Raël facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Raël
Raël in 2001
Born	Claude Maurice Marcel Vorilhon (1946-09-30) 30 September 1946 (age 78) Vichy, France
School	Raëlism
Notable ideas	Geniocracy Raëlian cosmology Message from the designers

Raël (born Claude Maurice Marcel Vorilhon on September 30, 1946) is a French writer and former journalist who founded and leads the Raëlian Movement. This group is known as a UFO religion because its beliefs are centered around beings from another planet.

Before he became a religious leader, Raël worked as a sports car journalist and test driver for his own car-racing magazine. His life changed after he reported meeting an extraterrestrial being in December 1973. After this event, he changed his name to Raël and started the Raëlian Movement. He has written several books about his experiences and has traveled the world to share his story.

Early Life and Career

Claude Vorilhon was born in Vichy, France. He grew up in the town of Ambert with his grandmother. As a teenager, he moved to Paris and became a singer. He used the stage name Claude Celler and released a few songs, including a minor hit called "Le miel et la cannelle" ("Honey and Cinnamon").

Vorilhon was also very interested in cars. He decided to become a sports journalist to get closer to the world of car racing. He started his own sports car magazine called Autopop in 1971. This job allowed him to test new cars and participate in races.

The Raëlian Message

A Meeting in a Volcano

According to Raël's book, The Book That Tells the Truth, he had an amazing experience on December 13, 1973. He was near a volcano in France when he saw a shiny, bell-shaped object come down from the sky. He said it was a UFO.

A door opened, and a being from another planet came out. The being spoke to him in French and said it had come just to meet him. Raël was given a message and told it was his mission to share it with the people of Earth.

A New Story of Creation

The being told Raël that all life on Earth was created by advanced scientists from another planet. These scientists, called the Elohim, used their knowledge of DNA to create humans and other living things. Raël says the Elohim have sent about 40 messengers, or prophets, to Earth throughout history. However, their messages were often misunderstood because people at the time did not have the scientific knowledge to understand them.

Raël was given the task of telling the world about humanity's true origins. He was also asked to help build an embassy on Earth where the Elohim could one day land and meet with humanity.

A Trip to Another Planet

Raël said he was contacted again on October 7, 1975. This time, he was taken to the Elohim's home planet. There, he claims to have met important historical figures like Buddha, Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad.

In his second book, Extraterrestrials Took Me To Their Planet, Raël describes what he learned. He wrote about a peaceful world where people lived in harmony, without money, sickness, or war. After these experiences, Raël dedicated his life to his mission and founded the International Raëlian Movement.

Racing Career

In the 1990s, some of Raël's wealthy followers in Japan thought it would be good publicity if he returned to car racing. They rented a race car for him, and he agreed to race as long as the money did not come from member donations.

Raël competed in several races in the 1990s and early 2000s. His best results include a 3rd place finish at Lime Rock Park in 1997 and a 7th place finish at Watkins Glen in 1999. He retired from professional racing in 2001 but said he still enjoyed racing in video games.

Ideas About Future Technology

Raël believes that technology will one day free humans from the need to work. He says that machines should do the work, while people should be free to think, create, and enjoy life.

Genetics and Nanotechnology

In his book Yes to Human Cloning, Raël writes about his support for science. He supports human genetic engineering to cure diseases that are passed down in families. He also writes about nanotechnology, which is technology on a tiny, molecular scale. He imagines a future with self-cleaning furniture and tiny power plants in every home.

Raël also believes that nanotechnology could be used to create food. He thinks that one day, meat and vegetables could be grown in a machine. He also supports genetically modified food as a way to end world hunger.

Discography

As the singer Claude Celler, he released several songs in the 1960s, including:

• 1966: "Sacrée sale gueule"
• 1966: "Dans un verre de vin"
• 1967: "Le Miel et la cannelle" (Honey and Cinnamon)
• 1967: "Quand on se mariera" (When We'll Get Married)

See also

In Spanish: Rael para niños