U.K. Blocks Christian MP Päivi Räsänen Over “Hate Speech” Conviction

Standing for Freedom Center ^ | July 16, 2026 | Nathan Skates and Heather B. Hayes

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

After Finland’s Supreme Court found Päivi Räsänen guilty of “crimes against humanity” for sharing an online Christian pamphlet, Britain canceled her travel authorization, escalating concerns about the future of religious liberty in Europe.

[UPDATE] The U.K. is a nation that now allows rapists, murderers, and terrorists to pour across its borders and live permanently in taxpayer-funded homes, but there is one thing that can get someone banned from even setting foot on British soil: “insulting” homosexuals.

That’s a lesson that Päivi Räsänen, a member of Finland’s Parliament, recently learned when the U.K. denied her travel visa application.

[Engraved-on-His-hands]

She to return to Finland from California, transiting through Heathrow Airport in London, when entrance into the country was denied.

[xp38]

On the other hand there are small vessels from the other side of the channel that seem to have zero problems being admitted.

[Regulator]

Tell me again why we’re defending the Dead Isles?

[SaveFerris]

AI Overview:

In 2019, Finnish Member of Parliament Päivi Räsänen tweeted an image of Romans 1:24-27 alongside a question questioning her church’s sponsorship of Helsinki Pride. This post sparked a years-long legal battle over religious free speech.

In a landmark March 2026 ruling, Finland’s Supreme Court unanimously acquitted Räsänen of hate speech regarding the 2019 tweet. However, in the same decision, she was found guilty of “hate speech/insult” regarding a 20-year-old church pamphlet she authored about traditional marriage.

The Tweet’s Contents

The Text:

The post included a photograph of an extract from the Bible (Romans 1:24-27) that describes homosexual acts as shameful and contrary to nature.

The Context:

She posted the image on X (formerly Twitter) to publicly ask the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland why they were officially sponsoring the local LGBTQ+ Pride festival.

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Supreme Court: Prosecutors appealed the case, bringing it before Finland’s highest court. In March 2026, the court delivered a split decision:

It fully acquitted Räsänen of all hate-speech and incitement charges tied directly to the 2019 Bible-verse tweet.

It convicted her of an “insult” or “hate speech” charge relating to the wording used in a 2004 church pamphlet titled “Male and Female He Created Them”.

[SaveFerris]

Leviticus 18:22
English Standard Version

22 You shall not lie with a MALE
as with a WOMAN;
it is AN ABOMINATION.

Leviticus 20:13
English Standard Version

13 If a MAN lies with a MALE
as with a WOMAN,
both of them have committed
AN ABOMINATION; they shall surely be
put to death; their blood is upon them.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2018%3A22%2CLeviticus%2020%3A13&version=ESV

Deuteronomy 22:5
New King James Version

5 “A WOMAN shall not wear anything
that pertains to a MAN,
nor shall a MAN put on a WOMAN’S garment,
for all who do so are
AN ABOMINATION to the Lord your God.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2022%3A5&version=NKJV

[EnderWiggin1970]

Any Christians left in the UK who are not evangelists or missionaries should be planning to leave before they are arrested or worse.

[SaveFerris]

The Look On Their Faces
Testifies Against Them;

They PARADE Their Sin Like Sodom;
They Do Not Hide It.

Woe To Them!
They Have Brought Disaster
Upon Themselves.

Isaiah 3:9 NIV Bible 📖

They PARADE Their Sin Like Sodom;

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 🤦🤦‍♂️🤦‍♀️ Isaiah 3:9 New International Version 9 The look on their faces
testifies against them;
they PARADE their sin like Sodom;
they do not hide it.
Woe to them!
They have brought Disaster
upon themselves.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%203%3A9&version=NIV

[SaveFerris]

Romans 1:24-28
King James Version

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of
their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator,
Who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 FOR THIS CAUSE God gave them up unto vile affections:
FOR EVEN THEIR WOMEN DID CHANGE THE NATURAL USE
INTO THAT WHICH IS AGAINST NATURE:

27 AND LIKEWISE ALSO THE MEN, LEAVING THE NATURAL USE
OF THE WOMAN, BURNED IN THEIR LUST ONE TOWARD ANOTHER;
MEN WITH MEN WORKING THAT WHICH IS UNSEEMLY, AND RECEIVING
IN THEMSELVES THAT RECOMPENCE OF THEIR ERROR WHICH WAS MEET.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God
in their knowledge, God gave them over to a REPROBATE MIND,
to do those things which are not convenient;

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A24-28&version=KJV

---

Romans 1:32
King James Version

32 Who knowing the Judgment of God,
that they which commit such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same,
BUT HAVE PLEASURE IN THEM THAT DO THEM.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A32&version=KJV

[SaveFerris]

(It convicted her of an “insult” or “hate speech” charge relating to the wording used in a 2004 church pamphlet titled “Male and Female He Created Them”.)

Oh my, MALE and FEMALE?? 😲🤯😨😉 - SUCH a ridiculous concept!!

WHO could have come up with such a system? 🧐🧐🧐

---

Matthew 19:4
English Standard Version

4 He answered, “Have you not read
that He Who created them
from the Beginning made them
MALE and FEMALE,

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2019%3A4&version=ESV

---

Genesis 1:27
English Standard Version

27 So God created man in His Own image,

in the image of God He created him;
MALE and FEMALE He created them

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201%3A27&version=ESV

[ViLaLuz]

They’re in for a shock once Islam overtakes them.

[SaveFerris]

I think it’s too late already

[A strike]

Drool Britannia ..

[af_vet_1981]

The Context:

She posted the image on X (formerly Twitter) to publicly ask the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland why they were officially sponsoring the local LGBTQ+ Pride festival.

Neither evangelical nor a true church ...

Doctrinal Stance: Official church doctrine still defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. In May 2025, a proposal by the Bishops' Conference to formally recognize same-sex marriage alongside heterosexual unions fell 15 votes short of the required three-quarters majority in the Church Assembly.

Pastoral Discretion: Despite failing to alter official doctrine, individual priests are permitted to perform same-sex weddings. Individual parishes and "rainbow pastors" who choose to officiate same-sex ceremonies face no disciplinary actions or formal repercussions from the church administration

[Salman]

She publicly blasphemed against Sodomy.

The UK ruling class does not take lightly any attacks on their religion.

[mewzilla]

Why?

Because Deep State has made it impossible for Pres. Trump to order a unilateral withdrawal from NATO.

Tell me why Americans are still choosing to go there...

[dfwgator]

Glad Argentina kicked their ass.

[mewzilla]

Meanwhile, per Grok on the recent Norfolk PCC by-election, still no result as of 3 hours ago...

Grok
@grok
3h
Replying to @AlohaAustralian @RupertLowe10

The Norfolk PCC by-election count is happening right now on 17 July. No official result declared yet.

Rupert Lowe backed Restore Britain’s Mark Buckton. Other main contenders: Reform UK’s Colin Sutton, Labour’s Beth Jones, Greens, Lib Dems, Con and an Independent.

Results expected from the returning officer (Broadland & South Norfolk) soon.