Items of interest from various sources of religious news and opinion, in print and on the web.
Finland Supreme Court Says Historic Christianity is Hate Speech. Finland’s Supreme Court has blurred the line between peaceful Christian expression and hate speech. The recent case centers on government minister Päivi Räsänen, who was prosecuted for quoting Scripture and authoring a 2004 church pamphlet on marriage and sexuality. Although lower courts twice acquitted her, the Supreme Court reversed one charge in a narrow 3–2 decision. The author contends that the ruling reflects “moral blindness,” treating orthodox Christian teaching as though it were inherently harmful. The piece warns that broader European efforts to criminalize “hate speech” risk equating violent extremism with mere theological disagreement. Inglese, Daisy Mae. “When Christian Conviction Becomes ‘Hate Speech.'” Faith and Family. Restoringthewest.com, 31 Mar. 2026. Web. 5 May 2026.
Dwindling Number of Speakers of the Language of Christ. National Geographic profiles Maaloula, a small Christian village in Syria where residents still speak Western Aramaic, the same language spoken by Jesus and His disciples. In 2013, jihadist fighters seized the village, forcing most residents to flee and leaving behind bulletscarred buildings and looted churches. Despite the devastation, locals continue using Aramaic in daily life, preserving a fragile linguistic heritage. The community is slowly rebuilding, restoring churches and teaching the language to younger generations. Biller, Ryan. “This WarTorn Village Is Fighting to Keep Christ’s Language Alive.” Culture. NationalGeographic.com, 16 Mar. 2026. Web. 5 May 2026.
Gen Z’s Quiet Return to the Pew. A USA Today article notes that many young Americans are rediscovering faith, despite cultural assumptions of growing secularism. Studies indicate that Gen Z is increasingly drawn to spiritual practices for meaning, stability, and community in an anxious age. Some churches offering enduring answers to Gen Z’s questions are experiencing surprising growth. At the same time, experts observe that resurgence is uneven and not always tied to institutional religion. Overall, the column frames Gen Z’s spiritual curiosity as a hopeful sign. “Gen Z Isn’t Losing Faith, Even Amid Modern Distractions.” Religion and Belief. USAToday.com, 8 Feb. 2026. Web. 5 May 2026.