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Religious communities
The new Freedom of Religion Act came into force on 1 August 2003. According to the Act, the register of religious communities is kept by the National Board of Patents and Registration. Religious communities that fulfil the requirements set forth in the new law and their registered local communities and congregations must file their notifications of establishment, amendment and dissolution with the Register of Associations. Under the reference provisions of the Freedom of Religion Act, the Associations Act is applied quite extensively on these religious bodies. The aim of the new law has been to harmonise the regulations governing religious bodies with the Associations Act, and to create a framework for freedom of religious association, which is part of the freedom of religion.
An Expert Board functioning in connection with the Ministry of Education has the task of giving the National Board of Patents and Registration its opinion whether the purpose and forms of activity of a particular religious community are in compliance with the Freedom of Religion Act.