A criminal investigation for violating "hate speech" laws kicked off last week against a Christian lawmaker and her pastor in Finland. The pair now face two to four years in prison and thousands in fines for publishing Bible verses and Bible-based information on sexuality.

Although freedom of religion is a Finnish constitutional right, "hate speech" laws there have made the practice of Christianity a crime...and it could well happen here in the United States.

Liberty Counsel's case Otto v. Boca Raton and other associated "change counseling" cases we are litigating can prevent exactly this sort of government silencing of biblical ideals that contradict LGBT ideology.

Should the counseling bans in Boca Raton, Tampa or any of the other 60 cities and states that have adopted such unconstitutional laws, stay on the books, Bible-based Christian counseling will be effectively outlawed. WE CANNOT LOSE THESE CASES!

Finnish LGBT activists pushed hard for inclusion as a protected class under Finland's laws. At the time of passage, pastors and pundits alike warned that such laws would result in Christianity, at least the doctrines that speak against sexual immorality, becoming illegal.

Those concerns were brushed off as so-called conspiracy theories. Yet here we are, just a few years later, and Finland Parliament member Paivi Rasanen is facing charges for posting a picture of a page from her Bible, opened to Romans 1:24-27.

Rasanen is facing additional charges for writing a booklet entitled "Man and Woman, He created Them." Her pastor, who published the book, is also under investigation...for the mere act of publishing a Bible-based book that takes issue with LGBT ideology.

Never mind that the Finnish Constitution declares the need to "proclaim a Bible-based Christian faith." Never mind that multiple laws guarantee Finnish citizens the freedom to freely choose and freely practice their religion. None of that has protected Finnish Christians in the face of LGBT radicalization. Anything that questions or challenges LGBT ideology must, apparently, become illegal in Finland.

Back in 2011, just before the new "hate crime" laws passed, Finnish Christians warned that LGBT hate laws would be used to silence Christianity...just as we are sounding the alarm here in America today.

Finnish state prosecutor Raija Toivainen says the Christian lawmaker's tweet and booklet "incite hatred" against homosexuals. Here in the U.S., the cities we are suing make similar claims, insisting that Christian counselors cannot give Bible-based counseling on sexuality for fear that God's Word will make someone uncomfortable.

If we do not win Otto v. Boca Raton and other similar cases, Christian counseling bans will remain the law of the land and radical LGBT activists will be greatly encouraged.

And it won't be long before Americans will be suffering the same sort of persecution that this Finnish legislator and her pastor have suffered.

As you know, Liberty Counsel is a pro-bono public interest law firm. In other words, we never charge our clients. Instead, we rely on God's provision through donations from good people like yourself to fund our representation of Christians under attack for living their faith.

Won't you please take a moment right now to support our vital legal work? Your generous donation is needed now.

In Christ,

Mat Staver
Founder and Chairman

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