Samenvatting

This article argues that the increasingly negative attitude towards religion in Dutch society correlates with how the government understands the notion of citizenship. While citizenship used to be understood in a broad and liberal sense, the interpretation of the notion has been narrowed down. Nowadays, citizenship is understood in a cultural-nationalist way, with an emphasis on progressive values, especially concerning sexual-ethical themes. The article shows that the focus on a ‘sexular’ identity as characteristic of good citizenship carries important implications for dealing with religion and religious orthodoxy. A multi-dimensional interpretation of citizenship offers alternatives for an inclusive society