An interfaith coalition has offered prayers of solidarity to two evangelical Christians facing their third trial for declaring that homosexuality violates the Bible‚ a position prosecutors call “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Despite two unanimous acquittals‚ Finland’s state prosecutor has taken an elderly member of parliament and a Lutheran bishop before the Supreme Court to answer for their traditional Christian beliefs on sexuality.  Dr. Päivi Räsänen‚ who has served in parliament for 29 years‚ and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland‚ are facing “spiritual persecution” for upholding the Scripture‚ said a letter signed by dozens of Christian and Jewish leaders. “Once again‚ you face unjust charges. For almost half a decade‚ you have confronted targeted legal harassment for simply living out your Christian faith‚ the direct result of not just political persecution but also spiritual persecution‚” says the letter‚ which was led by Advancing American Freedom and released today. “Now‚ despite twice being unanimously declared not guilty at the Helsinki District Court and the Helsinki Court of Appeals‚ the prosecutor has filed another appeal‚ potentially forcing a third trial at Finland’s Supreme Court.” Authorities have centered their legal case on a five-year-old social media post made by the member of parliament‚ a member of the Christian Democrats Party‚ asking why her Lutheran church body would take part in an LGBT “Pride 2019” event. The post on Twitter‚ now X‚ included a photo of Romans 1:24-27‚ which clarifies that homosexual behavior is sinful.  #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 Two years later‚ in April 2021‚ prosecutors charged Räsänen and Pohjola with “agitation against a minority” under the nation’s law against “war crimes and crimes against humanity.” Police arrested Räsänen and subjected her to 13 hours of police interrogation before her trial. Prosecutors dubbed the Bible verses in her tweet‚ a booklet the two wrote in 2004 expounding on biblical doctrine titled “Male and Female He Created Them: Homosexual Relations Challenge the Christian Concept of Humanity‚” as well as comments Räsänen made on the radio in December 2019 as “hate speech.” Räsänen and Pohjola were first acquitted by the Helsinki District Court on March 30‚ 2022. The three-judge panel ruled that prosecutors had violated the Christians’ right to freedom of expression contained in Section 12 of the Finnish Constitution‚ as well as noting the thorny legal questions posed if secular judges begin ruling on matters of religious doctrine. “It is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts‚” the court declared. But within days‚ then-Prosecutor General Raija Toiviainen appealed the charges. Räsänen then faced a two-day trial last Aug. 31-Sept. 1. The Court of Appeals unanimously acquitted Räsänen and Pohjola on Nov. 14. Under the law‚ social media posts must be intended to offend‚ and “there must be an overriding social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression‚” they ruled. The judges ordered the state to pay both defendants’ legal fees. Prosecutor had argued that the intent behind the expression of faith was irrelevant but the Court of Appeal explicitly rejected this reasoning‚ confirming – thankfully – that "Chapter 11‚ Section 10 of the Penal Code is punishable only if committed intentionally."— Paul Coleman (@Paul_B_Coleman) November 14‚ 2023 Finland’s current state prosecutor appealed the dismissal once again earlier this month. “It is shocking that the Finnish state prosecutor has decided to target MP Räsänen for a third time‚ because she politely expressed her religious beliefs in public‚” Arielle Del Turco‚ director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council—and who signed the letter—told The Washington Stand. “So far‚ the Finnish courts have been clear in affirming Räsänen’s right to express her religious beliefs. However‚ the process of being dragged through court is often the punishment itself.” The effort to continually prosecute the grandmother of 10 exposes the government’s intolerance and malice toward traditional Christian viewpoints‚ said Paul Coleman‚ executive director of ADF International‚ which is supporting Räsänen’s legal defense. “Dragging people through the courts for years‚ subjecting them to hourlong police interrogations‚ and wasting taxpayer money to police people’s deeply held beliefs has no place in a democratic society‚” said Coleman. “As is so often the case in ‘hate speech’ trials‚ the process has become the punishment.” The U.S. letter offers “prayers and encouragement” to the embattled pair “on behalf of the millions of Americans who support freedom of speech and freedom of religion.” The letter assures them that “you do not stand alone‚” because “each one of us stands alongside you‚” note its writers. “We are watching‚ and we are praying for you. The world is watching‚ and the world is praying for you.” The signatories hope their fellow believers‚ and all those who value freedom of conscience and expression‚ will make that promise real as the West falls progressively under the sway of illiberal secular repression. “Christians around the world should continue to pray for and voice their support for MP Räsänen‚” said Del Turco. The faith leaders signing the letter include Family Research Council President Tony Perkins; former U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback‚ R-Kansas; former U.S. Rep. Frank Wolf‚ R-Va.; Ken Blackwell‚ former ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights; and Rabbi Yaakov Menken of the Coalition for Jewish Values‚ among many others. The Lutheran pair’s case also attracted high-level support from Rep. Chip Roy‚ R-Texas‚ who named Räsänen‚ detransitioner Chloe Cole‚ collegiate swimming record-holder Riley Gaines‚ and concerned parent Scott Smith his personal “heroes” at FRC’s 2023 Pray Vote Stand Summit. “She gives you hope‚” said Roy. “She gives you a belief that we can stand up and stand athwart that kind of tyranny.” Räsänen has reflected on the words of Jesus to rejoice in suffering‚ taking pride that each trial has allowed her to quote and explain the Bible’s teachings in depth. “After my full exoneration in two courts‚ I’m not afraid of a hearing before the Supreme Court‚” said Räsänen. An “acquittal from the Supreme Court would set an even stronger positive precedent for everyone’s right to free speech and religion. And if the court decided to overturn the lower courts’ acquittals‚ I am ready to defend freedom of speech and religion as far as the European Court of Human Rights.” The letter reads in full: To the Honorable Päivi Räsänen‚ M.D.‚ and the Reverend Dr. Juhana Pohjola‚ We have been following your case since 2019 and on behalf of the millions of Americans who support freedom of speech and freedom of religion‚ we write to show our support for you in these trying times and to offer our prayers and encouragement. Once again you face unjust charges. For almost half a decade‚ you have confronted targeted legal harassment for simply living out your Christian faith‚ the direct result of not just political persecution‚ but also spiritual persecution. Now‚ despite twice being unanimously declared not guilty at the Helsinki District Court and the Helsinki Court of Appeals‚ the prosecutor has filed another appeal‚ potentially forcing a third trial at Finland’s Supreme Court. We are watching‚ and we are praying for you. The world is watching‚ and the world is praying for you. As you once again prepare to stand trial for freedom of speech and freedom of religion‚ know that you do not stand alone. Rather‚ each one of us stands alongside you‚ praying and encouraging you along the way. Sincerely‚ Paul Teller‚ executive director‚ Advancing American Freedom Frank Wolf‚ former member‚ U.S. Congress Ambassador Sam Brownback‚ co-chair‚ International Religious Freedom Summit Dr. Gregory P. Seltz‚ executive director‚ the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty Eric Patterson‚ executive director‚ Religious Freedom Institute Tony Perkins‚ president of the Family Research Council‚ and former chair of U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Ken Blackwell‚ former U.S. ambassador‚ United Nations Human Rights Commission Maureen Blum‚ executive director‚ Catholics Count Nina Shea‚ senior scholar and director‚ Center for Religious Freedom‚ Hudson Institute Douglas D. Punke‚ senior pastor‚ Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church‚ Fort Wayne‚ Indiana Bunni Pounds‚ president‚ Christians Engaged Rabbi Yaakov Menken‚ managing director‚ Coalition for Jewish Values McKenna Wendt‚ advocacy manager‚ International Christian Arielle Del Turco‚ director of the Center for Religious Liberty‚ the Family Research Council Charlie Gerow‚ CEO‚ Quantum Communications Robert F. Schwarzwalder Jr.‚ Ph.D.‚ senior lecturer‚ Honors College‚ Regent University Bethany Kozma‚ CEO‚ Keystone Policy Robert K. Fisher‚ meeting coordinator‚ Conservatives of Faith Kelly Monroe Kullberg‚ general secretary‚ American Association of Evangelicals C. Preston Noell III‚ president‚ Tradition‚ Family‚ Property Inc. David Kullberg‚ co-founder‚ Scandinavian American Gospel Alliance Richard A. Vigurie‚ chairman‚ FedUpPac.org Jason Poblete‚ Esq‚ president‚ Global Liberty Alliance Eunie Smith‚ president‚ Eagle Forum of Alabama Melissa Ortiz‚ founder‚ Capability Consulting Dran Reese‚ president‚ Salt and Light Council Saulius “Saul” Anuzis‚ president‚ 60 Plus Association James L. Martin‚ founder/chairman‚ 60 Plus Association John Suarez‚ executive director‚ Center for a Free Cuba Nancy Schulze‚ national strategic director‚ Physicians for Reform Originally published on The Washington Stand. Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state.  The post Christian‚ Jewish Leaders Condemn Ongoing Political and Spiritual ‘Persecution’ of Paivi Rasanen appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Currently China's military consists of approximately 2.2 million soldiers. Also known as the People's Liberation Army‚ it is one of the fastest growing militaries in the world. China's President Xi Jinping has committed to fully modernizing it by 2035. Xi wants to become the dominant military power in the world‚...

A high-school wrestling coach has received a severe penalty after going one step too far to protect his son. On Jan. 20‚ assistant wrestling coach Russell Brunson of Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian‚ Idaho‚ interrupted a match and appeared to strike an opposing wrestler who had Brunson's son pinned...

2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Ten Celebrating 10 years of the Moto Guzzi Proud Owners Club‚ the official community of Eagle brand owners and fans‚ the company has announced the 2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Ten. The new V7 was unveiled officially at the Verona Motor Bike Expo in Italy on Jan. 19-20.  The V7 Stone Ten shares the trademark “flying” 853cc 90-degree V-Twin with 2 valves per cylinder seen on its V7 stablemates‚ with air-cooled cylinder heads jutting outward from beneath the fuel tank. The V7 Stone Ten also features an Arrow exhaust system with Moto Guzzi branded silencers‚ which offers claimed performance increases of the Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Ten‚ both in terms of power‚ which goes from 65.2 to 66.5 hp at 6‚700 rpm‚ and maximum torque‚ which increases from 53.8 lb-ft to 55.3 lb-ft at 4‚900 rpm. The Arrow exhaust fitted on the V7 Stone Ten is also sold separately as an accessory for all Moto Guzzi V7 models.  Related: 2021 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone | First Ride Review  Suspension consists of a nonadjustable 40mm fork and dual preload-adjustable shocks. The V7 Stone Ten rolls on cast wheels – 18-inch front‚ 17-inch rear – and has Brembo brakes‚ with a 4-piston caliper squeezing a 320mm disc in front and a 2-piston caliper squeezing a 260mm disc out back. Standard features include ABS‚ traction control‚ and LED lighting.  10 Years of Guzzisti Spirit  As part of the Moto Guzzi Proud Owners Club‚ the company says that thousands of riders who share the same passion for the twin-cylinders from Mandello have come together since 2014 to compare notes‚ share experiences‚ and meet at rallies and events organized by the community to become travel and adventure companions. The community currently includes over 50‚000 members from all over the world.  See all of Rider’s Moto Guzzi coverage here.  The V7 Stone Ten expresses the vitality of the Guzzisti community through a new sport-inspired outfit. A black and white checkered stripe with a red border runs across the upper part of the fuel tank‚ blending with the black painted surface. The fuel tank itself has a glossy pastel white color scheme‚ contrasting with the black side panels.  The V7 Stone Ten’s sport nature is emphasized by the red shock absorber springs and the contrasting red stitching on the seat‚ both of which are unique to this model. The eagles on the sides of the fuel tank are also red‚ as are the words “Moto Guzzi” on the channel of both wheel rims. A plate on the handlebar riser identifies it as the special edition.  The equipment package includes bar-end rearview mirrors‚ which give the Stone Ten a more sleek and dynamic profile‚ as well as the billet black anodized aluminum fuel cap. The customized look extends to the V-Twin‚ with the head covers in an elegant graphite color and throttle body covers in black anodized aluminum.  The 2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Ten will be available at dealerships from April 2024 starting at $9‚990. For more information‚ visit the Moto Guzzi website. Check out more new bikes in Rider’s 2024 Motorcycle Buyers Guide  The post 2024 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Ten Review | First Look  appeared first on Rider Magazine.