Jail Time for Hate Speech

Dr. Juhana Pohjola is a Finnish pastor who is threatened with jail time for “hate speech.” What has this mild-mannered pastor done? He has promoted an historical view of Christian sexuality held by millions of Christians over countless generations.

Here’s a link to the article from the International Lutheran Council about Dr. Pohjola. He was charged in 2019 with “incitement against a group of people.” What did Pohjola do that was so inciteful? He distributed a booklet, first written in 2004 called “Male and Female He Created Them.” Here’s the booklet.

While I realize that many hold the view that homosexuality, and all forms of modern gender theory, are normal and accepted, it is important to affirm that many do not hold this view. And it should not be punishable to hold the counter view which has been affirmed around the world by many cultures spanning millennia.

We enter dangerous territory when certain speech (and the thinking that goes with it) is stifled. As a caveat however, Christians can never promote violence against those who do not hold our views. As Dr. Pohjola said after being charged, “Every human being, created by God and redeemed by Christ, is equally precious.” All are made in the image of God and are given opportunity to know God whether through general revelation or special revelation.

I stand with pastors and Christians in other countries who face difficult circumstances because they affirm their Christian faith.