Feature Story from 2024
A veteran politician in Finland will be forced to stand trial for a third time over a Bible tweet.
That’s despite devout Christian grandmother and medical doctor Päivi Räsänen twice being acquitted over allegations of “hate speech.”
Her alleged crime was to share Bible verses on same sex relationships.
In 2019, the politician shared a picture of her Bible open at Romans 1:24-27 in response to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland’s decision to sponsor a local LGBT pride event.
She wrote: “How can the church’s doctrinal foundation, the Bible, be compatible with the lifting up of shame and sin as a subject of pride?”
Dr. Räsänen was placed under investigation for the comments in the same year, but the formal prosecution did not begin until April 2021.
Finland’s Prosecutor General claimed the former Minister of the Interior’s statements were derogatory, discriminatory, and may have violated the dignity of homosexual people.
The MP since 1995 faced three charges of “agitation against a minority group” which falls under the War Crimes And Crimes Against Humanity section in the Finnish criminal code.
After two days of trial, the Helsinki District Court unanimously acquitted her in March 2022, stating that: “It is not for the District Court to interpret Biblical concepts”.
The prosecution appealed the “not guilty” verdict only to get the same result in November 2023 when the Helsinki Court of Appeal confirmed the District Court’s acquittal — again unanimously.
Now, Dr. Räsänen is headed for the Supreme Court. Finland’s highest court has agreed to hear the charges against her for a third time at a date to be determined after the nation’s Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen appealed for a second time.
She’s demanding the censorship of the politician’s publications and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.
The 64-year-old grandmother of 11 said she has a “peaceful mind” about this latest development and vowed to continue to “defend free speech and freedom of religion” and take her case to the European Court of Human Rights — if necessary.
“In my case, the investigation has lasted almost five years. It has involved untrue accusations, several long police interrogations totaling more than 13 hours, preparations for court hearings, the District Court hearing and a hearing in the Court of Appeal. This was not just about my opinions, but about everyone’s freedom of expression,” she declared following the announcement of a new trial.
“I hope that with the ruling of the Supreme Court others would not have to undergo the same ordeal. I have considered it a privilege and an honour to defend freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right in a democratic state,” Dr. Räsänen reflected.
Paul Coleman, Executive Director of Alliance Defending Freedom International, which is supporting her case, said: “This is a watershed case in the story of Europe’s creeping censorship.”
He emphasised that: “In 2024, nobody should be on trial for their faith. We have seen something akin to a [Medieval] ‘heresy’ trial, where Christians are dragged through court for holding beliefs that differ from the approved orthodoxy of the day.”
“The state’s insistence on continuing this prosecution after almost five long years, despite such clear and unanimous rulings from the lower courts is alarming. The process is the punishment in such instances, resulting in a chill on free speech for all citizens observing,” Mr. Coleman attested.
As in the previous trials the parliamentarian’s case will again be heard alongside that of Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who faces charges for publishing Dr. Räsänen’s pamphlet two decades ago.
Their cases have attracted global media attention, as human rights experts voiced concern over the threat posed to free speech in Finland and potentially, the rest of Europe.
Dr. Räsänen grew up right next to the Soviet border.
She wrote in Christian Network Europe: “Christians who lived behind the Iron Curtain have told how significant it was that Finnish Christians smuggled Bibles across the border and supported Soviet Christians in many ways during that time of persecution.”
“I could never imagine something like this could ever happen in my lifetime in my home country [but] in 2019 I sat in a small interrogation room at the police station. At the table was a policeman and a Bible between us.”
“He asked me about the meaning of the verses in Romans 1 that I quoted. What did I mean by sin? What is the overall message of Romans or its first chapter? Did I agree to delete my writings within two weeks?”
“I answered no, and said that I stood behind those teachings of the Bible, whatever the consequences. I will not apologise for what the apostle Paul stated.”
“How could this happen in Finland, a model country of democracy and the rule of law? Was I really going to stand before a judge to defend my Bible-based faith?”
“While working as a government minister, I once met a Chinese Minister of Religious Affairs who was visiting Finland. He assured me that people in China are free in their beliefs, but the actual expression of their faith must be limited so as not to offend anyone.”
“It was absurd to hear the same argument by the Finnish prosecutor in the courtroom.”
“However, during this often painful legal process, my biggest surprise has been how much joy and opportunities this has opened. I have gained much more than I have lost.”
“From the beginning, I deeply felt that the entire process was in God’s hands and had a purpose.”
“I have considered this fight my calling. It has been a privilege and an honour to defend freedom of faith, a fundamental right in a democratic state.”
“This ordeal has increased my trust in God. God is faithful to what He promises in the Bible. Jesus is alive, and He stands by His word.”
Photo: ADF International
