Hi Band OnThe Run.
Is there a reason france is at the forefront? Why not Holland, Denmark, or Germany?
The French government has lots of legistlation. I guess they try to protect naive/gulible people, and there are certainly many people taken in by dubious profiteers. So, many things are regulated in French life.
One example among many:
there are many who have log fires in France. Now we know that it is strongly advisable to have the cheminey swept each year. But for various reasons people dont always do it, with a risk to life and property.
So, legally,in France, you are obliged to have it done, and have a certificate to prove it each year. But to prevent just anybody writing out a certificate, it has to be by an officially recognized cheminey sweep,who is trained, and passes a training course regularly. So his work is, theoretically, well done. If you have a fire, and cannot prove that you have had the cheminey swept, then the assurance does not pay up.
Another example: many like so called relaxing massages today, style shiatsu. But in France, only trained, certified physiotherapists can say they give massages. ( a fine of 2000dollars and 5 years in prison could be the price to pay if you say you give relaxing massages, foot massages etc when you are not a physiotherapist). Again, extreme, but could sometimes protect some from dubious massagers who could do more harm than good.
OK. its a way of " protecting" people. Maybe a bit extreme by some standards, but that is their culture.They do it in so many aspects of life.
So, religious sects are the same. The government warn people of dangers of sects. And there are dangers. Many on the forum would testify to that.
Jehovahs Witnesses are not singled out. But they are perhaps one of the more powerful groups.
One of the things the government warns about is their tendance to issolate their children and prevent them from knowing other religious beliefs.
So, in brief, it is a part of French culture, that has nothing to do particulally with religion, but found in many aspects of every day life.
I hope that my explanation helps understand a little of this typically French culture. Sometimes French people think it is a good thing, sometimes they dont like it.
I guess the French government is a little like an overly protective parent. It can sometimes seem a bit much, but their intentions are good.
