Sumer was one of the ancient civilizations in southern Iraq, likely first settled sometime between C 5500 and 4000 BC. But now, seven thousand years later, the gods of this prehistoric people are making a surprising comeback in—of all places—Iceland. A newly established religion called Zuism has gathered steam on the island with over 3,100 people converting to become Zuists.
Their reason for going against the norm and reviving Sumerian gods is actually not because they genuinely believe in them. The Zuism website makes their intentions pretty clear, and while it does state that the “religious organization of Zuism is a platform for its members to practise a religion of the ancient Sumerian people”, it goes on to talk about one of life’s two certainties: taxes.
“The organization’s primary objective is that the government repeal any law that grants religious organizations privilege, financial or otherwise, above other organizations.”
So in reality, the religion was established as a form of protest. In Iceland, the government requires citizens to register their religion with the state and pay a congregation tax. Those who are not religious pay that tax directly to the state.
The difference with Zuism is that it will pay the tax it receives from its members back to them, and thus acts as a mini tax break.
While it appears that nobody in the religion actually worships any ancient gods from what is now Iraq, Sveinn Thorhallsson, a Zuist spokesperson, told the Guardian that when the church was established they did hold a service with readings of ancient Sumerian poetry.
