[Destro]

And your need to absolve the Turkish state has you comparing their persecution of Christian groups with our zoning laws? Oh well. Let me know if the Turkish Lobby comes up with a better explanation. The old catch all mantra of "Turkey being a good ally of America and Israel so don't pay too close attention to what we do to our minorities, especially Christians" wears thin these days after 9/11 (even with an Iraqi war looming).

[Mortimer Snavely]

"...their persecution of Christian groups..."

I lived there, cully, and was paid in Turkish Lira by my Turkish boss. The country I lived in and the country you describe are two different places. The Turkish government, BTW, only recognizes civil marriage ceremonies. Ceremonies performed in houses of worship by clerics are not legally recognized. There is a complete separation of religion from public policy. Perhaps that is what confuses folks.

And no, I don't think a snake handler sect would be allowed to practice there. Thank God.