In the Netherlands, right of free speech is up for debate

A VICAR saying God ‘doesn’t exist’ is allowed to preach while a farmer has been told to remove a “Jesus saves” sign from his barn.

In the meantime a politician whose party came second to that of the Prime Minister’s in recent elections is being prosecuted for comparing the Muslim Koran to Hitler’s Mein Kampf in its attitude towards Jews.

Only in the Netherlands, that bastion of free speech. But these developments are calling it all into question, say many.

The Protestant vicar, Klass Hendrikse, shot to fame when he published his book, Believing in a God That Doesn’t Exist.

His sermons are attracting throngs of people every Sunday from all over the country, even while the church is losing membership generally.

In fairness, his message is that God is not a bearded man in the sky, but is to be found in good people here on earth. And he says that it’s silly to want adults to believe in the same way as they did as children. His church superiors investigated complaints against him and decided he can continue to preach. But they are also organising a debate on the nature of God.

Meanwhile in the Netherlands’ bible belt, which runs in a longitude through the centre of the country, evangelical Christian Joop Van Ooijen has refused to remove the large white “Jesus saves” writing from his red farm roof, and refuses to pay the €500 a week fine to the local council.

Their objection is that the white on red contrast breaks planning regulations, but Mr Van Ooijen accuses them of religious bias and says there would be no problems if it were a Muslim slogan.

Meanwhile in Amsterdam Geert Wilders is being tried on charges of incitement to hatred and discrimination after he called for the Koran to be banned because of its attitude towards non-Muslim believers.

It raises all the old questions about freedom of speech and just when it tips over into discrimination. But the courtroom is not the most ideal forum for this debate and Wilders is not a good person to have at the centre of it. His stated principle of “not tolerating the intolerant” may be a good starting point, but his political manifesto undermines this idea.

For instance he wants to replace the opening article of the Dutch constitution that ensures equality for all with a clause stating the cultural dominance of Christian, Jewish and humanist traditions.

Distinctive for his platinum blond hair, he wants to ban any more Muslims immigrating to the Netherlands and the million or so already living in the country should be paid to leave.

Last year he was banned from entering Britain on the grounds that he was an extremist and therefore a threat to public security. Tthe decision was later overturned.

The 47-year-old is now possibly the most popular politician in the Netherlands. The truth is that he reflects the fears of the majority over the street violence by Turkish and Morrocan youths; the increase in the number of women wearing headscarves; moves they see as concessions towards Muslims such as Islamic mortgages provided by local authorities; honour killings investigated by police and their health services having to repair the genital mutilation of young women.

He is also the politician whose life is most threatened resulting in him having round-the-clock security guards, having to spend every night in a different location and meeting his former diplomat wife just once a week.

The sparks are expected to fly during his trial, but it is expected to generate more heat than light as the implacible views of the two opposing sides of Wilders and fundamental Islam meet head on.