Turkey Pushes Back Against Freeing US Pastor Brunson: 5 Things to Know

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 30, 2018

5. Evangelicals Warn Christians Against Traveling to Turkey

President Donald Trump meets with a group of evangelical leaders in the Oval Office on Monday Dec. 11, 2017 in Washington, D.C. He was presented with the 'Friends of Zion Award.' — President Donald Trump meets with a group of evangelical leaders in the Oval Office on Monday Dec. 11, 2017 in Washington, D.C. He was presented with the "Friends of Zion Award." | (Photo: White House)

Although U.S. evangelical leaders have also praised as good news Brunson's release from prison, even if he remains in house arrest, they have warned American Christians against visiting Turkey.

My Faith Votes, which has been mobilizing evangelicals to register and vote in U.S. elections, said last week on its Facebook page that it is "encouraging its friends and supporters to boycott travel to Turkey and Turkish Airlines until Pastor Andrew Brunson is freed."

"We hope pastors nationwide will join us in urging their congregations to boycott Turkey. Now is the time to stand in solidarity with this American citizen who has been unjustly treated by the Turkish government," the group added.

Johnnie Moore, a humanitarian leader and one of President Donald Trump's informal evangelical advisers, told NPR: "If Turkey isn't safe for Brunson, it isn't safe for us."

"The threat of sanctioning Turkey sends a clear message to that nation — and every nation in the world — that when it comes to religious freedom, the United States means business."