Rep. Roy issues statement after Finnish Christians found not guilty in ‘Bible trial’

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) released the following statement regarding the “not guilty” verdict in the prosecution of Finnish M.P. Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola for sharing their Christian faith.

Not guilty. Once again, I find myself relieved and rejoicing with people of faith worldwide as Finnish M.P. Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Juhana Pohjola have been exonerated of the supposed "crimes" of tweeting a Bible verse and publishing a church pamphlet on marriage. 

This decision is a victory for the unalienable rights safeguarded by our Constitution and written on every human heart. A guilty verdict would have criminalized Christianity, silenced Christians, stifled religious freedom across Europe, and catalyzed further attacks on the foundations of Western Civilization.

I thank God for this verdict, for Päivi Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola's courage in defense of the Gospel, and for the efforts of Alliance Defending Freedom International and other groups like Family Research Council for their hard work and advocacy on this case.

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