Sweden Recognizes The Church of Kopimism

January 4, 2012 1:31 PM

Just before Christmas, the Swedish governmental agency Kammarkollegiet registered the Church of Kopimism as a religious organisation. This means that Sweden is the first country to recognize kopimism as a religion. Previously.
posted by Foci for Analysis (15 comments total)

Er, not to be USAist or anything, but maybe a link in English?
posted by maryr at 1:35 PM on January 4, 2012

Scroll down, there's a translation.
posted by Infinite Jest at 1:36 PM on January 4, 2012

So in this religion is "rm -rf" the same as the Christian "666"? Or is it "DRM"?
posted by Mister Fabulous at 1:36 PM on January 4, 2012

Oh! I'm very sorry! I see it now.
posted by maryr at 1:37 PM on January 4, 2012

TorrentFreak has the story in English.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:55 PM on January 4, 2012

So, Kopimism is a new false church invented by irreverent agitators to make a political point? And using European-style religious regulations, they can claim protections not afforded other political movements.

Sounds like a good way to demonstrate the absurdity of state regulation of religion.
posted by General Tonic at 1:57 PM on January 4, 2012 [3 favorites]

You know I don't even agree that people should necessarily be allowed to distribute copyrighted material at their leisure, but fucking bravo Kopimists, this is totally hilarious. Do they do a CD swap every Sunday or what?
posted by Hoopo at 2:13 PM on January 4, 2012 [2 favorites]

What does this actually mean, practically speaking? Can they now freely violate copyright laws under the guise of religious freedom?
posted by asnider at 3:09 PM on January 4, 2012

So, Kopimism is a new false church invented by irreverent agitators to make a political point?
One could argue that all churches are false churches invented by irreverent agitators. Who am I (or you) to say that this is any more or less "false" that one built on cannibalism or stoning people to death?
posted by coolguymichael at 3:12 PM on January 4, 2012 [3 favorites]

Sorry, my next sentence was deleted accidentally. I meant to follow up with an agreement that it does indeed demonstrate the absurdity of government religious involvement and recognition.
posted by coolguymichael at 3:15 PM on January 4, 2012

So, Kopimism is a new false church invented by irreverent agitators to make a political point.

At least these guys have something provable you can believe in. That's one up on most religions.
posted by cjorgensen at 3:27 PM on January 4, 2012 [3 favorites]

One could argue that all churches are false churches invented by irreverent agitators.

I don't disagree.
posted by General Tonic at 3:45 PM on January 4, 2012

So, this isn't a new religion founded by Ted Koppel, then. Damn.
posted by hippybear at 5:08 PM on January 4, 2012 [1 favorite]

If something is officially a religion in one country and some of those people immigrate to the US, does the US have to acknowledge their religion? And can I then convert to it? Because that would be awesome.
posted by DU at 5:08 AM on January 5, 2012

The US does not officially acknowledge anyone's religion, with a few notable (and debatable) exceptions like military chaplains and allowing the Amish to ignore child-labor laws.
posted by General Tonic at 11:59 AM on January 5, 2012