Is the Bible Hate Speech
My heart aches so much writing this, because over 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ was led to the slaughter for truth. He did nothing wrong; He spoke only truth.
Because of his resurrection, we have this hope that we can and must speak truth.
Bible is on Trial Right Now
As you read this, the Bible is on trial.
Päivi Räsänen, the former Finnish Minister of the Interior, faces three criminal charges for sharing Bible verses on Twitter and a marriage pamphlet she authored 16 years prior.
Despite her 2022 acquittal; the case is on appeal. They’re going after her again.
Who is Päivi Räsänen?
Päivi is a Finnish Christian mother, grandmother, medical doctor, active parliamentarian, and former Minister of the Interior.
Like many, she is a Christian. She walks with the Lord by read the Bible every day, and praying.
What Did Päivi Tweet?
Her actual tweet is shared here (she also shared to Instagram)
View this post on Instagram
Context of the Tweet
Päivi was responding to her church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland’s decision to support Pride. She informed that the Bible teaches that sexuality belongs to a marriage of a man and a woman, attaching a picture of Romans 1.
For This, She Received Three Criminal Hate Speech Charges
For this one tweet, Päivi suffered over 13 hours of interrogation, months of waiting for court procedures, an onerous trial, and countless lies spread by the media.
The character assassination dug up a pamphlet she wrote 16 years about marriage.
The police recommended that NO charges be brought for the booklet. They rightly concluded that IF Päivi was found to be guilty, ALL Christians and believers of Christianity could potentially be guilty of a crime.
The prosecutor ignored their recommendations, and brought charges anyway.
She was unanimously acquitted at the District Court of Helsinki in 2022. Prosecution appealed.
Now the nightmare has started again.
Appeal Case
Nearly four years later, her second trial looms at the Finnish Court of Appeal in August 2023 after receiving a unanimous acquittal at the District Court of Helsinki.
Päivi’s Words
Upon arrival at the Court yesterday, Päivi Räsänen said this: “Everyone should be able to share their beliefs without fearing censorship by state-authorities. I know that the prosecution is trying to make an example of me to scare others into silence. Yet, you do not have to align with my views to agree that everyone should be able to speak freely. With God’s help I will remain steadfast and continue defending everyone’s human right to free speech”
Updates on Trial
Thanks to ADF International, updates are online.
Prosecution’s Case
Some alarming statements made by Prosecution:
“The point isn’t whether it is true or not but that it is insulting.”
The prosecutor also stated Räsänen’s use of the word “sin” is “degrading” and violates “sexual rights”.
They also argued: “We can limit freedom of expression in the outward expression of religion.”
And pointing to the Bible-Tweet; the prosecutor summarized: “You can cite the Bible, but it is Räsänen’s interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal”.
Last year, the prosecution appealed the Helsinki District Court’s unanimous March 2022 ruling clearing Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola of “hate speech” charges. The District Court ruled that it’s not the court’s job “to interpret biblical concepts.” Yet the prosecution argues in its appeal the court “misinterpreted” Räsänen’s tweet and reached the wrong conclusion.
Cancel Culture and Free Speech
We are living in dangerous times, where someone can be prosecuted for something posted on social media. There are so many things happening right now that are violative of the protections granted to us by the Constitution.
No matter WHICH side you are on, you should be wary of the consequences of such violations. “Hate speech” is ambiguous and can be silencing.
It is my prayer that my blog posts can first shed light on what is happening in the world, and to point you to God’s truth in the Bible.
Hate Speech Laws are Censorship in Disguise
Don’t be fooled by the term “hate speech laws”. It sounds good but is nefarious.
Not sure if you’ve noticed, but there are certain novel concepts being adopted by mainstream media. “Hate speech laws” target everyone who does not adopt their new beliefs. There is no objective standard of what constitutes hate speech. Rather, what’s applied is a “subjective” standard, e.g., Ireland’s “hate speech bill”. It defines hate as “perceived by the victim or any other person.”
Hate speech laws are being pushed by activists determined to criminalize and silence all views they don’t like. Read more about Ireland’s Hate Speech Bill.
That’s Europe! Not Us, Right?
Think it’s only happening overseas? Nope.
Michigan also has a hate speech bill.
HB 4474 would make it a felony hate crime offense to cause someone to “feel terrorized, frightened, or threatened” with words. Misgendering someone could subject you to a penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Truth
Do not succumb to the nonsensical concept that there exists such thing as “your truth”, or “my truth”.
Truth is truth. It does not matter that it is insulting, or offensive. We have the Constitutional right of free speech under the 1st Amendment. And no matter how contagious radical new concepts are, eg San Francisco is getting rid of math because it’s racist and offensive, there is still truth.
We are Bold
Therefore, since we have such hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites form seeing the end of what was passing away. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom! 2 Corinthians 3.
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