Finnish Christian Politician Formally Charged for Hate Crime Against Homosexuals After Quoting BibleSo a prominent politician woman belonged to a church that participated in a festival that she believed to be against Biblical teachings, so she expressed her opinion. Ten years later, such discussions become socially offensive, so she gets jailed for it.The Finnish Prosecutor General has found that statements by former Christian Democrat leader and Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen are “derogatory and discriminatory against homosexuals” and exceed “the boundaries of free speech and religion”.
The Finnish Prosecutor General has announced formal charges against senior Christian Democrat Päivi Räsänen for hate speech that violates the dignity of homosexuals.
Following an investigation that took nearly two years, the prosecution appears to have collected enough evidence, and Finland’s Interior Minister between 2011 and 2015 now stands accused of three counts of incitements against a minority group, national broadcaster Yle reported.
The politician, who happens to be a devout Christian, will have to defend herself over social media posts in which she quoted Romans 1:24-27 to address the participation of the Finnish Lutheran Church (of which she is a member) in the (gay) Pride festivals, for a booklet about the Bible and sexuality titled “Male and Female He Created them” from back in 2004, and her statements in a radio talk show where she spoke on the topic “What would Jesus think about homosexuals?”
The Prosecutor General said Räsänen's statements were “derogatory and discriminatory against homosexuals” and “violate their equality and dignity”. Therefore, Räsänen “overstepped the boundaries of freedom of speech and religion and are likely to fuel intolerance, contempt and hatred”.
A conviction could potentially lead to a fine or up to two years of prison, as well as a ban on the content deemed as hateful.
This is in Finland, which I would expect to be relatively immune to this sort of nonsense. Obviously not. Free speech is dead.
i It used to be that having civil rights meant being able to do want you want, say what you want, and associate with whom you want. Now it means silencing those who might disapprove.
Much of the Protestant Reformation meant being able to interpret the Bible by oneself, without taking orders from the Pope or similar authority. Wars were fought over this. No more. That right has quietly been abolished.
2 comments:
She's actually being charged for inciting hatred although a passage from the Bible was referenced in her posts. I wouldn't have charged her
based on what I've seen, and I predict she'll beat them. Her comments were directed to her church and, while certainly mean spirited, don't appear to rise to the level of incitement imo.
Even if she is acquitted, other Finns will be intimidated into not expressing their religious opinions. The public will be deprived of learning the pros and cons of encouraging homosexuality.
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