VVD causes irritation with criticism of religion in public places

• Wilco Boom

  A political reporter

VVD leader Yesilgöz has caused surprise and irritation in the House of Representatives with a speech on religion and integration. At a party meeting in Amsterdam last week, she said that religion should have no influence on public life. The reason for the violence in Amsterdam was after the football match Ajax-Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“In a secular society, religion should have no influence and certainly no control over public life,” Yesilgöz said. “As soon as religion takes an organized character or a political character like Islamism, then it becomes very dangerous. From the point of view of orthodoxy, whether it is Judaism, Christianity or Islam – religion must accept the free society. around.”

CDA, SGP, ChristenUnie and Denk believe that she is going far too far with this. According to these parties, Yesilgöz limits liberal freedoms in the Netherlands, such as freedom of religion, education and association. Minorities have always had a place to live within the limits of the law according to their own beliefs and opinions and they think it should stay that way.

MP SGP Van Dijk is surprised at “how easily important freedoms have been briefly questioned by a party that has always stood up for classic personal freedom, as a guarantee against an all-powerful government”.

According to the leader of the Christian Union Bikker, the Salvation Army and food banks are examples of institutions where citizens, inspired by their faith, are active in public life. That is why it is not appropriate to push religion behind the front door, she believes.

The leader of Denk Van Baarle says that Yesilgöz is eager to attack Islam and Muslims in order to win back seats from the PVV: “As a liberal she is unbelievable.”

The criticism is not only from these four parties. GroenLinks-PvdA also believes that Yesilgöz misses the point. At a meeting of members, party leader Timmermans said on Saturday: “I don’t understand why the VVD, given the history of that party, allows itself to be carried away by an agenda that is not only fuel divisions in this country and don’t. it is possible to close the differences.” This radical rejection of religion is so much against the history of our country.”

A specific point on which the parties clash with the VVD is related to the position of weekend schools. The VVD wants guidance from the Education Inspectorate on weekend schools, as ideas are sometimes spread there that are against the equality of men and women and gay and straight people, for example. The cabinet also comes up with it plans that side.

The critical parties admit that this sometimes happens, but they believe that criminal law should be used in these situations instead of putting all weekend and Sunday schools under the supervision of the state. Because therefore, according to them, the good suffers because of the bad. The Education Inspectors themselves are not at all willing to accept this work, because this is not regular education.

It cannot be ruled out that Yesilgöz’s position will have political consequences. This is because the coalition of which the VVD is a part does not have a majority in the Senate. As a result, government parties have to regularly ‘shop around’ with other groups to gain support. This week for example the coalition negotiates with, among others, CDA, CU and SGP on support for the education budget.

MP SGP Van Dijk leaves no room for misunderstanding that his party will take into account the position of the VVD if that party continues: “If efforts are made to push the Christian faith behind the front door and ignore what we all have. our Christian tradition, our love for this cabinet will certainly not increase and we may often harm this cabinet.” The SGP has two seats in the Senate.

Yesilgöz maintains her criticism, she said in response. Everyone has the right to believe what he or she wants and to find their own school. But other freedoms should not be restricted under the shape of one’s own religious freedom, she believes. And she also insists that weekend schools should be able to come under government supervision.