While the practice of file sharing may not be condoned by the Sweden government they have allowed a group of more than 3,000 file-sharer to start a religion based around the practice.
In a humor turn of events the church has been named “The Missionary Church of Kopimism” which is pronounced “Copy-me-ism.”
At first Swedish lawmakers fought the religious request, in fact the group has been attempting to be recognized since 2010. Rejections first occurred according to TorrentFreak because authorities wants Kopimism to define their prayer practices.
In my head I see the group praying to their gods Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker ( Napster ‘s co-creators if you weren’t aware) while punishing those against the practices by promising to send them to a hell run by copyright protector Lars Ulrich of Metallica fame.
Speaking to Wired the churches founder Isak Gerson said:
“Our main ritual is the act of copying and connecting with each other by sharing information.”
He goes on to note:
“More people will have the courage to step out as Kopimists. Maybe not in the public, but at least to their close ones.”
In the meantime the group hopes that by gaining a unified voice with open “worship” of their practice they can gain the voices needed to work for and against certain legislation.
In speaking to their fellow believers they say: “Keep copying. Maintain hardline Kopimi.”
Will you be joining the Missionary Church of Kopimism anytime soon? I know plenty of people who have been unwitting members for years.
