God, Country & the American Story With Billy Hallowell

A member of Finland's parliament who has faced a years-long legal battle for sharing a Bible verse on social media is refusing to back down from her freedom fight.

Päivi Räsänen told "Higher Ground With Billy Hallowell" her legal battle began more than five years ago when she challenged Finland's main religious body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, questioning why it had "decided to support, financially and publicly" a local Pride parade.

"It was a disappointment and even shock to me and many others," she said. "Many of my friends decided to resign the church, and I was also praying ... 'What should I do now?' I was very worried about this very public statement of the leadership of the church because I was worried that it will undermine people's trust on Bible and its authority."

Ms. Räsänen decided to take to Twitter to share text from Romans 1, where the Apostle Paul addresses sexual ethics. She added a question to church leadership about their position in support of Pride. 

"After that, some citizen made a criminal complaint and the police started to investigate the case," Ms. Räsänen continued. "At the beginning, I didn't believe it. I just read it from the newspaper that police [had] started to investigate the case and I phoned to the policeman and he said, 'Yes, we are investigating it.'"

Now, she faces a major trial over her religious expression. Listen to Ms. Räsänen share the full story.

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What is God, Country & the American Story With Billy Hallowell?

"God, Country & the American Story" is a groundbreaking new podcast from The Washington Times that explores the powerful role the Christian faith has had in the lives of America’s leaders, from the founders to the movers and shakers of today.

Veteran journalist and author Billy Hallowell sits down with lawmakers, high-ranking officials, business titans, historians, faith leaders, and cultural influencers to examine how belief in God has guided the nation’s most powerful leaders and pivotal moments - and continues to fuel the American experiment.

This series honors America’s spiritual heritage while tackling today’s most pressing questions: How has faith shaped the nation? What role does it play in the lives of public officials? And what does the future hold for faith and freedom in America?

As the country prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, join us for thought-provoking conversations that uncover the soul of a nation—rooted in God and destined for greatness.