Freedom of religion and religious beliefs in Holland
Freedom of religion and religious beliefs is a fundamental right in Holland. This means that people are free to worship as they choose, either individually or in groups, provided they remain within the boundaries imposed by the law and respect others (for example with regard to noise levels, health hazards and disturbances of the peace). In Holland, church and state are separate. The government does not interfere in the internal affairs of organizations that profess religious or philosophical beliefs, and the latter do not interfere with matters of state. There are approximately 300 mosques and prayer centers in Holland (175 Turkish, 100 Moroccan and 20 Surinamese). Islamic burial grounds have also been established in many places
The Colonial period was one of the most culturally robust for the Dutch, both at home and abroad. The Dutch created a culture that was commercially and artistically successful, celebrated hard work and allowed for religious tolerance. The work ethic, beliefs and history of the predominant Protestant faith, Calvinism, supported this Golden Age of the Netherlands.
Historically the Netherlands is characterized by multitude of religions. Since the mid of the middle ages, the Netherlands was a predominantly Christian country until late into the 20th century. Although religious diversity remains to the present day, there is a major decline of religious adherence.Travelled to the Netherlands to learn about their admirable way of dealing with religion in a secular society.
Though the Dutch are famous for allowing euthanasia, gay marriage and soft-drug use, it is ironically their tolerance that may have laid the foundation for current ethnic tensions. Holland has gone a long way to make its multifaith society work by keeping religion in the public square. The Dutch government, not afraid to charge head-on at sensitive religion-related issues, recently decided to try to integrate Muslims into mainstream society by requiring all immigrant Muslim imams to learn the Dutch language. In a nation of 16 million, one million residents are Muslim. But according to Spruyt, cultural relativism has reigned so long that there has been little, if any, push to integrate immigrants from Morocco and Turkey into Dutch society.
The Dutch quite simply had to be able to associate with different cultures, sail the seas, learn other languages and accept differences - hence the tolerant attitude. That attitude is still visible today. Moreover, being small and internationally-orientated, the Dutch quite simply had to be able to associate with different cultures, sail the seas, learn other languages and accept differences. Hence the tolerant attitude. Dutch youngsters have their first sexual experience relatively late. And more importantly, the number of abortions and unwanted pregnancies among teenagers is the lowest in the world.