Court previously ruled statements from Scripture must be ‘removed from public access and destroyed’
A lawmaker in Finland who stunningly was accused – and convicted – of quoting from the Bible, which the judiciary there deemed an insult to some people – has confirmed an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
Win or lose, that court likely is the final step for Päivi Räsänen, who was convicted by an appeals court in Finland for “expressing her beliefs on marriage and sexual ethics in a 2004 booklet written for her church.”
It is ADF International that has worked on her case since it developed years ago.
“Appealing my conviction is about much more than a fine or a decades-old church booklet,” said Räsänen following the filing of her appeal. “My case stands to determine whether the fundamental rights of religious freedom and free speech are still protected in Finland and across Europe, and whether these societies are still willing to stand up for the rights of all – even those they disagree with.”
She said, “‘Hate speech’ laws that criminalize peaceful expression are incompatible with a truly democratic society. As a Member of Parliament and a Christian who has faced censorship and years of criminal investigation, I am profoundly aware of the devastating consequences of curtailing basic liberties. The European Court of Human Rights must decisively uphold these freedoms and promote the common good across Europe.”
Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola and the Luther Foundation Finland also were caught up in the anti-Christian politicization of the case against Räsänen.
full story at https://www.wnd.com/2026/08/devastating-consequences-last-chance-appeal-lawmaker-convicted-quoting/