ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the registration process of two pagan communities in Finland. Although practising religion in Finland does not require registration as an officially recognised religious community, it brings with it some benefits, notably the right to perform public ceremonies, such as marriage, and the right to levy taxes on members for religious purposes. Most importantly, sociologically speaking, registration provides legitimacy for the registered group. The chapter compares the first, failed attempt by the Finnish Free Wicca Association in 2001 with the successful registration process of Karhun Kansa, a group professing revived Finnish folk religion, in 2013. The chapter discusses the substantial and contextual factors involved in the two processes and offers an explanation why one failed and one was successful.