Thoughtcrime
30.3.2026
The Supreme Court of Finland convicted Dr. Päivi Räsänen, MP, and Bishop Juhana Pohjola, Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF), acting as Representative of the Luther Foundation Finland, of incitement against an ethnic group, and has imposed a corporate fine on the Luther Foundation Finland. However, the charge regarding Räsänen’s Twitter post was dismissed.
The Supreme Court issued its ruling on 26 March 2026, sentencing Räsänen and Pohjola to 20 day-rate fines and imposing a corporate fine of 5,000 euros on the Finnish Luther Foundation.
The case involved a teaching booklet from the Aamutähti series written by Räsänen and later published online by the Foundation, titled “Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual Relationships Challenge the Christian Concept of Humanity.” The charges concerned the online publication of the text, not its original printed version. The Foundation initially published the booklet in 2004.
The Supreme Court found that some of the expressions in the text were insulting to homosexuals on the basis of their sexual orientation. In these respects, the conduct met the criteria for the crime of incitement against an ethnic group. However, not all of the points raised in the indictment were deemed punishable.
According to the Supreme Court, the conviction was not in conflict with the freedom of speech and religion guaranteed by the Finnish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. In contrast, the charge regarding the message by Dr. Räsänen on her Twitter post was dismissed. That post concerned the participation in Pride activities by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF).
In addition to the fines, the Supreme Court ordered the defendants to remove from online publications those portions, i.e. sentences, of the post that were deemed unlawful.
The legal proceedings began in 2019 and have lasted nearly seven years. Both the District Court and the Court of Appeal had previously dismissed the charges in their entirety. The case has sparked widespread public debate, addressing, among other things, the limits of freedom of speech and religion. The defendants have repeatedly stated that the pamphlet was not intended to be offensive.
Bishop Juhana Pohjola commented on the ruling:
Upon receiving the decision, I feel a sense of unreality and shock. This court ruling is a defeat not only for us and those who adhere to traditional Christian teaching, but also for those who think differently, because the issue of freedom of speech and religion is common to all.
The Supreme Court of Finland considers speech regarding the abnormality of homosexuality to be offensive. In doing so, it fundamentally opposes the Christian understanding of humanity and marriage, as well as Christian sexual ethics. Therefore, this decision restricts religious freedom.
We continue to teach that every person is equal, created in the image of God, but in light of biblical revelation, the practice of homosexuality is a lifestyle that deviates from God’s order of creation. This biblical teaching must be taught publicly in Finland without fear, now and in the future.
According to Bishop Pohjola, further legal action is being considered.
“My conscience is clear, and in any case, the work for freedom of speech and religion will continue. We accept this calmly from God’s hand. We want to thank those who have supported and interceded for this cause around the world. We are also considering filing an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights.”
Furthermore, Bishop Pohjola believes the decision has unfortunate consequences related to the silencing and intimidating effect of the verdict as well as the entire process on society as a whole.
It is noteworthy that the Supreme Court’s decision was reached by a 3–2 split vote. The rapporteur and legal presenter (who does not have a vote) recommended dismissing the charges, and two other judges (voting) would also have ruled in favor of acquittal, but the majority reached a guilty verdict.
Joel Kerosuo, Dean of the Mission Diocese (ELMDF) and Representative of the Luther Foundation Finland, commented:
“We are grateful for all the prayers and support, both in Finland and around the world. It has been encouraging that throughout the entire process, we have received messages expressing concern and care from all over the world and from a wide variety of Christian backgrounds.
“We are calmly analyzing what to do next. The booklet in question is not the foundation of our teaching on marriage, but if and when the ruling also takes issue with things taught in the Bible and the catechism, we will be in a difficult situation.
The Lord has taken good care of His church, and our work will not be brought to naught by fines. Of course, it is frustrating, as there are many other uses for our offerings. It is worth noting that we (ELMDF) continue to operate solely on donations.”
