KAZAKHSTAN: OFFICIAL WARNINGS AGAINST SHARING FAITH

In Kazakstan, the government is stepping up efforts to stop the growth of christianity and other religions, by clamping down on people who share their faith.

Over the summer, utility bills included a warning against engaging with people in public places who are looking to talk about God or faith.

The warning added: “It is possible that you are facing a recruiter who’s goal is to drag you into the ranks of a destructive religious movement.” The warning instructs those who see people discussing religion or offering religious literature in public places to call the police.

Warnings against sharing faith on social media

Warnings are also being posted on social media. Many of these posts come from organizations that receive government grants.

The Sarkan District Youth Centre in the Almaty region posted a message on Instagram warning people that attending unregistered religious events was illegal and that those organising such events would face punishment. The post went on to say: “If you see on the street or in a residential area people distributing books, booklets, brochures or religious leaflets, then you should know that this is illegal distribution of religious literature”.

In another Instagram post, the Centre for the Study of Religion in Astana, warned that those who share their faith are subject to a fine, equivalent of the average two month wage.

You can see how, in such a context, the government is worried about the growth of Christianity and other minority religions. Around one quarter of the population of Kazakhstan are Christians, with the majority of people being Muslim. But, religious freedom in the country has been under constant threat since legislation was introduced in 2011 that gave the government significant control over religion.

For Christians, this means increased surveillance, raids on meetings, arrests and imprisonment. Any church outside of the Russian Orthodox Church – which is mostly tolerated, as long as it doesn’t try to share the gospel with Muslims – is in constant danger of intense monitoring and crackdowns from the state authorities. Christian men have been interrogated, fined, detained and imprisoned. When a church is raided, church leaders face the harshest treatment and are held responsible for their congregation – particularly if it includes any converts from Islam. 

Source: Forum 18