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In March of last year, the global community of faith breathed a collective sigh of relief when Päivi Räsänen, a highly-respected member of Finland’s Parliament, was declared “not guilty” by a Helsinki court in a case of legal persecution against her and Bishop Juhana Pohjola for their Christian beliefs regarding marriage.
However, the nightmare was far from over.
On August 31st, Räsänen and Pohjola will once again enter the courtroom, armed with their Bibles, simply for being Christians. This trial should deeply concern anyone who values the resilience and preservation of Western Civilization.
Päivi Räsänen faces criminal charges over a single tweet – not one inciting violence, but sharing a Bible verse.
(iStock)
For over four years, Räsänen has been under investigation by a rogue Finnish prosecutor’s office for the “war crime” of “agitation against a population group,” all because she criticized her own church for supporting a gay pride parade and authored a pamphlet advocating for a biblical view of marriage two decades ago. The prosecution also brought charges against Juhana Pohjola, a bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, for simply hosting Räsänen’s pamphlet on his church’s website.
Räsänen now faces criminal charges over a single tweet, a tweet that did not incite violence but instead shared a Bible verse. This is happening not in North Korea or Communist China, but in a so-called “free” country.
It is clear to anyone of good faith that the purpose of the trial is not to seek justice by prosecuting Räsänen and Pohjola for the alleged “war crime” of “agitation against a population group.” In fact, the prosecution struggled to find a single Finnish citizen offended by the tweet or pamphlet. This case serves a deeper, corrosive agenda: to undermine the very foundations of Western Civilization, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
During the trial, the prosecution did not focus much on the ten-time grandmother or the bishop. Instead, they targeted the Bible itself, using Old Testament verses, questioning basic Christian theology, and dismissing the concept of distinguishing between “sin” and the “sinner.” These questions may be appropriate in a theological course or seminary lecture, but not in a courtroom in a supposedly free country that claims to respect the religious rights of its citizens.
Reflecting on the first trial, Räsänen stated, “Under oath, the prosecutor grilled me in court on my religious beliefs and basic theology.” The Bible itself was put on trial.
Eventually, the three-judge panel unanimously declared the defendants not guilty and ordered Finland to pay over 60,000 euros in legal costs to the Christians. The judges openly questioned the reasoning behind the prosecution’s case, stating, “It is not the district court’s role to interpret biblical concepts.”
But the relief was short-lived, as the prosecution, unsatisfied with the outcome, appealed the decision solely based on their disagreement. This highlights the fact that the process itself is the punishment.
As the re-trial approaches, Räsänen remains steadfast and confident that justice will prevail. Her words are inspiring: “I believe free speech is the cornerstone of a free and democratic society. I will keep fighting for this right no matter how long the prosecution continues its campaign to silence peaceful beliefs.”
Unfortunately, this pattern of misuse of state law by government officials is all too familiar to Americans. Website designers, cake artists, and countless other artists have been threatened with punishment for expressing their beliefs. These individuals have spent years in courtrooms fighting for the freedom to express their beliefs without fear of government retribution – a clear indication that the process itself is often the punishment.
The aggressive prosecutions experienced by Räsänen and Pohjola send a clear message around the world – conform to the prevailing dogma of the day. This is evident in statements by the Finnish prosecutor, who claimed that the Bible’s teachings on human sexuality “incite hatred” and compared the Bible to “Mein Kampf.”
The harassment faced by Räsänen and Pohjola aims not only to punish them but also to intimidate and silence anyone who shares their beliefs. The goal is to suppress their thoughts, expressions, faith, and freedoms. The implicit offer is to censor oneself or face fines or even imprisonment – a choice we might soon have to make as well.
The objective is clear: to make the cost of standing firmly on one’s conscience so high that most people will surrender and compromise their beliefs to avoid the societal and legal consequences of holding to the truth. This anti-Christian agenda seeks to browbeat ordinary individuals – be silent or face the repercussions. The supposed freedom to live a life of their own choosing is replaced with a forced conformity.
In simple terms, the Bible is on trial once again. Its history is riddled with countless instances of persecution. The illusion that such persecution cannot occur in a modern and allegedly free country has been shattered.
As the next court date approaches, it is crucial to join together in fervent prayer for Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola. The repercussions of this trial will echo throughout the world. Bishop Pohjola sums it up best: “The Gospel of Christ is at stake.” To Päivi and the bishop, we stand with you. We stand for freedom. We stand with the Gospel.
Sean Nelson is the Legal Counsel for Global Religious Freedom at ADF International, the legal advocacy organization providing support in the defense of MP Päivi Räsänen.
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