Although detained for two days, McLure had charges against him dropped a week later. Last time the police told us we had to stay within our church building, as the only legal place to have our worship and fellowship activities. But after Wednesday's police raid, McLure said, it was clear that the officer considered any religious activities involving foreigners to be illegal. Although Turkey is 99 percent Muslim, its secular constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and citizens can legally change the religious affiliation listed on their identity cards. However, security police are often accused of abusing their wide-ranging authority by arresting, harassing and intimidating Turks who convert to Christianity.
Religious proselytism is legal, apart from proven political motivations.
Even so, foreign Christians suspected of such activities are frequently arrested and deported without legal recourse. 2000 Compass Direct. The U.S. Department of State's Annual Report on International Religious Freedom for 1999 gives more background on religious freedom in Turkey .