Franklin Graham, chief of the worldwide Christian ministry Samaritan’s Purse, is blasting the United Kingdom and its officials for their latest attack on a Christian parliamentarian, Paivi Räsänen.
The Finnish member of parliament repeatedly has been persecuted by her own government for doing no more than quoting what the Bible teaches about homosexuality, and now the U.K. government has joined in the hate campaign against her.
Graham said, “It’s hard to believe that Finnish Member of Parliament and Christian Päivi Räsänen has been banned from flying through London’s Heathrow airport simply for her belief on biblical sexuality. She has been persecuted for many years in her home country and accused of ‘hate speech’ simply for quoting what the Bible says about homosexual sin in Romans 1:24-27. Let’s pray for Päivi as she stands boldly on God’s Word. God bless her!”
He cited a report in the Washington Stand about the situation.
“As this article warns—’We can expect more of this. It’s a Finnish Lutheran lawmaker and grandmother today; it could easily be you tomorrow.'”
That report called it “a sign of the continuing breakdown of religious freedom in Europe.”
The U.K.’s attack included a ban on her traveling to Heathrow Airport for a layover.
“Räsänen’s legal saga began in 2019, when she wrote a post on social media questioning why her Finnish Lutheran Church was choosing to participate in an LGBT Pride event, citing the scriptural prohibition against same-sex conduct from Romans 1:24-27. Finnish authorities eventually charged her and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola with ‘hate speech’ for authoring a pamphlet advocating for a biblical view of sexuality and for the social media post,” the Stand reported.
When they were acquitted, the prosecutors appealed, and Finland’s Supreme Court decided 3-2 they were guilty of “hate speech.”
That result came even though the court itself seemed unable to justify any action at all, stating, “I]t must be taken into account that the text forming the basis for the conviction did not contain incitement to violence or comparable threat-like fomenting of hatred. The conduct is therefore not particularly serious in terms of the nature of the offense.”
Despite that, the U.K. rejected her Electronic Travel Authorization “merely to pass through the country via Heathrow … .”
Räsänen, in fact, confirmed that action could imperil her plans to attend an upcoming conference and speaking engagement in Northern Ireland next month about — ironically — freedom of speech, the report said.
Author and columnist Rod Dreher didn’t mince words: “Now that I hear someone as innocent and gentle as this Finnish granny has been forbidden by the British government even for setting foot in their international airport … well, it confirms my suspicions.”
He said, “I think Päivi is a canary in the civilizational coal mine. The progressive bureaucratic order in European countries would rather attack faithful Christians as Enemies Of Society than deal with the actual problems they have. We can expect more of this. It’s a Finnish Lutheran lawmaker and grandmother today; it could easily be you tomorrow.”
WorldNetDaily previously has reported on the attacks on Rasanen, including when the Finnish Supreme Court delivered its shocking anti-religion claim.
Europe is officially totalitarian.
The SUPREME COURT of Finland has CONVICTED Paivi Rasanen of a crime against humanity for a 20+ year old church pamphlet which opposed gay marriage.
At the time gay marriage was not even legal in Finland!
The state of Finland is evil. https://t.co/7SJpTKlted
— Dr. Calum Miller (@DrCalumMiller) March 26, 2026
Keep fighting the good fight, Paivi Rasanen @PaiviRasanen. God bless you. https://t.co/KOaBMu3sjd
— Vicki Lynn (@VickiLynn47) February 5, 2026
According to the Christian Institute, the conviction was for “hate speech” simply for expressing her opinions of sexual ethics in a pamphlet published for her church years ago.
At one point, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, wrote to encourage her in her fight for religious freedom and her faith.
“Thank you for your unrelenting commitment to challenging the accusations levied against you, which has earned you the admiration of Christians throughout the world who are encountering increasing hostility. From thousands of miles away in the United States of America, I continue to stand with you. You have unwavering support as you continue to defend free speech and religious expression in Finland. … As you prepare for this newest appeal, please know that millions of Americans stand in solidarity with you,” he said.
Roy cited Matthew 5:10, which promises, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
#kirkko on ilmoittanut olevansa #seta n #Pride2019 virallinen partneri. Miten kirkon oppiperusta, #raamattu sopii yhteen sen kanssa, että häpeä ja synti nostetaan ylpeyden aiheeksi? pic.twitter.com/cnjAQCrOc2
— Päivi Räsänen (@PaiviRasanen) June 17, 2019
The lower courts had ruled that judges have no jurisdiction to “interpret” the Bible.
‘I am shocked’: Court delivers anti-Christian ruling in lawmaker’s ‘hate speech’ case
