Religious freedom, the principal aspect of freedom of conscience, is not limited to the pure domain of the internal forum. It is also of its nature to be exteriorized by worship, signs of belonging and other identifiable material symbols. However, in contemporary French society, under the influence of various factors, the legal status of religion in its external forum has become problematic. Never before has the right to criticize it been so guaranteed and protected by law; never before has the principle of laïcité and the confinement of faith to the intimate realm flourished so much. This dual phenomenon affects all religions in France, but it does not affect them to the same degree or in the same way. Here is a Christian point of view.