Hungary

Hungarians staged a protest in front of the presidential palace to express their distress at what they see as the “end of Hungarian democracy.” Hungarian government recently adopted constitutional ammendments , one of which was removing the “official status for more than 300 Protestant sects and minor Catholic religious orders.” We will have to wait and see what the future of religious freedom will be for Hungarian citizens.

A new tax legislation is soon to come into effect in Hungary. This affects many “’law-abiding expats’ including American missionaries could face up to 45.5 percent in taxes over their wages.” This drastic tax will in effect “force” many missionaries and religious organizations to close their doors or leave the country due to lack of funding. Last year a strict “church law” cut the number of churches in Hungary from 350 to a mere 32.

A new law in Hungary called 'Law on the Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion, and on Churches, Religions and Religious Communities' is being called controversial by Christians. With this law “only 32 of over 300 faith groups in Hungary received formal recognition by Parliament to operate as churches,” which sounds quite similar to what Christians in many countries in Central Asia are facing right now. Many are concerned that this law may be an indication that Hungary is edging back towards the communist-era they left behind over twenty years ago.

This Evangelistic crusade in Hungary “comes at a difficult time for evangelicals following the recent adoption of restrictive legislation limiting the number of churches and other religious groups recognized and supported by the state in this predominantly Catholic nation.” It was a breath of fresh air for many believers to see such an event take place.