Country's Supreme Court Convicts Christian Politician of Crime for Biblical Views on Marriage

Key Points:

• Finnish Supreme Court convicted Christian politician Päivi Räsänen of hate speech for publishing a pamphlet expressing biblical views on marriage and sexual ethics from 22 years ago, in a 3–2 decision.
• Räsänen was acquitted on a separate charge related to tweeting a Bible verse but found guilty of insulting a group through the pamphlet; she expressed shock and disappointment, emphasizing her commitment to freedom of expression and Christian teachings.
• Räsänen's legal defense, supported by ADF International, argues the conviction violates freedom of speech protections and warns the ruling could chill public expression of religious beliefs in Finland.
• The case began in 2019 after Räsänen tweeted a Bible verse condemning homosexuality in response to her church's support of an LGBTQ Pride event, leading to a criminal complaint and years of legal challenges.
• Räsänen plans to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, maintaining that sharing biblical convictions should not be criminalized in a free society and criticizing the prolonged legal battle as unjust and reminiscent of medieval times.