(In Finland) neo-pagan religion becomes official

Friday's papers: Last-minute preparations in Sochi, neo-pagan religion becomes official and an E.coli outbreak in Oulu

Friday's paper review says things are off to a shaky start in Sochi, the 'Karhun kansa' (People of the Bear) religion receives official status, cancer patients need expanded end-of-life care, and an E.coli epidemic infects children in Oulu.

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Iltasanomat leads with the official status granted to the first neo-pagan community in Finland. Named “Karhun kansa” (People of the Bear), they subscribe to a religion venerating Finnish nature and folk history. Created in 2010, the 30-member community now has the authorisation to marry, bury and give names to its members as an organised religious community, although couples married under the new religion must apply for further authorisation from the magistrate. Based on the Freedom of Religion Act, the National Board of Patents and Registration confirmed the community’s status before Christmas.

“This is a great achievement for us. For the first time in hundreds of years, a religion worshipping Finnish nature has been recognised by the authorities,” says Keuruu resident Oskari Ratinen who leads the group.

He says that belief in Finland extends as far back as there have been residents on the Finnish peninsula.

“The old Finnish folk poems (Kalevala) are our Scriptures,” he adds.

http://yle.fi/uutiset/fridays_papers_last-minute_preparations_in_sochi_neo-pagan_religion_becomes_official_and_an_ecoli_outbreak_in_oulu/7074484