Countering Stereotypes About Christians in Türkiye

Christianity is generally considered a foreign religion in Türkiye, and there are widespread misconceptions about what Christians believe. A new talk show on SAT-7 TÜRK is challenging stereotypes and showing the human face of the faith, followed by just 0.2 per cent of Turks.

The laid-back format of Believe If You Can is inspired by late-night chat shows. Presented by Volkan Kaysar and Derman Canatan, each episode features Christian guests from different walks of life who are all active members of society, including a scientist, a teacher, a journalist, a pastor, and an IT professional.

“In our program, we show people that Christianity is not a foreign religion, that Christians are not strangers among our people,” Volkan said. “We are hosting people who are in different life stages and have different backgrounds, which are just as diverse as those of other people in Türkiye. We also show that as Christians, we experience similar struggles and can still laugh and have fun.”

Entertaining

Believe If You Can is dynamic and engaging, featuring live music, interactive games, and a mixture of both light and meaningful conversations. The show’s fun and entertaining style is proving popular, with episodes attracting over 350,000 views on YouTube.

One of the most distinctive elements is the use of AI. Guests respond to a series of questions, and an AI-generated character analysis reflects how aspects of their personality align with biblical values. The result is both engaging and thought-provoking, connecting faith with personal identity in a way that feels immediate and relevant.

“This is a very beautiful program,” wrote one viewer. “I hope that such new and wonderful projects continue on your channel. May God grant peace and well-being.”

“One of the strongest misconceptions is that faith is something serious and distant, not connected to real life,” said Ümit Teymur, SAT-7 TÜRK Executive Director.

Relatable

As Turkish viewers watch Christians on Believe If You Can laugh, discuss, and engage with real-life issues, the hope is that they will see the authentic face of Christianity and its relevance to them.

In the first episode of the series, Uygar Düzgüner, a school principal, church pastor, and youth leader, reflected on leadership, patience, service, and how faith shapes the way he handles people and complex responsibilities. Another episode featured classical musician Levon Özkomanoğlu, who shared about the interplay in his life between music, faith, and calling.

“One of the strongest misconceptions is that faith is something serious and distant, not connected to real life,” said Ümit Teymur, SAT-7 TÜRK Executive Director. “For young people, especially, this creates a gap. They are searching, questioning, and exploring, but often they do not see faith represented in a way that feels natural, relatable, or human. This creates a powerful opportunity, because when people see faith lived in a real, human, and relatable way, perceptions begin to change.”