(Flickr photos by Sarah Olmstead)
Turkey (MNN) ― Not since the end of World War I have the halls of a politically-sensitive monastery rung with prayer.
While the Turkish constitution includes freedom of religion, worship services are only permitted in "buildings created for this purpose," and officials have restricted the construction of buildings for minority religions. However, the government appears to have relented on its prohibition on the monastery, in a gesture of good faith to religious minorities.
Todd Nettleton with Voice of the Martyrs says that on August 15, "The Greek Orthodox church was allowed to hold a service in the Sumela monastery which is a quite well-known monastery in Turkey. This is the first time that church services have been held in the monastery since Turkey's independence."
Orthodox Christians from Russia, Greece and other countries came for the service. Authorities have also said worship can take place at the monastery once a year. It's a boon, considering that all services were previously banned.
Given the recent accounts of the abuse believers suffer in the country, there are questions as to the motivation of the sudden change of heart. Nettleton says the issue may actually be about financial benefits. "We're going to have all of these people from other countries: they'll come in for this service, they'll bring money and spend it, so it's good for the economy to have them here."
It's also doubling as a public relations move. Nettleton explains, "They also talked about the idea of peace among different religions, which is a nod to the European Union that Turkey is hoping to join, which, so far, has pointed to the religious freedom issue as part of the reason they haven't welcomed Turkey."
Roughly 99.8 percent of the population is Muslim, but there's an interesting dynamic at play. Nettleton says, "Their religious identity and their national identity are wrapped up in each other. In their minds, to be a Turk is to be a Muslim," adding that "it is a huge decision for a Turkish person to say, ‘I'm not going to be a Muslim anymore. I'm going to follow Jesus Christ.'"
It's seen as unpatriotic to leave Islam, so while evangelism is not specifically forbidden, many prosecutors and police view it with suspicion. Those caught "proselytizing" are often arrested and charged with disturbing the peace, "insulting Islam," or conducting unauthorized educational courses.
Within the last few years, the harassment has stepped up and turned deadly. In 2007, three Malatya Christian bookstore workers were brutally murdered. There is still no verdict, and the case resumes this October.
In 2009, assailants stabbed Gregor Kerkeling to death. A few months later, another Christian man was openly threatened because of his missionary activities. Some Christians report heavy pressure from their families because they openly identify themselves with a church. Some have been beaten. Church buildings have been vandalized and severely damaged in increasing numbers.
Yet, the hope of Christ is still changing hearts. A goodwill gesture from the government, whatever the motivation, is an encouraging move. It keeps the doors open. Pray for opportunities for Christians in Turkey to share the truth of who Jesus is with those around them.
