Turkey Bible Correspondence Course
April 2009 Update
Dear Friends,
Please take time to pray for the following items this month...
TURKEY: ‘Insulting Turkishness’ Case Proceeds
Compass Direct News reports that a Turkish court decided last month to try two Christians under a revised version of a controversial law for “insulting Turkishness” because they spoke about their Christian faith. A Silivri court on Feb. 24 received a go-ahead from the Ministry of Justice to try two Christian men, Turan Topal and Hakan Tastan, under the revised Article 301. This law has sparked outrage among proponents of free speech. The court had sent the case to the Ministry of Justice after the government put into effect a series of changes to the law. Critics have called the changes “cosmetic only”. The justice ministry decision came as a surprise to Topal and Tastan and their lawyer as missionary activities are not illegal in Turkey. Defense lawyer Haydar Polat said no concrete evidence of insulting the Republic of Turkey or Islam has emerged since the case first opened two years ago.
Kutsalkitap.org/BCC Top Search Result
Notice in the screenshot that for google searches for "kutsal kitap" not only is kutsalkitap.org the top search result, but they even list several of the main sub-sections of our home page--something they usually only do for big sites that are visited often.
...And two course students to pray for as a foundation to pray for the many seekers who write us regularly with similar stories:
"I live in a Muslim country, a Muslim society and a nominal Muslim family. As I research Christianity as it is written in your course booklet "Who Can Save You", this can open the door to persecution and a negative reaction, nevertheless I cannot keep secret my increased interest in these subjects. I must research more and see what things come into my life as a result. After I research the cd and books you sent I will write you again."
Koray - Izmir
...and from one of the many prisoners writing us in these days:
"As a result of a traffic accident in which I killed a person, and although I never committed another crime in my life, prison is now my home. I have also lived my life bereft of and poor in the area of faith. Your teaching gives one peace and comfort. You have no idea how difficult a feeling it is to live one's life as a murderer. My family no longer want anything to do with me and my parents passed away a long time ago. I am trying to take away the lonliness I feel through my relationship with you and Immanuel (Jesus). My friend Sedat also wants to continue your course."
Tahsin -
Please pray as we investigate the possibiliteis of starting a prison ministry in a more organized fashion in the coming months.
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