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Last March, religious people around the world were in relief when a Helsinki court found them “not guilty” in legal persecution cases against respected Finnish parliamentarian Paivi Rassenen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. sighed. Because of Christian beliefs about marriage.
It seemed like the nightmare was over. It wasn’t.
Now, on August 31, Lesenen and Pohjola return to court with Bibles to stand trial again simply for being Christian. Anyone who cares about the perseverance and preservation of Western civilization should have serious concerns about this trial.
Paivi Rasenen is facing criminal charges for just one tweet that did not incite violence but shared a Bible verse. (St. Petersburg)
Lesenen was found guilty of a “war crime” of “incitement against a population group” for sponsoring a gay pride parade and for criticizing his church for writing pamphlets supporting gay biblical views. It has been investigated by the Finnish Corrupt Public Prosecutor’s Office for over a year. Married 20 years ago. The prosecution has also charged Bishop Juhana Pohjoola of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese for simply posting Lehsenen’s pamphlet on the church’s website.
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She faces criminal charges for just one tweet that shared a Bible verse that did not incite violence. And this is not North Korea or communist China, but a so-called “free” country.
It is readily apparent to all well-meaning that the intent of this trial is not to bring justice by prosecuting Raisenen and Pohjola for the so-called “war crime” of “incitement against the population”. In fact, prosecutors had to search extensively to find even one Finn offended by the tweets and pamphlets.
No, this incident features a deeper, acidic purpose. It fundamentally undermines the foundations of modern Western civilization, freedom of expression and freedom of religion.
In court, the prosecution focused little on the 10-year-old grandmother and the bishop, but rather put the Bible itself at the forefront of its legal assault.
The prosecution cited passages from the Old Testament, questioned basic Christian theology, and even dismissed the notion that there is any distinction between “sin” and “sinner.” These questions were appropriate for an introductory course in theology and seminary lectures, but not for a free country court that purported to respect the religious rights of its citizens.
Reflecting on his first trial, Lesenen said, “Under oath, the prosecutor harshly questioned my religious beliefs and basic theology in court.”
The Bible was on trial.
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Ultimately, a panel of three judges unanimously acquitted the defendants and ordered Finland to pay the Christians more than €60,000 in court costs. Judges openly questioned the very logic behind the prosecution’s case, stating that “it is not the district court’s task to interpret biblical concepts.”
People of faith in Finland and around the world felt an immediate relief. But that peace lasted only a few weeks.
Frustrated by the crushing defeat, prosecutors stepped up their harassment of Mr. Lesenen and Mr. Pohjola. They appealed the decision simply because the prosecution did not agree with the outcome.
But it emphasizes something important – that the process is a punishment.
Ahead of the retrial, Rasenen remains confident that justice will prevail. Her words are inspiring.
“I believe that freedom of speech is the foundation of a free and democratic society. As long as the prosecution continues its campaign to silence peaceful beliefs, I will continue to fight for this right.”
War on Religious Freedom: We must stand up for Finnish Christians facing trial for their faith
Unfortunately, this pattern is familiar to Americans, as government officials have abused state laws to coerce those who disagree. In recent memory, Americans have witnessed website designers, cake artists, and many other artists threatened with punishment for expressing what they believe. They have gone court after court for years seeking the freedom to say what they believe without fear of government punishment, and the process often proves punishing.
Across the world, the message these aggressive prosecutors want to send is clear. It meant that we had to follow the prevailing doctrine of the time.
you don’t believe us? Consider the remarks of a Finnish prosecutor who claimed that the Bible’s teaching on human sexuality “incites hatred” and likened the Bible to “Mein Kampf”.
The harassment of Mr. Larsenen and Mr. Pohjola is not simply aimed at punishing them, but at silencing them and those who agree with them. Chilling their thoughts, expressions, beliefs, and freedoms.
The implied deal offered is to either censor yourself or be fined or even imprisoned. We may be offered a deal in the near future.
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The goal is clear. The cost of standing firm on a clean conscience becomes so great that most people simply yield and tarnish their consciences without facing the social and legal consequences of keeping the truth. This anti-Christian policy denounces the common man – you either remain silent or face the consequences. You may no longer be free to live, but you must live their lies.
Simply put, the Bible is still on trial, as it has been in countless places and countless times throughout its history. The illusion that it would never happen again in a modern, supposedly free country was shattered.
As the next court date draws near, it is time to once again offer fervent prayers for Paivi Lehsenen and Bishop Pohjola.
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Now, the outcome of this trial will have ripple effects around the world. Bishop Pojola best says, “The gospel of Christ is at stake.”
To Paive and Bishop, we stand by you. we stand for freedom We stand for the gospel.
Sean Nelson is a global religious freedom counsel for ADF International, a legal advocacy group assisting MP Paivi Rasenen in her legal defense.
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