In recent years, I’ve watched something unfold across Europe that should concern every Christian in America. Laws and cultural attitudes are slowly but steadily rising that label biblical hate speech as a criminal offense. When the Word of God is treated like a weapon, that’s not just political. It’s spiritual warfare.
Across Europe, Christians are increasingly being accused or even prosecuted for what’s now labeled biblical hate speech simply for quoting or preaching Scripture. These cases show how quickly truth can be redefined as “hate.” They’re also a clear warning for believers in the U.S. to stay alert and prepared.
A Priest in Spain Put on Trial for Speaking Truth
One of the most recent examples comes from Spain, where a Catholic priest, Custodio Ballester, faced prison time after publicly criticizing radical Islam. Prosecutors accused him of hate speech simply for stating that Islam rejects dialogue and seeks to dominate nonbelievers.
Even though the Spanish court ultimately acquitted him, calling his statements offensive but not criminal, the fact that a priest was put on trial at all should shake us awake. It shows how close Western societies are to criminalizing any speech that contradicts the prevailing cultural narrative.
This wasn’t a violent or threatening statement. It was religious commentary, something Christians have done freely for centuries. But in today’s climate, biblical truth isn’t just disagreed with. It’s increasingly treated like a crime.
Read the full CBN report here.
Finland: A Politician on Trial for Quoting the Bible
In Finland, Päivi Räsänen, a member of parliament and a committed Christian, was prosecuted for quoting Romans 1 on social media and in a pamphlet defending biblical marriage.
She didn’t threaten anyone. She didn’t use slurs. She simply quoted Scripture. And for that, she endured years of legal battles, court hearings, and international scrutiny.
Though she was eventually acquitted, her case was a chilling example of how governments can weaponize “hate speech” laws against biblical truth.
The United Kingdom: Street Preachers in Handcuffs
The U.K. has seen multiple arrests of street preachers for proclaiming Scripture in public spaces. Verses that once inspired revival are now considered “offensive” to modern ears.
Many of these cases are thrown out in court, but the arrest itself sends a loud message: “If you speak biblical truth in public, expect consequences.”
This is cultural intimidation. It works. People begin to self-censor, not because they don’t believe the Word, but because they’re afraid of being silenced or humiliated.
Sweden: A Pastor Investigated for Preaching Scripture
In Sweden, a pastor was investigated after preaching on biblical sexual ethics from the pulpit. The sermon was nothing more than a biblical exposition, the kind of message that’s been preached for centuries, but it was reported as hate speech.
The case was ultimately dropped, but again, the message is clear. Public proclamation of biblical truth is under scrutiny like never before in the West.
Why biblical hate speech in Europe is a warning to the U.S.
We don’t have to guess where this is headed. Europe is the testing ground. America often follows its cultural trajectory, just a few years behind.
I’ve already seen this happening with Christian voices here. People like Charlie Kirk have been accused of spreading “hate speech” for simply making statements rooted in Scripture. Social-media platforms flag posts. Activist groups pressure institutions to silence dissenting voices. And the line between “offensive speech” and “illegal speech” keeps getting thinner.
This isn’t just a political concern for me. It’s personal. It’s frightening to imagine a day when quoting Scripture could land someone in court in the United States. But if we’re honest, that day may not be as far off as we’d like to believe.
I wrote more about the importance of protecting our faith here in America in Why We Must Stand for Religious Freedom.
Scripture Has Always Offended the World
This should not surprise us. Jesus said plainly in John 15:18-20: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
Truth will always clash with a world that loves darkness. We see this all throughout Scripture:
— Acts 4 — Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus.
— Jeremiah — persecuted for prophesying God’s Word.
— Jesus Himself — crucified for declaring the truth about who He is.
What’s different now is that governments and institutions are redefining that offense as criminal.
To understand how dangerous this trend is becoming, I recommend reading the Religious Freedom Institute’s analysis on “The Bible as Hate Speech.”
Why This Should Wake Up the American Church
As a Christian, I believe we need to stop pretending this can’t happen here. When we stay silent because it’s not our problem yet, we give cultural ground away inch by inch.
This is why I’m speaking up. Because if Christians in the U.S. don’t defend their right to proclaim God’s Word freely, there may come a day when the Bible is effectively treated as hate speech in our own country.
The European trend is not an accident. It’s the natural outcome of a culture that rejects God’s authority. Unless we’re grounded in truth, we’ll be swept along with it.
For a deeper look at how modern theology is drifting from biblical authority, read my post The Real Danger of Progressive Christianity.
Standing Firm in the Face of Cultural Hostility
We must:
— Speak the truth in love, even when it costs us.
— Refuse to compromise Scripture to fit cultural trends.
— Stand with boldness, not bitterness, knowing persecution isn’t new to God’s people.
— Pray for revival in nations that have silenced biblical truth.
— Strengthen our legal, spiritual, and cultural witness here at home.
This isn’t about politics alone. It’s about faithfulness to Christ in a world increasingly hostile to His Word.
Final Word
Europe’s pattern is clear. As soon as biblical truth is labeled biblical hate speech, freedom of expression collapses. Christians there are already facing trials, arrests, and investigations. If America continues down this path, it won’t be long before we face the same reality.
I’m not writing this to scare anyone. I’m writing this because truth matters. And silence is not an option.
Arch Kennedy
Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
When Faith Fades, Chaos Grows
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