laïc

Laïc is a French adjective meaning secular or lay, not related to or controlled by religious authorities. When used as a noun, a laïc can refer to a layperson or a secular person, as opposed to clergy or religious officials. The feminine form is laïque, and the word is related to the concept of secular life rather than religious vocation.

Etymology traces laïc to Latin laicus, from Greek laikos, originally meaning “of the people” and distinguishing non-clergy from ecclesiastical ranks. In modern French, laïc and laïque are used to describe things, persons, or institutions characterized by secular, non-religious, or non-clerical associations.

Laïcité, the related noun, is a central principle in France and other parts of the world. It denotes the constitutional separation of religion and state, with public authorities remaining neutral toward religious beliefs. The French model emphasizes equality before the law for all citizens regardless of faith and limits the official recognition or funding of religious bodies. Public institutions, including schools and administrative agencies, aim to operate without religious influence in policy-making or public space, while individuals retain freedom of conscience and religious practice in private life.

Contemporary usage of laïcité involves ongoing policy debates about the balance between secular neutrality and individual freedoms, particularly in areas such as education, public dress codes, and religious symbol visibility in public institutions. The term is frequently invoked in discussions about the role of religion in public life, multiculturalism, and the limits of religious expression within a secular state.