Kopimism is a religion!

chayton

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Sweden has recognized file sharing as a religion, granting official church status to the country's Missionary Church of Kopimism, which boasts some 3,000 members.

The Kopimi (pronounced "copy me") movement has tried twice before to get official recognition, but had been rejected. The Swedish government finally recognized the Church of Kopimism after it formalized its mode of prayer and meditation. According to the group's website, Kopimism sees information as holy and copying and file sharing as a sacred acts akin to prayer. The website has been unavailable since it broke the news of its religious status. A message urged those interested in joining to "come back in a couple of days when the storm has settled."

Despite Kopimism official status, copyright infringement remains illegal in Sweden.

The move in Sweden comes amid the debate over Rep. Lamar Smith's hotly-debated Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which is currently making its way through Congress and would, if passed, give U.S. authorities wide-ranging right to shut down or block websites, including international sites, deemed to being facilitating copyright infringement.

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Q. Does Kopimism have anything to say about the afterlife?
A. Not really. As a religion we are not so focussed on humans.
:rolleyes:
 
Now why didn't the casino and poker players come up with this? Pokertheism and Slotstheism could have been protected by the bill of rights. :p

The Rastafarians do it.
 
Sopa is Generally a bad idea.

Sweden has recognized file sharing as a religion, granting official church status to the country's Missionary Church of Kopimism, which boasts some 3,000 members.

The Kopimi (pronounced "copy me") movement has tried twice before to get official recognition, but had been rejected. The Swedish government finally recognized the Church of Kopimism after it formalized its mode of prayer and meditation. According to the group's website, Kopimism sees information as holy and copying and file sharing as a sacred acts akin to prayer. The website has been unavailable since it broke the news of its religious status. A message urged those interested in joining to "come back in a couple of days when the storm has settled."

Despite Kopimism official status, copyright infringement remains illegal in Sweden.

The move in Sweden comes amid the debate over Rep. Lamar Smith's hotly-debated Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which is currently making its way through Congress and would, if passed, give U.S. authorities wide-ranging right to shut down or block websites, including international sites, deemed to being facilitating copyright infringement.

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:rolleyes:

There's a reason that Wikipedia and other such websites are going down today. Check it out on Wikipedia's website! SOPA is a real danger to /your/ freedom.

I really believe that the internet is the place anyone and everyone can have a say. (We've seen that a lot of people have something silly to say. :D)

Still, and now I venture far into the world of opinion: I'm not sure that file sharing is the basis of an /actual/ religion. And it certainly doesn't feel 'real' to me, but its not my place to decide for others their path to the soul.

But, I do ask any Kopimists (Is that correct? Kopimians? :confused: ) make sure to approach others on their beliefs with an open mind and heart and never use their religion for the express purpose of /only/ downloading movies and music for enjoyment and instead use any of those things they find in shaping their world view and continuing their path into improving themselves, and healing the world. :)

Its all I can expect of anyone.
 
One of the articles that I read mentioned that one of the 'founders' of this religion is also one of the founders of The Pirate Bay, so pretty well the only thing about the 'religion' is sharing files - software, movies (yes, including porn), ebooks etc.

It just struck me as being a really weird story.

@Bryan - your idea might work if we get one of our Swedish friends to start the religion for us! :thumbsup:
 
Now why didn't the casino and poker players come up with this? Pokertheism and Slotstheism could have been protected by the bill of rights. :p

The Rastafarians do it.

Well, we often pray when playing.

"please god, let this be a good bonus round"
"please god, may this dead slot be brought back to life"

We often see "miracles" performed, such as the massive hit when we are down to a few credits.

Some even have lucky charms, or specific rituals that must be followed before and during play.

I had a friend who was able to curse me and ensure I would lose. I would play the fruit machine, and he would say "feeling lucky". The machine would promptly die, and I couldn't win. When I gave up, he would put a pound or two in, and win something decent, often the jackpot:mad:

We did toy with the idea of making it into a religion. In the UK, declaring my house as it's "church" would mean I would no longer have to pay property taxes, saving me £1000 a year. I could even avoid tax on any profits made by "the church" used to further it's ministry. Less useful in the UK where there is no tax on winnings to start with.

Some bright sparks have actually succeeded in getting their houses recognised as churches to a religion they have just made up, thus avoiding taxes.
 

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