Protecting the memory of lost faith: an investigation into the presence of religion in Dutch collective memory and the consequences for religious heritage

Abstract

This thesis investigates the role religious heritage plays in Dutch collective memory. It goes against the grand narrative of pillarisation and depillarisation that is often presented as a big break in Dutch historiography, that supposedly swept away religion from the Netherlands. Instead, it argues we have ended up in a post secular society, in which a diversity of religions still play a big role in the public sphere. However, figures show a steady decline in church membership and valuation of the church by citizens in the Netherlands. As religious heritage becomes marginalised in society, so does religion from the collective and cultural memory Two heritage institutions are framed a the protectors of religious heritage in this thesis, and by finding out how and why protect this heritage this thesis is able to give recommendations on how to protect Christian religious heritage in the current post secular, post Christendom society.