Post "post-Christianity" in Holland?
The Weekly Standard carries an article about religion in Holland that is well worth the read. Conventional wisdom in Europe is that it is a "post-Christian" region where traditional religion has no future. while there are many signs to validate that hypothesis there seem to be other signs, notably in Holland, that religion is finding a new expression in the younger generation. Here are the opening lines of the article:
What I find interesting in the article is the religious ferment in Holland. Protestantism and Catholicism are going through major changes. Islam is also making a defining statement. People are seeking something to fill the empty promises of secularization and liberalism. Large segments of people are open to a message that gives meaning and definition to their life. I suspect this is taking place continent wide.
Religion and faith define Europe, always have. In the coming months you will hear a great deal about the question, "What is Europe?" Any discussion on this matter that omits the deep historic fact that religion, and specifically the christian religion defined by Rome, is central to the identity of Europe will go nowhere. Only when religion is factored into the discussion will the European project move off "dead center".
The Weekly Standard article is worth reading in its entirety.