A Finnish politician and bishop face hate speech convictions for publishing views on homosexuality rooted in a biblical worldview, sparking a fierce debate over freedom of speech and religious expression.



Päivi Räsänen has been convicted of hate speech due to a book she wrote for her church over 20 years ago. Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola and the Luther Foundation Finland were also convicted because they allowed the publishing of the booklet for the church, according to Alliance Defending Freedom International (IDF).

Räsänen Convicted over Views on Homosexuality, Marriage, Sexuality
In the book, she claimed that homosexuality is a “developmental disorder,” according to The Guardian. She also expressed her personal views about marriage and sexuality, which are rooted in a Biblical worldview, according to ADF.

Räsänen was convicted and found guilty by Finland’s supreme court on Thursday in a 2-3 vote. Basically, she’s being charged with a hate speech law that was passed in 2011. She reposted the booklet on her Facebook page in 2019 and then again on her website. She’s being fined €1,800, according to The Guardian. The Supreme Court has also ordered the removal and destruction of the statements it has deemed to be hate speech.

The verdict has become an issue of intense debate between Räsänen party and top politicians. Räsänen claims that the 2011 law was “not sufficiently precise and especially not predictable as required by the principle of legality in the criminal code.”

She went on to note that, “It is very difficult for people to know what is prohibited and what is permitted.”

Räsänen Filing an Appeal with ADF’s Assistance
Räsänen will be appealing the case with the assistance of ADF on the grounds that the booklet was originally written long before the 2011 law existed, and her freedom of speech is being violated.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to convict myself and the Luther Foundation for publishing a booklet for our church was extremely disappointing,” Bishop Pohjala told ADF. “As Bishop, I have a responsibility to guide those under my pastoral care, and I am deeply concerned by the state’s extensive efforts to censor our publications and decide what can and cannot be taught by religious leaders to members of their own group.

“It is our intention to join Päivi Räsänen in appealing to the European Court of Human Rights in defense of our free speech and religious freedom rights, and those of everyone in Finland.”

Source