TURKMENISTAN & BAPTISTS
Monday, September 1, 2003
TURKMENISTAN BAPTISTS BANNED FROM SERVICES
Authorities threaten with harsh fines and persecution
By Stefan J. Bos
Special Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
BALKANABAD / MINSK / BUDAPEST (ANS) -- Baptists
and other Protestant groups in two of the most oppressive republics of the
former Soviet Union faced fines and possible liquidation Monday, September 1,
unless they stop church meetings, reports said.
In Turkmenistan police banned members of a Baptist congregation in the town of
Balkanabad from gathering for services while a law on demonstrations in Belarus,
which came into force August 29, could liquidate religious groups if they harm
"the public interest."
Local Baptists in Balkanabad told Forum 18 News Service (F18News), which is
linked to a human rights watch-dog, that they will be fined for each meeting,
following a raid during a Sunday service on August 24.
All those present were reportedly taken to the 6th division of the regional
police department, which combats terrorism and religious extremism, following
previous attacks this year when several Baptists received up to 48 dollars
fines.
"CONVERSATIONS"
"There, over three hours, conversations were held individually in separate
offices with each one, demanding that they write statements," Baptists said
in a statement.
The procurator for Balkanabad, Berdy Shirjanov, told F18News that he defended
the police action, saying the decision was taken as the Balkanabad Baptists
refuse to register themselves with Turkmenistan's authorities.
However the religion law makes no mention of any requirement for religious
organizations to register, said F18News.
CONTROLS
Balkanabad's Baptist congregation belongs to the Council of Churches (or
unregistered Baptists), which split from the All-Union Council of Baptists in
1961 when further state-sponsored controls were introduced by the then Baptist
leadership.
The organization has refused state registration ever since and is said to have
grown to 3,705 congregations throughout the ex Soviet Union.
Turkmenistan's harsh policy came as Christians in another ex-Soviet republic,
Belarus, faced potential difficulties Monday, September 1, after harsh anti
religious meassures proposed by President Aleksandr Lukashenko came into force
over the weekend.
KGB
He reportedly removed proposed exemptions for religious events from the text of
the new law which was approved by the lower and upper houses of parliament on
June 5 and June 30.
Human rights watchers say the provisions could especially target Protestants and
other minority groups. The situation in both Belarus and Turkmenistan resembles
the Communist era, when the secret service KGB closely monitored religious
organizations.
Critics have expressed concern that the international community's efforts with
the war against terrorism and America's need to have allies could take away
global attention for human rights issues such as the persecution of Christians.
FREE
AUTHENTIC ARABIC
Van_Dyck
1867 New
T estament
NOW
RELEASED
PDF
Pages & Content appear exactly as they did in This Original New Testament
More information about Sharia Law used against Christians
THERE IS NOT ONE CHRISTIAN NATION ON EARTH WHERE MUSLIMS ARE PERSECUTED.
Yet in most nations where the majority of the population are Muslims, there is systematic
government persecution of Christians.
"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
--Article 18 of the Universal
Declaration of
Human
Rights--
Christian Conversions - According to the Bible - Can NEVER be forced.
Any Conversion to Christianity which would be "Forced" would NOT be recognized by God. It is in
His True and KIND nature, that those who come to Him and choose to believe in Him, must come to Him OF
THEIR OWN FREE WILL.
Don't Let anyone tell you that Christians support Forced Conversions.
That is False. True Christianity is NEVER forced.
Core Universal Rights
The right to believe, to worship and witness
The right to change one's belief or religion
The right to join together and express one's belief