Organised religions require material resources and funding. This dependence on capital has generated concerns for centuries. From the mid-18th century onwards these took a new, modern form. However the top layer of society continued to exercise considerable influence e.g. through donations and charitable initiatives. In return, this was often contested by ‘ordinary church members’, who could counterbalance the elite (financially) by means of organization.
During this edition of the annual Trajecta conference, historians, religious scholars, economists, heritage administrators and other experts turn their attention to the field of tension between organized religion and economic-financial practices, visions and structures in Belgium and the Netherlands from around 1800 to today.
The journal
Trajecta. Religion, Culture and Society in the Low Countries publishes peer reviewed articles on the historical dynamics between religion, culture and society in the Low Countries (Belgium and the Netherlands), and the related heritage. Trajecta focuses on the modern history of religion (Christianity, Judaism, Islam, ‘new’ religions) and the accompanying processes of transformation.
Trajecta. Religion, Culture and Society in the Low Countries publiceert peer reviewed artikelen over de historische dynamiek tussen religie, cultuur en samenleving in de Nederlanden en het gerelateerde erfgoed. Trajecta focust zich de laatste jaren vooral op de moderne geschiedenis van religie (christendom, jodendom, islam en ‘nieuwe’ religies) en op transformatieprocessen daaromtrent. Since 2019 the journal is published by Amsterdam University Press and the editorial board is formed by members of KDC Nijmegen, KADOC Leuven, HDC Amsterdam and ADC Kampen.
The conference
Do you want to know more about the Trajecta conference on 2 and 3 October 2025? Check out the page in the Radboud events calendar.
