The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church is experiencing a veritable hemorrhage of members since Christian Democrat leader Päivi Räsänen presented what has been described as an “uncompromising, fundamentalist view” on the issue of homosexuality. Appearing on a TV programme, Päivi Räsänen described homosexual relations as “bad” and this provoked a flood of resignations from the church that has reached the figure of 20,000 in almost a week.
During the TV debate, Räsänen, president of the christian democrat party, insisted that “obviously, a person knows that he or she is doing something wrong from a christian point of view if he or she is in a homosexual relationship”. The loss of faithful in Finland is not only a spiritual question. The estimated cost of this loss of souls to the Finnish Church amounts to almost 7 million euros since the Church is a state church and is financed through a special tax.
From YLE.fi:
Archbishop Calls for Members to Stay
On Friday, Archbishop Kari Mäkinen said it was unfortunate and incredible that people were leaving the church on the issue of homosexuality. He hoped members would influence within the ranks of the church by expressing their opinions. So far, his advice has gone unheeded.
The Archbishop emphasised the church was far more diversified in accordance with Christian principles than the views expressed in some extreme statements by individuals.
Proposals for a law allowing gender neutral marriage have divided church ranks in Finland. Some clergy say the church might give up its right to solemnise marriages if such a law is enacted, while others take a more liberal approach on the issue.
Related articles
- Finns desert church in record numbers after watching gay marriage TV show (freethinker.co.uk)
- Finnish Lutherans Open To Debate On Accepting Same-Sex Marriages (pinkbananaworld.com)
- Finnish Lutherans Open To Debate On Accepting Same-Sex Marriages (lezgetreal.com)
