LATEST from BULGARIA: Freedom of religion is a fundamental right of all European Union citizens

Second vote on the proposed legislation was postponed for December, 2018 though current draft still infringes harsh restrictions on religious freedom Protestant protests have continued for over a month in several cities on November 11, 18, 25, December 2 and now scheduled for December 9, 2018 SOURCE: Evangelical Focus - SOFIA, December 2018 Members of the European Parliament (MEP’s) of the European Christian Political Movement have expressed their concern towards the proposed legislation titled “Bill for the Amendment and Supplement of the Law on Religions” currently progressing through the National Assembly, Bulgaria’s Parliament. On November 27, the MEP's said they were “uncertain ...

ADF International: Churches in Bulgaria appeal to the Venice Commission

SUMMARY Bulgarian churches seek to challenge proposed restrictions on religious activity Coalition requests review by Venice Commission of the Council of Europe SOFIA (29 November 2018) – Today, ADF International and a coalition of Bulgarian churches filed a formal request with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe that he initiates a review of a proposed Bulgarian Law on Religious Denominations currently being debated in the Bulgarian Parliament. The Venice Commission, an advisory body of the Council of Europe, would carry out the review. The proposed law requires newly registered denominations to have at least 3,000 members before they can ...

Call for action: Help the Bulgarian church stop the government bill restricting religious freedom

 How can you help: Share with your church for prayer Forward this email to your denominational overseer or state representative Share on social media and add the “Pray for Bulgaria” banner to your profile by clicking on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=496782854163381 After a month of protesting in front of the Bulgarian parliament, this week the Bulgarian church is bracing for the new legislation on religious freedom proposed by Parliament. The second and final vote on this highly restrictive law is scheduled to take place without any further discussions. Since the legal provision was proposed by three political groups, there is ...

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM UNDER ATTACK in BULGARIA (CBN/DayStart video)

If this new legislation gets voted by Parliament, it will immediately affect virtually all evangelical churches in Bulgaria in the following manner: (1) Over 95% of the congregations, which do not own their own church buildings will be forced to stop services until they purchase or build one approved by the government. For the majority of them, this requirement will mean their end of existence (2) Some 1,000+ small congregations, which represent the last buffer between Europe and Islam and meet in temporary buildings in the Gipsy ghettos will be virtually outlawed (3) Without any external support at the verge of a heavy ...

BLACK FRIDAY SALE of Bulgarian Democracy Looking over the Wall

You can now understand the Bulgarian post-Communist mentality in 21st century described in Looking Over the Wall: A Psychological Exploration of Communist and Post Communist Bulgaria This book is the result of over a decade of research and personal experiences of living in Bulgaria for the past seven years. It embodies documents, articles, personal interviews and essays dealing with psychological explorations of communist and post communist Bulgaria. Along with a historical overview of Bulgaria, the author presents the development of psychotherapy throughout the country and addresses future concerns for the state of counseling within a post communist context. Furthermore, the author ...

Evangelical Protest Against New Religious Law in Bulgaria

Christian Greetings, On November 11, 2018 all evangelical protestant churches in Bulgaria, along with representatives of the Catholic Church and other Christian communities, joined together before the Bulgarian Parliament in the capital Sofia in an open protest against a new religious law. The government restrictions imposed by this new religious bill, which will be voted soon is outlined below. Also included with this email is the open letter by the president of the Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance to evangelical organization around the globe for their prayers and support. (1) Funding which does not originate from Bulgaria will become illegal (2) All sermons / messages ...

Rodney Howard-Browne in the Church of God Ministry Center in Bulgaria