Search
Close this search box.

[Eng. Prayer] Finland: Finnish Christian Politician in Court Again for ‘Hate Speech’

▲ 출처: adfinternational.org 사진 캡처

“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

실시간 기도정보

W_1105 P중국
[중국] 중국·이란 유대 강화, 기독교 박해 심화시킬 수도
“여호와의 계명은 순결하여 눈을 밝게 하시도다” 시진핑 중국 주석이 최근 브릭스(BRICS) 정상회담에서 이란과의 유대 관계를 강화하겠다고 밝힌 가운데, 중국과 이란의 협력이 양국의 기독교 박해를 심화시킬 수 있다는 우려의 목소리가 나왔다. 미국...
W_1105 A긴급기도
11월5일 긴급기도
▲ 베트남, 태풍 ‘짜미’로 12명 사망·7명 실종 필리핀을 강타하고 베트남에 상륙한 태풍 ‘짜미’ 영향으로 베트남에서도 10여 명이 목숨을 잃었다고 연합뉴스가 현지 매체 VN익스프레스를 인용해 2일 전했다. 베트남 당국은 태풍 짜미로 인한 폭우와...
W_1104 P이탈리아
[이탈리아] 이태리, 대리모 임신 금지 해외까지 확대
“그가 우리를 대신하여 자신을 주심은 자기 백성이 되게 하려 하심이라” 이탈리아에서 자국 내에서만 대리모 임신 금지 조치를 해외로까지 확대했다고 워싱턴스탠드가 22일 전했다. 지난주 이탈리아 상원에서 84대 58의 압도적인 지지로 통과된 이 법안은...
W_1104 A긴급기도
11월4일 긴급기도
▲ 인도, 집단 성폭행 또 발생…남편과 길 걷던 아내 봉변 인도 동부 서벵골주 콜카타에서 신혼부부를 상대로 한 집단 성폭행 사건이 발생했다고 서울신문 등 일부 언론이 타임스오브인디아 등을 인용해 1일 보도했다. 지난달 30일 새벽 4~5시경, 콜카타...
W_1102 P코스타리카
[코스타리카] 복음주의연맹, 교회 돈세탁 방지 위한 목회자 교육
“주를 경외하게 하는 주의 말씀을 세우소서” 미국 크리스천 데일리 인터내셔널(CDI)은 코스타리카 지역신문인 라테하(La Teja)가 코스타리카에서 범죄자들이 교회를 돈세탁에 이용하려는 시도가 증가하면서, 코스타리카 복음주의연맹이 이를 예방하기 위해...
W_1105 P중국
[중국] 중국·이란 유대 강화, 기독교 박해 심화시킬 수도
W_1105 A긴급기도
11월5일 긴급기도
W_1104 P이탈리아
[이탈리아] 이태리, 대리모 임신 금지 해외까지 확대
W_1104 A긴급기도
11월4일 긴급기도
W_1102 P코스타리카
[코스타리카] 복음주의연맹, 교회 돈세탁 방지 위한 목회자 교육
t-fang-vmSjBaMeK5I-unsplash
11월5일
리히텐슈타인(Liechtenstein)
W_1105 P중국
[중국] 중국·이란 유대 강화, 기독교 박해 심화시킬 수도
W_1105 한국교회
[한국교회] 한반도 안보 난기류…“어둠 깊을수록 길 열린다 각오로 기도를”