In the letter, the EEA shares its “dismay” about hearing the news of a Finnish MP who faces two or three years in jail for expressing biblical views.

Päivi Räsänen, leader of the Christian Democrats, has been charged with three hate crimes against homosexuals. The former Interior minister will have to defend herself in court for social media posts in which she quoted Roman 1:24-27 to criticise the participation of the Finnish Lutheran Church, of which she is a member, in the 2019 LGBT Pride festivals. She is also charged for writing a booklet about the Bible and sexuality. The third charge is for her remarks in a radio talk show, where she was invited to speak about the issue “What would Jesus think about homosexuals?”

EEA Statement Paivi Rasanen May 2021 by Lennart Nijenhuis on Scribd

The Finnish prosecuter believes that Räsänen’s statements are likely to cause intolerance, contempt and hatred towards homosexuals. The investigating police warned the prosecutor that if biblical views were considered to be agitative, it would have to become a crime to have the Bible available in Finland. Still, the Public Prosecutor decided to proceed with the prosecution.

Shock

In the letter, the EEA invokes the right to freedom of expression and questions the motives of the prosecutor. “Is the Public Prosecutor attempting to redefine human rights law? Freedom of expression gives the right for anyone to share their opinion. The right to freedom of expression exists to legally protect those that express views which may offend, shock or disturb others.”

The EAA, which represents over 23 million Christians across Europe, finishes the letter with a call upon the Finnish court system to uphold freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief.