European religious freedom case a 'warning,' underscores need to protect freedom of speech, religion

A religious freedom case in Finland may place a chilling effect on free speech around the world and underscores the need to protect the freedom of speech and religion, those involved in the legal battle said. 

Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola were acquitted of all charges in their religious freedom casein Wednesday. Räsänen faced three charges of ethnic agitation for a 2004 pamphlet, for taking part in a discussion on a radio show in 2019, and most recently, for tweeting a picture of the Bible. 
In a 2019 tweet, Räsänen questioned her church’s sponsorship of an LGBTQ Pride event and linked to an Instagram post with a picture of Romans 1:24-27.

Pohjola faced one count of ethnic agitation for hosting a pamphlet written by Räsänen on his church’s website.

Lorcan Price of Alliance Defending Freedom International, who was assisting with the case, called it a "clear warning."

"[The case acts] as a clear warning, I think, that any attempts to erode freedom of expression and to criminalize speech lead to situations where you find clearly oppressive measures be taken against individuals for expressing their religious beliefs in the public square," Price told Fox News Digital.