Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola appeared before Finland's Supreme Court on Thursday facing hate speech charges under the nation's war crimes and crimes against humanity statutes for expressing Christian views on marriage and sexuality.

Federalist

European Conservative

Finnish parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola appeared before Finland's Supreme Court on Thursday facing hate speech charges under the nation's war crimes and crimes against humanity statutes for expressing Christian views on marriage and sexuality.

The charges stem from Räsänen's 2019 social media post featuring Romans 1:24-27 questioning her church's sponsorship of a Helsinki Pride event and a 2004 pamphlet titled 'Male and Female He Created Them' that Bishop Pohjola published.

Christian Today

Christian Post

The charges stem from Räsänen's 2019 social media post featuring Romans 1:24-27 questioning her church's sponsorship of a Helsinki Pride event and a 2004 pamphlet titled 'Male and Female He Created Them' that Bishop Pohjola published.

Both defendants were unanimously acquitted by the Helsinki District Court in 2022 and the Court of Appeal in 2023, with judges ruling their statements fell within protected free speech and religious freedom under Finnish and international law.</span

GB News

Both defendants were unanimously acquitted by the Helsinki District Court in 2022 and the Court of Appeal in 2023, with judges ruling their statements fell within protected free speech and religious freedom under Finnish and international law.

During the investigation Räsänen underwent over 13 hours of police interrogation where officers asked her to explain biblical passages and theological concepts, with authorities offering her opportunities to recant her statements to avoid prosecution.

During the investigation Räsänen underwent over 13 hours of police interrogation where officers asked her to explain biblical passages and theological concepts, with authorities offering her opportunities to recant her statements to avoid prosecution.

The prosecutor is seeking fines of 10,000 euros for Räsänen and removalof both her social media post and the 2004 pamphlet from the internet, arguing that the defendants' intent is irrelevant to how their words were interpreted.

Billy Graham

The prosecutor is seeking fines of 10,000 euros for Räsänen and removalof both her social media post and the 2004 pamphlet from the internet, arguing that the defendants' intent is irrelevant to how their words were interpreted.

Legal experts and religious freedom advocates view the case as a significant precedent that could impact freedom of expression across Europe, with the Supreme Court's final ruling expected in spring 2026 following Thursday's hearing.</span

ADF International

Evangelical Focus

Legal experts and religious freedom advocates view the case as a significant precedent that could impact freedom of expression across Europe, with the Supreme Court's final ruling expected in spring 2026 following Thursday's hearing.

Federalist #

European Conservative #

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Christian Post #

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Evangelical Focus #

Finland's prosecution of a Christian MP and bishop for quoting Bible verses represents a dangerous assault on religious freedom, that could effectively ban Christianity. The prosecutor demands criminalization of harmless Christian speech even without demonstrable harm, creating Soviet-style interrogations that force believers to recant their faith or face prison.

Finland's prosecution of a Christian MP and bishop for quoting Bible verses represents a dangerous assault on religious freedom, that could effectively ban Christianity. The prosecutor demands criminalization of harmless Christian speech even without demonstrable harm, creating Soviet-style interrogations that force believers to recant their faith or face prison.

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Finland's hate speech case properly addresses public statements that challenge LGBTQ dignity and could harm vulnerable communities. The prosecution seeks accountability for expressions that go beyond private belief to public incitement, ensuring all citizens receive equal protection under laws designed to prevent discrimination and harassment.

Finland's hate speech case properly addresses public statements that challenge LGBTQ dignity and could harm vulnerable communities. The prosecution seeks accountability for expressions that go beyond private belief to public incitement, ensuring all citizens receive equal protection under laws designed to prevent discrimination and harassment.</span

Brussels Signal

Brussels Signal #

Finlands Supreme Court to rule on landmark Bible hate speech case

Finnish MP accused of hate speech for 'Bible tweet' takes case to Supreme Court

There is a 75% chance Finland will be ranked as the happiest country by the World Happiness report, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 75% chance Finland will be ranked as the happiest country by the World Happiness report, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

In which of the following years will Finland be ranked as the happiest country by the World Happiness Report?

Lauri Heikkinen/FinniahGovernment/Wikimedia Commons

Finnish MP, Bishop Face Supreme Court on Hate Speech Charges

Finland

Freedom of speech & expression

Christianity

Court system

Women

Christian texts, like anything else, must be used with respect to the law of the land. Even words that are acceptable in worship may face consequences if used to cause harm to another. Finland is rightly balancing religious tolerance with the need to protect persecuted minorities from unnecessary hatred and abuse.

Christian texts, like anything else, must be used with respect to the law of the land. Even words that are acceptable in worship may face consequences if used to cause harm to another. Finland is rightly balancing religious tolerance with the need to protect persecuted minorities from unnecessary hatred and abuse.

Finland's prosecution of Christian values represents a dangerous assault on religious freedom, that could effectively ban Christianity. The prosecutor demands criminalization of harmless Christian speech even without demonstrable harm, creating Soviet-style interrogations that force believers to recant their faith or face prison.

Finland's prosecution of Christian values represents a dangerous assault on religious freedom, that could effectively ban Christianity. The prosecutor demands criminalization of harmless Christian speech even without demonstrable harm, creating Soviet-style interrogations that force believers to recant their faith or face prison.

Finnish MP, Bishop Face Supreme Court on Hate Speech Charges

Finnish MP, Bishop Face Supreme Court on Hate Speech Charges

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Finnish MP, Bishop Face Supreme Court on Hate Speech Charges

Finnish MP, Bishop Face Supreme Court on Hate Speech Charges

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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