Taaraism (Taarausk in Estonian language) is a Neopagan ethnic religion practiced as of 2000 by approximately 1,900 people in Estonia, albeit 11% of the population claims affinity to it.[1][2] Maausk ("Faith of land") is a parallel movement considered more Reconstructionist and traditionalist. Both the movements are organised into an institution called Maavalla Koda.
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Taaraism was founded by Estonian intellectuals in order to reaffirm their newly-developed sense of national pride. It came fully into being in 1928, a full 10 years after Estonia gained its independence.[2] It is based on historical Estonian mythology, with its many deities, though Taaraists hold a monistic worldview regarding all the gods as aspects of one only pantheistic reality, which they identify with the god Tharapita or Taara (a deity connected to Indo-European deities such as the Germanic Thor or Thunor, the Celtic Taranis and the Hittite Tarhunt).[2] Maausk differs in theology from Taaraism being fully polytheistic. The first Taaraist organization was formed in 1933.[2] This organization was called Talinna Hiis (The Sacred Grove of Tallinn).[2] There were several thousand members by 1940.[2] Later these Taaraist organizations were banned, and members were executed because of the Soviet Russian and Nazi German occupation.[2]
The Taaraist movement is intended to restore "true Estonian culture", which Estonians Taaraists feel has been obliterated by Christianity and the influence of other nations.[2] Taaraists don't believe that religions should be dogmatic like Christianity and the other Abrahamic religions.[2] Taaraism is also connected with recent science developments.[2] The majority of Taaraists have been educated in German and Russian universities and raised as Christians, but switched to Taaraism because of their interest in traditional Estonian culture.[2] Notwithstanding they use Baltic Christian-style choral songs.[2] The symbol for the religion is named the Tolet, and represents a cornflower.[2] The word "tolet" is thought to derive from words such as "tõde" (truth), "elu" (life), or "tee" (way).[2] This is how Taaraists pray for Taara: "I believe in tomorrow.[2] I believe that tomorrow will be better than today if I help make it so.[2] Taara will help! [2]"
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