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Five years ago, Bulgaria's Christians witnessed the overthrow of one of the most virulently antireligious Communist regimes in Eastern Europe. They breathed a collective sigh of relief, anticipating the chance to practice their faith without fear of reprisal. For a season, they could.

But that season is quickly coming to an end. In recent months, a swelling wave of religious intolerance that includes government restrictions, vitriolic media attacks, and even violent assaults has buffeted religious minorities.

The current era resembles to an alarming degree the period before the fall of communism-with one important exception: the church is fighting back. Before, churches were driven underground and pastors imprisoned; now, religious minorities are banding together to oppose intolerance.

In one of the most restrictive developments, the Council of Ministers recently denied legal status to several parachurch organizations, including Mission Possible, Youth with a Mission (YWAM), and the local affiliate of Gideons International. The groups can no longer legally engage in public activities, and they also could lose their property.

The action was mandated by a measure passed in February requiring all nondenominational religious groups to seek government approval before registering. Legal analysts say the measure violates constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

In addition, Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, passed an ordinance prohibiting religious groups from inviting people under age 18 to activities and requiring those groups to submit financial activity reports annually. Rights advocates say the ordinance contains the most restrictive measures since the fall of communism.

POLITICAL REALITIES

Protestants, a significant and growing voting bloc, vow to vent their frustrations over such restrictions during the country's national elections in December. In 1991, Protestants strongly supported the anti-Communist Union of Democratic Forces (UDF). But to their dismay, many UDF deputies, like those of the former communist Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP), strongly supported restrictive laws.

"Protestants had been repressed under communism, so they thought voting for the UDF would ensure their protection and promote their rights," says Krassimir Kanev, secretary of the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee (BHC).

Nikolay Nedelchev, director of the evangelical LOGOS Bible academy, told CHRISTIANITY TODAY that because of its support for restrictive legislation, the UDF "could lose [Protestant] support."

Filip Dimitrov, UDF head and former prime minister of Bulgaria, told CT that UDF deputies were not aware of all the ramifications of their support for the measures.

"When [UDF deputies] vote on religious matters in the future they should definitely be aware of all the possible implications," he says. "There will be no reason for doubt that the UDF will stand for religious freedom."

Nedelchev says he also would like to see evangelical Christians become directly involved in politics. "It would be good if well-respected, reputable people from Protestant evangelical churches were to become deputies in Parliament."

Several Protestant lawyers have formed a group to explore ways to fight restrictive legislation through the court system.

CONFLICT'S ROOTS

Some of the animosity toward minority religions stems from pressure by conservatives in the Orthodox church who see the growth of non-Orthodox churches as a threat. Some of the blame also lies with religious groups that have adopted methods of proselytism some Bulgarians find offensive.

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November 14 1994, Vol. 38, No. 13