State and Religion

With a foreword by Ján Figel, Special Envoy for Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU

What room should be granted to controversial statements and expressions about faith? Should the state subsidize the building of places of worship? How much loyalty to the state can be demanded of religions? Under what circumstances may the state and religious communities work together to reach a common goal? What does equal treatment of religions mean today?

The debate on the relation between the state and religion is proceeding at full speed and in great intensity. Classic principles, such as the separation of church and state and the freedom of religion, are shared by all but no longer seem to offer any anchorage. A new view giving new direction and orientation is needed. This book is intended to contribute to that vision. It explores the foundations on which the relation between the state and religion must be built, and the consequences this has for the attitude of the state toward religion in concrete issues facing the Netherlands at the beginning of the 21st century. The results are translated into concrete recommendations.