Tensions surrounding the Exceptional Position of the Freedom of Religion or Belief during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lagerweij, Chloé (2021) Tensions surrounding the Exceptional Position of the Freedom of Religion or Belief during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Bachelor thesis, Bachelor Godsdienstwetenschap.

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Abstract

This research focusses on the cultural and legal understanding of freedom of religion or belief. It demonstrates how there is a fundamental difference between these two understandings within the Dutch society. Especially when considering the Staphorst church controversy of October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The church organised three services for over 600 people, and this resulted in many angry responses on social media. Also the media, such as talk shows and news papers, discussed this issue broadly. Why would religious institutions still organise gatherings, while every citizen is asked to stay and work from home in order to fight the virus. Nevertheless, religious institutions can, according to the Dutch constitutional law, organise their gatherings, but one could state that during a worldwide health crisis, religious institutions should take their responsibility. The legal understanding point of view of this research argues how freedom of religion or belief is executed by the Dutch constitutional law, art. 6. What are the rights of religious institutions with and without the restrictions and measurements of the COVID-19 pandemic? The cultural understanding is how religion is generally understood by the Dutch society. This phenomenon is changed over the years because of the more secular point of view, but also because of pillarisation and criticism from the media. Hofman, an influential reporter, argues that religion is in not more important than a hobby or experiencing love, but Segers, political leader of the CU, argues that art. 6 of the Dutch constitutional law is fundamental and cannot be compared to a hobby. Therefore, what are the factors that caused the Staphorst Church controversy during COVID-19?

Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisors (RUG):	Supervisor E-mail Tutor organization Tutor email Wilson, E.K. Faculteit GGW, Christendom en Ideeengeschiedenis E.K.Wilson@rug.nl Jedan, C. Faculteit GGW, Christendom en Ideeengeschiedenis C.Jedan@rug.nl
Degree programme:	Bachelor Godsdienstwetenschap
Academic year:	2020-2021
Date of delivery:	03 Sep 2021 10:43
Last modified:	03 Sep 2021 10:43
URI:	https://rcs.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/608

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