File-Sharing Officially Recognized as a Religion in Sweden

A religion that just recently become officially recognized in Sweden holds CTRL+C and CTLR+V as sacred symbols.

According to TorrentFreak, the Church of Kopimism considers copying and file sharing a sacred act. The church leaders have been trying to get recognized by the country since 2010.

TorrentFreak explains more:

All around the world file-sharers are being chased by anti-piracy outfits and the authorities, and the situation in Sweden is no different. While copyright holders are often quick to label file-sharers as pirates, there is a large group of people who actually consider copying to be a sacred act.

TorrentFreak goes on to state the church, founded by Isak Gerson, failed twice in its quest to gain official recognition. Now, according to TorrentFreak, Gerson believes more people will come out as "Kopimists":

“I think that more people will have the courage to step out as Kopimists. Maybe not in the public, but at least to their close ones,” Isak tells TorrentFreak. “There’s still a legal stigma around copying for many. A lot of people still worry about going to jail when copying and remixing. I hope in the name of Kopimi that this will change.”

TorrentFreak notes that violating copyright law is still a crime, but Gerson thinks that with official religion status their beliefs could be taken into account. TorrentFreak also includes that the church grew from 1,000 to 3,000 members within a six month period.

According to the Kopimism Facebook page, the group believes sharing information would be a "gigantic Boosting Knowledge for humanity." Here are more of the group's beliefs as posted on Facebook:

Throughout history, various groups around the world have been persecuted by oppressors. It has since taken refuge in religion and wanted a peaceful coexistence. Without threats and harassment.

In our belief, communication is sacred. Communication needs to be respected. It is a direct sin to monitor and eavesdrop on people.

The absolute secrecy is holy in the church of kopimism.

In the individual pastoral care and confession with the kopimist priests (the Ops), priests are protected under Swedish law by an absolute professional secrecy.

Copyright Religion is our absolute opposite – Ongoing obstruction of copying.

We challenge all copyright believers – most of which have a great deal of influence in politics, and who derive their power by limiting people’s lives and freedom. What they most of all want to limit the knowledge. We need to steel ourselves for their hatred and aggression.

If you're wondering, Wired points out that Kopimism is pronounced like"copy me-ism".

[H/T Gizmodo]