The law's opponents say that, at most the measure could make criminals of Southern Baptist or Mormon missionaries who pursue converts too aggressively and, at least chill the environment for handing out religious tracts and knocking on French doors with faith-laden messages.
Concerns revolve around two key provisions.
Among other things, the proposed law would authorize a judge to legally dissolve an organization whose leaders are convicted of two or more criminal offenses. It's also our concern that this legislation is not just an infringement on religious freedoms in France. It sets a very bad model in places like Eastern Europe and Russia when a state like France, a liberal, democratic bastion, to infringe on the free expression of religious belief. Its supporters respond that the law is a reasoned approach for a government attempting to protect its citizens from unscrupulous organizations that prey on emotional needs. Picard said that judges must be given better tools to combat dangerous cults and sects.