The exhibition God in the Netherlands MMXXV focuses on the history of research on religious and non-religious beliefs of the Dutch.
The exhibition God in the Netherlands MMXXV focuses on the history of research on religious and non-religious beliefs of the Dutch.
On 25 April 2025, the 'God in the Netherlands' survey will be presented at VU University Amsterdam. This is a major survey of the beliefs and religious practices of the Dutch using a comprehensive questionnaire, which was completed in Autumn 2024 by a representative group of almost 1,700 people aged 17 years and older. This is the sixth time this survey has been conducted: previous editions are from 1966, 1979, 1996, 2006 and 2015.
This new survey was a great occasion to exhibit a selection of our various heritage collections.
Personal religious experience
While statistical research and surveys mainly give a factual picture, it is also interesting to look at what can be found about personal religious experience. At the beginning of the 19th century, for example, Cornelis Mijburg wrote an entire survey of all the churches in the various villages in the Noorderkwartier, area north of the IJ. This book is a good example of what an important role religion played in the lives of most of the Dutch.
The eye-catcher of the exhibition is a painting depicting a girl with her hand on a silver-framed Bible. A fine example of depicting personal devotion in early modern times in a painting. And extra special is that a Bible like this was not commonplace for everyone. Thus, a painting like this shows many personal aspects of the influence of religion on people's personal lives.
This and more examples can be seen in the exhibition. It can be seen in the UB's heritage showcase on the 1st floor of the VU Main Building and runs from 3 April to 17 May 2025.