October 2023 Persecution Magazine
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West Watch<br />
ISSUES INVOLVING CHRISTIANITY IN THE WEST<br />
Photo: ADFInternational.org<br />
Right: ICC President Jeff King with Päivi Räsänen and her husband Niilo Räsänen.<br />
UPDATE: Päivi Räsänen’s Battle for Religious<br />
Freedom and Free Speech<br />
We wanted to share an update and express our gratitude<br />
for the nearly 1,000 of our supporters who quickly<br />
rallied together to sign ICC’s petition in support of Päivi<br />
Räsänen.<br />
Räsänen, a Finnish Member of Parliament, faces charges for<br />
tweeting a Bible verse. Her case has led to a fascinating discussion<br />
on the role of religious freedom and free speech in the public<br />
square.<br />
ICC President Jeff King has had the opportunity to interview her a<br />
few times and share the story from her own words. She explained<br />
that, if she were to be convicted, her case would be a tipping<br />
point of persecution for her nation. Receiving charges for simply<br />
tweeting a Bible verse, the message was clear: Keep your religious<br />
opinions out of the public square.<br />
Her case has been a rollercoaster over the past four years and<br />
raises a number of questions about the importance of free<br />
speech. Her trial began on August 29, and at the time of writing<br />
this article, we are monitoring the case closely.<br />
Her ongoing legal battle has become a symbol of the delicate<br />
balance between religious freedom and free speech in modern<br />
society.<br />
Facing charges for a simple act–tweeting a Bible verse–Räsänen’s<br />
case has captured international attention. For many, it raises<br />
concerns about the erosion of fundamental freedoms in a world<br />
that increasingly scrutinizes and, in some cases, penalizes religious<br />
expression.<br />
Päivi Räsänen’s journey is not just her own; it serves as a reminder<br />
that the struggle for religious freedom and free speech is an<br />
ongoing battle that demands our attention and support.<br />
We are grateful for the outpouring of support from nearly 1,000<br />
individuals who have stood with us in solidarity. We will continue<br />
to monitor the case closely and advocate for the principles that<br />
underpin a free and open society. As always, we will continue to<br />
keep you updated on this ongoing situation.<br />
Visit International Christian Concern’s YouTube channel to watch<br />
the full interview with King and Räsänen.<br />
6<br />
<strong>Persecution</strong> | OCTOBER <strong>2023</strong>
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