In June 2019, Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finnish parliament since 1995, saw her life flipped upside down because of a Tweet she published. In it, she asked the national church of Finland what part of the Bible justified its decision to promote an LGBT Pride march.
PÄIVI RÄSÄNEN
Member of Parliament, Finland
“Last June, I was shocked when I heard that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, which I am a member of, announced its official affiliation to Helsinki LGBT Pride 2019.”
Little did she know her Tweet would result in four separate criminal investigations by Finnish police, including one regarding a pamphlet on marriage and sexuality she published over a decade ago.
PÄIVI RÄSÄNEN
Member of Parliament, Finland
“In all of these cases, I am accused of criminal agitation against minority groups. Primarily for citing the Bible in a Tweet, for a 16-year-old pamphlet and for speaking according to my Christian faith in two radio and television programs.”
PAUL COLEMAN
Executive Director, ADF International
“This case is so important, not just the case itself, and for Päivi Räsänen, but for the whole of Finland, and in fact, the whole of Europe, because everyone's watching on, looking at this case, and thinking, 'if someone can be investigated by the police for tweeting a picture, some bible verses and a pamphlet that was written 15 years ago, then really are any of us safe?'”
The MP says she is concerned that her case could set a precedent for undermining freedom of speech and freedom of religion in a country where they are guaranteed and protected by the constitution.
PÄIVI RÄSÄNEN
Member of Parliament, Finland
“It is a grave violation of the freedom of religion if the right to agree with biblical teaching is contravened. The more we keep silent about controversial topical themes, the narrower the space for freedom of speech and religion gets.”
PAUL COLEMAN
Executive Director, ADF International
“In a truly free society, ideas should be fought with other ideas, not with the threat of criminal sanctions or criminal penalties.”
Ms. Räsänen says she intends to continue to use her constitutionally protected freedom of speech to express her Christian faith, regardless of the outcome of the investigations.
CT
