The Finnish Supreme Court recently ruled 3–2 to convict Päivi Räsänen of “hate speech” for a 2004 church pamphlet outlining biblical views on marriage, while also unanimously acquitting her over a 2019 Bible verse tweet. Meanwhile, religious freedom advocates are sounding alarm bells over the March 26 decision, according to Decision Magazine.
See related stories on Päivi Räsänen case.
Lower courts had cleared her of all charges. The court also convicted Juhana Pohjola, who published the pamphlet. Räsänen called the ruling a violation of free expression, and she is considering appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Paul Coleman, executive director of Alliance Defending Freedom International, warned the decision could chill free speech. Family Research Council’s president, Tony Perkins, raised broader concerns.
‘New dark age’
Perkins posted on X the decision is an example of a “new dark age … descending upon Europe as governments restrict the truth because it is seen as offensive by some.”
He added, “And if the West, the U.S. in particular, fails to recognize it, we will not just observe it — we will inherit it.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This report is a summary of a story written and published by Decision Magazine. Used with permission.
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