Branden Kartchner

The Netherlands is a socially tolerant nation that is accepting of most religions. However, religious adherence in the Netherlands has been steadily decreasing in recent decades. Socially, the Netherlands is one of the most liberal nations as seen in current public policy related to prostitution, drugs, gay rights, euthanasia, and abortion.  The nation’s culture emphasizes both freedom of religion and freedom of expression.

The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy. The king or queen is mostly ceremonial. The monarch appoints a prime minister and is in charge of the National Cabinet. The parliament of the Netherlands is bicameral. The First Chamber has 75 members that are elected to four-year terms by the legislatures of the country’s provinces. The Second Chamber is in charge of proposing new laws and has 150 members that are elected to four-year terms by the people. In the 19th century, the Dutch Reformed Church was considered a privileged religion and enjoyed a special status with the Dutch government. Even today, the royal family is ceremonially affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church.

The constitution prevents discrimination based on religion and allows religious communities to control their own affairs.  The government requires religious groups to register in return for tax exemptions.  As a general rule, the government only interferes with religion when individual religious beliefs interfere with the rights of others.  There have been reports of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim discrimination, but the government has taken action to protect minority groups against such discrimination.  Hate speech is illegal and the government has prosecuted several individuals for inciting religious hatred.  However, as freedom of expression is esteemed so highly, the prosecutions have not always been successful.  For example, the notorious anti-Islamic politician Geert Wilders was acquited of inciting hatred against Muslims in 2011.

In 2008, the population of the Netherlands was estimated at about 16,513,000 persons.  Of the population, 31% is Roman Catholic, 13% is of the Dutch Reformed Church, 7% is Calvinist, 6% is Muslim, 3.6% is affiliated with other denominations, and 40% is unaffiliated.

 Sources: World Book 2008; Religion and the State: An international Analysis of Roles and Relationships