Christian Pamphlet is Hate Speech, Finlands Supreme Court Rules

Paivi Rasanen, a longtime member of Finland’s parliament and former interior minister, was found guilty of “hate speech” for writing a pamphlet expressing traditional Christian views of marriage and sexuality. ADF InternationalA 2004 pamphlet explaining traditional Christian views of sex and marriage is “hate speech,” Finland’s Supreme Court ruled on March 26, fining a member of parliament, a Lutheran bishop, and a church group hundreds of dollars. The verdict, the culmination of years of prosecutions, sends a chilling message on free speech, advocates warn.The Supreme Court of Finland delivered a split decision in a closely watched case involving Paivi Rasanen, a longtime lawmaker and former interior minister. Also convicted was Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, whose church foundation published the pamphlet.