Today, another hearing took place in the trial of Pastor Pawel Chojecki. The prosecutor is demanding 10 months of prison, a fine and removal of content that would have harmed other people from the channel. The case has been adjourned until June 10, when the judge is expected to deliver a verdict. At today’s hearing there were final speeches, including one of Andrzej Turczyn, the defender of pastor Pawel Chojecki.
— Against the Tide (Idź Pod Prąd) TV (@AgainstTideTV) May 28, 2021
What is the case of Pastor Pawel Chojecki about?
Pastor Pawel Chojecki has been accused by the government prosecutor’s office of insulting the religious sensibilities of Catholics, insulting objects of Catholic religious worship, praising the initiation of a war against communist North Korea and insulting the Polish nation and the President of the Republic of Poland.
– The foundational rights are threatened when people stop using them. Everyone should be free to express their deeply held beliefs about important issues without fear of censorship or criminal sanctions – says Päivi Räsänen, former Minister of the Interior of Finland who is facing us to two years in prison for publishing Bible verses. We are presenting the most important parts of the interview as well and the full interview in the video.
You are accused of hate speech, because of a photo of Bible verses that you posted online. My first question is, can you tell us exactly what happened and what was your first reaction to the prosecutor’s actions? Is it the first time that something like this has happened in Finland?
Yes, it is the first time that it has happened in Finland. I now face three criminal charges for the same “crime”. […] I have to say that being criminally charged for voicing my beliefs feels very unreal and absurd. The decision of the prosecutor general was surprising, it was even shocking. I do not think I have committed any crime. And in all these cases the question is about the Bible’s teaching about marriage and sexuality. […]
The pastor of my church (his name is Paweł Chojecki), has also been taken to the court because of his activity online. The prosecutor claims my pastor has offended the religious feelings of Catholics. Now, having taken your case and my pastor’s case, how do you think Christians should act in today’s society? Do you think saying the truth should be limited only to what doesn’t make people feel bad?
We are living in times when the effect of Christian culture on the society is narrowing. The basic teachings of the Christian faith and Bible are no longer the views of the majority. This is what happens in Finland. Strong changes have happened since my childhood in the Finnish society. And I think that we are facing similar kind of challenges in other western countries also.
The foundational rights are threatened when people stop using them. I think that everyone should be free to express their deeply held beliefs about important issues without fear of censorship or criminal sanctions. It is especially important for us, Christians, who are called to lift up Jesus and the Bible. […]
What exact role has the Bible in your life?
Christian faith and the Bible are in the core of my whole life and work. I believe that every human being in the image of God and therefore the human value is always absolute. […] And when you ask about what role the Bible has in my life… I read it every day and I think that the core message is about Jesus, why He came and what He has done for all of us. […]
Are you planning to take actions to make the Finnish government modify the law so that other people will not fall into a situation like yours?
I think that it will be easier to answer this question after we see the result of the court. It is coming at the end of this year. The freedom of speech and religion – they are fundamental rights recorded in the Finnish constitution and, moreover, also in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But, however, the breaking of the Christian worldview is visible both in the societal discussions and in the decision making. […] It is important to remember that there is no universally agreed definition of hate speech. In fact, also in Finnish legislation, we don’t have that concept. But there are some forces that would like to have this concept also in Finnish legislation. […]
How would you encourage especially young Christians to spread the truth and the Gospel?
[…] I want to encourage Christians to use their internationally guaranteed right and speak up according to their faith. Democracy entails an inclusive political system, in which all groups can participate and all voices are heard. Regardless of the final outcome of my case, I myself intent to use my rights and trusting that the Bible is God’s Word and it is a solid foundation for the gospel to bring forth new life and win hearts. I want to remind that God wants to use us, Christians, to spread the message of the crucified, resurrected Jesus and that is why it is so important to also speak about the Bible and strengthen the trust upon the Bible.
How does the Czech Republic want to obtain compensation from Russia for blowing up a Czech ammunition depot and the death of two Czechs? What should be the reaction of Prague to the inclusion of the Czech Republic on the list of hostile countries by Russia? We talked about this and more with a Czech politician, mayor of the largest district of Prague, Ondřej Kolář, who in 2020 was one of the targets of Putin’s Russian agent for his anti-communist activities and had to hide in a secret location under the protection of Czech services.
Eunika Chojecka: The Russian authorities approved a list of “hostile states” which only included the United States and the Czech Republic. In a statement, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that Moscow’s decision was another step towards worsening the relations not only with the Czech Republic but also with the European Union and its allies.
Ondřej Kolář: I think Russia is struggling. They know what they have done here in the Czech Republic and they know that their agents, members of their military, have blown up ammunition depot in 2014. Everything has come up now. Our secret service has brought quite some evidence to the parliament and to the government. When Russians are confronted with something like this, it is in their nature that they start kicking around. If you take a look at the Russian mentality and everything that has happened in the Soviet Union or in Russia in the past, they have no other option than to react this way. I think that being on the list together with the United States is something very good for the Czech Republic. We are in very good company. The United States is our biggest allies in the North Atlantic Alliance.
E.C.: Are you not afraid of the consequences of your activities towards Russia?
O.K.: No, I would say that it is not our activities towards Russia. It is Russian activities towards the Czech Republic. Russians very well know what they have done. What they committed is an act of violence against the Czech Republic. They have blown up a military depot here, ammunition depots in the Czech Republic. It was done by the members of the Russian military, by GRU the secret military service of Russia. And if they now accuse us of being violent or somehow being enemies of Russia, it is their interpretation. The only ones who are doing these steps of worsening the relations are the Russians.
They have put the Czech Republic on the list of enemies. It was not the Czech Republic who said that Russia is our enemy. They only said that Russians had done something bad and they should compensate us for what they had done. And the Russians’ reaction was: We will now pronounce you the enemy of the Russian and we will put you on the list along with the United States.
E.C.: The Czechs want compensation from Russia for the effects of an explosion in ammunition depots. Is there a chance to get this compensation? What do you think?
O.K.: Personally, I do not think there is a chance for success. But it does not mean that we should not try. Russia has to be put under pressure. We have to show them that this is not something that we and our allies will tolerate. If we do that, if we do not take concrete steps against Russia, then of course they will try it again.
E.C.: I am asking you about compensation because Poland can not get compensation from Russia after they had attacked Poland in 1939. From where do Czech politicians take their bravery to be so firm towards Russia?
O.K.: Our government has not made very concrete and strong steps against Russia. We have not asked the allies to help us so I think that the first step we need to do is change the government and start acting as a state that has self-confidence. It will be very hard because we have a president who is very pro-Russian and who tries to deny anything the Russian side does. […] I think that countries that have problem with Russia (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, baltic countries) we should work together and put European officials under pressure and try to convince them that this is something that should not be tolerated at all. Europe has to understand that Russia, on one hand, is a partner in economic ways, but on the other hand it is an enemy. Russia has pronounced one of the members of the EU as its enemy. The Czech Republic is now the enemy of Russia. If the EU does not realize that this is totally unacceptable, then any chances of change are lost.
So what I’m saying is… I will use a word that might be inappropriate, I’m sorry… The Czech Republic has to find its balls. We have to stand strong in our position. We have to make very strong diplomatic effort to convince our partners and allies in the EU and NATO that they should help us put Russia under pressure.
We have many things in common and I think we should create a group of states who very clearly will say that Russia is a big problem and will convince the EU that this problem should be dealt with.
The Czech Republic for example will be representing the EU in a year I think. So we have a great chance of doing this. We have a great chance to show that the Russian side is actually fighting against the EU. […] We have to find our self-confidence first and then we have to (…) diplomacy strong to convince our partners to make clear and strong statements against Russia.
E.C.: Senate may accuse the Czech president of high treason after the Vrbetice scandal. We will consider the possibility of submitting a constitutional complaint on suspicion of treason. We now need to gather the necessary information and listen to experts’ opinions on this matter, said Milos Vystrczil, Speaker of the Czech Senate, quoted by TASS.
Do you know any details?
O.K.: Our government and our parliament have very strong evidence that the attack on the ammunition depot was performed by Russians. […] When you see your president doing this then of course you think: Who does he serve? Does he serve the Czech people or does he serve the Russians? Because if he were the president of the Czech State he would never have done such a thing. […]
E.C.: Your colleague Pawel Novotny said: „Our current president is very specific. He is closer to Russia than to the Czech Republic sometimes. In fact always.” Is that true?
O.K.: Well, I would say that our president is an old man, he’s unfortunately also an ill man, he has many medical problems, he’s also surrounded by people who have economic interests in Russia and China. And I would say that since our president is old and ill he doesn’t see everything that is going around him and he gives too much space to these people who have their own economic business in Russia. We are in the process of a nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic. We are in the middle of buying new military equipment. If you connect these things you see that people who surround our president have interests in these tenders(19:30?) As well and they try to push these things towards Russia. Unfortunately, we have the president who (how to say it politely? I cannot think of the right word) but to sum it up. Our president is not capable of being the president of the Czech Republic.
E.C.: Czech President Milos Zeman asked China for the Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine. What do you think about this move of president Zeman?
O.K.: It’s against the policy of our government. We only use vaccines that have been accepted by the European authorities. As far as I know, neither Sputnik nor Sinopharm has been approved to be used in the EU. You can see in this example that our president is acting against the Czech Republic. He is pressing on the government to start using these vaccines that haven’t been approved to be used in the EU. He says we do not need the approval of EU authorities, we can approve them ourselves, we can get on the same path as Hungary which is using Russian vaccines […].
E.C.: Czech Senate passed a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organization. Why does Czech Republic support Taiwan?
O.K.: We see Taiwan as a democracy in the region, as a democracy that is in danger by China. China has its own imperialistic needs, they see Taiwan as part of China, Mainland China. We see Taiwan as a partner not only in supporting democracy and human rights but also in economic ways Taiwan has made huge investments in the Czech Republic apart from China. The Czech Republic was officially visited by the Chinese president 3 or 4 years ago. They have promised huge investments in the Czech Republic and nothing has happened. If you compare Chinese and Taiwanese investments and actions in the Czech Republic you will very clearly see that Taiwan is doing much better. Taiwan is a democracy apart from China. I don’t see any reason why we should not cooperate and collaborate with Taiwan.
E.C.: Aren’t you afraid of communist China for your cooperation with Taiwan?
O.K.: Not at all. What could China do? Chinese investments in the Czech Republic are very low. Even if they say: “We won’t invest in the Czech Republic anymore”, then ok, that’s fine. We don’t need Chinese. It’s for certain that Taiwan is doing much better in the Czech Republic. Investments from Taiwan, economic action from Taiwan is much bigger in the Chech Republic than from China. If the few Chinese companies that are in the Czech Republic decide or are ordered to leave our market it wouldn’t be a big problem for us.
I am an evangelical pastor and an editor-in-chief of a Polish online Against the Tide TV.
A group of haters and the Polish prosecutor’s office have accused me of allegedly offending the religious feelings of Catholics in my sermons in my Protestant church. How? By criticizing the Catholic Mass and calling the Catholic Mary of Lourdes a ghost. They also added political allegations to the religious ones. I am also accused of allegedly insulting the Polish president and calling for a war with communist North Korea. The charges are absurd, but, imagine this, I’m facing up to 5 years in prison.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
The criminal trial is ongoing. Another hearing will be held on May 28. I’m afraid it may be the last one, and that I will be sentenced.
Most of you don’t know me, and you don’t know how to react to this information. I understand that.
I am asking for two things. First, pass on this information – to inform the public around the world – especially Christians – that one might go to prison in Poland for criticizing Catholicism in sermons and that the Polish Catholic authorities are trying to censor and limit a Polish pastor’s freedom to preach.
I am also asking you for prayer. Please, pray for strength for me and my Church. Also, pray for wisdom for the judge and a just judgment.
As a pastor and editor-in-chief of television, I defend everyone’s freedom of speech, including those with whom I disagree. As a church and television, we speak up for, among others, the followers of Falun Gong and Uighurs persecuted by communist China.
Should you wish to know more about my case, please click on the link in the description of this video. I will also be happy to answer your questions about the details of the case. You can contact me via [email protected]
And when you get to know my case, I will be grateful if you post a photo with the hashtag #SupportPastorChojecki.
Thank you with all my heart.
God bless you!
Pastor Paweł Chojecki, New Covenant Church in Lublin, Poland
Recently, the Polish media widely commented on the criminal trial of a Protestant pastor, Paweł Chojecki. The government’s Prosecutor’s Office has accused him of insulting the religious sensibilities of Catholics and insulting the President. Some journalists, as well as haters, have said many critical and even offensive words about him. But are they true? Who is Pastor Paweł Chojecki?
Pastor Paweł Chojecki. Raised as an atheist. As an adult, he decided to become a Christian.
Today, he is the pastor and founder of the New Covenant Church in Lublin. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Against the Tide TV, its magazine, and publishing house.
He graduated from the special university class in the Stanisław Staszic High School in Lublin, where he also met the love of his life and, now, his wife – Marzena. She was the answer to his first prayer to God.
In 1981, he participated in the preparation of the anti-communist teachers’ strike in Lublin. Shortly before the introduction of martial law, he also took part in the Independent Students Association strike at the Cracow University of Technology.
During their studies, he and Marzena developed their love for mountains. As students, they became Tatra Guides.
Even then, they dreamt of changing Poland and doing something extraordinary. After many disappointments in the student life and the first era of the Solidarity movement, they finally hit the right track. They discovered that before achieving great things in the public sphere, they must first change themselves!
It was then, in 1986, at “Wisła” Hall in Cracow, at the age of 23, that Paweł Chojecki made the most groundbreaking decision in his life. He realized that Jesus is not only a historical figure, but is also alive and close to everyone. It was then that I understood that Jesus died on the Cross to pay for my sins, to free me from eternal Hell. God said in the Bible that I will never earn salvation with good deeds, that the only one who can save me is Jesus – and that He wants to save me for free, regardless of what I do! And together with my wife, we asked Jesus to save us there and then, Pastor Chojecki says.
Immediately after turning to Jesus, Paweł Chojecki became involved in the activities of Fr. Blachnicki’s campus ministry and in American mission organization called Campus Crusade for Christ. He then became an active lay Catholic animator.
In 1988, along with his friends, he founded a Christian association called ‘Reconciliation’ in Lublin. They began publishing the monthly magazine of the same title and printing Christian books in limited editions.
However, he soon discovered that the Roman Catholic Church isn’t based on the Bible, but on human dogmas that contradict Scripture. He realized that it is not the Bible, but the Magisterium of the Church that is the highest authority in this organization, and that according to Catholicism, what Jesus did on the Cross of Calvary is not enough for salvation, but that sacraments and so-called good deeds are also needed.
In 1989, he decided to leave the Catholic Church.
He founded the Christian Community ‘Reconciliation’ and ran the Publishing House of the same name, which was already printing Christian literature professionally. At that time, Paweł Chojecki also translated books from English into Polish.
In 1996, he established the New Covenant Church in Lublin, which was then entered into the Register of churches and other religious associations.
In 2003, Paweł Chojecki began publishing the Christian social and political monthly ‘Against the Tide’ and became its editor-in-chief.
Paweł Chojecki embarked on a pioneering path in Poland by combining pastoral and political activities. He joined the free-market and conservative party, the Real Politics Union, which at that time was the most libertarian community in Poland. He became a member of the group’s Main Council and its spokesman. Along with Artur Góski, a Law and Justice MP, he organized a meeting of of RPU leader with Law and Justice leader Jarosław Kaczyński.
After a few years, however, he left the party after its leaders adopted a pro-Russian rhetoric.
In 2008, pastor Chojecki established Against the Tide TV.
8 years later, on February 1, 2016, Paweł Chojecki started a daily program on Against the Tide TV. The show is devoted to commenting on current topics. Initially, in terms of live viewership, the program was one of the most popular on YouTube, gaining from several thousand to several hundred thousand views. Holding the New Testament in front of the cameras became pastor’s hallmark. Since then, Against the Tide TV has already sent many thousands of copies of the New Testament in the whole country!
Against the Tide has become a grassroots patriotic organization. It’s not only a newspaper, a television, or an internet portal – it’s a community of people scattered all over the world, whose hearts beat for freedom and Poland! Those people are committed to devoting their energy, time, and funds for these values because Against the Tide is a medium that functions not thanks to taxes or state subsidies, but thanks to the support of its amazing viewers!
Although Paweł Chojecki graduated from the Cracow University of Technology, not a theological seminary, several thousand people listen to his sermons every week. He is involved in planting churches, overseeing the formation of over 20 communities in Poland and among the Polish community abroad.
His goal is to return to the good traditions of Poland from the times of the Golden Age and the Protestant Reformation when the Bible was the focus of the Polish elite, and freedom and tolerance were at the highest level in our history. He wants to achieve this by reaching Poles with the Gospel of Jesus about free salvation!
Pastor Chojecki initiated the Megachurch project, an initiative aimed at the evangelization of Poland which is based on four pillars: strong local churches, modern media, a Christian university and Christians in politics.
The motto of his ministry is, “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.” (John 2:17).
Yesterday, another hearing was held in the trial of Pastor Paweł Chojecki. The prosecution has accused him (the pastor of the New Covenant Church in Lublin and the editor-in-chief of Against the Tide TV), based on quotes taken out of context, of offending the religious sensibilities of Catholics, insulting the president, and praising the initiation of aggressive war with North Korea.
Inter alia, Marian Kowalski, who used to appear regularly on Against The Tide TV shows, testified at yesterday’s hearing as a witness.
Kowalski commented on the trial on his YouTube show:
“The case is ridiculous. If someone thinks they can save the People’s Republic of China from Paweł Chojecki, they are probably insane, although I do not know if Paweł Chojecki owns nuclear weapons. I was surprised to hear that the prosecutor’s office did not have any questions for me. Honestly, the accusations are stupid.”
The daughters of Pastor Chojecki (Eunika and Kornelia), as well as the head of Against the Tide news service, Cezary Kłosowicz, and entrepreneur Mariusz Michałek were also called on to testify.
For the trial, there was an expert appointed – professor Elżbieta Przybył-Sadowska from the Institute of Religious Studies at the Jagiellonian University.
The expert had previously stated that she did not see the pastor’s fault in the substantive sphere, but she found him guilty in the linguistic layer of the statement. She admitted that she had never watched any program, in which pastor Chojecki participated, in its entirety. She had only watched short fragments given in the indictment. The pastor’s lawyer indicated that dr hab. Przybył-Sadowska is not an expert in language matters.
See Pastor Chojecki’s sermon “How to drive Globalists out of our Churches?”
Hundreds of Internet users have expressed indignation at the prosecutor’s proceedings and gave support for Pastor Paweł Chojecki who has been brought to trial for criticizing the Polish president and the Catholic Church. Support also comes from abroad.
For several years, a group of haters had collected materials that were later used to attack pastor Paweł Chojecki, the editor-in-chief of Against the Tide TV. They watched every minute of live programs he participated in, including sermons at the Protestant New Covenant Church.
Out of a few sentences used out of context, the prosecutor’s office presented accusations of offending the religious sensibilities of Catholics, insulting Catholic objects of religious worship, praising the initiation of aggressive war with communist North Korea, and insulting the Polish nation and the President of the Republic of Poland.
The first hearing in the trial of Pastor Paweł Chojecki took place on March 31.
The pastor provided extensive written explanations for each charge of the indictment.
I have shown that the Prosecutor’s Office misinterpreted my words, which when read in their full context, both in content and form, fit within the general framework of contemporary political debate and historical polemics between Protestants and Catholics. By denying me the right to criticize Catholic dogmas in the form I choose, and to evaluate the president’s political activities, the prosecutor’s office takes away my freedom to profess and preach my faith and suppresses the political debate in a democratic country. The accusation of communist North Korea, at war with the free world since 1950 and intimidating its neighbors with more missile tests, is so bizarre that it fits the “Trial” of Franz Kafka, pastor Chojecki said.
Hundreds of Internet users have expressed indignation at the prosecution’s proceedings and support for Pastor Paweł Chojecki. On social media, like Facebook and Twitter, the hashtag #SupportPastorChojecki is gaining popularity.
A Christian from Janów Lubelski, whose name is Grzegorz, expressed his special support.
On my stockade I hung a makeshift inscription with the hashtag #SupportPastorChojecki. And it was there for a few hours. We have to support pastor Chojecki strongly. I support him in what happened. A serious attack has been launched against the pastor, although in my opinion, the accusations are nonsensical and downright absurd, Grzegorz said.
Support also comes from abroad. Kind words for Pastor Chojecki came, inter alia, from: – Solomon Yue, vice chairman and CEO of Republicans Overseas – an organization grouping members of the Republican Party living outside the US, – Bob Kraft – an American pastor, Chen Guangcheng – a Chinese dissident, – Chapman Chen – a founder of Hong Kong Bilingual News, – Halmurat Harri Uyghur – a pro-freedom Uyghur activist, founder of UyghurAid.
A Chinese millionaire, Li Zhihui, once a politician, twice in the PRC parliament. In 2012 he left communist China, settled in Sweden, and got involved in the activities of the movement Falun Gong (Chinese spiritual practice based on meditation and physical exercises with philosophy), persecuted by the Chinese government. We talked to him on Against the Tide TV.
After a few years, Beijing sent a red note of Interpol accusing Li of alleged financial crimes. During a business trip to Romania, transiting through Poland, he was detained by the Polish service at the Warsaw airport. Our guest did not mention badly the behavior of the officers and his stay in detention. Mr. Li was locked in one cell with the accused of espionage – former director of Huawei Poland. As he told us, they both agreed not to discuss the reason for their arrest, and that enabled the imprisonment in friendly relation. Mr. Li said that the worst thing in a two-year arrest was stress and uncertainty. He did not know what would happen to him and whether he would be extradited to communist China.
Our guest was convinced that, if handed over to China, he would be executed by the government officials. He also stated that all accusations were faked for the purpose of the Chinese Communist Party which has gained influence all over the world by its expansive policy.
“Members of the Falun Gong movement, supporters, or those who are openly active in the movement are being targeted by the Chinese Communist Party and they will certainly never be allowed to return to China”, Mr. Li said.
Although Li used to be a politician, he adds that it was only after moving to Sweden that he understood that communism is evil.
“Of course, I was aware that there is not and there cannot be any democracy in China. However, after coming to Sweden, my eyes were opened, I saw how people live, how democracy really looks like and that was that turning point”, says Mr. Li.
Mr. Li’s lawyer, Krzysztof Kitajgrodzki, was very involved in the case. He also represented his client in the media, Against The Tide TV and TVN, which made the topic loud. Thanks to the work of the media, Li Zhihui was released after two years in detention. He said, “Sadly, but I do not know when I will be able to return home to Sweden because, in Sweden, the arrest warrant issued for me has not yet been canceled. It looks like Poland is the safest place for me right now.”
He also added that the Chinese Communist Party has tried to force his family to get him back to China.
“After regaining freedom, a few days later, members of my family received a call from a Chinese court arguing that they should persuade me to return to China voluntarily. It’s funny”, he told us and said that currently, there is a Taiwanese citizen also awaiting an extradition decision in a Polish detention center.
Although the time in detention was tough, Mr. Li said he was touched by the support and kindness he received from Poles.
“After I was released from detention, after regaining my freedom, I was warmly welcomed by the Poles, I received sympathy and support. I certainly won’t forget it.”
