Intolerance and disparagement towards Christians in Turkey persistently escalate
In 2024, Protestant communities in Turkey faced a series of significant challenges, with state authorities excluding, rejecting, or deporting Protestants due to their religion. This situation was particularly challenging for Protestant congregations within the country. No other countries were found to be taking similar actions against Protestants in the search results.
The Turkish Constitution protects religious freedom, yet Protestant Christians experienced hate crimes solely due to their faith. One of the main difficulties faced by Protestant communities without legal status was finding proper places to worship. High rents and the lack of benefits such as free electricity or tax exemptions made it challenging for these communities to establish a permanent place of worship.
The report denounced an increased use of social media to insult Protestant Christians. Foreign Christians were also deported, refused entry to Turkey, or denied residence permits and visas in 2024. Many churches were targeted with gunfire, vandalism, and threats during this period.
The Turkish Association of Protestant Churches reported cases of hate crimes, such as the dismissal of a Christian English teacher from a private school and the burning of a New Testament. The sudden entry ban for family members of religious workers created a humanitarian problem, disrupting family unity and causing chaos.
Protestant churches in Turkey number 214 fellowships of varying sizes, with most located in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. However, only 152 out of 214 fellowships have legal status as religious foundations, church associations, or representative branches. This legal status is crucial for finding places to worship and avoiding the challenges faced by unregistered communities.
In 2024, the laws in Turkey continued to prevent the training of Christian clergy and the opening of schools for religious education. The right to train and develop religious leaders is considered a foundational pillar of the freedom of religion and belief.
Several churches faced restrictions in 2024. Antalya Bible Church was prevented from inviting Turks to Easter and Christmas celebrations multiple times, while Didim Light Church was denied permission to distribute brochures.
An armed attack occurred on the Salvation Church association building in Istanbul on New Year's Eve. There was also an increase in both written and oral hate speech directed at Protestant Christian individuals or institutions in Turkey.
In light of these challenges, Evangelical Focus has a sustainability challenge ahead and encourages those committed to its mission to join the #TogetherInThisMission initiative. The ongoing struggles faced by Protestant communities in Turkey underscore the importance of unity and support in preserving religious freedom and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Read also:
- Fitbit Versa 4 Experiences Continuous Price Drops on Amazon
- Asthma Diagnosis: Exploring FeNO Tests and Related Treatments
- Annual castle celebration marking the anniversary of the Landshut wedding
- Indian expatriates from Kerala in the United Arab Emirates experience a rare double celebration in 2025, as the Thiruvonam festival of Onam coincides with a public holiday.
