Since October 2016, Pastor Andrew Brunson, now age 50, has been sitting in a Turkish prison, having been accused of being a member of a terrorist organization. For good measure, Turkish officials added “spying” and “attempting to overthrow the government” to the list of charges against him. He faces 35 years in prison.
For Pastor Brunson, President Trump may be his best hope of freedom, but some are wondering at what cost?
Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
In July, the State Department finished the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. The meeting involved 350 government officials with religious freedom advocates representing over 80 nations. Pastor Brunson’s story was featured prominently during the meeting. Pastor Brunson’s daughter testified before the delegates about her father’s work, life, arrest, and character. The next day, word spread that Pastor Brunson would be moved to house arrest, and the news was well-received, resulting in a standing ovation from those in attendance.
But many–including Vice President Pence–did not see this move as quite enough.
The next day–the final day of the meeting–delegates made plans and promises to continue the effort to put an end to religious persecution. One of the promises came from Vice President Pence who said, “If Turkey does not take immediate action to free this innocent man of faith and send him home to America, the United States will impose significant sanctions on Turkey until Pastor Andrew Brunson is free.”
The Vice President also called out other countries, including Nicaragua, China, and North Korea, but in light of the attention being placed on Pastor Brunson’s story, the threat to Turkey received significant attention.
President Trump and Sanctions
Following the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, President Trump supported the Vice President’s effort, tweeting:
“The U.S. will continue to promote #ReligiousFreedom around the world. Nations that support religious freedom are far more free, prosperous & peaceful. Great job, @VP, @SecPompeo, @IRF_Ambassador & @StateDept!”
Less than one week after the meeting–on August 1–the U.S. Treasury Department was directed by U.S. Government officials to freeze the assets of Turkish ministers of interior and justice. According to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin:
“Pastor Brunson’s unjust detention and continued prosecution by Turkish officials is simply unacceptable. President Trump has made it abundantly clear that the United States expects Turkey to release him immediately.”
How did Turkey respond?–It sanctioned American cabinet members. So on August 10, President Trump doubled the tariffs on certain Turkish goods.
Where Things Stand Today
Last week, the United States warned Turkey that more economic sanctions are on the way if the country refuses to return Andrew Brunson to the United States.
So where does this leave Christians in Turkey? Many fear that Trump’s threats and tit-for-tat sanctions is actually placing Turkish Christians–as well as missionaries serving in Turkey–in increased danger. People who don’t like what President Trump is doing attack Americans or Christians for no other reason than that they are American or Christian. And while it is likely that Pastor Brunson will eventually be released to the United States, many Christians will stay behind and face the effects of the retaliatory sparring match.
For now, missionary service remains legal in Turkey, but Islamists as well as nationalists view missionaries–especially American missionaries–as the enemy. According to Turkish analyst Mustafa Akyol, senior fellow at the Cato Institute:
“I would love to see Pastor Andrew Brunson go home, because I believe he is an innocent man. But I worry that this escalation may hurt his cause rather than help it.”
Time will tell.
The Cost and Consequence of Religious Freedom
It is difficult to argue the fact that the world is a better place to live when religious freedom is allowed to thrive. Religion promotes tolerance, justice, and peace–necessary ingredients for the good health of a functioning society. At the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, the Chairman declared a list of 10 resolutions, including the following:
- Every person everywhere has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Every person has the right to hold any faith or belief, or none at all, and enjoys the freedom to change faith.
- Religious freedom is universal and inalienable, and states must respect and protect this human right.
- Religion plays an important role in humanity’s common history and in societies today. The cultural heritage sites and objects important for past, present, and future religious practices should be preserved and treated with respect.
May it ever be so.
~ Christian Patriot Daily
