Christian and Turkish: Secularist Fears of a Converted Nation

Abstract

“I am a Christian—and I am still a true Turk.”² Converted to Christianity several years ago, Hakan is a handsome, charismatic, 30-something Turkish man. Thanks to his gift for spreading the good news, he is one of the few part-time “Turkish” missionaries. He keeps looking right into my eyes as we talk about Christianity in Turkey at an outdoor tea shop by the Beşiktaş, ferry station in Istanbul. He insistently tells me that if the evangelical Christian movement is to grow in Turkey, it has to demonstrate that it is in line with Turkish culture and Turkish national interests. He explains that most of the Bible was written down in what is now Turkey and it reflects the culture that is lived not in Europe or the United States, but in contemporary Turkey. He says when you go to Anatolia you realize that Turkish people still eat the kinds of food Jesus ate and engage in similar social customs that he did. That is why Hakan thinks true Christianity is more fitting to the Turkish lifestyle than the European or American one. He contends it is most important for people like him, who speak Turkish, have a Turkish name, and are committed Turkish nationalists to spread Jesus’ message, and not foreign missionaries such as Americans and Koreans who, according to him, do not know anything about Turkish customs. He says “I don’t want these foreigners in my country.”

The crisis of secularism (must) be examined from the point of view, and at the site, of minority existence.

—Amir Mufti

Research for this chapter was made possible by a Multi-country Research Fellowship by the Institute of Turkish Studies and a Junior Faculty Development Grant by UCSD. Marc David Baer, Lara Deeb, Ash Giir, and Cihan Tugal read earlier versions of this manuscript and helped me think through it. I am most grateful to Turkish Christians who shared their experiences with me.