"It isn't a crime to tweet a Bible verse, or to engage in public discourse with
a Christian perspective. The attempts made to prosecute me for expressing
my beliefs have resulted in an immensely trying four years, but my hope is
that the result will stand as a key precedent to protect human rights to
free speech. I sincerely hope other innocent people will be spared
the same ordeal for simply voicing their convictions."
-Paivi Rasanen
Christian member of the Finnish Parliament
Finnish parliamentarian Paivi Rasanen, along with Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola
have been found not guilty of "hate speech" for upholding their view on the
Biblical definition of marriage and sexuality.
As I wrote in a post several months ago, Paivi Rasanen was charged in 2021
for sharing her biblical beliefs on marriage and sexuality on social media.
In 2019, she tweeted her views, along with a verse from the apostle Paul's
letter to the Romans, citing that homosexual acts are a sin condemned by God.
Paivi also criticized the Lutheran Church of Finland for participating
in an LGBTQ "Pride" parade. She was further charged for expressing
her views in a 2019 radio debate and in a 2004 church pamphlet
called, "Male & Female He Created Them."
Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola was also charged over his publication
of the 2004 church pamphlet.
Although a Finnish District Court unanimously acquitted both Rasanen and
Pohjola in March 2022, the prosecution appealed the decision. On November 14, 2023
the Court of Appeals upheld the 2022 acquittal, again in an unanimous decision,
finding "no reason, on the basis of evidence received at the main hearing, to
access the case in any respect differently from the District Court's judgement."
In the opening statements of the appeal trial on August 31, Finnish
prosecutor Anu Mantila stated, "You can cite the Bible, but it is Rasanen's
interpretation and opinion about Bible verses that are criminal."
According to ADF International, there are reports that the prosecution
not only attacked the defendants theology throughout the cross-examination,
but asked them if they would renounce or "update" their views on
marriage and sexuality. Their answer of course was no.
The prosecutor argued that Paivi should have known that her words,
"may be offensive to certain people" and therefore she should refrain
from expressing her beliefs in public. "The point isn't whether it is
true or not, but that it is insulting," she said.
Insulting to whom? To those, for whatever reason, refuse to
acknowledge God as their Creator? His eternal power, and divinity?
Those who have exchanged the truth for a lie? Who have become
"wise in their own eyes" and therefore have rejected His offer of
forgiveness and redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ?
As the apostle Paul attests in his letter to the Romans, those who
willingly reject God "are without excuse".
Therefore, "God gave them up in their lusts of their own hearts to
sexual impurity, to dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
abandoning them to the degrading power of sin."
As the Court of Appeals recognized, "There must be an overriding
social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression"
and that "It is not for the District Court to interpret biblical concepts."
Although I agree with the court's decision against the restriction of free speech
and expression, if the so-called democratic nation of Finland, where the roots
of Christianity extend back to the 11th century, had upheld the Word of God
as their standard authority-much like America's Founding Fathers were
inspired by the Judeo-Christian principles within the Holy Bible- in
drafting the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution,
there would be no reasons for Christians in that nation to live in fear
of being charged with "hate speech" in retaliation for
expressing their thoughts or their faith.
As in the United States today, where Bible-believing Christians are coming
increasingly under attack, not just on social media, but by the government,
not to mention the flourishing apostate church, we are witnessing the
sorrowful and rapid decline of a once free society due to those who
have openly declared their rebellion against God and have been
allowed to wield their WOKE "hate labeling" as a political weapon
under the protection of the federal government.
The authority and timeless wisdom found within the Word of God,
once highly esteemed by the grateful survivors of the American Revolution, has
been replaced in America with the wicked and inferior "fool's wisdom" of fallen man.
Satan, the god of this world and master deceiver, knows better than anyone
that he is running out of time. He is determine to take as many human souls
into the lake of fire prepared for him and his angels.
My most fervent prayer these days is for the remnant of believers in America,
and in Finland, and all around the world, to rise up and with the leading
and guidance of the Holy Spirit, counteract the deceptive spirit of
of the age by boldly declaring the powerful saving message of
Jesus Christ and salvation in Him alone.
May God bless and protect Paivi Rasanen and Juhana Pohjola and
all believers around the world facing persecution for their faith.
Resources for this post courtesy:
"Finnish Court Clears Christian MP Of Hate Speech Charges
Over Sharing Traditional Views On Marriage"
LifeSite News
November 14, 2023
The Book of Romans
Chapter 1
No comments:
Post a Comment