As the President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, which is the umbrella organisation of more than 100 Member Organisations in forty countries, on all the continents, including Africa and Asia, I send all French member organisations our support. Indeed, the separation of the Church, on the one hand, and the State, on the other, is a principle that is a crucial issue in our minds. It is not in opposition to believers that we are here today, but because of concern for the importance given to religion in public life.

Obviously, whether we like it or not, in modern society opinions abound. Some people need a religion, a god, a superhuman being, in order to find a meaning to their lives. This is their right.

We raise our children with a view to make them adults capable of thinking freely, who do not accept automatically all that seems normal or obvious. We want them to call into question our views. It is an important task for the state to make this possible. Certainly, education can and should talk about religions and ideologies, because without this knowledge it is not possible to understand history, the evolution of society. An education that seeks to prepare the youth to become tomorrow's adults cannot be based on any religion. The state has the absolute duty to provide education for all, education where boys and girls are treated equally, which includes scientific methods in the curriculum. An education where a clear distinction between science and fiction is established. It is in public and secular schools that children should be educated in order to become tomorrow's autonomous and critical adults.

Unfortunately, real freedom of conscience is still far away. A part of the road has been travelled. We believe we are walking in the right direction. Now, we should pay attention and not fall asleep! Otherwise, we are in danger of losing what we have gained. This Pope's visit is just one example.

Lets not be too hopeful, lets keep a vigilant watch! And above all, lets try to work together for the same goal. The separation of the Church and the State is very important. We should build as broad a coalition as possible with all those who share this idea. Even believers aware of this necessity should not be excluded from the fight.

The struggle for a secular state is far from being won; the churches have lost some influence but they still have too much because they are active in key issues of society. The public funding of this Pope's visit, the attention it drew in the public media, granted to the religion that the Pope represents a prestige far more important than it deserves.

Lets respect the freedom of conscience! Lets respect the secular state!

Speech given by IHEU President Sonja Eggerickx at the secularist rally in France on the occasion of the Pope’s visit on 14 September, 2008