116-485: Raëlism , also known as Raëlianism , is a UFO religion founded in 1970s France by Claude Vorilhon , now known as Raël. Scholars of religion classify Raëlism as a new religious movement . The group is formalised as the International Raëlian Movement ( IRM ) or Raëlian Church , a hierarchical organisation under Raël's leadership. Raëlism teaches that an extraterrestrial species known as
232-488: A secte . Raëlism is possibly the largest UFO religion in existence, and in the mid-2000s, the scholar of religion Andreas Grünschloß called it "one of the most consolidated UFO groups internationally active today." In its beliefs, Raëlism differs from many other UFO-based philosophies, with the scholar of religion James R. Lewis terming it "the most thoroughly secular of all the UFO religions." Most other UFO religions, such as
348-466: A "conditional immortality", with immortality for a minority and oblivion for the majority. The resurrection of Jesus, as recounted in the Gospels, is for instance explained as an example of Elohim cloning. Raëlists advocate for the development of human cloning technology on Earth. Raëlians also believe that deceased individuals can be cloned so that they could be tried and punished for their crimes. After
464-471: A "world-affirming" religion, using the typology established by Roy Wallis . Raël considered gender as an artificial construct and emphasized its fluidity. Raël avoided a macho persona and is instead often described by his followers as being "gentle" and "feminine". Palmer suggested that Raël regarded women as being superior to men because they were described as being more like the Elohim. In Raël's account,
580-715: A Master's degree in Religious Studies in 1987. Lewis received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from the University of Wales, Lampeter in 2003. He pursued a career as a professional reference book writer in the 1990s. In 1992, he formed an academic association called AWARE, with the primary goal "to promote intellectual and religious freedom by educating the general public about existing religions and cultures, including, but not limited to, alternative religious groups." Describing its outlook as "scholarly and non-sectarian", AWARE stated that it sought to educate scholars and
696-423: A fear that Raëlians are a threat to public morals for supporting liberalized sex education for children. They argue that such liberalized sex education that teaches children how to obtain sexual gratification would encourage sexual abuse of underage children. The symbol initially used to signify Raëlism was a six-pointed star with a swastika in the centre. Raël stated that this was the symbol he originally saw on
812-601: A group of followers, many of whom were science-fiction fans or amateur ufologists. In December 1974 an organisation based on his ideas, the Mouvement pour l'accueil des Elohims créateurs de l'humanité (MADECH; "Movement for the Welcoming of the Elohim, Creators of Humanity"), was launched. Vorilhon began referring to himself as "Raël." A newsletter, Apocalypse , began publication in October 1974. MADECH began raising money for
928-509: A key point in time within UFO spirituality, commenting: "Roswell is now firmly established as what might be described as a key ufological 'spiritual site'"; and James R. Lewis also calls attention to this event in his book The Gods Have Landed , noting that it is seen by Ufologists as the date of the "emergence of UFOs into the public consciousness". Partridge places UFO religion within the context of theosophical esotericism , and asserts that it began to be associated as "UFO religion" after
1044-421: A more supernatural worldview in which the UFO occupants are more akin to angels than physical aliens, but this distinction may be blurred within the overall subculture . These religions have their roots in the tropes of early science fiction (especially space opera ) and weird fiction writings, in ufology , and in the subculture of UFO sightings and alien abduction stories. Historians have considered
1160-613: A new era". Hunt describes the Aetherius Society founded by George King in 1955 as "probably the first and certainly the most enduring UFO cult ". He places the Aetherius Society and Raëlism among the "most renowned" of the " flying saucer cults". Writing in the Encyclopedia of Religion and Society , contributors Melodie Campbell and Stephen A. Kent place the Aetherius Society and Unarius as among
1276-465: A person can have. Palmer quoted one senior Raëlian as describing the "cosmic orgasm" as "the sensual experience of the unity between the self and the universe". The Raëlian Church holds week-long summer seminars called "Stages of Awakening." These involve daily lectures by Raël, sensual meditation sessions, periods of fasting and feasting, testimonials, and various alternative therapies. Activities that have attracted press attention have include dressing in
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#17328020504341392-587: A public relations exercise, the AWARE report on the Church Universal and Triumphant had "startled and upset" the group's leadership, and led to wide-ranging changes in the organization. Jeffrey Kaplan stated that the aims of AWARE had been "laudable", but that the risks involved for academics in joining the "cult wars", as well as the organization's apparently unsuccessful appeals for funding from new religious movements, led to controversy. Further criticism
1508-513: A second edition of this handbook published in 2016 with Inga Tøllefsen as co-editor. The work of AWARE in the 1990s, led by Lewis, was criticized by Benjamin Beit-Hallahmi , who alleged that the organization was disseminating movement "propaganda", and used poor research methods. This echoed earlier criticisms in a Skeptic article by Stephen A. Kent and Theresa Krebs, who felt that materials produced by Lewis and J. Gordon Melton on
1624-591: A second seminar, this time restricted to members of the Structure, takes place. Claude Vorilhon was born in Ambert , France on 30 September 1946. He was the illegitimate son of a 15-year-old mother; his father had been a Sephardi Jew then in hiding from the Nazi authorities. Vorilhon later recounted being raised as an atheist by his grandmother and aunt, although for a time attended a Roman Catholic boarding school. As
1740-593: A series of monthly meetings, initiations, and meditation rituals. Where possible, Raëlians congregate with fellow practitioners on the third Sunday of the month. It is the group's policy that these events occur in rented rooms rather than property that the Raëlian Movement itself has purchased. At the monthly meetings in Montreal, Raël himself often appeared. The main ritual in Raëlism is the "transmission of
1856-739: A strict ethical code for its followers. Members are expected to take responsibility for their own actions, respect cultural and racial difference, promote non-violence, strive for world peace, and share wealth and resources. They are also encouraged to uphold democracy, in the belief that humanity will ultimately make a democratic choice to introduce geniocracy . The Raëlian opinion is that everything should be permitted so long as it harms no one and does not impede scientific and technological advance. Members are nevertheless advised against using recreational drugs or stimulants so as not to harm their health, although some practitioners have acknowledged that they use alcohol and cigarettes. John M. Bozeman characterized
1972-472: A strong taboo on incest , rape , and sexual activities involving children. Anyone involved in the Movement who is found to have been involved in these latter activities is excommunicated, while Raël has recommended that paedophiles be castrated or placed in mental institutions. Those believed to have forced unwelcome sexual attention upon another person are excommunicated from the Movement for seven years–
2088-452: A teenager, Vorilhon hitch-hiked to Paris where he pursued a career as a singer, releasing singles using the name "Claude Celler." He then married a nurse and had two children with her. In 1973, he founded the racing car magazine Auto Pop and also worked as a test driver for such vehicles. In November 1973, a new law was introduced in France banning speeding on the highway, ending his work as
2204-751: A test driver. Auto Pop ceased publication in September 1974. There had been a range of reported UFO sightings in 1970s France, and the ancient astronaut theory was "very much in vogue" in the country by the middle of that decade. In early 1974, Vorilhon announced that in December 1973 he had been contacted by the Elohim while walking along the Puy Lassolas mountain. He began promoting these ideas in interviews on French television and radio. He began lecturing on his alleged experiences in Paris, where he attracted
2320-412: Is "oxygenation", which entails deep breathing. Practitioners are taught to relax and then envision themselves expanding their frame of reference until the self becomes only a tiny speck within the universe. They are then tasked with visualising the bones and organs of the body, and ultimately the atoms within the body itself. The guided meditation then encourages the meditators to imagine themselves being on
2436-467: Is "sensual meditation", something that Raël outlined in his 1980 book La méditation sensuelle . Raëlians are encouraged to take part in this guided meditation or visualisation on a daily basis, with the intent of transmitting love and telepathic links to the Elohim and achieving harmony with infinity. In this, practitioners are often assisted in this meditation through listening to an instruction tape. Sensual meditation sessions also take place communally at
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#17328020504342552-476: Is any religion in which the existence of extraterrestrial (ET) entities operating unidentified flying objects (UFOs) is an element of belief. Typically, adherents of such religions believe the ETs to be interested in the welfare of humanity which either already is, or eventually will become, part of a pre-existing ET civilization . Other religions predate the UFO era of the mid 20th century, but incorporate ETs into
2668-408: Is based on the teachings of Raël. Raël's claims are taken literally by practitioners of Raëlism, who regard his writings as scripture . From Palmer's extensive study of the philosophy and Raël himself, she thought that he genuinely believed his claims. The sociologist of religion Christopher Partridge noted that Raëlianism exhibits "a strong physicalist belief system". Raëlism presents a form of
2784-577: Is made in New Religions: A Guide , which describes the Xenu mythology as "a basic ancient astronaut myth". Author Victoria Nelson writes in The Secret Life of Puppets that "[t]he most prominent current UFO religion is probably the science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard 's Church of Scientology ". James R. Lewis (scholar) James Roger Lewis (November 3, 1949 – October 11, 2022)
2900-499: Is only 10% as feminine as the Elohim." They are not allowed to procreate, and many undergo a sterilisation operation to ensure this. Raël also reports that the Elohim can communicate with humans because they understand all human languages. Raëlism teaches that about 25,000 years ago the Elohim arrived at the Earth and transformed it so that life could develop. It states that the Elohim used their advanced technology to establish all life on
3016-802: Is the International Raëlian Movement (IRM), or the Raëlian Church. In France, where the religion originated, the government's Parliamentary Commission on Cults labels it a " secte ", a French term with negative connotations similar to the English word " cult ". In 1997, a parliamentary inquiry commission issued a report through the Belgian Chamber of Representatives that also categorized the Belgian Raelian Movement ( Mouvement Raëlien Belge ) as
3132-413: The Aetherius Society , Ashtar Command , and Heaven's Gate , use many of the beliefs of the late-19th-century religion Theosophy ; Raëlism does not. Raëlists have also been characterised as having a "belief in ufology", but Raëlians often stress that they do not regard themselves as ufologists . Raëlism is materialistic and rejects the existence of the supernatural , endorsing atheism and rejecting
3248-420: The Aetherius Society , and to the thought of UFO religionists such as George Adamski " but views it not as a UFO religion but as a theosophical religion. Partridge notes that within UFO religions, there is a belief that the supreme being or "evolved entity" did not ascend from Earth, but instead came from another plane or another planet and descended to Earth. Partridge describes the 1947 Roswell incident as
3364-570: The Aetherius Society , founded by George King, to be the first UFO religion. Some adherents of UFO religions believe that the arrival or rediscovery of alien civilizations, technologies, and spirituality will enable humans to overcome current ecological, spiritual, and social problems. Issues such as hatred, war, bigotry, poverty and so on are said to be resolvable through the use of superior alien technology and spiritual abilities. Such belief systems are also described as millenarian in their outlook. UFO religions developed first in such countries as
3480-536: The Church Universal and Triumphant and The Family in their joint work Sex, Slander, and Salvation , were "as much an apology as a social scientific product". Anson Shupe and Susan E. Darnell in turn characterised Kent's and Krebs' paper as an ad-hominem attack, and part of a pattern of accusing scholars of bias when their field research produced findings at variance with anti-cult stereotypes. Melton defended their joint work, stating that far from being
3596-623: The United States , Canada , France , the United Kingdom , and Japan as the concept presumes the cultural context of a society technologically advanced enough to conceive of ET as such and one in which religion of any kind is not discouraged or suppressed. The term " flying saucers " and the popular notion of the UFO originated in 1947. The study of UFO religions among sociologists , historians , theologians , scholars of religious studies and new religious movements began during
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3712-591: The University of Tromsø from 2013 to 2013 before becoming a professor at Wuhan University in Wuhan , Hubei , China . Some months prior, in May 1995, Lewis, fellow scholar J. Gordon Melton and religious freedom lawyer Barry Fisher had flown to Japan in the early stages of investigations into the sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway to voice their concern that police behaviour, including mass detentions without charge and
3828-648: The Wuhan Journal of Cultic Studies . His works focused on several NRMS, as well as religion and violence, radicalization , and terrorism . He edited several encyclopedias and reference works on these topics. A prolific author, Lewis won a Choice Outstanding Academic Titles award in 1999 for Cults in America . The Choice review described it as a "very readable book" that offered a "balanced overview of controversies centering on cults in America", containing basic information on several dozen groups, as well as
3944-407: The ancient astronauts theory which was well known at the time that the religion was formed. Several French authors, such as Jean Sendy , Serge Hutin , and Jacques Bergier , had already published books during the late 1960s and early 1970s stating that Earth was the outpost of an ancient extraterrestrial society. Swiss writer Erich von Däniken presented the same idea in his 1968 book Chariots of
4060-455: The atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, humanity has entered an Age of Apocalypse in which it threatens itself with nuclear annihilation. Raëlism holds that humanity must find a way to harness new scientific and technological development for peaceful purposes, and that when this has been achieved the Elohim will return to Earth to share their technology with humanity and establish an utopia. To this end, Raëlians have sought to build an embassy for
4176-466: The "central role" of the Bible in Raëlism, the scholar of religion Eugene V. Gallagher suggested that it was a "thoroughly biblical and thoroughly Christian" philosophy. Similarly, the sociologist of religion Susan J. Palmer characterised Raëlism as both fundamentalist and Abrahamic in its reliance on the Bible. Raël nevertheless criticised Christianity for what he believed was its role in perverting
4292-756: The "classic UFO contactees" of the 1950s and 1960s. The Elohim are described as physically smaller than humans, with pale green skin and almond-shaped eyes, and divide into seven different races. Raëlians are forbidden from painting or sketching them. According to Raël, their planet is outside the Solar System but within the Milky Way . Raël says there are 90,000 Elohim on their planet, that they are all quasi-immortal, and that they do not wear clothes. All are permitted to engage in free love with one another, and sexual jealousy has been eliminated. All are regarded as feminine in manner; "the most feminine woman on Earth
4408-642: The "oldest and most studied" of the flying saucer cults. They describe groups Heaven's Gate and Order of the Solar Temple as the "most controversial groups combining UFO belief with variations of contactee assertions". Gregory L. Reece classes Scientology as a "UFO group" in his book UFO Religion: Inside Flying Saucer Cults and Culture , and discusses elements of the Xenu cosmogony and Space opera in Scientology doctrine . He compares Scientology to
4524-407: The 1947 incident at Roswell, New Mexico . According to Partridge, most UFO religions still have many of the key points associated with Theosophy, such as belief in the same Spiritual Hierarchy , and he also draws parallels to New Age thought. He notes that within the thought processes of UFO religions after 1947, many of these groups maintained beliefs that extraterrestrial beings were "heralds of
4640-548: The 1950s. UFO religions generally deal with belief in communication with extraterrestrial beings. Stephen Hunt writes in Alternative Religions: A Sociological Introduction , "One form of quasi-religion that perhaps borders on a more orthodox form of religiosity is that of the flying saucer cults". In these groups, individuals believe that communication between aliens and humans can take the form of physical contact, telepathy , and astral projection . Typically
4756-494: The Aetherius Society and to Ashtar Command , writing: "While it bears strong similarities to the Ashtar Command or the Aetherius Society, its emphasis upon the Xenu event as the central message of the group seems to place them within the ancient astronaut tradition. Either way, Scientology is perhaps most different from other UFO groups in their attempt to keep all of the space opera stuff under wraps." A similar comparison
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4872-502: The Bible's message, presenting himself as an opponent of the Roman Catholic Church . Raëlism is not inclusive of other religions, with new members expected to formally renounce any previous religious affiliations. During the early 2000s, the scholar of religion George D. Chryssides said that Raëlism exhibits "a coherent worldview", but added that the movement remained in the "very early developmental stage". The religion
4988-648: The Elohim but that only Raël is permitted to meet with them physically or receive their revelations. Raëlism is a millenarian philosophy. Raël claims that since the U.S. military's use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945, humanity have been living in the "Age of Apocalypse" or "Revelation". It states that the human species must now choose whether to use science and technology to enhance life or to use it to bring about nuclear annihilation. It claims that if humans successfully get through this present age, they will live in an era of advanced technology in which society will be tolerant and sexually liberated. Raël claimed that he
5104-533: The Elohim cloned Jesus to restore him to life after death. References to Satan are interpreted as referring to the chief of a group on the Elohim's planet who were opposed to genetic experiments on Earth and who argued that humanity should be destroyed as a potential threat. According to the Raëlians, the Great Flood narrative recounts an attempt by the anti-human aliens to wipe out humanity, but that humanity
5220-439: The Elohim created humanity using their advanced technology. An atheistic religion, it holds that the Elohim have historically been mistaken for gods. It claims that throughout history the Elohim have created 40 Elohim/human hybrids who have served as prophets preparing humanity for news about their origins. Among them are The Buddha , Jesus , and Muhammad , with Raël himself the 40th and final prophet. Raëlists believe that since
5336-512: The Elohim planet. A single world currency will be introduced, as a prelude to the total abolition of money, while a unified world calendar will also be adopted. Raëlians reject the existence of the ethereal soul that survives physical death, and instead argue that the only hope for immortality is through scientific means. The Raëlians claim that the Elohim will clone and thus recreate dead individuals, but only those particular individuals who they deem merit this recreation. In this, they believe in
5452-556: The Elohim that incorporates a landing pad for their spaceship. Raëlians engage in daily meditation, hope for physical immortality through human cloning , and promote a liberal ethical system with a strong emphasis on sexual experimentation. Raël first published his claims to have been contacted by the Elohim in his 1974 book Le Livre Qui Dit La Verité (The Book that Tells the Truth). He subsequently established an organisation devoted to promoting his ideas, MADECH, which in 1976 disbanded and
5568-425: The Elohim were also created by an earlier species, and they before them, ad infinitum . They believe that the cosmos expands indefinitely, both in time and space; infinity is an important concept for them. Raëlians believe that accounts of gods in various mythologies around the world are misinterpretations of memories about the Elohim. The philosophy states that the sacred scriptures of many other religions describe
5684-416: The Elohim's arrival will herald a new and improved political system on Earth. This will be a single world government that Raël terms a "geniocracy," or "rule of geniuses," and which he discusses in his fifth book, Geniocracy . According to this system, only those who are fifty percent more intelligent that the average person will be permitted to rule. Raël's proposed geniocratic system bears similarities with
5800-517: The Elohim's consorts. In 1997 Raël initiated Clonaid , an organisation engaged in research in human cloning directed by senior Raëlian Brigitte Boisselier . In 2002, the company claimed to have produced a human clone , a baby named Eve, bringing much critical scrutiny and media attention. The Movement has attracted further attention through its public protests endorsing causes such as women's and gay rights and against nuclear testing. The International Raëlian Movement claims tens of thousands of members,
5916-416: The Elohim's planet and communicating telepathically with these aliens. Palmer found that Raëlians varyingly described a sense of physical well-being, psychic abilities, or sexual arousal during these meditations and interpreted these as evidence that they were in telepathic contact with the Elohim. The goal of sensual meditation is to achieve a "cosmic orgasm", which is characterised as the ultimate experience
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#17328020504346032-403: The Elohim's primordial genetic programming and are something to be celebrated. Researching about the Raëlians of Quebec, Palmer found that many of them avoided categorizing themselves by using terms like " heterosexual ", " homosexual ", or " bisexual ", finding those labels to be too limiting. The Raëlians have stressed the need for respect and mutual consent in sexual behaviour. The group places
6148-441: The Elohim, hearing Yahweh's voice guiding him in making decisions affecting Raëlianism. The religion also teaches that the Elohim continue to monitor every human individual on Earth, remotely, from their planet. This is done so that the Elohim can decide which individuals merit being offered the opportunity of eternal life. It argues that the Elohim continue to visit the Earth, as evidenced by crop circles , which adherents regard as
6264-494: The Elohim. These are the first Sunday in April, which is the date on which Raëlians believe the Elohim created the first humans; August 6th, which marks the day of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima in 1945; October 7th, which is the day in which Raël claims that he encountered the Elohim for the second time, in 1974; and December 13th, which is the day that Raël allegedly first encountered the Elohim in 1973. A major practice in Raëlism
6380-709: The Francophone region. The next year a Quebecois branch of the Movement was established. Raël's first two books were then published in a single English edition, titled Space Aliens Took Me to Their Planet in 1978 and republished as The Message Given To Me By Extra-Terrestrials: They Took Me to their Planet in 1986 and, in a new translation, as The Final Message in 1998. He expanded on his ideas with several additional books: Accueiller Les Extra-Terrestes in 1979 (translated as Let's Welcome Our Fathers from Space in 1986), La Méditation Sensuelle in 1980 (translated as Sensual Meditation in 1986), and Geniocracy . In 1980,
6496-453: The Gods? Similar ideas had also been put forward in science fiction, such as the U.S. television series Star Trek . Raëlians often deny the effect of von Däniken on the philosophy, instead believing that it derives entirely from Raël's revelations. Raëlism teaches that there exists an extraterrestrial species known as the Elohim. Raël has said that the word "Elohim", which is used for God in
6612-516: The Montreal anti-cult organization Info-Cult that the Raëlians promoted fascism and racism . Outside Info-Cult's office, Raëlians spoke against the act of discriminating against a religious minority. On 2 January 1992, a dozen people protested against the use of the swastika in the Raëlian logo in Miami's Eden Roc Hotel. The use of the swastika and other Raëlian practices has resulted in criticism from
6728-420: The Movement. Those in the Movement who hold the rank of bishop and priest are permitted to conduct these initiation ceremonies. In some instances, when the necessary individuals are present, Raël touches the head of a Raëlian bishop, who in turn touches that of a Raëlian priest, who touches the head of the initiate to ensure the "transmission". These "transmissions" are permitted to take place on one of four days in
6844-539: The Old Testament, is actually a plural term which he translates as "those who came from the sky." Raël calls individual members of the Elohim "Eloha". He claims that the Elohim gave him the honorific name "Raël", a term deriving from "Israel", which he translates as "the messenger of those who come from the sky." In his first book, Le Livre Qui Dit La Verité , published in 1974, Raël claimed that he initially encountered these alien beings on 13 December 1973, when he
6960-478: The Raëlian Movement suggested Hawaii as a possible alternative, and in 1998 Raël stated that he had received a new revelation from the Elohim stating that this location would be acceptable. Chryssides noted that should the Elohim not arrive in 2035, the Raëlians will have to adapt to the new circumstance in which their eschatology remains unfulfilled. On 16 April 1987, the Chicago Sun-Times estimated
7076-405: The Raëlians as feminists, although Raël criticized mainstream feminism, arguing that it "copied the shortcomings of men". Generally adopting the belief that the human body is malleable, Raëlism has a positive opinion of plastic surgery to improve physical appearance. Raëlism teaches that the Elohim created humanity to feel sexual desire as a panacea for their violent impulses. It states that through
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#17328020504347192-456: The Raëlians sent a mission to Japan, followed by another to Africa in 1982 and to Australia in 1990. In the early 1980s the Movement bought a campground near Albi in southern France, which they named Eden. In 1984, Raël underwent a year's retreat in which he avoided public appearance. The following year, his first wife left both him and the movement; he subsequently began a relationship with a Japanese Raëlian, Lisa Sunagawa, for several years. During
7308-630: The September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, in which the attackers killed themselves , the Raëlists proposed that they could be resurrected through cloning to be tried for their actions. Due to its emphasis upon attaining immortality, Raëlism deplores suicide; after the Heaven's Gate group engaged in a mass suicide in 1997, the Raëlian Church was among the new religions that issued press releases condemning suicide. As opposed to
7424-536: The act of conception can affect any child resulting. The Raëlists also believe that once human cloning has been developed, biological reproduction will be obsolete. As well as endorsing the use of birth control and contraceptives , Raëlists endorse the use of abortion to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Raël has also argued that if a woman does not want a child who has been born then she should give it up to be raised by society. Some Swiss government authorities responded to Raëlians' opinions about Sensual Meditation with
7540-560: The amount of time Raëlians believe it takes for all of a person's biological cells to be regenerated. The Raëlists reject both enforced monogamy and marriage, regarding these as institutions that have been enforced to enslave women and suppress sexual expression. The religion discourages its members from marrying. Members are also discouraged from contributing to global overpopulation ; members are urged not to have more than two children, and ideally none at all. Raël states that should two individuals wish to procreate, their psychic control during
7656-554: The ancient Israelites were once in contact with the Elohim. He also stated that this embassy would constitute the " Third Temple " referred to in Jewish prophecy. Receiving little help for this venture from the Israeli government, Raël instead suggested that a neighbouring country might be suitable, proposing Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt as possible locations. None of the governments of these countries were favorable. Senior people of
7772-487: The body in December 1995 after concerns from members of its advisory board. In 2003 he became an Assistant Professor at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee , and in 2009 at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David , where he became an Honorary Senior Research Fellow. He taught in the University of Wisconsin System , and, on an adjunct basis, at DePaul University . Lewis was an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at
7888-551: The building because it mixes a swastika and a Star of David . According to Drori, the Raëlians involved refused this offer, as they wished to keep the symbol as it was. From 1991 to 2007, the official Raëlian symbol in Europe and America did not have the original swastika, but Raël decided to make the original symbol, the Star of David intertwined with a swastika, the only official symbol of the Raëlian Movement worldwide. Raëlism involves
8004-456: The cellular plan", in which a Raëlian Guide placed their hands upon another individual's head, through which the Guide is believed to receive the individual's cellular code and then telepathically transmit it to the Elohim. Doing so denotes the initiate's formal recognition of the Elohim as the creators of humanity. This is used as part of the "baptism", or initiation ceremony for new members joining
8120-666: The change was made to show respect to the victims of the Holocaust . The newly added swirling shape was explained as a depiction of a swirling galaxy. In 2005, the Israeli Raëlian Guide Kobi Drori stated that the Lebanese government was discussing proposals by the Raëlian movement to build their interplanetary embassy in Lebanon. However, one condition was that the Raëlians not display their logo on top of
8236-452: The clothes of the opposite gender as part of an exercise to play with the fluidity of gender expression, and observing one's own genitals and masturbating. Raëlians use these seminars as an opportunity to form friendships or sexual relationships. Attendees wear white togas with name tags. In 1991, a French journalist attended a seminar and taped couples having sexual intercourse in tents, something then much-publicised. Following these seminars,
8352-407: The documentation they had been given by the group, that the group did not have the ability to produce sarin and was being scapegoated. Lewis likened the group's treatment to a Japanese Waco . The scholars' defense of Aum Shinrikyo led to a crisis of confidence in religious scholarship when the group turned out to have been responsible for the attack after all. In a December 2017 conference, Lewis
8468-488: The event erased. In his 1979 book, Let's Welcome Our Fathers from Space , Raël added that he was the biological son of the Eloha whom he first encountered, Yahweh. He noted that Yahweh was also the father of Jesus, making the latter Raël's half-brother. In 2003, Raël publicly identified himself as Maitreya , the prophesied future bodhisattva of Mahayana Buddhism . He maintains that he continues to be in telepathic contact with
8584-500: The evolution of humanity. A UFO religion can be formed before or after an individual claims to have experienced an alien abduction and been taken aboard a spacecraft. Christopher Hugh Partridge writes in UFO Religions that J. Gordon Melton identifies the first UFO religion as the group "I AM" Activity , founded by Guy Ballard . Partridge says it "can be seen as the obvious theosophical forerunner to UFO religions such as
8700-533: The feud continued and in July he dismissed MADECH's executives and replaced them with seven of his own supporters. Raël also announced that he had been contacted by the Elohim for a second time and that on this occasion they had taken him to visit their planet. He outlined these claims in his 1975 book Les Extra-Terrestres M'ont Emmené sur Leur Planète . Opposition to Raël remained evident in MADECH and in 1976 he disbanded
8816-431: The first two humans to be created were named Adam and Eve . Raëlians believe that there were originally seven human races, modelling the seven Elohim races, but that the purple, blue, and green races have died out. In believing humanity was created by the Elohim, Raëlians reject Darwinian evolution and espouse creationism and intelligent design ; Raëlians term their beliefs "scientific creationism." Raëlians believe that
8932-411: The funding for the "cosmic kibbutz " at $ 1 million. In 1997–1998, the funding had risen to $ 7 million. In 2001, group members claimed they had saved $ 9 million for the embassy; and in October 2001, the funding had reached $ 20 million. Once on Earth, Raël claims, the Elohim will share their advanced technology and scientific understanding with humanity and will help to usher in a utopia. Raël teaches that
9048-563: The general public about the persecution of religious and cultural minorities in the United States and abroad, and to assist the United States in its efforts to counter prejudice. Other scholars involved in the formulation of AWARE as an "anti-anti-cult organization" included Eileen Barker , David G. Bromley , and Jeffrey Hadden , who felt a need for an organization of academics prepared to appear as expert witnesses in court cases. AWARE proved controversial; critics complained that Lewis associated too closely with NRM members, and Lewis dissolved
9164-423: The given time, and Raëlism, therefore, emphasises the idea of progressive truth. Raël claims that he is the fortieth and final prophet of the Elohim, sent because humanity is now sufficiently developed to understand the truth about the Elohim. He initially claimed that he was chosen for this role because he had a Roman Catholic mother and a Jewish father and was thus "an ideal link between two very important peoples in
9280-502: The group Hineni of Florida, an Orthodox Jewish organization. In 1992, the Raëlian Movement altered their symbol, replacing the central swastika with a swirling shape. They explained that this was due to a request from the Elohim to change the symbol in order to help in negotiations with Israel for the building of the Extraterrestrial Embassy, although the country continued to deny their request. Raël also stated that
9396-404: The group's monthly meetings, during which the assembled adherents sit or lie on the floor in a dimly lit room. They are then guided through it by a Raëlian Guide speaking through a microphone; the meditation may be accompanied by New Age music . Sensual meditation begins with a relaxation exercise known as harmonisation avec l'infini ("harmonization with the infinite"). One stage of this process
9512-538: The group, beginning the Raëlian Movement as a replacement in February 1976. It operated along a strict hierarchy, with Raël as its director, referred to as the "Guide of Guides." Unlike MADECH, it promoted a broader religious structure, including ritual practices. It continued publication of Apocalypse to spread its message. In 1976, the Raëlians sent a mission to the Canadian province of Quebec to attract converts in
9628-504: The group, he did not whitewash the harmful beliefs of the group; she noted the book could have been subtitled "Why it is unwise to join Falun Gong." Lewis edited Enlightened Martyrdom: The Hidden Side of Falun Gong (2019), alongside Huang Chao. Lewis argues in the book's final chapter that due to the media strategies of the group, they were presented largely sympathetically, but the tides were turning and they would soon be viewed as
9744-519: The group. Reviewer Huang Chao praised the book, positively comparing it to David Ownby's work on the group, Falun Gong and the Future of China , which Chao argued downplayed negative aspects of the Falun Gong. He said that Lewis's book was important in correcting these weaknesses "by highlighting these aspects without degenerating into an anti-cult diatribe." Chao did criticize Lewis's treatment of Hongzhi's "self-aggrandizing assertions", which he thought
9860-423: The groups believe that humanity will be saved by these aliens when humans are educated as to a better way to live life. Some of the groups believe that aliens will come to take those that believe to a more positive location. Often the extraterrestrial beings are seen to plead with humanity to improve itself and to move away from a society of greed and violence. UFO religions place an emphasis on spiritual growth and
9976-459: The history of the world." He added that he was also selected because he lived in France, which the Elohim considered a more open-minded country than most others. Raël subsequently stated that these prophets are themselves the result of a human mother breeding with an Eloha father, with the human mothers having been chosen for the purity of their genetic code, beamed onto an Elohim spacecraft, impregnated, and then returned to Earth with their memory of
10092-415: The hull of the Elohim's spaceship. Raëlians regard this as a symbol of infinity. Practitioners also believe that this symbol helps facilitate their own telepathic contact with the Elohim. Raëlists typically wear a medallion of the symbol around their neck. The Raëlian use of the swastika, a symbol that had been prominently used by Germany's Nazi Party during the 1930s and 1940s, resulted in accusations from
10208-424: The idea that gods exist. The religion's founder, Raël, characterises traditional religion as irrational and unscientific, presenting his alternative as a philosophy free from "obscurantism and mysticism". Raëlians call their belief system a "scientific religion", with the International Raëlian Movement using the motto "Science is our religion; religion is our science." The religion emphasizes the use of science to solve
10324-409: The inhabitants of the Elohim planet "have 10 percent of masculinity and 90 percent of femininity." Raël also proposed that if women were in positions of political power across the world, there would be no war. The Raëlians have participated with public protests for women's rights. At its June 2003 "Joy of Being Woman" demonstration, Raëlian women danced naked through the streets of Paris. Palmer described
10440-552: The landing spaces of the Elohim's spacecraft. Raëlians generally understand sightings of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) as confirmation of their belief in the Elohim, although their opinion of Ufology is ambiguous. Raëlians also consider the appearance of " angel hair " as evidence of the Elohim's presence, stating that it has appeared at various Raëlian summer gatherings. They typically express scepticism regarding claims by alleged alien contactees other than Raël. Raëlians believe that they are all capable of linking telepathically with
10556-475: The majority in Francophone areas of Western Europe and North America and parts of East Asia. Criticism of the philosophy has come from journalists, ex-Raëlians, and anti-cultists , while it has also been studied by scholars of religion. Raëlism is classified as a new religious movement by scholars of religion . It has also been described as a UFO religion, a UFO movement, and an ETI ( extra-terrestrial intelligence ) religion. The organization promoting Raëlianism
10672-585: The mid-1990s, Raël returned to his hobby of motor racing, competing in rounds two and three of the 1995 Magna Enduro Racing Championship and the 1998 Motorola Cup in Miami before retiring from the sport in 2001. In 1992, a schism appeared in the religion as a group of about forty practitioners were expelled. They formed a rival, smaller group, the Apostles of the Last Days, espousing the belief that Raël had been
10788-518: The more general conflict between "anti-cultists" seeking government assistance to eliminate cults, and religious "libertarians" defending religious liberty even for disliked groups. The review stated that while Lewis differed with the anti-cult view, he presented "arguments and references from both sides – respectfully and in language free from insinuation or invective. Strongly recommended". Lewis won another Choice Outstanding Academic Title award for The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements , with
10904-569: The ongoing activities of the Elohim on Earth. The tale of Adam and Eve 's expulsion from the Garden of Eden , recounted in Genesis, is, for instance, interpreted as representing humanity's difficult transition from the Elohim's laboratories to life on Earth, where they had to become self-sufficient. The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth , as presented in the Gospels , is described as representing how
11020-744: The organization he believed his old feelings of outrage over treatment of the Falun Gong to be "naive and foolish". Lewis edited a series on Contemporary Religions for Brill, and co-edited a series on Controversial New Religions for Ashgate . He was a co-founder of the International Society for the Study of New Religions and editor-in-chief of the Alternative Spirituality and Religion Review (ASRR). While in China, he studied Chinese new religious movements (NRMs) and founded
11136-661: The original spokesman of the Elohim but had been taken over by Satan. In 1992, the Raëlian Movement bought 115 hectares near Valcourt in Quebec, naming this property Le Jardin du Prophète ("the Garden of the Prophet"). It was here in 1997 that the organisation opened UFOLand, a museum about ufology. Its purpose was to raise money for the Elohim Embassy, but in 2001 it closed to the public, having proved financially unviable. It
11252-406: The planet. Raël characterises humans as "biological robots" that have been created and programmed by the Elohim. Raëlism teaches that humanity is modelled physically on the Elohim; for practitioners, this is indicated by the passage at Genesis 1:26. Also representing his own interpretation of Genesis, Raël teaches that the Elohim scientist responsible for creating humanity was named Yahweh and that
11368-485: The pursuit of sexual pleasure, new pathways between the neurons in the brain are forged, thus enhancing an individual's intelligence. Raëlism encourages its members to explore their sexuality; while Raël is often photographed with beautiful women and appears to be heterosexual, he encourages homosexual experimentation. Adopting an accepting attitude towards different forms of sexual orientation and expression, Raëlism teaches that differences in sexual orientation are rooted in
11484-399: The religion's morality as "progressive," while Palmer referred to the group's "liberal social values", and Chryssides called Raëlist values "worldly and hedonistic". The scholar of religion Paul Oliver said that the philosophy's ethics are "relativistic" in that practitioners are encouraged to act in a manner that they feel appropriate to the context. Several scholars have also argued that it is
11600-515: The removal of practitioners' children from the group, might be infringing the civil rights of Aum Shinrikyo members. They had travelled to Japan at the invitation and expense of Aum Shinrikyo after they had contacted the group to express concern over developments, and met with officials over a period of three days. While not having been given access to the group's chemical laboratories, they held press conferences in Japan stating their belief, based on
11716-514: The scientific definition of reproductive cloning , which is simply the creation of a genetically identical living organism, Raëlians seek to both genetically clone individuals, rapidly accelerate growth of the clone to adulthood through a process like guided self-assembly of rapidly expanded cells or even nanotechnology . Raël told lawmakers that banning the development of human cloning was comparable to outlawing medical advances such "antibiotics, blood transfusions, and vaccines". Raëlism insists on
11832-516: The self-publication of Vorilhon's first book, which appeared as Le livre qui dit la verité that year. Raëlians treat his first book with reverence, often referring to it simple as Le livre ("the book"). Some members of MADECH wanted the organisation to take a broader interest in Ufology beyond Raël's own claims and also desired to restrict his authority within the group. Amid an internal power struggle, Raël called an emergency meeting in April 1975;
11948-656: The style of governance that Plato promoted in his work Republic . Raëlians thus reject democracy , believing that it fails to ensure that society has the best leadership. Raël claims that this future society will have no war, and crime will have been ended through genetic engineering. In this future, Raël states, humanity will be able to travel beyond the Earth to colonise other planets. He claims that robots will assume menial tasks, allowing humans to devote their time to pleasurable pursuits. He also argued that there would be biological robots which would serve as sex slaves, akin to those which Raël states he encountered on his visit to
12064-458: The world's problems, and practitioners regard Raël as a pioneer of science who will one day be regarded as a peer of Galileo and Copernicus . Many of its members call it an "atheistic religion" and compare it to Buddhism , some branches of which similarly do not promote belief in gods (especially Theravāda Buddhism ). Along with science, the other main basis of Raël's ideas is the Bible . Noting
12180-538: The year that play a prominent role in the Raëlian calendar. The first examples took place in April 1976, when Raël carried out the "transmission" ceremonies of forty initiates on the Roc Plat . The Raëlian calendar begins with the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Each year after this date is referred to as "AH" or "après Hiroshima" ("after Hiroshima"). The Raëlians celebrate four religious festivals each year, two of which mark Raël's claimed encounters with
12296-654: Was 27 years old. He wrote that he was walking along the Puy de Lassolas volcanic crater in the Clermont-Ferrand mountains when one of their spaceships appeared and an Eloha emerged, who asked him to return the next day and bring a Bible . Raël did so, and the over six days Eloha explained to him the true meaning of its contents, revealing more about the Elohim's involvement in human history. In his 1976 book Les Extra-Terrestres M'ont Emmené sur Leur Planète ( The Extraterrestrials Took Me to Their Planet ), Raël added that he
12412-482: Was a member of Yogi Bhajan's 3HO , a new religious movement combining the teachings of kundalini yoga and Sikhism . Feeling disenchanted with the organization, he formed a small and short-lived breakaway movement. He graduated summa cum laude from Appalachian State University in 1981, with a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies, later graduating from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with
12528-825: Was also during 1997, a month after Ian Wilmut announced the birth of Dolly the Sheep , a successful clone, that Raël established the company Valiant Venture to explore the commercial applications of cloning. Through it came Clonaid, of which the Raëlian Bishop Brigitte Boisselier was co-founder, director, and spokesperson. The initiation of this group and its promotion of human cloning incited much debate among other religious figures, scientists, and ethicists. Raël and Boisselier both spoke before US President Bill Clinton 's Congress hearing on human cloning in March 2001. UFO religion A UFO religion
12644-524: Was an American philosophy professor at Wuhan University . He was a religious studies scholar, sociologist of religion , and writer, who specialized in the academic study of new religious movements , astrology , and New Age . James Roger Lewis was born November 3, 1949 in Leonardtown, Maryland , and raised in New Port Richey, Florida . In his youth, in the early and mid-seventies, he
12760-407: Was contacted by the Elohim again on 7 October 1975, when they took him aboard their spaceship and transported him to their home planet. Here he was offered six biological robot women with which to have sex, saw the Elohim create his clone, and taught the techniques of sensual meditation. The scholar of religion James R. Lewis noted that Raël's account of encountering the Elohim was similar to those of
12876-735: Was destined to help lead humanity away from its path of destruction. According to Raël, beginning a peaceful age will cause the return of the Elohim to Earth. He added that they will bring with them the 39 immortal prophets whom they had previously sent to guide humanity. Raël stated that humanity has to build an embassy for the Elohim prior to their arrival on Earth and that it must include a landing pad for their spaceship. He stated that it needed to be located on internationally recognised neutral territory so as not to indicate favour towards any one particular nation-state. Initially, Raël sought permission to build it in Israel, explaining this by reference to how
12992-588: Was directed at Lewis from Kent and Kayla Swanson, who accused him of falsely claiming to have earned a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 2018, Lewis authored Falun Gong: Spiritual Warfare and Martyrdom . The book covers various aspects of the group, focusing primarily on the more controversial teachings of the Falun Gong and its leader Li Hongzhi , including the group's pattern of targeting critics and Lewis's changing opinions on
13108-402: Was overly lengthy and did not contribute much to the stated purpose of the book (the violent side of the group), though he described his criticisms of the book overall as "relatively minor". Another reviewer, Heather Kavan, praised the book for its content and style. Kavan argued that supporters of the group may find the book "confronting", saying that though Lewis did not support the treatment of
13224-407: Was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as claiming that Falun Gong -founded media Sound of Hope and New Tang Dynasty Television "are in fact manipulated and sponsored by international anti-China forces". Lewis himself criticized his prior, initially sympathetic approach to the Falun Gong organization, saying he had been "naive" about the group and that after contacting ex-members and Chinese critics of
13340-476: Was replaced by the Raëlian Church. Raël headed the new organisation, which was structured around a hierarchy of seven levels. Attracting more followers, the group obtained a country estate in France before relocating its operations to Quebec . In 1998, Raël established the Order of Angels, an internal all-female group whose members are largely sequestered from wider society and tasked with training themselves to become
13456-523: Was rescued by an alien spacecraft which provided the basis for the story of Noah's Ark . Various figures who established or inspired religions throughout human history, including Jesus, the Buddha , Muhammad , and Joseph Smith , are portrayed by the Raëlians as having been guided by the Elohim. These are characterised as being 39 prophets sent to humanity at various times. Each is believed to have revealed information to humanity that they could comprehend at
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