History
Some of the most important events in the Bible happened in the area that is now Turkey. Noah’s family settled there after the Flood. Abraham and Jacob lived there. Two-thirds of the New Testament was written to or from places in Turkey, and the Apostle Paul started many churches there. The cities of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation are in Turkey.
Many centuries ago, Muslims took control of Turkey and the country has been mostly Muslim since then.
Religion
More than 97 percent of the people in Turkey are Muslim. Only about 1 percent are Christian.
Persecution
Turkey’s laws allow “freedom of religion.” Some Muslims would like to take over the government and make Islam the official religion. Christians have received threatening voice mail messages or letters from radical Muslims. Muslims who become Christians are often persecuted by families, friends, and bosses. Christian missionaries have been attacked.
Citizens carry ID cards that may show their religion. Those whose cards show that they are not Muslims are sometimes treated unfairly.