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

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
Nicky Gumbel elected to Church of England parliament with a call to put evangelism first 
Nicky Gumbel elected to Church of England parliament with a call to put evangelism first 

The founder of the globally influential Alpha Course, the Rev Nicky Gumbel, has been elected to the Church of England’s General Synod. 

‘Strength does not always look impressive’: living with OCD as a Christian
‘Strength does not always look impressive’: living with OCD as a Christian

Thea Joshi, of the Centre for Mental Health, reflects on living with OCD as a Christian and what churches and fellow Christians can do to help those living with the condition.

Church of England receives £13m under new scheme to preserve historic churches
Church of England receives £13m under new scheme to preserve historic churches

A Church representative said he was conscious many churches had not received the funding they seek.

Petition against ban on church's street preaching delivered to Colchester City Council
Petition against ban on church's street preaching delivered to Colchester City Council

Officials first said the preaching was too loud before moving on to objections about the content.