Raëlism facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Raëlism |
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The Raëlian symbol
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| Type | New religious movement |
| Classification | UFO religion |
| Scripture |
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| Polity | Episcopal |
| Planétaire guider | Raël |
| Associations |
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| Region | Worldwide |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Founder | Raël |
| Origin | 19 September 1974 Auvergne, France |
| Embassy | 50+ |
| Other name(s) | Raëlianism and Raëlian movement |
Raëlism is a belief system that is considered a UFO religion. It was started in the 1970s in France by a man named Claude Vorilhon, who is now known as Raël. People who study religions call Raëlism a new religious movement. The official group is called the International Raëlian Movement (IRM).
Raëlism teaches that an alien species called the Elohim created humans using advanced technology. It is an atheistic religion, meaning it does not believe in a god. Instead, it says the Elohim were mistaken for gods in ancient times. Raëlism claims that the Elohim created 40 human-Elohim hybrids to be prophets. These prophets, including The Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad, were meant to prepare humanity for the truth. Raël claims to be the 40th and final prophet.
Raëlians believe that since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, humanity has been in an "Age of Apocalypse." This is a time when humans could destroy themselves with nuclear weapons. Raëlism says people must use science for peaceful purposes. If this happens, the Elohim will return to Earth, share their technology, and help create a perfect world. To prepare for this, Raëlians want to build an embassy for the Elohim, complete with a landing pad for their spaceship.
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What is Raëlism?
Raëlism is known as a new religious movement and a UFO religion. This is because its beliefs are centered on extra-terrestrial intelligence (ETI). It is one of the largest UFO religions in the world.
Raëlism is different from many other UFO groups. It is materialistic, which means it rejects anything supernatural and does not believe in gods. The founder, Raël, called traditional religions unscientific. Raëlians see their beliefs as a "scientific religion." They believe science can solve the world's problems.
Although it is based on science, Raëlism also uses the Bible for its ideas. It reinterprets stories from the Bible to fit its beliefs about aliens. Because of this, some scholars say it has similarities to Abrahamic religions like Christianity. However, Raëlians are critical of traditional Christianity.
Core Beliefs of Raëlism
The beliefs of Raëlism come from the teachings of Raël. His followers consider his writings to be their scripture. The religion is based on the idea of ancient astronauts, which was a popular theory when Raëlism began. This theory suggests that aliens visited Earth long ago and influenced human history.
Who are the Elohim?
Raëlism teaches that a species of aliens called the Elohim exist. The name "Elohim" is found in the Old Testament of the Bible. Raël says it means "those who came from the sky."
Raël wrote that he first met an Eloha (a single member of the Elohim) on December 13, 1973. This happened near a volcano in France. The Eloha explained the "true" meaning of the Bible to him over six days. In a later book, Raël claimed he was taken to the Elohim's home planet in 1975.
According to Raël, the Elohim are smaller than humans, have pale green skin, and almond-shaped eyes. Their planet is in our Milky Way galaxy but outside our Solar System. They are said to be very peaceful and advanced.
The Elohim's Role on Earth
Raëlism teaches that about 25,000 years ago, the Elohim came to Earth. They used their advanced technology to create all life on the planet, including humans. Raëlians believe humans were made to look like the Elohim. This is why they reject the theory of Darwinian evolution and instead believe in a form of intelligent design.
Raëlians think that stories of gods in ancient myths are really misunderstood memories of the Elohim. For example, they believe the story of Adam and Eve is about humans leaving the Elohim's laboratories to live on their own. They also believe the resurrection of Jesus was an act of cloning by the Elohim.
Important religious figures like Jesus, the Buddha, and Muhammad are seen as prophets sent by the Elohim. Raël claims to be the 40th and final prophet. He says he was chosen to deliver the final message because humanity is now advanced enough to understand it.
The Return of the Elohim
Raëlism is a millenarian religion, which means it believes in a future major transformation of society. It teaches that since the use of the atomic bomb in 1945, humanity has been in an "Age of Apocalypse." During this time, humans must choose between peace and self-destruction.
If humanity chooses peace, the Elohim will return to Earth. They will bring the 39 earlier prophets with them. Before they can arrive, Raëlians believe an embassy must be built for them. This embassy needs a landing pad for their spaceship and must be on neutral territory.
When the Elohim arrive, they will share their technology and help create a utopia, or a perfect world. This world would be run by a "geniocracy," a system where only the most intelligent people are allowed to rule. Raëlians believe this will end war and crime.
Cloning and Life After Death
Raëlians do not believe in a spiritual soul. They believe the only way to achieve immortality is through science, specifically human cloning. They think the Elohim will clone and bring back to life certain people who deserve it.
Because of this belief, Raëlians are strong supporters of human cloning research. In 1997, Raël started an organization called Clonaid, led by a high-ranking Raëlian named Brigitte Boisselier. In 2002, Clonaid claimed it had produced the first human clone, a baby named Eve. This claim brought a lot of media attention but was never proven.
Raëlian Practices and Lifestyle
Raëlism has monthly meetings, ceremonies, and meditation rituals. Followers are encouraged to live by a strong ethical code. They are expected to be non-violent, respect others, and work for world peace.
Important Dates and Rituals
The main ritual in Raëlism is called the "transmission of the cellular plan." During this ceremony, a Raëlian Guide places their hands on a new member's head. This is believed to send the person's unique cellular code to the Elohim. This ritual is like a baptism and marks a person's official entry into the movement.
The Raëlian calendar starts on August 6, 1945, the day of the Hiroshima bombing. Years are marked as "AH" (After Hiroshima). They celebrate four main holidays:
- The first Sunday in April: Celebrating the creation of the first humans by the Elohim.
- August 6: Marking the bombing of Hiroshima.
- October 7: The day Raël says he had his second meeting with the Elohim.
- December 13: The day Raël says he first met the Elohim.
The Raëlian Symbol
The original symbol of Raëlism was a six-pointed star with a swastika in the middle. Raël said this was the symbol he saw on the Elohim's spaceship. For Raëlians, it represents infinity in time and space.
The use of the swastika caused problems because it is strongly associated with the Nazi Party in Western countries. In 1992, the movement changed the symbol, replacing the swastika with a swirling galaxy shape. This was done to help with negotiations to build the embassy in Israel. In 2007, Raël decided to return to using the original symbol worldwide.
History of the Movement
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The founder of Raëlism, Claude Vorilhon, was born in France in 1946. Before starting the movement, he worked as a singer and a race car test driver. In 1974, he announced that he had been contacted by aliens the previous year.
He began to share his story and attracted a group of followers. In 1974, he formed a group called MADECH. After some disagreements within the group, he disbanded it and created the Raëlian Movement in 1976. This new organization was more structured, with Raël as its leader.
The movement spread from France to other parts of the world, especially French-speaking areas like Quebec, Canada. Raël wrote several books explaining his beliefs, which were translated into many languages. In the 1990s, the movement bought land in Quebec and opened a UFO-themed museum called UFOLand to raise money for the embassy.
In 2002, the group gained worldwide attention when its company, Clonaid, claimed to have cloned a human baby. This brought a lot of criticism and media coverage, but the claim was never verified.
Organization and Membership
The Raëlian Movement has a strict hierarchy. Most members are simply called "Raëlians." Those in leadership positions are part of the "Structure," which has six levels. Raël is at the top as the "Guide of Guides."
Members are encouraged to donate 10% of their income to the organization, though it is not required. This money is used to spread the Raëlian message and save for the construction of the Elohim embassy.
As of the early 2010s, the group claimed to have around 60,000 members worldwide. The largest groups of followers are in France, Quebec, and parts of East Asia.
See also
In Spanish: Movimiento raeliano para niños
- Nontheistic religions
