Free Speech

She Quoted the Bible and Was Prosecuted for 6 Years: Now She Is Testifying Before Congress

Michael Ringer

05 Feb 2026 — 2 min read

Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen Testifies Before US Congress on European Threats to Christian Free Speech

Finnish Member of Parliament Paivi Rasanen and Irish writer Graham Linehan testified before the US House Judiciary Committee on February 4, 2026, in a hearing titled "Europe's Threat to American Speech and Innovation: Part II."

Rasanen was prosecuted for six years after tweeting a Bible verse in 2019 questioning her church's sponsorship of a pride event. She currently awaits a verdict from the Supreme Court of Finland following a criminal trial in October 2025. Her case has become one of Europe's most prominent examples of the criminalization of Christian speech.

Linehan was arrested in September 2025 for comments about gender on social media platform X. Scotland Yard dropped the investigation, but Linehan accused the police of trying to silence dissent.

European Hate Speech Laws Target Christians Who Share Biblical Views

The hearing examined how European censorship laws, including the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act, threaten free speech globally. Both witnesses testified that laws designed to prevent "hate speech" are being used to silence Christians who express biblical beliefs.

The Crusader's Opinion

A sitting member of parliament was prosecuted for six years for quoting Scripture. Let that sink in. This is not happening in North Korea or Iran. This is happening in Finland, a Western democracy. If they can prosecute a lawmaker for a Bible verse, they can prosecute anyone. The Digital Services Act and Online Safety Act are not about safety. They are about silencing Christians. Thank God these witnesses had the courage to stand before Congress and say what millions of believers are afraid to say.

Take Action

Watch: Watch the full congressional hearing
Share: Share Paivi Rasanen's story. She was prosecuted for 6 years for tweeting a Bible verse. This could happen to any Christian.
Pray: Pray for Paivi Rasanen as she awaits the Finnish Supreme Court verdict on her case
Contact: Write to your elected representatives opposing hate speech laws that criminalize biblical expression
Learn: Learn about Alliance Defending Freedom International's work protecting religious freedom

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