What’s Life Like For Christians?
Nationalism and Islam are intrinsically linked in Turkey, and anyone who is not a Muslim is seen to be a disloyal Turk. Aggressive rhetoric from the government has left less space for other voices and perspectives, such as Christianity. Believers are not regarded as full members of Turkish society.
They have limited access to state employment and experience discrimination in private employment, especially where employers have ties to the government. Since religious affiliation is still recorded on ID cards (nowadays via electronic chip), it is easy to discriminate against Christian job applicants.
Although conversion from Islam to Christianity is not legally forbidden, converts are put under pressure by their families and communities to return to Islam. If their faith is discovered, they may be threatened with divorce and the loss of inheritance rights.