Christians Prosecuted for Quoting the Bible Defend Themselves in Historic Supreme Court Case
Image CreditADF International / released
Two prominent Christians are facing prosecution in Finland’s Supreme Court for simply quoting the Bible, in a case that has far-reaching implications for freedom of expression and religion. Finnish Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen, one of the Christians being prosecuted, describes the case as historic, as it is the first time a court has examined whether teachings from the Bible can be publicly expressed and agreed with.
The outcome of this case could potentially impact the world, as it may reach the European Court of Human Rights. Legal analysts have noted that this is the first post-Soviet case in Europe where a government is prosecuting Christians for their beliefs.
Rasanen’s legal troubles began nearly five years ago when she tweeted a Bible verse during a homosexual parade endorsed by Finland’s state church. This led to an investigation by the government, which uncovered a booklet she had written explaining Christian views on sex. Rasanen, along with Juhana Pohjola, a pastor who published the booklet, were charged with violating ”hate speech” laws. Rasanen also faces additional charges for expressing Christian sexual theology on a radio show and in her tweet. The prosecution is seeking hefty fines and the removal of their speech and writings from the internet.
Despite being cleared of all charges by both the initial court and the appeals court, the prosecution has appealed the non-convictions. The top prosecutor in Helsinki is using this case to establish a precedent that would criminalize quoting, reading, or publishing the Bible in Finland, a historically Christian nation.
International organizations, including multiple U.S. members of Congress and forty-five Lutheran church bodies, have shown support for the two Christians. Juhana Pohjola was even elected chairman of the International Lutheran Council in 2022, partly in recognition of his persecution. The Federalist has interviewed both Pohjola and Rasanen, giving them an international platform to preach orthodox Christianity’s teachings of equality and redemption through Jesus Christ.
Author Bio:
Joy Pullmann is the executive editor of The Federalist, a proud wife, and a mother of six children. She has authored ebooks such as “Classic Books For Young Children” and “101 Strategies For Living Well Amid Inflation.” With 18 years of experience as an education and politics reporter, Joy has testified before numerous legislatures on education policy and has appeared on major media outlets. She is a graduate of the Hillsdale College honors and journalism programs and has written a traditionally published book titled ”The Education Invasion: How Common Core Fights Parents for Control of American Kids.”
What are the potential implications for freedom of speech and religion if the Finnish Supreme Court rules in favor of the prosecution in this case
Xuality conference in 2019. The verse in question was Romans 1:24-27, which discusses God’s view on homosexuality. Rasanen, who is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, expressed her belief in the traditional understanding of marriage and sexuality as taught in the Bible.
Little did she know that her tweet would spark a legal battle that would land her in Finland’s Supreme Court. Rasanen is now facing three charges: incitement against a minority group, a hate crime, and violation of the equality law. If convicted, she could face up to two years in prison. The prosecution argues that her tweet targeted and insulted the LGBTQ+ community, while Rasanen maintains that she simply quoted the Bible and expressed her religious beliefs.
Rasanen’s case is not an isolated incident. In fact, she is not the only Christian facing prosecution in Finland for quoting the Bible. A Christian youth camp organizer, Juhana Pohjola, is also facing similar charges for commenting on a blog post that discussed the Finnish Lutheran Church’s decision to participate in Pride events. Pohjola expressed his disagreement with the decision, again citing biblical teachings on marriage and sexuality.
Both Rasanen and Pohjola believe that they are being prosecuted for their Christian beliefs and that their right to freedom of expression and religion is under attack. They argue that quoting the Bible and expressing their religious convictions should not be criminalized. They have received support from various Christian organizations, both in Finland and internationally, who see this case as a critical moment for defending religious freedoms.
The implications of this case go well beyond the borders of Finland. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of the prosecution, it would set a dangerous precedent for freedom of expression and religious liberty across Europe. It could have a chilling effect on Christians and people of faith who wish to share their beliefs publicly or engage in discussions on social issues.
The case has drawn significant attention from legal experts, human rights organizations, and religious communities worldwide. Many are closely watching to see how the Finnish Supreme Court will uphold the principles of freedom of speech and religion. The possible escalation of the case to the European Court of Human Rights further emphasizes its significance.
In a time when freedom of expression and religious liberty are already under threat in many parts of the world, this case serves as a wake-up call to defend these fundamental rights. The right to express one’s religious beliefs, even if they are unpopular or controversial, is a cornerstone of democratic societies. Governments must be vigilant in protecting these rights and ensuring that they are not suppressed or criminalized.
As the case continues to unfold, Rasanen, Pohjola, and their supporters remain hopeful that justice will prevail and that their rights will be protected. They believe that the fundamental principles of freedom of speech and religion will ultimately triumph over censorship and discrimination. The outcome of this historic Supreme Court case will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on freedom of expression and religion, not only in Finland but also in Europe and beyond.
Now loading...