The Christian parliamentarian will again defend that expressing her biblical understanding of marriage and homosexuality is a matter of freedom of speech. “I have a peaceful mind”.

It is amazing that a doctor and member of the parliament is now one of the most visible evangelists in Finland.

Judges to give a verdict by November 30th. Prosecutors asked a 120-day fine for Räsänen and argued her interpretation and post of Bible verses was “criminal”.

The ILC is an association of Lutheran churches with “an unconditional commitment to the Bible”. Juhana Pojhola is part of the open case against Finish MP Päivi Räsänen.

The Lutheran bishop in Finland, after his acquittal: “I hope for wisdom but also for courage for us as Christians in our use of words”.

The Member of the Finnish Parliament reacts to her acquittal on 30 March 2022. “It is alarming that in a country that ranked third in the Rule of Law Index, I have been criminally charged for voicing my deeply held beliefs that are based on classical Christianity”.

The Christian politician, after the ruling is made public: “Why was there so much international interest? Because people understand that if questioning freedom of expression can happen in reputable Finland why not in any other country”.

The second hearing focused more strongly on the interpretation of the law than the first hearing. Bible quotes and questions about faith were not heard this time.

A summary of the main statements by the prosecution and the defense of MP Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola. On the ground reporting from Helsinki, Finland.

The prosecutor demands that Päivi Räsänen's writings on homosexuality are removed. Her lawyer underlines the politician’s belief in the dignity of all people and refers to the European Court of Human Rights.

The trial against the Christian parliamentarian charged with “ethnic agitation” against homosexuals will start in January.

Harvard, Princeton and Yale experts say the prosecution of the Christian parliamentarian for incitement against homosexuals “will compel Finland’s lay religious believers to choose between prison and abandoning teachings of their various faiths”. 

UPDATED: The police interrogated Juhana Pohjola for five hours. “I denied being guilty of the crime of ethnic agitation”. The booklet was published in 2004.