Swedish Homosexual ‘Hate Speech’ Case Under Review

The Swedish Supreme Court announced on May 9, that it will review the acquittal of Pentecostal Pastor Ake Green, who had faced hate crime charges for a sermon on homosexuality.

In February, the court threw out the case, saying that Green should not be imprisoned because it’s not illegal to preach about a person’s interpretation of the Bible.

Green had told a small congregation on the Swedish island of Oland that homosexuals were “a deep cancer tumor on all society” and added that Sweden faced a natural disaster if the nation persisted in its leniency toward them, according to the Associated Press.

He was the first pastor ever convicted under Sweden's new 2003 hate crime laws, which covered attacks against homosexuals, according to the BBC. Initially, Green had been given a 30-day suspended sentence.

Swedish chief prosecutor Fredrik Wersell appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that the comments by the accused amounted to hate speech. The case is now being reviewed.

"Homosexuality is something sick," Green said in comments, comparing it to bestiality and pedophilia.

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, Green explained that he had seen the popular media "glorifying the homosexual lifestyle" and felt "burdened” to say something about it.

Because attendance at his church was low on the day he preached the sermon, he decided to publish his comments in a local newspaper. He ended by saying that he could not condemn homosexuals.

“What these people need, who live under the slavery of sexual immorality, is an abundant grace. It exists. Therefore, we will encourage those who live in this manner to look at the grace of Jesus Christ. We cannot condemn these people. Jesus never belittled anyone. He offered them grace," said Green according to CBN.

Ulf Ekman, a prominent Swedish Pastor, says that support for Green has been muted.

"I think," he said, "in this case, pastor Green is very isolated. Many, many pastors have backed off, and even those who agree with him are very silent."

Sweden's National Gay and Lesbian Organization in Stockholm, RFSL is in support of conviction. Instead of one month in jail, however, the group would like to see Green face a six to eight month sentence, according to a spokesman as reported by CBN.

A court date for new hearings has not been set.