Freedom
Turkey Faces Scrutiny for Expelling Christians
Faith Facts
- Turkey has expelled or denied entry to at least 300 foreign Christian pastors, missionaries, and their families in recent years.
- European lawmakers have raised serious concerns about Turkey’s actions and called for protection of religious freedom.
- Christian advocates and rights groups are urging Turkish authorities to allow due process and uphold respect for all faiths.
Turkey’s recent decision to expel foreign Christians has drawn attention from the international Christian community, highlighting ongoing challenges to religious liberty in the region. European lawmakers have united in support of religious freedom, defending the right of believers to minister and worship without interference.
The faithful in cities like Izmir continue to celebrate Christmas and gather publicly, reflecting the enduring strength and unity of Christian families. Despite these trials, those affected hold onto their faith, standing as a testament to perseverance rooted in Biblical hope.
During debate in the European Parliament, Tomislav Sokol said,
“These deportations of Christians in Turkey for reasons of national security are one more attack on Christians, the most persecuted religious minority around the world.”
ADF International and other faith-based advocates maintain that many deportees had lawfully resided in Turkey for years with no criminal cases, challenging the practice as inconsistent with religious freedom principles. The Christian community continues to call for prayer and advocacy to safeguard believers across the globe.
As the European Court of Human Rights reviews pending cases, concerned Christians everywhere are encouraged to remain steadfast, praying for justice and the preservation of religious liberty for families affected.
Stand with fellow Christians facing adversity—pray for their strength, spread awareness, and speak up for freedom of faith.
Faith Facts
- Stephen Green challenges Britain’s abortion buffer zones in court, after being convicted for displaying a Bible verse in Ealing.
- The judge acknowledged the restrictions on Christian witness but claimed they were justified to protect abortion access.
- Green and Christian Legal Centre assert that banning prayer and Scripture in public is an attack on Biblical truth and freedom.
Britain’s abortion buffer zone laws, which first began in Ealing, West London, are facing renewed legal scrutiny as Stephen Green defends his right to display Scripture in public. Green was convicted in February 2024 for sharing Psalm 139 and reading from the Bible near an abortion site, actions now prohibited under Public Spaces Protection Orders.
Green’s legal team maintains that these zones silence prayer, speech, and the proclamation of God’s Word, raising serious concerns for Christians across the nation. The judge admitted that this was “a significant interference” with freedom of religion and expression, but privileged abortion access over foundational liberties.
Green declared:
“As a Christian I should be able to preach freely all over the land. Psalm 139 is about how we all belong to God from conception.”
“Buffer zones and this conviction is a direct attack on the Bible and free speech, which is being licenced by the state. I have no choice but to continue to defend myself and fight for justice.”
Ahead of his High Court hearing, Green vowed to stand on principle, refusing to pay court-imposed costs.
Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, emphasized:
“Psalm 139 is one of the most well known and beautiful passages in the Bible which points to the hope and comfort of each person being wonderfully made and looked after by God.”
She continued:
“The effect of the PSPO is to create an area where Bible verses and prayer are banned. Hearing a judge say that verses from Psalm 139 are an ‘act of protest’ and to be punished is devastating.”
“We will stand with Mr Green as he seeks justice in this case.”
In a free society founded on Biblical principles, Christians must remain steadfast in defending the right to share God’s truth and advocate for the unborn. Let us pray for courage and justice as this case unfolds, keeping faith, family, and freedom at the heart of public life.
Faith Facts
- Stephen Green was fined for displaying a Bible verse near an abortion clinic buffer zone.
- The court declared his public display of Psalm 139 as an act of protest against abortion, deeming it a violation of local prohibitions.
- Christian leaders and supporters argue this ruling is a threat to religious freedom and the right to share biblical truth.
Stephen Green, a faithful advocate for Christian values, faces penalties for expressing Scripture in public near an abortion facility.
His conviction brings renewed focus to Britain’s restrictive buffer zones, which many believe silence Christian witness and prayer in vital moments.
Green’s legal counsel argues that these regulations criminalize peaceful prayer and the open proclamation of God’s Word, undermining both freedom of religion and speech.
The issue now advances to higher courts in a growing stand for faith, life, and freedom of conscience.
“As a Christian I should be able to preach freely all over the land. Psalm 139 is about how we all belong to God from conception.”
“Buffer zones and this conviction is a direct attack on the Bible and free speech, which is being licenced by the state. I have no choice but to continue to defend myself and fight for justice.”
Green’s resolve, shared by supporters like the Christian Legal Centre, demonstrates a deep commitment to uphold the right to declare biblical truth in public life.
These moments call believers to steadfastness and to intercede for those defending truth in the public square.
Freedom to speak God’s Word and witness to life remains a core Christian conviction, and these legal battles shed light on the urgent need to defend this freedom for future generations.
Faith Facts
- Two Christian organizations in Michigan have taken legal action to defend their pro-life mission from a new state law.
- The law requires coverage for abortion in employee insurance plans, challenging Biblical convictions on the sanctity of life.
- Legal advocates argue that the measure forces faith-based groups to compromise their deeply held beliefs.
Right to Life of Michigan and Pregnancy Resource Center have challenged a law they say compels them to hire individuals who do not affirm their values on human life. These organizations maintain that such requirements undermine their mission to protect unborn children.
The law extends employment protections to those who support abortion, making it difficult for pro-life groups to maintain staff united in their cause. It also obligates employers to provide abortion coverage if they offer pregnancy coverage, going against Christian teachings on life and morality.
“Michigan’s law thus requires them to recruit and hire those with pro-abortion views, restricts these groups from explaining their pro-life requirements to applicants, and requires these groups to offer abortion coverage in their insurance plans because they generally offer insurance to their employees,” claims the lawsuit.
“The First Amendment protects Right to Life’s and PRC’s First Amendment freedoms to join with others to further a common cause and to refrain from participating in activities that contradict their beliefs. Michigan’s law infringes on these bedrock freedoms. For that reason, it is unconstitutional as applied here.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the pro-life groups as they seek to preserve the freedom to live out their mission. Senior Counsel Bryan Neihart emphasized, “Pro-life groups should be free to share the message of hope and joy with women and families experiencing a difficult season through employees who share their common goal.”
Pro-life Christians across the nation are called to stand for faith, family, and freedom in the face of laws that threaten Biblical convictions.
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