Religious freedom remains a concern in Turkey after Erdogan's re-election

 (Photo: Unsplash/Meg Jerrard)

Christians in Turkey are not expecting the religious freedom situation in the country to improve any time soon after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's re-election last week. 

Open Doors' persecution analyst, Michael Bosch, said that Christians and other religious minorities have been marginalised in the public sphere because of Erdogan's increasing religious nationalism. 

He believes this situation is unlikely to change under another five years of his rule. 

"Turkish Christians respect the Turkish government and obey Turkish law. However, the strong religious-nationalist narrative Erdogan promotes, does not leave much space for religious minorities to have a voice or play a public role and voice," he said. 

According to Open Doors, freedoms across the board have deteriorated since Erdogan formed a coalition with the ultranationalist 'Nationalist Movement Party' in 2015, followed by a failed coup in 2016. 

Turkey's decision to ban mostly Western Christians has also adversely affected the Protestant Christian community.

Protestant churches are not recognised as 'religious congregations', which has made it difficult for them to rent property or open bank accounts.

Bosch continued, "In Erdogan's nationalist narrative a real Turk is Sunni Muslim.

"So, if you are a Kurd, an Armenian or a Syriac, you will be viewed with suspicion at best.

"If you are an ethnic Turk who converted to Christianity, you equally will face societal opposition."

News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches

Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …

The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914

On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …

Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land

Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.

Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?

For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.