Faith
Finnish MP Faces Court for Quoting Bible
Faith Facts
- Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen is facing renewed legal action for expressing biblical beliefs on marriage and sexuality in a 2019 tweet.
- Despite being acquitted twice, the state prosecutor is appealing again, taking the case to Finland’s Supreme Court.
- This case highlights concerns over religious freedom and the right to express faith-based views in public discourse.
Päivi Räsänen, a Christian parliamentarian and former minister in Finland, is facing her third trial for referencing biblical teaching in a tweet questioning her church’s sponsorship of an LGBT pride event. The Finnish prosecutor has appealed her two previous acquittals, and Finland’s Supreme Court will consider her case later this year.
The tweet included a Bible verse from Romans 1, which describes same-sex relationships as sinful according to Scripture. Räsänen’s public statements and a church pamphlet from 2004, co-published with Bishop Juhana Pohjola, are central to the charges of “agitation against a minority group.”
Räsänen’s defense maintains that quoting the Bible and sharing Christian doctrine should never be criminalized.
“It isn’t a crime to tweet a Bible verse, or to engage in public discourse from a Christian perspective.”
Throughout this legal journey, both Räsänen and Pohjola have been acquitted twice, yet the prosecution continues its pursuit despite strong support for biblical freedom from many Christians worldwide.
Paul Coleman, a leader in Räsänen’s defense team, emphasized the broader fight for liberty:
“In a free and democratic society, all should be allowed to share their beliefs without fear of punishment.”
This case is a crucial moment for the protection of religious liberty and free speech, standing as a reminder of the importance of defending biblical truth and Christian conviction in the public square. Stay vigilant and pray for those standing for faith and freedom in the face of adversity.