Religion & spirituality

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Since the Second World War, several waves of immigration have introduced other faiths to Amsterdam. Post-colonial immigrants from Indonesia, Suriname and the Caribbean and guest-workers from Turkey and Morocco laid the groundwork for the current mix of religions. Amsterdam remains a popular destination among immigrants and asylum seekers from all over the world. As in the past, the changes require patience and understanding from all sides in order to achieve the tradition of tolerance established centuries ago.

Diversity of faiths

A new Chinese Buddhist temple was opened in 2000 in the China Town area on the Zeedijk near the Nieuwmarkt. The Fo Kuang Shan Buddhist temple accommodates monks and nuns, a library and classrooms with Internet connections.

Fo Kuang (or Guang) Shan temples are the centre of Chinese culture. With the building of this temple, the Dutch capital has become the site of the first genuine Buddhist temple in Western Europe.

In 2000, the Netherlands' first purpose-built Hindu temple opened its doors, the result of a 17 year-long planning process. Marked by two impressive towers, the Radha Krishna Mandir Hindu temple is adorned with images of gods especially imported from India.

The opening of this temple has given Hindustanis their own venue for religious gatherings and for the celebration of feast days. The temple will also serve as an information centre on Hinduism, and religious and Hindi lessons will be given there. The temple is owned by the Shri Sanatan Dharm Amsterdam Foundation.

While many churches have been abandoned or have acquired secular functions, some have continued to serve religious functions. In May 1977, almost four centuries after the conversion of Roman Catholic Amsterdam to the Reformation, the first mosque in the city was opened in what was originally a Catholic chapel on Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal. Since then, mosques have sprung up thoughout the city in former churches. The cry for a purpose-built mosque in Amsterdam is a strong one, but to date plans have not panned out due to funding or zoning issues.

Spirituality

A survey in 2000 reports that 60% of the adult population of Amsterdam professed no affiliation with any church or other religious or ideological movement.

While Christianity has lost many professed members in recent decades, Amsterdam remains a spiritually vibrant place. The largest religion in Amsterdam is still Christianity (17%, of which Roman Catholics form the majority, with 10%), though Islam (currently 14%) is rapidly growing in popularity and is predicted to be the largest religious group within a few years. Three ethnic groups—Moroccans, Turks and Surinamese—contain a much higher percentage of people who feel affiliated to a particular religion.

Aside from standard religions, there are sects, Salvationist movements and new age gurus. A library situated on Bloemgracht, the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica, contains the largest collection of hermetic and mystical works in Europe, the life's work of a manufacturer of disposable articles.