New American reported the following:
Finnish Lawmaker Convicted of “Hate Speech” for Promoting Biblical View of Homosexuality
March 26, 2026
A Finnish lawmaker was convicted Wednesday of “hate speech” for reproducing on social media a pamphlet she wrote 22 years ago expressing the Lutheran Church’s long-standing beliefs that homosexuality and same-sex “marriage” are sinful.
The Supreme Court of Finland ruled 3-2 that parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola were guilty under Finland’s code outlawing “war crimes and crimes against humanity,” according to ADF International, which coordinated Räsänen’s defense.
Pride Prosecution
The New American reported in 2022:
Räsänen, a medical doctor and mother of five who is married to a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF), has been a member of the Finnish parliament since 1995 and previously served as interior minister and chairwoman of the Christian Democrats.
Her high standing, however, did her no good when, in 2019, she criticized on Facebook the ELCF’s participation in Helsinki’s LGBT Pride celebration, writing: “The Church of which I am a member has announced to be the official partner of … Helsinki Pride 2019. How does the church’s doctrine, the Bible, fit together with the cause where shame and sin are raised as a topic of pride?” She also referenced Romans 1:24-27, which describes homosexual behavior as “dishonorable” and “shameless.”
Homosexuals being among those politically shielded from having their feelings hurt in Finland,
someone snitched to the cops about Räsänen’s “crime,” and before she knew it, she was being prosecuted on three counts, two of which were filed “after the police made strong recommendations not to continue the prosecution,” noted ADF International.
One count stemmed from the original publication of the pamphlet, which, ADF International Executive Director Paul Coleman observed, occurred “before the law under which she has been convicted was even passed.” The second was related to her post concerning Helsinki Pride 2019. The third concerned her restatement of her beliefs in a 2019 radio debate.
Grilled but Not Cooked
Räsänen was tried twice, in 2022 and 2023. During those trials, ADF reported,
the prosecution attacked core Christian teachings and cross-examined Räsänen and the Bishop on their theology.
Before the Court of Appeal, the Finnish State prosecutor, Anu Mantila, claimed that, “You can cite the Bible, but it is Räsänen’s interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal.”
Räsänen’s legal team, meanwhile, contended that freedom of speech, even when it offends someone, enjoys strong protections in both Finnish and international law.
The lower courts unanimously acquitted Räsänen on all counts. Mantila appealed the pamphlet and social-media acquittals to the Supreme Court, but did not appeal the decision regarding the radio debate. https://thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/finnish-lawmaker-convicted-of-hate-speech-for-promoting-biblical-view-of-homosexuality/
Freedom of religion and freedom of speech restrictions are happening in the so-called ‘free’ nations of the West. People should not be persecuted by governments for trying to explain what they think that the Bible teaches.
And while, back in 2021, some politicians in the USA protested to Finland about this persecution (see ‘Six US Congress members call for sanctions against Finland for violating religious liberty’), do not think that such restrictions cannot happen in places like the USA.
Related to the Biden-Harris Administration, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put together the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:
Biden-Harris & Hate Speech
Joe Biden has stated he would create a task force to deal with online threats and extremism. What does the first amendment, part of the Bill of Rights, to the US Constitution say? Is the Biden-Harris team committed to “advance LGBTQ+ equality in America”? Has the Biden-Harris campaign posted that giving more religious freedom is “hate against LGBTQ+ individuals”? What is the so-called “Equality Act” all about? Could Kamala Harris be more strident about this than even Joe Biden? Has the Biden-Harris teams appointed Richard Stengel to help deal with speech and communications and has Stengel called for the elimination of more aspects of free speech? Might he consider it wrong to quote scriptures that might be considered as “insults” by those opposed to biblical sexual morality? What about Canada’s position on some of this? Are various ones in governmental positions suggesting banning at least parts of the Bible (including those that show homosexuals can change)? Is believing the New Testament considered to be a bigger problem of prejudice than racial views? Does Big Tech (like YouTube) rely more on their ‘community standards” instead of the Bible? Is a famine of the word coming according to Amos and might that involve the internet? Should we call out sins, but be wise as to how, when, and where according to scripture? Where will the fake news ultimately lead to per 1 Thessalonians 5:2? Are Harris-Biden views promoting hate against those who hold to aspects of biblical morality?
Here is a link to the video: Biden-Harris & Hate Speech.
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are not the only ones, of course. Some years ago, something was proposed in California that looked to try to do that. In 2018, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel related to that. Here is a link: Banning the Bible?
Additionally, various government officials in Canada have been opposed to quoting various parts of the Bible and another law about that is progressing. Here is a link to a post related to that made here yesterday: Canada takes another step against the Bible, as does the Church of England.
And then there is Big Tech.
More and more are opposing the Bible–and pushing the view that quoting and teaching aspects of it amounts to “hate,” despite the fact that God is love (1 John 4:18,16). The advocates of sexual immorality do not wish to be told that their lifestyles are condemned as abominations in scripture.
YouTube banned one of our biblical, anti-sexual immorality videos a while back.
Sadly, we look to only be in the first stages of this prophesied censorship.
That being said, remember that Jesus said:
16 Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, (Matthew 10:16-17a)
4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)
Because of His admonitions, we have not trusted YouTube, that is a reason we use other channels, like BitChute and Brighteon. Both of which have the YouTube censored video up. Here is a link to the BitChute channel:
Disney’s abominable promotions!
Is Disney promoting abominations? According to the Bible it most certainly is. In addition to “Out” which is focused about a homosexual male and “Onward” which also condoned homosexuality, it is a big promoter of “Pride Month.” So, much so that on June 27, 2021, Disney+ intends to stream “This is Me: Pride Celebration Spectacular” hosted by “Nina West” that stage name of Andrew Levitt, who was born male but now dresses and performs as a female–contrary to scriptures like Deuteronomy 22:5. Is Disney inviting the wrath of God? Were pride, sexual immorality, and going after “strange flesh” reasons that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed? What should parents and children do? What does the Bible teach? Dr. Thiel discusses and addresses these issues with scriptures and other information.
THIS VIDEO WAS REMOVED BY YOUTUBE AS IT DOES NOT WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT IMMORALITY AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF SIN.
Here is a link to the YouTube removed video, from our BitChute Prophecy channel: Disney’s abominable promotions!
Many do not want to hear scriptures in the Old and New Testaments that condemn sinful behavior.
The Bible warns against the type of moral decline that is occurring:
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise this word, And trust in oppression and perversity, And rely on them, 13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you Like a breach ready to fall, A bulge in a high wall, Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant. (Isaiah 30:12-13)
This will not end well.
The prophet Amos further warned:
11 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God,
“That I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread,
Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the Lord.
12 They shall wander from sea to sea,
And from north to east;
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord,
But shall not find it. (Amos 8:11-12)
Notice that the Bible tells of a time that will come when the word of God will not be found. I do not believe that this means that there will be no more Bibles–but preaching aspects of it will be made illegal and that those wanting to better understand it will have trouble finding explanations.
More censorship and more persecution is coming.
As far as Finland goes, the old Radio Church of God taught that its people descended from the tribe of Israel called Issachar (see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Cross-dressing and other assaults against your children. What should you do? Is there an agenda to turn your children and/or grandchildren away from biblical morality and towards practices promoted by homosexuals? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing? What should parents do? If there is an agenda, what has been going on? There are also two YouTube videos related to this, titled Transgender ‘Woe to those who call evil good’ and Cross dressing and Other Assaults Against Your Children.
Persecutions by Church and State This article documents some that have occurred against those associated with the COGs and some prophesied to occur. Will those with the cross be the persecutors or the persecuted–this article has the shocking answer. There are also three video sermons you can watch: Cancel Culture and Christian Persecution, The Coming Persecution of the Church, and Christian Persecution from the Beast. Here is information in the Spanish language: Persecuciones de la Iglesia y el Estado.
The Bible Condemns Homosexuality “Same-sex marriage” for “gays” and lesbians is becoming more acceptable to many. What does the Bible teach about homosexuality and the LGBTQ agenda? Can homosexuals change? A related video sermon is titled: What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality? A short video is available titled: Gay Gene? Born That Way?
USA pushing gender confusion On May 13, 2016, the Obama Administration sent notices to school districts around the USA on how it wants them to deal with toilets, lockers, sports, and other issues of interest to the LGBT crowd. The Obama Administration has redefined the word ‘sex’ as written in the 1964 Civil Rights Act as expanded in 1972. Does the Bible teach transgenderism? Are accommodations for those considering themselves transgendered helpful or evil? What does the Bible teach about cross-dressing and other transgender issues? Does the Bible warn of terrible consequences for those who merely approve the LBGT agenda? This is a video.
God Created Marriage Some falsely claim that God did not create marriage and that fornication is fine. What does the Bible really teach? Here is a version in Mandarin Chinese y^R ZZYû.
Making Your Marriage Work Marriage is not always easy, but it pictures a divine relationship. How can you make your marriage work? Here is a link to the video sermon: You Can Make YOUR Marriage Work.
Why sex and marriage? What are each spouse’s responsibilities regarding sex in the marriage? What is not allowed according to God’s word? Why is there sex and why is there marriage? Parental discretion is advised as to whether or not everything in this article is now appropriate for their children. Dr. Thiel goes over scriptures, The Missing Dimension in Sex, and provides answers to questions many have had. A related sermon is available: Sex and Marriage.
What is the Ezekiel Warning? Should the end-time descendants of Israel and Joseph be warned? What should the watchman warn about? Regarding a watchman, you can watch the following video: Go, Set a Watchman.
The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why did God make you? This free online book helps answers some of the biggest questions that human have, including the biblical meaning of life. Here is a link to three related sermons: Mysteries of God’s Plan, Mysteries of Truth, Sin, Rest, Suffering, and God’s Plan, and The Mystery of YOU.
Preparing for the ‘Short Work’ and The Famine of the Word What is the ‘short work’ of Romans 9:28? Who is preparing for it? Will Philadelphian Christians instruct many in the end times? Here is a link to a related video sermon titled: The Short Work. Here is a link to another: Preparing to Instruct Many.