In a chilling preview of what is to come if Ireland passes its hate speech laws, Finland has initiated the court case against a former member of parliament and a bishop for sharing Bible verses.
Päivi Räsänen is accused of quoting the Bible in a tweet, in a radio debate and in a pamphlet about sexuality, the latter produced twenty years ago.
The prosecution said:
The point isn’t whether it is true or not but that it is insulting
We can limit freedom of expression in the outward expression of religion
You can cite the Bible, but it is Räsänen’s interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal
The defendant stated at the close of the case:
I’m hopeful that all these charges will be acquitted. It’s a very important verdict for freedom of speech and of religion and Finland, and also has consequences across Europe, but I’m hopeful for a good result
Paul Coleman of the ADF said of the trial:
The gist of the State prosecutor’s examination of Päivi was this: would she recant her beliefs? The answer was no – she will not deny the teachings of her faith. Dragging an individual through a grueling criminal trial simply for expressing their religious beliefs is not a marker of democracy and “progress” . We will continue to stand with Päivi and await the decision of the court as to whether expressing Biblical teaching is really a crime in Finland
The verdict is to be delivered on November 30th.
