 15 of sept, 2020, 59% of US White Catholics plan to vote for Trump at the 2020 US presidential elections.

This strong White Catholic support for Trump would probably be even stronger if Joe Biden, Trump's Democrat opponent, was not himself a Catholic.

This reminds us that the battle Biden / Trump is certainly not a Catholic / Protestant battle.

The drawing line has to be placed elsewhere (the "value voter" parameter, and the Christian nationalism parameter).

Link.

A prominent US Evangelical becomes Catholic

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:30:00 +0200

Hot news !

Mark Galli, highly respected figure of US evangelicalism, converts to Catholicism (link).

Until January 2020, Mark Galli edited the world's largest evangelical monthly, Christianity Today (with a circulation of 120,000 copies). Presbyterian, then Anglican, he eventually joined the Catholic Church in Rome.

Happy new year ! Peace on Earth !

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0100

Amazing teaching tool: everything about JAPAN in 9 minutes

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 23:16:00 +0100

Lacking time ? Looking for a speedy teaching about Japanese History ?

There it is ! This excellent Youtube video will do the trick. Bill Wurtz surveys the Land of the Rising Sun's entire past during a colorful, funny 9-minute lecture. Budhism, Samuraïs, diplomatic history, rice culture, World wars I and II, Hiroshima bomb, post-war Economic miracle are all covered. Hopes some day French History may be covered with such speed and intelligence!

The 300.000 Evangelicals in Japan are not mentioned, though. For those who want to know about this sub-chapter of Japanese religious History, click here (link).

Here is the video:

PARIS, 13th of November, 2015

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 23:50:00 +0100

France: anti-semitic violence at pro-Palestinian rally

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Tue, 22 Jul 2014 23:59:00 +0200

In the first three months of 2014, Reuters reminds us that more Jews left France for Israel than at any other time since the Jewish state was created in 1948, citing economic hardships in France's stagnating economy but also rising anti-Semitism as a factor.

The riots in Sarcelles (northern subburbs of Paris) on the 20th of July, 2014 won't curb the trend: jewish shops and a synagogue were deliberatly targeted by Muslim protesters who were supposed to demonstrate for Palestine. The French government reacted very strongly, as Reuters reports here (link).

Legacy of a bold and talented French photojournalist

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:20:00 +0200

"The French government has confirmed the death of Camille Lepage, a 26-year -old photojournalist working in the Central African Republic. The country is wracked with political instability, resulting in widespread violence, internal displacement and sectarian tension. Her body was found by French peacekeeping troops on May 13, 2014." (click here to read more)

Camille Lepage was not only a very talented and bold young photojournalist (published by Time Magazine, The New York Times etc). She was also powerfully advocating for left-behind countries and people, especially South Sudan where she found home in JUBA for 2 years.

To discover her brilliant work, click here : http://camille-lepage.photoshelter.com/

Blasphemy in Secular France

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:47:00 +0100

In the last years, Blasphemy has become one of the hot topics in French public debate.

Is it allowed, or not, to trash religions, deities, beliefs?

An interesting article has been rencently written on that matter by Diana Johnstone on counterpunch website. I do not agree with all of it, far from that.

Implying, for example, that Manuel Valls (French interior minister), "proclaims his own devotion to Israel, because his wife is Jewish", is just plain wrong!

However, Diana Johnstone's paper is a stimulating article and I recommand it for reading.

Link here.

Religion and secularism in France: see FRANCE.FR

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Sat, 04 Jan 2014 21:34:00 +0100

This blog should have advertised earlier about this website. But better late than never!

As 2014 just began, let's emphasize the great value of France.fr, officially launched in 2010.

France.fr is the multilingual website of reference about France, intended for the international general public. Religion and secularism topics are part of it, as one can check here (link).

South Sudan : leaving hatred behind ?

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 11:18:00 +0100

As heavy fighting plagues South Sudan since mid-december 2013, let's share a wish (see below):

May this motto replace hatred (picture taken in Juba, 2d december, 2013)

The connexion: a reliable source of information

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:56:00 +0200

The Connexion is the best-selling newspaper for English-speakers in France.

This paper provides essential news and practical information to help its readers understand and integrate into the French community. It is also very well-informed, including topics about religion (which is one of this blog's top interests).

Here is a weblink to discover more about this reliable English-speaking source of information about French society, including laicity ("laïcité") and religion.

Grand Rabbi of France resigns after scandal

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 14:31:00 +0200

In the last 10 days, observers of the French religious scene have been amazed by this news: the Grand Rabbi of France, Gilles Bernheim, has been accused of plagiarism and cheating on his CV, pretending he obtained an "agregation de philosophie", a prestigious but extremely difficult to obtain achievement. After both accusations appeared to be true, Rabbi Gilles Bernheim finally resigned today after having refused to do so.

As a high moral authority, publically involved in the defense of traditional marriage in the current French debate around same-sex marriage, Gilles Bernheim has shocked many.

More news about it on Thelocal.fr (link).

Multiple Modernities and Postsecular Societies

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:52:00 +0200

The French like big concepts, with a capital letter, and ONE definition, once for all. Modernity, Liberty, Equality, Republic... Inherited from an Imperial past, a Republican model filled with messianism and a Catholic culture (centralized and absolute), this mindset is still around, but it is less and less prevailing.

Excellent news! Which does not mean we favor a relativist approach, far from that. But a healthy and ballanced thinkink requires that concepts and frameworks should always be put into perspective and into context. One of the scholars who has helped to reach a more nuanced and dewesternized view on Modernity is Schmuel Eisenstadt, who edited in 2002 a very important book on multiple modernities.

Good news: this globalized and dewesternized view on current world changes is reassessed in a new collective research just released by Ashgate. Its title: Multiple modernities and postsecular societies. (click here to continue)

Face of France's 'Good King Henri IV' reconstructed

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 09:38:00 +0100

For lovers of French political and religious History, this is great news: the face of "Good Henri IV", the highly revered French king who died 400 years ago in 1610, has been reconstructed by a team of French researchers led by Philippe Charlier. Using scans of the skull believed to belong to the monarch, they created a very lively portrait of what Henry the fourth (a former Huguenot) looked like.

"Bravo"! (link here)

Back from South Sudan and Hope for a New nation Festival

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 08:54:00 +0100

I just come back from an amazing week in JUBA (South Sudan), where I went to survey, as a French scholar, a huge Christian event organized by Rev Franklin Graham.

At the HOPE FOR A NEW NATION Festival I've been to, there were apparently up to 94,000 attenders in 2 days. Amazing!

For those who speak French, there are more details in my French-speaking blog, and also in this other one devoted to promote friendship between France and South Sudan. See also my Flickr album here.

Evangelicals accuse French officials of discrimination (Global Post)

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 14:50:00 +0200

Immigrant Evangelical churches are a fast-growing movment in France. Mostly related to the Francophone world (According to the La nouvelle France protestante 2011 book, there is around 40 millions of French-speaking protestants in the World), they are often poor, and have a hard time finding proper worship places.

To know more about these issues, Clea Caulcutt just released a very well-crafted report, published in the Global Post (July 1, 2012). Link

French Evangelicals on the move: the CNEF holistic evangelism

noreply@hautetfort.com (A lire) — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 23:13:00 +0200

Connexion (June 2012) is the CNEF magazine (written in French). Its third issue is the opportunity to get a confirmation that social work, social Gospel and solidarity are back on the map for French Evangelicals, after a few post World War II decades during which these themes became old-fashioned.

Under the umbrella of the CNEF organization, evangelism appears to be defined in a holistic way, starting from the individual to reach social level. One of the reasons of this emphasis may rely on the CNEF distinctives.

(click to continue)