The Dutch Revolt (1568-1648) against Spanish Habsburg rule had religious dimensions — Calvinist Protestantism became dominant in the northern provinces. Calvinism (Calvinisme) shaped Dutch values profoundly: sobriety (soberheid), hard work (ijver), frugality (spaarzaamheid), and a rejection of ornamental display. The plain white interiors of Dutch Protestant churches contrast with the baroque splendour of Catholic churches elsewhere in Europe.
The Netherlands historically maintained a pillarization system (verzuiling) where Protestant, Catholic, and secular groups each had their own schools, newspapers, hospitals, and social clubs. This system began breaking down in the 1960s-70s during ontzuiling (depillarization). Today the Netherlands is among the most secular (seculier) countries globally — a majority identify as niet-religieus (non-religious).
Religious vocabulary in Dutch cultural context: de kerk (church), de moskee (mosque — the Netherlands has significant Muslim communities), de synagoge (synagogue), de tempel (temple), bidden (to pray), geloven (to believe), gelovig (religious/believing), atheïst (atheist), agnost (agnostic), humanist (humanist). The Protestant work ethic (protestantse arbeidsethiek) still influences Dutch attitudes toward productivity and financial responsibility even among secular Dutch people.