PNW - The case of Päivi Räsänen, a Finnish MP being prosecuted for her religious views, is drawing increasing international attention. And rightfully so, as this prosecution is a blow against the free expression of religious faith not only in Finland, but for those beyond that country's borders as well.
The Finnish prosecutor general charged Päivi Räsänen, a former medical doctor currently serving as a member of Parliament, with three counts of "ethnic agitation" in April. These charges imply that Räsänen is to be viewed as a threat to society. Yet, the simple instances of religious expression that prompted the charges hardly "agitate" anyone - a term which is itself open to vague and subjective interpretation.
In June 2019, Räsänen took to social media to question the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland's decision to partner with Helsinki's "Pride 2019" parade, and her tweet featured an image of Romans 1:24-27. This prompted an online controversy and -- five months later -- a police investigation.
No charges were filed as a result of the original investigation, and a police communiqué said that Räsänen's social media post was protected by freedom of religion and freedom of speech enshrined in Finland's constitution. Yet, Finnish Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen overturned the finding and commenced a criminal investigation.
Räsänen would be investigated again, this time concerning a pamphlet that she had been asked to write in 2004 regarding her church's teaching on sexuality titled, "Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual Relations Challenge the Christian Concept of Humanity."
Comments she made on television....READ MORE
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