“Do not grow weary in doing good. The Lord himself will give you peace.”
According to UK’s Christian Today (CT), Päivi Räsänen, Finland’s former Minister of the Interior, was on trial for “hate speech” over three expressions of her Christian faith on marriage and sexuality – a message on Twitter, a church pamphlet in 20024, and a radio interview in 2019.
She was charged with “agitation against a minority group”, which falls under Finland’s “war crimes and crimes against humanity” laws. She was acquitted last year at the Helsinki District Court but is standing trial again after the prosecutor appealed. During the two-day hearing in the Helsinki Court of Appeal, the prosecutor said, “The point isn’t whether it is true or not but that it is insulting.
“We can limit freedom of expression in the outward expression of religion. You can cite the Bible, but it is Minister Räsänen’s interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal.”, the prosecutor said. Minister Räsänen stood trial alongside Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who was charged with “hate speech” for publishing the pamphlet written by Minister Räsänen. Addressing the court, the bishop defended the right to free speech.
“Condemning sin is not questioning a person’s worth and dignity. These are completely different things. The prosecutor is propagating an understanding that is opposite to the Christian understanding. Condemning sin is not questioning a person’s dignity,” he said.
Speaking after the conclusion of the trial on the 1st (local time), Minister Räsänen said, “I’m hopeful that all these charges will be acquitted. It’s a very important verdict for freedom of speech, religion, and Finland, and also has consequences across Europe, but I’m hopeful for a good result.”
Her legal counsel, Paul Coleman, executive director of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), said, “The gist of the State prosecutor’s examination of Päivi was this: would she recant her beliefs? The answer was no – she would not deny the teachings of her faith.
“Dragging an individual through a gruelling criminal trial simply for expressing their religious beliefs is not a marker of democracy and ‘progress’. We will continue to stand with Päivi and await the decision of the court as to whether expressing Biblical teaching is really a crime in Finland.” The court is expected to deliver a verdict by November 30. (Source: Christian Daily Comprehensive).
And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. (2 Thessalonians 3:13, 16)
God, please help Finland’s former Minister of the Interior Räsänen who has to face yet another court battle for expressing her biblical beliefs about sex and marriage. May You help her not to lose heart until the end and to hold on to You as her ultimate source of help. May You rebuke the Finnish prosecutors who are trying to defy the truth and promote sins and the lust of the flesh. In the course of the trial, may You show that You are with those who follow the good, so that the people of Finland may wake up and come to the place where they fear the Lord.
Prayer 24·365
prayer@prayer24365.org
