Who Was Queen Before Esther In The Book Of Esther?
Päivi Räsänen, a member of Finland’s parliament, has been embroiled in a lengthy legal battle after sharing a Bible verse on social media, but she remains steadfast in defending her freedom of expression. Her legal troubles began over five years ago when she publicly criticized the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for supporting a local LGBT pride parade. Disturbed by the church’s stance, which she felt undermined the Bible’s authority, Räsänen shared a passage from Romans 1 on Twitter, questioning the church’s position.
Her post led to criminal complaints, and the police soon launched an investigation. Räsänen was shocked when she learned of the investigation, and the situation escalated as more complaints surfaced, including one related to a pamphlet she had written on marriage. She was even interrogated by the police for 13 hours over theological matters, with questions about the Book of Romans. She described the experience as surreal and absurd, especially given Finland’s reputation for religious freedom.
Räsänen faced charges of “agitation against minorities,” essentially being accused of hate crimes for her views. However, she maintained that all people are equal and valued by God, and she fought these charges, ultimately winning two separate legal battles. Despite her acquittals, prosecutors appealed, bringing her case before Finland’s Supreme Court. Räsänen expressed disbelief at the continued legal pursuit, but she is determined to continue her fight, emphasizing the potential broader implications for religious freedom in Finland and Europe.
She warned that a ruling against her could pave the way for the persecution of Christians in Finland and lead to a broader restriction on the public expression of Biblical beliefs. Räsänen believes such a ruling would not only punish her but also silence thousands of Christians who share similar views. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to standing up for her faith, trusting that the outcome is in God’s hands. She views this legal battle as an opportunity to testify publicly about the Gospel and the hope found in Jesus.