GOP Lawmakers Criticize Prosecution of Finnish Politician for Religious Beliefs

Republican Lawmakers Slam Prosecution ⁣of Finnish Politician for⁢ Expressing Christian ⁣Views

Republican lawmakers have strongly criticized the prosecution of a Finnish politician who⁤ is facing punishment for expressing her Christian views on marriage and sexuality. They argue that this prosecution is a clear indication of an​ “open war on Christianity.”

The representatives have sent a letter to Douglas​ Hickey, America’s ambassador to ⁢Finland, and Rashad Hussain, the ambassador⁤ for the U.S. ⁣Office of Religious Freedom, in defense of Parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen. Räsänen is currently facing a trial before a Finnish‍ appeals court after ⁣being ​previously acquitted by a lower court on charges including “agitation against a minority group” related to her⁤ faith-based ⁣views on marriage ‍and sexuality. ⁢This includes a 2019 tweet where she referred to homosexuality as a “sin.”

“Finnish Christians once again ⁢stand trial for simply being⁣ Christians. For‌ more than four⁣ years,⁣ a rogue Finnish prosecutor has unjustly targeted Member of‌ Finnish Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola for tweeting ⁣a Bible verse⁢ critical of her ‍own ‌church and publishing a twenty-year old ‍booklet on marriage,” a letter from 16 House⁢ Republicans read.

The letter was signed by Reps. Chip Roy (Texas), Michael Cloud (Texas), Mike Johnson‍ (Louisiana), Andrew Clyde (Georgia), Jim Banks (Indiana), Jeff Duncan (South Carolina), Mary Miller ‌(Illinois), ‍Doug​ Lamborn (Colorado), ​Debbie Lesko (Arizona), Michael⁤ Guest⁢ (Mississippi), Andy Ogles (Tennessee), Ralph⁣ Norman (South Carolina), Anna Paulina Luna (Florida), Randy Weber (Texas), Keith Self​ (Texas), ⁢and ⁣Alex X. ⁢Mooney⁣ (West Virginia).

“This⁣ case will have worldwide ramifications. For years, we⁢ and many others have raised the alarm that the West was ⁣experiencing a⁢ hostile takeover by radical secularists — guided by open hostility and ⁣rancid antagonism toward Christianity ⁤— and that one day people⁣ of faith would face trial for merely living out their beliefs,” the letter continued.

Räsänen’s legal defense is being supported by‍ the Global Religious Freedom at ​Alliance Defending Freedom ⁤International. Her second trial will be⁢ before the Finnish Court of Appeal after she was unanimously acquitted by the District Court of ‌Helsinki in March 2022.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP

“The state is attempting to⁣ criminalize the peaceful expression of my Christian faith. ‌By continuing its campaign to censor these beliefs,‍ the prosecution is ​setting a dangerous precedent of intolerance.‌ I hope for another acquittal at the Court of Appeal. The state​ of free speech in Finland hangs⁣ in the balance,” Räsänen said in a statement.

Multiple Republican senators, including Marco Rubio of Florida and Josh Hawley of Missouri, ⁤have previously expressed their support⁣ for Räsänen’s⁤ right to​ express her‍ faith.