1987. Különkiadvány, 1987.10.01 / HU_BFL_XIV_47_2
- All religiouB societies vere disbanded betveen 1946 and 1948, and no név religious society has been alloved to form aince tben. Velfare vork by the churchee vas harassed until quite recently. Nov it is tolerated—eapecially vork vith alcoholica, drug users and homeless youths—bút is still liable to be attacked vhen accompanied by miBsionary vork.- Since the nationalization of cburch scbools in 1948, the number of schools that the churches operate is insignificant. Their freedom of instruction íb minimál and essentially boils dovn to religious instruction in addition to the mandatory curriculum.- The publishing of religious books and periodicals is restricted. The State Office of Cburch Affair6 decides hov many books and periodicals are published, and the size of the run6. The vork6 must be submitted fór censorship. While on the one hand the State interferes in the internál affairs of the churches, on the otber it is striving to force believers intő the hierarchic and liturgical framevork of the traditional churches. The recognired churches are granted a monopoly to organize religious life in communities, and through the recognized churches the State Controls cooperation among believers. Fermission from the St8te Office of Church Affairs is required to found a név denomination. The office does nőt grant recognition at all, or only after much fuss. Opposition from the autborities is eBpecially strong vhen the denomination to be formed is able to spread and is rapidly increasing the number of its follovers.- The State employs police and administrative harassment against the unlicensed religious communities. The meetings of their congregations are dispersed; the leaders have their homes searched and are prosecuted fór petty offenses; and the members are interrogated, visited at vork, and threatened.- The State Office of Church Affairs strives to compel the leader6 of the recognized churches to liquidate the religious movements vithin their ovn churches.- The pressure is e6pecially strong vhen the movements that ezceed the traditional framevork establish contact vith several other churches. The initiators of ecumenical Services and meditations are transferred and threatened vith suspension, and they may alsó get intő trouble vith the organs of the Ministry of the Interior.- When it comes to conscientiou6 objector6, the authorities openly declare that they do nőt subscribe to the principle of the separation of church and State. According to the official standpoint, Hungárián citizens liable to conscription are entitled to choose noncombatant labor service if they belong to a church vhose leadership has petitioned and obtained this right. This applies merely to one small church, the Church of the Nazarene. All other conscientious objectors face long incarceration: the sentences are becoming longer (from 1 year and 8 months, the length of military service, to 2.5 and 3 years), and the conditions under vhich the sentence must be % * £3 I
