Law
Church-State Separation Models and Religious Freedom Adjudication
Quick fact
In the U.S., the Supreme Court has oscillated between a 'wall of separation' and an 'accommodationist' stance, leading to rulings as varied as allowing a cross on public land and allowing private religious expression in schools. Meanwhile, France's strict laïcité has banned religious symbols in public schools since 2004, showing how the model shapes outcomes.
Why this is interesting
Ever wondered why the same kind of religious freedom case can be decided one way in the United States and the opposite way in France or Germany? The answer lies in how each country imagines the wall between church and state.