=)

[cheersgod]

Hello!
I have a short question I hope you don't mind me posting here: Is the Netherlands very liberal? Politically, I mean =)

Thanks in advance

Comments

Re: Goede vraag

[dimension_view]

What's the general public's stance on Wildeers?

Re: Goede vraag

[neverbeclever]

a lot people think he's nuts and overreacting, but others really follow him because he's anti-'everything' the other parti's stand for. His parti won the most in the election for europe few weeks ago (but not even 40 % of the citizen voted anyway)
And he made a movie called 'fitna'about anti-muslim stuff, it was really hyped before he showed it, but end out being a sucky movie. although he still wants to show it everywhere around the world, and be mad if they dont let him

[peamasii]

Yes, it is, although the current government is a center-right coalition led by the CDA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_parties_of_the_Netherlands

[ninchia]

The South (with lots of Catholics in the population) is less liberal than the North, that's what for example my Dutch bf says.
Yes, it is very liberal though, one of the most socially liberal countries in Europe (along with Sweden for example) but also pretty economically liberal.
Euthanasia and homo marriages are accepted and most people have no problem with it.
I come from Finland and before moving here I had thought this country is overall very liberal, in the totality, but however when I moved here I did see that for example the christian democrats are a major force in politics and they bring some not that liberal voice to the debated topics.

[cheersgod]

Well, that sounds great! I am Swedish so, like you said, I'm used to living in a very liberal society - wouldn't want it any other way!

If you don't mind me asking; because there are so many christians - Are Dutch people, in general, "okay with" atheists?

[ninchia]

De har inget problem med ateister. Det är inte liksom i Finland (varifrån jag kommer) var det är jobbigare att få en plats som lärare i en skola om man inte är kristen.
Min man måste för sitt arbete svära ed och det kan de göra på två sätt: svära det "vid Gud och hans heliga" eller bara för sig själv. Jag har varit med där och sett minoriteten av dem svära det vid Gud.
Jag anser att individens frihet verkar alltid vara på första plats här i Nederländerna och det kanske är varför även i de mera kristliga södra regionerna folk inte låtsas om närvarande ateister.

[cheersgod]

intressant, tack så mycket för all info!

[toppertje]

Compared to other countries it is extremely liberal, although things have changed a lot in the last few years and the Christians have been running things for some time now.