Story number 3 for 15 Feb 2002

(Turkey)–Churches are being threatened with closure in Turkey. The Barnabas Fund, based in the United Kingdom, reports that as many as 40 different churches have been threatened with closure since December. Local officials claim churches are illegally being used as places of worship despite officially registered as homes or businesses. However, reports indicate that 81-percent lack proper registration, but no similar threats have been made. Christians believe recent anti-Christian television and radio programs have prompted the crackdown.