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Raëlism is the philosophical belief system promoted by the Raëlian Movement, a humanist new religious movement founded in the 1970s which believes that scientifically advanced humanoid extraterrestrials, believed to be known by our primitive ancestors as Elohim (or "those who came from the 'sky'"), synthesized life on Earth through mastery of genetic engineering, and that a combination of human cloning and "mind transfer" can ultimately provide immortality to those currently alive or passed away. Raëlians focus on the social ideas of sexual self-determination and a spirit of sharing and responsibility, which, they claim, will bring a new age of wealth and peace as predicted by the main religions. The philosophy is based on humanitarian and individual values including human rights and freedoms, and the belief that the role of humanity's leadership should be based on the merit of intelligence.

Claude Vorilhon (born 1946), the founder of the Raelian Movement, also known as Raël, was an aspiring entertainer and performer who had produced an automobile racing magazine entitled Auto Pop, before he allegedly was contacted by a representative of an extraterrestrial civilization called the Elohim on December 13, 1973 in the crater of a volcano near Clermont-Ferrand in central France. Following what he claimed were the instructions given to him, he founded the Raëlian Movement, which claims to have about 65,000 members from 86 countries. Membership is particularly high in France, Japan, Canada (especially Quebec), and the United States (especially Miami, Las Vegas, Chicago and Los Angeles). The Raelian Movement spreads its philosophy through many books, e-books, press releases, and websites, as well in public urban areas where pedestrian traffic is common.

Raëlism is classified as a new religious movement by most scholars and governments but has been perceived by some people and governments as a cult. It has been characterised by some observers as a type of "UFO religion", although the group itself does not focus on UFOs.

Beliefs

The Infinite

The symbol initially chosen by Raël for his movement is a stylized version of the symbol allegedly seen on the Elohim spaceship, and can be found on the book cover of some old editions of the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It was the source of considerable controversy since it resembled a Star of David with the image of a swastika embedded in its center. The swastika "represents infinity of time, and trace its origins to Sanskrit and Buddhist symbols, to the Chinese character for temple, and to ancient catacombs, mosques, and synagogues."

In 1991, the symbol was finally changed to remove the swastika to help in negotiations with building the "Third Temple of Israel", since the symbol has been associated with Nazism since the 1930s. The original symbol is still in use in parts of Asia. The official reason given was a request from the Elohim to change the symbol in order to help in negotiations with Israel for the building of a Raëlian "embassy" or 'third temple of Israel' to greet the anticipated Elohim space vessels, although Israel still flatly denies their request.

The Elohim and their Message to Humanity

Raelian_embassy.jpg According to Raël, a message explaining our origins and future was dictated to him in December 1973 during personal meetings with a 25,000-year-old extraterrestrial named Yahweh who came in a UFO. Details of this epic were later published by Rael in the book The Message Given to me by Extra-terrestrials (now republished as Intelligent Design: Message from the Designers 2006 ISBN 2940252203). The story goes that after terraforming the Earth, human beings from another planet—the "Elohim" (Hebrew for the word "God" as found in the Hebrew Old Testament, which the alleged extraterrestrial himself translated as meaning those who came from the sky in ancient Hebrew)—created humans and all life on earth using DNA manipulation and genetic engineering. The message dictated to Raël during his encounter with the Elohim states that the Elohim contacted some forty people to act as their prophets on Earth, among which are those who founded the world's major religions (Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, etc.)

The Raëlians believe, furthermore, that the Elohim will visit the earth officially when enough of its population is peaceful and come to know about them. They believe this is foretold in all religious texts - the predicted "Age of Apocalypse" or "Revelation" (unveiling of the truth). They say these humans from the sky will meet in the embassy they have asked Rael to build for them and share their advanced scientific knowledge with us, their creation. Thus one of their major goals is to inform as many people as possible about this extraterrestrial race.

Human Society

Raelians believe that only love can stop war and injustice that currently persists in today's world. The form of love Raelians are interested not only includes emotional intelligence, but the also the science of the future that will enable mankind to reach a stage of bliss, in a unified world that embraces science and the many potential pleasures and solutions it may provide to remove suffering. For Raelians, happiness and love are the key to success.

The Raëlians promote the idea of a new form of governmental philosophy that they refer to as geniocracy, or rule by geniuses. It advocates a requirement of having at least 50% more than the average intelligence potential (though not IQ) as based on a test in order to run for office, and at least 10% above average in order to vote. Thus, geniocracy is a form of selective democracy as opposed to the conventional form of liberal democracy typical of western cultures as it does not include the concept of universal suffrage.

The Individual

Raelians believe in the individual responsibility, happiness, well being, as well as the right to believe as one wishes, as long it does not promote violence and injustice. The ones who "pull the trigger" are just as responsible as the ones who give the order to do so. This line of thought can be derived from the Raelian belief that everything that we do, including what we tell people, we are responsible for.

Individual potential should be realized, which according to Raelians, requires that one must be harmonious with the infinite surrounding he or she bathes in.

Human Cloning

It is important not to be confused by different uses of the word "cloning". In the scientific community, cloning refers only to the creation of a genetically identical individual. Note that "genetically identical" does not mean altogether identical; this kind of cloning does not reproduce a person's memories or experiences, for example.

In discussions of Raëlism, cloning sometimes seems to refer not only to biological cloning, but to biological human cloning plus mind and/or brain transfer, or to a process where adult clones can be directly made.

Immortality through Science
The Raëlians believe that immortality through science will one day be possible. The prophet Raël explains that this will be achieved in three stages:

Step One

1) Create a genetically identical copy of someone by human cloning. The first step, human cloning, while certainly not trivial, is widely recognized as a goal science is capable of pursuing, despite being thought of as science fiction only 20 years ago. Some scientists and many non-scientists, however, find both ideas ethically troublesome. Raëlians do not share these scruples, and followers of Raël, including trained scientists, are actively researching this first step.

Step Two and Three

2) Cause the clone to mature much, much faster than normal. Raël makes the statement that in future scientists will discover an "accelerated-growth process" (CNN) in which a process like guided self-assembly of rapidly expanded cells or even nanotechnological assembly a whole human body may be created in a very short time.

3) Transferring the memory and personality of the original person to the mature clone by some kind of scientific process, presumably through a computer back up of the person's brain waves, which is then downloaded onto the fresh clone.

It is unclear to many non-Raëlians how the second or third step could be accomplished, but there does appear to be growing research in Asia and other places concerning both accelerated growth and brain-computer communication. It is theorized that human memory and personality could be backed up on silicon.

Reincarnation of Consciousness
Raëlians do not believe in reincarnation as dictated by mystical writings because they do not believe that an ethereal soul (free of physical confinements) exists. In Raëlian books, the soul is defined as primitive man's term for DNA. Raëlians consider human cloning as the only step toward everlasting life. It is clear that in the final stages, DNA alone would be enough to bring someone back. Prior to the final stage, reincarnation would require a "recording" of the individual's mind, for use in mind transfer into a fully grown adult clone which has not been exposed to any sensory input.

The memories and DNA of human beings for the past thousands of years are allegedly recorded by advanced supercomputers of the Elohim relatively close to our solar system. After the coming of the some 40 other prophets of Elohim, if that occurs, Raëlians believe, this information will be accessible to scientists on Earth who will perform resurrections of many billions of individuals either for long-term reward or short-term punishment. Raëlians do not believe in sadisms such as eternal suffering and punishment, but they believe in eternal life of pleasure for those that want it. It is said in the Raëlian Messages that those who are neutral in their ways would not be resurrected, however, what it takes to be "neutral" in the case here is not really known. Raël, the founder of the Raelian Movement, has an interest in bringing back famous individuals such as Jesus or Hitler, either for inspiration or to allow for retroactive punishment, but this is a low priority for him at this time. Raël also proposes cloning as the solution to terrorism by suicide attacks, as the perpetrators wouldn't be able to escape punishment by killing themselves if they could be recreated after their attacks.

Historical Highlights

The "Clonaid" Controversy

In 2002, a Raël-affiliated company named Clonaid announced its intention to clone a human being for the first time in history, though this goal was seen by medical professionals and scientists as unlikely given current technology. On December 26, 2002, French scientist and Raëlian Brigitte Boisselier claimed the company had assisted in the birth of a girl through Cesarean section, the first of a supposed five total cloned babies. By New Year 2003, the story had spread like wildfire throughout the mainstream press. Claiming the possible destruction of the babies' right to live normally, they did not provide the press or authorities with proof of this birth, such as a chance to obtain DNA samples. Boisselier claims that such evidence would lead to her incarceration in her country of birth, France, due to a new law that was introduced there, while putting at risks the parents and cloned babies (13 in 2004).

As of 2006, there has been no further evidence supporting Clonaid's human-cloning claims. As a result, these claims are generally viewed as dubious or discredited in the mainstream press. In regards to cloning, Clonaid and the Raëlian Movement are seen by the public as having orchestrated an enormous hoax to produce PR for the organization.

Criticism and the Allegation of being a Cult

During the height of the cloning story several news sources listed Raelism as a cult. Amongst the more noteworthy to do so was the Guardian and Salon. Further, some have claimed that Raël himself has used donations for his own benefit - but this has never been substantiated and all financial records of the Raëlian Movement are supposedly open for inspection by any member. The Raelians seem to meet the requirements of cult checklists, although there are mainstream sociologists who dispute deeming them such. Others simply feel the term cult is misused so often it is unhelpful in understanding them or their relations to the world. A Canadian sociologist named Susan J. Palmer once wrote* a opinion article for the Montreal Gazette. In this article she said that, "If I were a French sociologist…I would be out of a job. I would be called a 'cult-lover.'"

In more generalized criticism, the Raëlian movement has received especially negative attention in the French press. Some believe this is due to the fact that Raël is French born. Although France has had a somewhat aggressive policy on "sects" in general, as would later be witnessed in a French Report.

1991, "...Then a French journalist signed up for the week-long nudist Sensual Meditation Camp, and covertly taped couples making love in the tents. This was played over the radio, and subsequent news stories presented the Raelian Movement as an unbridled sex orgy where brainwashing was perpetrated and perversions were encouraged.” *

“The biggest media brouhaha arose in 1992 when Raël appeared on the French TV talk show Ciel mon mardi, hosted by the popular journalist Christophe Dechavanne. Towards the end of the show (where Raël’s liberal views on sex were critiqued by a priest, a social worker, and a psychologist), an ex-Raëlian suddenly appeared and unleashed a diatribe claiming that Raël was holding his wife and children prisoner, had engineered the breakup of his family, and personally presided over child sacrifice and pederastic orgies at the Sensual Meditation camp.

“This apostate, Jean Parraga, was elegantly dressed and played the role of the concerned father and heartbroken husband. What was not mentioned was his criminal record as a drug dealer and car thief, and his attempt to shoot Rael to death in August 1992.

”The Raëlians inundated Dechevanne’s TV station with letters of protest from all over the world. Dechavanne retaliated by suing Raël for "incitement to violence" and the judge appointed to the case decided to call Raël in for questioning. Raël then agreed to ask his members to stop sending letters, but demanded a public apology, and the two parties agreed to drop the feud.” -- The Rael Deal by Susan J. PalmerSusan J. Palmer, The Rael Deal, Religion in the News, Summer 2001, Vol. 4, No. 2.

In 1991, Raël sued French journalist Jean-Yves Cashga for defamation; however, he lost and was ordered to pay court costs. The judgment remains uncollected. Amidst growing legal problems Raël decided to leave France, emigrating to Canada, where he is a resident.

Raëlians have experienced controversy in Canada as well. The year 1992 saw tension with the Catholic Church over what's been dubbed "Operation Condom." In Montreal, the Catholic schools refused to put a condom vending machine on school grounds deeming it contrary to their mission. The Raëlians in response began distributing condoms to the students. The Commissioner of Catholic schools for Montreal accepted that they could do nothing to stop the distribution of condoms, but many Catholics resented the Raelians actions as interference or disrespect.

His teachings on sexual liberalism have been the subject of much controversy. One journalist who attended a Raëlian seminar stated "Just take away the sex, and you would have a very good thing." The Raëlians deny any forced sexual indoctrination, and claim that celibate Raëlians are welcomed with open arms to the movement. Modern misinterpretation of the Raëlian message by the media and other groups (despite no attempts by the Raëlians to clarify said misinterpretations) have also caused friction between Raëlism and forced their apparent forced sociological changes, such as the "swinger" culture.

Many people (most notably people belonging to other religions) state that conservatism is part of Raëlian ideology (so therefore sexual exploration and open-ness is forced upon people). Raëlians deny this and claim that personal opinion and liberation is the main ideology, so therefore people have the right to believe what they wish to believe. Raelians believe that people are responsible for their own knowledge and should not blame others for what they interpreted something to mean (despite any lack of outside clarification).

Lastly, their views on aliens and genetic engineering have caused repeated criticism, most scientists condemning their views on genetics as pseudo-science or in the least, unethical.

In 2003, Raël sued Ottawa columnist Denis Gratton and Le Droit newspaper for $85,000 in defamation damages over a 2003-01-23 column; however, he lost and was ordered to pay court costs by Quebec Superior Court on 2006-06-21.

Organizational Structure

Leadership Roles

Some Raelian Seminars are designed to prepare people to take leadership roles of the International Raelian Movement. Those who attend "guide seminars" are initially trainees (Level 0). There are 6 others levels and these are:

Level 6: Guides of guides
Level 5: Bishop guide
Level 4: Guide
Level 3: Assistant guide
Level 2: Animator
Level 1: Assistant animator

Guide of Guides

Order of Angels

One aspect of the movement is the Order of Angels, an international group of women whose primary mission is to help humanity develop the qualities of femininity and refinement. Raëlians believe that people must grow beyond the current aggression and violence on Earth, and this will only happen if men as well as women learn to develop their femininity.

Women who choose to become Raelian Angels work to develop their own feminine qualities in order to teach others to grow in the same way. In the US, in Raelian Femininity events do not attract negative influences, but instead positive ones. The women have noticed that people around them treat them with respect, despite the fact that they stand out very much, and this reflects to what extent they are achieving their function within the movement. These women put their interior and exterior beauty at the service of their Creators, their Prophet, and also of Humanity, watching over their comfort at every point. Until the arrival of the Elohim, only Raël is present; consequently, they must see to his well-being. Members of the Order of Angels are required to sign a contract or an oath when they begin their service. This oath is to be prepared to do anything for the Elohim and their prophet, this can include anything from cleaning shoes to being prepared to die if their femininity does not save them. Like most lifeguarding of beaches, the purpose of this function into movement is to make life richer for others, not to ends one's own precious life. Many people have expressed concern about the commitment required in order to be an angel. A cult specialist has since expressed their lack of concern for the cult, as he believes it is "One of the most transparent cults" he has ever been witness to. *

Different ranks are indicated by the number (and colour) of feathers worn around the Angels' neck.

Trivia

  • Every year in the United States, a meeting of Raelians and Non-Raelians take place in a multi-day event known as a Raelian Seminar (or Festival) - in the city of Las Vegas, NV (See Raelian Contact 309 and R.C. 273).
  • Raelians have been participants in events such as gay pride parades and other festivals such as Burning Man and the Cannes Film Festival (See R.C. 310).
  • The continent with the strongest growth in Raelian Membership is Africa. On the day of April 1, 2006, Africa officially had 251 new Raelians receive their Raelian "Baptism" (also known among the Raelians as a "Cellular Transmission"), and 121 of those transmissions took place in Burkina Faso (See R.C. 304).

See also

Related Religious Movements and Beliefs

The following religious movements have facets of similarity either in realm of philosophy of creation or general religious belief.

In fiction

The 2005 book The Possibility of an Island - (translated by Gavin Bowd, original title La Possibilité d'une île) by the French writer, Michel Houellebecq is seen by several reviewers as a description of Raëlism in the future. *

References

  • Rael, Intelligent Design: Message from the Designers. Nova Dist., 2006. ISBN 2940252203. - the messages given to Rael in 1973.
  • Raël, Yes to Human Cloning: Immortality Thanks to Science. Tagman Press, 2001. ISBN 1903571057; ISBN 1903571049.

External links

Official Raelian Sites

Unofficial Raelian Sites

Study concerning this New Religious Movement

Criticism from Skeptics

Odd Connection...

Raelian Research Interests

Raëlian | New religious movements

Raelismus | Movimiento raeliano | Mouvement raëlien | 라엘리안 무브먼트 | Movimento raeliano | ראלים | ラエリアン・ムーブメント | Raelianie | Раэлиты | 雷爾教派

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Raëlism".

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