‘Like medieval times’: Finnish politician prosecuted for biblical views reacts to ‘crazy’ trial, issues warning

A Finnish politician who recently faced her second trial for sharing her biblical views on sexuality has described her legal nightmare as “absurd”, “crazy” and similar to “medieval times”.

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“It was absurd and crazy to have to defend biblical truths and my interpretation of the Bible, my faith and my beliefs in front of judges,” Dr. Päivi Räsänen, an embattled member of the Finnish parliament, told CBN. Faithwire from his recently concluded trial. “It’s like medieval times.”

Räsänen said the prosecutor had made “false statements” about his writings and comments, claiming that Räsänen had “said that some people are inferior to others” – something the politicians said is demonstrably false.

“I think all people are equal,” Räsänen said. “We are all sinners; we all…need grace, what Jesus gave, but the prosecutor was very stubborn with these arguments, even though the district court had previously stated that it did not find such statements in my writings or in my brochure.

She added: “But the prosecutor said it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not, but if the interpretation is insulting, then it’s criminal.”

Räsänen explained why she thinks the whole ordeal is truly “dangerous,” explaining why the government’s role in defining truth and morality is so concerning.

“It’s not a court that should decide what is the correct interpretation of the Bible and what is not,” she said. “Because I think that kind of interpretation discussions…it’s not the court that starts teaching the Bible or discussing the correct interpretation of the Bible. »

Prosecutors also reportedly argued that many Protestant churches accept same-sex marriage and same-sex relationships, thus confirming Räsänen’s view.

As CBN’s Faithwire reported, Räsänen’s plight began on June 17, 2019, when she tweeted the text of Romans 1:24-27, which condemns homosexuality as a sin. She was alarmed by the decision of her denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, to support an LGBTQ pride event, so she responded by sharing scripture on her X account, triggering a criminal complaint.

Then, a pamphlet detailing biblical views on sexuality that she wrote nearly 20 years ago and a radio interview also put her in a difficult legal situation, resulting in a lawsuit. ‘last year. She was acquitted in the first legal battle before the prosecutor appealed, and she found herself back in court in the latest legal debacle.

At the latest trial, Räsänen said the prosecutor argued that she was allowed to “believe in her mind anything about the Bible, but it is illegal to express it outwardly.”

The verdict is expected by the end of November.

“The maximum sentence would be two years in prison, but the prosecutor demands a heavy fine – the heaviest fine under our law,” Räsänen said. “The most dangerous consequence of this affair (is) censorship… because it would then have serious consequences on our freedoms. »

The politician, a former Finnish interior minister and responsible for overseeing the police who came to question him, said the most shocking part of the trial was being called hateful.

“Of course, it was very painful to be accused of hate speech – of hatred against certain people, because I think that these opinions, these points of view, are not born from hatred, but from love” , said Räsänen. “They are something that comes…from what classical Christianity is, from what is taught in classical Christianity about humanity and sexuality.”

Räsänen believes the Bible is on trial in Finland, despite the fact that freedom of faith and expression is enshrined in the country’s constitution.

If she loses, she believes, it could have repercussions on the entire Finnish culture.

“If I were found guilty, it would mark the beginning of the persecution of Christians in Finland,” Räsänen said. “Many lawyers agree with me, and this would then…ramifications in other European countries.” »

As Räsänen awaits her verdict, she encouraged Christians to view her plight as an inspiration to stand up and share their views.

“I pray that this inspires Christians to be courageous, to be open about their faith and their worship,” she said. “(I hope) it would also encourage people to read the Bible and, therefore, I pray for the revival of our society.”