1: Agnostic mean you don't know.So it is more true to this kind of people.In the doubt I guess some people do it.Also as a tradition to be buried as a christian (you know family pressure)

2: It is a gift for the 100 year anniversary of USA , initially a private initiative of Bartholdi who was a french republican (in french meaning) and wanted as other republican to strengthen links between USA and France.I remember you that France was the only major republic in world aside USA at this time.

3: reintroducing conscription/national service: yes at any time as it is suspended and not cancelled.The governement do not need a new law to reintroduce it.Moreover a majority of French including the left, favor draft:

-Left think that draft avoid army to become a pretorian army commited to expeditionnary wars, and it is good to educate and mix people

-Right think it strengthen national values, tradition and disciplin

A lot of people think also that defense is a matter of everybody and not only professionals.

However it is unlikely it is now reinstalled unless a strong threat appears (likely in Europe)or a war, as army do not need it now since it would compell it to redo a major organisational change and moreover do not need a full class of age.

1) I don't know the proportion , but there are some french who consider themselves as atheists or agnostics . That's true , but "most " i don't think. The agnostics are more rare than the atheists.  80% of the french are supposed to be catholics , truely or by tradition. The republic has always fought the weight of the religions, France is a secular country, that's the most important for me.

2) No it was sincerely given to USA by France to hail and celebrate the centennial of your revolution. I hope it's always a symbol of friendship for you.

3) No i think it's over , at least , for a long time, alas. I did it , and don't regret. They should have kept 2 months to be familiar with the military stuffs.

Herc,

Thanks for elevating the level of conversation.  I have never been to France either, but I understand there is an area of Paris called Pigalle where the women are quite "easy" if not necessarily cheap.  

Thanks for the responses. 

I've read some articles recently raising the "Praetorian" issue with regard to the U.S. military. 

Do Aggies like me make it on Frenchies "dislike" list--oh well but I live in California now.....

I can be like a Chameleon.