John,

A century is more or less four generations. I think you in the US can testify to significant changes in just two generations. To find a unique answer to what exactly are the reasons in the case of the Netherlands certainly is not a simple issue.

Also, and I guess you will agree, I don't think that having a Christian theologian as PM is any guarantee of what happens later in a country. I share your feeling that one should have expected some kind of after effect.

I wonder what was the case with Geneva after Calvin left? It might indeed be a very interesting study.

My son worked in Amsterdam for about two years up to three months ago and is in now in Hong Kong. Yesterday he told me that in Amsterdam you cannot talk to people about church while in Hong Kong, a significant number of his colleagues there indeed goes to church on Sundays.

Indeed an interesting question

Johan

Last edited by Johan; Mon Aug 30, 2010 1:59 AM.