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 |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Planétaire guider | Raël |
| Distinct fellowships |
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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 unique group that started in France in the 1970s. It was founded by Claude Vorilhon, who is now known as Raël. Experts who study religions call Raëlism a new religious movement. It is also known as the International Raëlian Movement (IRM) or Raëlian Church. This group has a clear structure with Raël as its leader.
Raëlism teaches that an alien species called the Elohim created humans. They used their amazing technology to do this. This group believes the Elohim were often mistaken for gods in the past. Raëlians say that the Elohim have sent 40 special people, called prophets, throughout history. These prophets were part Elohim and part human. They were meant to prepare humanity for the truth about where we come from. Famous figures like The Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad are believed to be among these prophets. Raël himself is considered the 40th and final prophet.
Raëlians believe that after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945, humanity entered a dangerous time. They think we are at risk of destroying ourselves with nuclear weapons. Raëlism teaches that humans must learn to use science and technology for good. When this happens, the Elohim will return to Earth. They will share their technology and help create a perfect world. To prepare for this, Raëlians want to build a special embassy for the Elohim. This embassy would include a landing spot for their spaceship. Raëlians also practice daily meditation. They hope to achieve physical immortality through human cloning. They also support a very open and accepting way of life.
Raël first shared his stories about meeting the Elohim in his 1974 book, Le Livre Qui Dit La Verité (The Book that Tells the Truth). He then created an organization to spread his ideas. This group, first called MADECH, later became the Raëlian Church in 1976. Raël led this new group, which had a seven-level structure. As more people joined, the group moved its main activities from France to Quebec, Canada. The Movement has also gained attention for its public protests. They support causes like women's rights and gay rights. They also speak out against nuclear testing.
Contents
What is Raëlism?
Scholars who study religions call Raëlism a new religious movement. It is also known as a UFO religion or an ETI (extra-terrestrial intelligence) religion. The group that promotes Raëlism is called the International Raëlian Movement (IRM). It is also known as the Raëlian Church.
Raëlism might be the largest UFO religion in the world. One scholar, Andreas Grünschloß, called it "one of the most solid UFO groups active internationally today." Raëlism is different from many other UFO groups. It is considered very "secular," meaning it focuses less on spiritual or supernatural ideas. Other UFO religions often use ideas from a late 1800s religion called theosophy. Raëlism does not. Raëlians are sometimes described as believing in ufology. However, they often say they are not ufologists themselves.
Raëlism is a materialistic belief system. This means it focuses on the physical world. It does not believe in the supernatural. It supports atheism, meaning it rejects the idea that gods exist. Raël, the founder, says that traditional religions are not logical or scientific. He presents Raëlism as a philosophy without "darkness and mystery." Raëlians call their beliefs a "scientific religion." Their motto is: "Science is our religion; religion is our science." The group believes science can solve the world's problems. They see Raël as a science pioneer. They think he will one day be as famous as Galileo and Copernicus. Many members call it an "atheistic religion." They compare it to Buddhism, which also does not always promote belief in gods.
The Bible is another main source for Raël's ideas. One scholar, Eugene V. Gallagher, said the Bible has a "central role" in Raëlism. He even called it a "thoroughly biblical and thoroughly Christian" philosophy. Another scholar, Susan J. Palmer, described Raëlism as both fundamentalist and Abrahamic. This is because it relies on the Bible. However, Raël criticized Christianity. He believed it had twisted the Bible's true message. He saw himself as an opponent of the Roman Catholic Church. Raëlism does not include other religions. New members are expected to officially give up any previous religious beliefs.
What Raëlians Believe
Raëlism has a clear set of beliefs. It is based on the teachings of Raël. Followers of Raëlism take his claims literally. They see his writings as their sacred texts. Raël himself seems to truly believe his own claims. One expert noted that Raëlianism has a "strong physicalist belief system." This means it focuses on physical reality.
Raëlism shares ideas with the ancient astronauts theory. This theory was popular when the religion started. Several French writers had already published books in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They suggested Earth was an outpost for an ancient alien society. Swiss writer Erich von Däniken also shared similar ideas in his 1968 book Chariots of the Gods? Similar ideas were also seen in science fiction, like the TV show Star Trek. Raëlians often say that von Däniken did not influence their beliefs. They believe their ideas come only from Raël's special messages.
The Elohim: Our Creators
Raëlism teaches that an alien species called the Elohim exists. Raël says the word "Elohim" is used for God in the Old Testament. He translates it as "those who came from the sky." Raël calls individual members of this species "Eloha." He claims the Elohim gave him the name "Raël." This name comes from "Israel," which he translates as "the messenger of those who come from the sky."
In his first book, published in 1974, Raël claimed he first met these aliens on December 13, 1973. He was 27 years old. He wrote that he was walking near the Puy de Lassolas volcano in France. A spaceship appeared, and an Eloha came out. This being asked him to return the next day with a Bible. Raël did this. For six days, the Eloha explained the true meaning of the Bible. It revealed more about the Elohim's role in human history. In his 1976 book, Raël added that he met the Elohim again on October 7, 1975. They took him to their home planet. There, he saw the Elohim create his clone. He was also taught how to meditate.
The Elohim are described as smaller than humans. They have pale green skin and almond-shaped eyes. They are divided into seven different races. Raëlians are not allowed to paint or sketch them. According to Raël, their planet is outside our Solar System but within the Milky Way. Raël says there are 90,000 Elohim on their planet. They are almost immortal and do not wear clothes. They are all seen as very feminine. Raël says "the most feminine woman on Earth is only 10% as feminine as the Elohim." They are not allowed to have children. Raël also says the Elohim can talk to humans because they understand all human languages.
The Elohim's Role on Earth
Raëlism teaches that about 25,000 years ago, the Elohim came to Earth. They changed it so that life could grow. It says the Elohim used their advanced technology to create all life on the planet. Raël describes humans as "biological robots" made and programmed by the Elohim. Raëlism believes that humans are physically designed like the Elohim. Followers see this in the Bible, at Genesis 1:26. Raël also interprets Genesis to say that the Elohim scientist who created humanity was named Yahweh. The first two humans created were named Adam and Eve. Raëlians believe there were originally seven human races, like the seven Elohim races. But the purple, blue, and green races have disappeared. Because they believe humanity was created by the Elohim, Raëlians do not accept Darwinian evolution. They support creationism and intelligent design. Raëlians call their beliefs "scientific creationism." They also believe the Elohim were created by an even older species, and so on, forever. They believe the universe expands endlessly, in both time and space. Infinity is a very important idea for them.
Raëlians believe that stories about gods in different myths are misunderstandings of the Elohim. They think the holy books of many religions describe what the Elohim were doing on Earth. For example, the story of Adam and Eve leaving the Garden of Eden is seen as humans moving from the Elohim's labs to life on Earth. There, they had to learn to take care of themselves. The resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth is explained as the Elohim cloning Jesus to bring him back to life. References to Satan are seen as referring to a group on the Elohim's planet. This group was against genetic experiments on Earth. They thought humanity should be destroyed as a possible threat. According to Raëlians, the Great Flood story tells of an attempt by anti-human aliens to wipe out humanity. But humanity was saved by an alien spacecraft. This became the story of Noah's Ark.
Many important figures in history, like Jesus, the Buddha, Muhammad, and Joseph Smith, are seen by Raëlians as being guided by the Elohim. These are called 39 prophets sent to humanity over time. Each prophet is believed to have shared information that people could understand at that time. Raëlism emphasizes the idea of progressive truth. Raël claims he is the fortieth and final prophet of the Elohim. He says he was sent because humanity is now ready to understand the truth about the Elohim. He first said he was chosen because he had a Roman Catholic mother and a Jewish father. This made him "an ideal link between two very important peoples." He also said he was chosen because he lived in France, which the Elohim saw as more open-minded.
Raël later said that these prophets are born from a human mother and an Eloha father. The human mothers were chosen for their pure genes. They were taken to an Elohim spacecraft and then returned to Earth. Their memory of the event was erased. In his 1979 book, Raël added that he was the biological son of the Eloha he first met, Yahweh. He noted that Yahweh was also Jesus's father, making Jesus Raël's half-brother. In 2003, Raël publicly said he was Maitreya. This is a future bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism. He says he is still in telepathic contact with the Elohim. He hears Yahweh's voice guiding his decisions for Raëlianism.
The religion also teaches that the Elohim watch every human on Earth from their planet. They do this to decide who deserves eternal life. They believe the Elohim still visit Earth. They see crop circles as landing spots for Elohim spacecraft. Raëlians generally see UFO sightings as proof of the Elohim. However, their view on Ufology is not always clear. Raëlians also think "angel hair" is proof of the Elohim. They say it has appeared at Raëlian summer gatherings. They usually doubt claims from other alleged alien contactees, except Raël. Raëlians believe everyone can link telepathically with the Elohim. But only Raël is allowed to meet them physically or receive their messages.
The Elohim's Return to Earth
Raëlism is a millenarian belief system. This means it focuses on a future golden age. Raël claims that since the atomic bomb was used on Hiroshima in 1945, humanity has been in the "Age of Apocalypse." This means a time of "Revelation." He says humans must now choose. We can use science and technology to improve life. Or we can use it to cause nuclear destruction. If humans successfully get through this time, they will live in an era of advanced technology. Society will be very accepting. Raël claims he is meant to help guide humanity away from destruction.
According to Raël, a peaceful age will begin when the Elohim return to Earth. He says they will bring the 39 immortal prophets who guided humanity before. Raël stated that humanity must build an embassy for the Elohim before they arrive. This embassy must include a landing pad for their spaceship. He said it needs to be on neutral land. This way, it won't show favor to any one country. Raël first tried to get permission to build it in Israel. He explained this by saying the ancient Israelites were once in contact with the Elohim. He also said this embassy would be the "Third Temple" mentioned in Jewish prophecy.
The Israeli government did not help much with this project. So Raël suggested a neighboring country might work. He proposed Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. But none of these governments were interested. Senior members of the Raëlian Movement suggested Hawaii as another option. In 1998, Raël said he received a new message from the Elohim. It said Hawaii would be acceptable. One scholar noted that if the Elohim do not arrive by 2035, Raëlians will need to adjust their beliefs. In 1987, the Chicago Sun-Times estimated the cost for the "cosmic kibbutz" at $1 million. By 1997–1998, it had risen to $7 million. In 2001, the group claimed to have saved $9 million for the embassy. By October 2001, the funding reached $20 million.
Once on Earth, Raël claims, the Elohim will share their advanced technology and science. They will help create a perfect world. Raël teaches that the Elohim's arrival will bring a new and better political system. This will be a single world government that Raël calls a "geniocracy." This means "rule of geniuses." He talks about this in his fifth book, Geniocracy. In this system, only those who are 50% smarter than the average person can rule. Raël's proposed system is similar to what Plato suggested in his book Republic. Raëlians do not support democracy. They believe it does not ensure the best leaders for society. Raël claims this future society will have no war. Crime will end through genetic engineering. In this future, Raël says, humans will be able to travel to and live on other planets. He claims robots will do simple tasks. This will allow humans to spend their time on enjoyable activities. He also said there would be biological robots, like those he met on the Elohim planet. A single world currency will be introduced, then money will be removed entirely. A single world calendar will also be used.
Cloning and Immortality
Raëlians do not believe in a soul that lives on after death. Instead, they say the only way to live forever is through science. Raëlians claim the Elohim will clone and bring back dead people. But only those who are considered worthy will be brought back. They believe in "conditional immortality." This means a few will live forever, but most will not. The resurrection of Jesus, as told in the Gospels, is seen as an example of Elohim cloning.
Raëlians support the development of human cloning technology on Earth. They also believe that dead people can be cloned. This way, they could be tried and punished for their crimes. After the September 11, 2001, attacks, Raëlians suggested that the dead terrorists could be cloned. Then they could be tried for their actions.
Raëlians want to clone people genetically. They also want to make the clone grow quickly to adulthood. This would happen through processes like guided self-assembly of cells or even nanotechnology. Raël told lawmakers that banning human cloning was like banning medical advances. He compared it to stopping "antibiotics, blood transfusions, and vaccines."
Morals, Ethics, and Gender
Raëlism has a clear set of rules for its followers. Members are expected to be responsible for their actions. They should respect different cultures and races. They must promote peace and avoid violence. They should work for world peace and share wealth. They are also encouraged to support democracy. They believe humanity will eventually choose to adopt geniocracy. Raëlians believe everything should be allowed. As long as it harms no one and helps science and technology grow.
One expert called the religion's morals "progressive." Another described the group's "liberal social values." And a third called Raëlist values "worldly and focused on pleasure." One scholar said the philosophy's ethics are "relative." This means followers are encouraged to act in a way that feels right for each situation. Several scholars have also said it is a "world-affirming" religion.
Raël believed that gender is not fixed. He stressed that it can change. Raël did not act like a tough man. His followers often describe him as "gentle" and "feminine." One scholar suggested Raël thought women were better than men. This is because they were described as more like the Elohim. In Raël's story, the Elohim are "10 percent masculinity and 90 percent femininity." Raël also said that if women were in power worldwide, there would be no wars. Raëlians have joined public protests for women's rights. One scholar called Raëlians feminists. However, Raël criticized mainstream feminism. He argued it "copied the shortcomings of men." Raëlism generally believes the human body can be changed. It supports plastic surgery to improve how people look.
Raëlians do not support forced monogamy or marriage. They see these as systems that have enslaved women. The religion discourages its members from getting married. Members are also asked not to add to global overpopulation. They are urged to have no more than two children, and ideally none at all. Raël says that if two people want to have a child, their mental control during conception can affect the child. Raëlians also believe that once human cloning is developed, natural reproduction will no longer be needed. Raël has also said that if a woman does not want a child she has given birth to, she should give it up to be raised by society.
The Raëlian Symbol
The first symbol used for 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. Raëlians see this as a symbol of infinity. Followers also believe this symbol helps them talk to the Elohim with their minds. Raëlians often wear a medallion of this symbol around their neck.
The Raëlian use of the swastika caused problems. The Nazi Party had used the swastika in the 1930s and 1940s. This led to accusations that Raëlians supported fascism and racism. Raëlians protested outside an anti-cult office, saying they were being discriminated against. In 1992, people protested the swastika in the Raëlian logo in Miami. The use of the swastika also led to criticism from a Jewish group in Florida.
In 1992, the Raëlian Movement changed their symbol. They replaced the swastika with a swirling shape. They said the Elohim asked them to change it. This was to help with talks with Israel about building the Extraterrestrial Embassy. However, Israel still said no. Raël also said the change was made to show respect for the victims of the Holocaust. The new swirling shape was said to look like a galaxy. In 2005, an Israeli Raëlian leader said the Lebanese government was discussing building the embassy in Lebanon. But one condition was that the Raëlians not show their logo on the building. This was because it mixed a swastika and a Star of David. The Raëlians refused this offer. They wanted 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 with a swastika, the only official symbol worldwide.
Raëlian Practices
Raëlism includes monthly meetings, special ceremonies, and meditation. When possible, Raëlians meet with other followers on the third Sunday of each month. The group prefers to hold these events in rented rooms. They do not usually buy their own property for meetings. At the monthly meetings in Montreal, Raël himself often attended.
The main ceremony in Raëlism is the "transmission of the cellular plan." In this, a Raëlian Guide places their hands on another person's head. The Guide is believed to receive the person's cellular code. Then, they send it to the Elohim using their mind. This act shows that the new member formally accepts the Elohim as humanity's creators. This is part of the "baptism," or initiation ceremony, for new members. Those with the rank of bishop and priest in the Movement can perform these ceremonies. Sometimes, Raël touches a Raëlian bishop's head. The bishop then touches a Raëlian priest's head. The priest then touches the new member's head to complete the "transmission." These "transmissions" can only happen on four special days in the Raëlian calendar. The first ones took place in April 1976. Raël performed the "transmission" ceremonies for forty new members.
The Raëlian calendar starts with the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Each year after this date is called "AH" or "après Hiroshima" ("after Hiroshima"). Raëlians celebrate four religious festivals each year. Two of these mark Raël's claimed meetings with the Elohim. These dates are:
- The first Sunday in April: Raëlians believe the Elohim created the first humans on this day.
- August 6th: This marks the day of the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima in 1945.
- October 7th: This is the day Raël claims he met the Elohim for the second time, in 1974.
- December 13th: This is the day Raël supposedly first met the Elohim in 1973.
Meditation Practices
Meditation is a very important practice in Raëlism. Raël wrote about it in his 1980 book La méditation sensuelle. Raëlians are encouraged to do this guided meditation every day. The goal is to send love and mental connections to the Elohim. It also helps them feel in harmony with infinity. Often, followers use an instruction tape to help with this meditation. Meditation sessions also happen together at the group's monthly meetings. During these, members sit or lie on the floor in a dimly lit room. A Raëlian Guide leads them through the meditation using a microphone. Sometimes, New Age music plays in the background.
Meditation starts with a relaxation exercise. It is called harmonisation avec l'infini ("harmonization with the infinite"). One part of this is "oxygenation," which means deep breathing. Followers are taught to relax. Then, they imagine themselves expanding their view until they are just a tiny speck in the universe. Next, they picture the bones and organs in their body. Finally, they imagine the atoms inside their body. The guided meditation then encourages them to imagine being on the Elohim's planet. They then imagine talking to these aliens with their minds.
One scholar found that Raëlians often described feeling good physically during these meditations. They saw this as proof that they were connecting with the Elohim mentally.
Seminars and Gatherings
The Raëlian Church holds week-long summer meetings called "Stages of Awakening." These events include daily talks by Raël. They also have meditation sessions, times for fasting and feasting, personal stories, and different types of alternative therapies.
Raëlians use these seminars to make friends or start relationships. Attendees wear white togas with name tags. They have also used colored bracelets. These bracelets show if they want to be alone, be with a partner, or just meet people. After these seminars, a second seminar takes place. This one is only for members of the "Structure," which is the leadership group.
History of Raëlism
How Raëlism Began
Claude Vorilhon was born in Ambert, France, on September 30, 1946. His mother was 15 years old, and his father was a Sephardi Jew hiding from the Nazi authorities. Vorilhon later said his grandmother and aunt raised him as an atheist. However, he did attend a Roman Catholic boarding school for a while. As a teenager, Vorilhon went to Paris. He became a singer and had some successful songs using the name "Claude Celler." He then married a nurse and had two children. In 1973, he started a racing car magazine called Auto Pop. He also worked as a test driver for racing cars. In November 1973, a new law in France banned speeding on highways. This ended his work as a test driver. Auto Pop stopped being published in September 1974.
There were many UFO sightings reported in France in the 1970s. The ancient astronaut theory was also very popular there. In early 1974, Vorilhon announced that he had met the Elohim in December 1973. This happened while he was walking on the Puy Lassolas mountain. He started sharing these ideas in interviews on French TV and radio. He began giving talks about his experiences in Paris. There, he attracted a group of followers. Many were science-fiction fans or amateur ufologists. In December 1974, an organization based on his ideas was launched. It was called the Mouvement pour l'accueil des Elohims créateurs de l'humanité (MADECH). This means "Movement for the Welcoming of the Elohim, Creators of Humanity." Vorilhon started calling himself "Raël." A newsletter, Apocalypse, began publication in October 1974. MADECH started raising money to publish Vorilhon's first book. It came out as Le livre qui dit la verité that year. Raëlians respect his first book greatly. They often just call it Le livre ("the book").
Some members of MADECH wanted the group to focus more on UFOs in general. They also wanted to limit Raël's power. There was a power struggle inside the group. Raël called an emergency meeting in April 1975. The conflict continued. In July, he removed MADECH's leaders. He replaced them with seven of his own supporters. Raël also announced that he had met the Elohim a second time. This time, they had taken him to visit their planet. He wrote about these claims in his 1975 book Les Extra-Terrestres M'ont Emmené sur Leur Planète. Opposition to Raël continued in MADECH. In 1976, he closed the group. He started the Raëlian Movement as a replacement in February 1976. This new group had a strict hierarchy. Raël was its director, called the "Guide of Guides." Unlike MADECH, it had a broader religious structure, including rituals. It continued to publish Apocalypse to spread its message.
In 1976, the Raëlians sent a group to Quebec, Canada. They wanted to attract new followers in the French-speaking region. The next year, a Quebec branch of the Movement was created. Raël's first two books were then published together in English. The title was Space Aliens Took Me to Their Planet in 1978. It was republished as The Message Given To Me By Extra-Terrestrials: They Took Me to their Planet in 1986. A new translation, The Final Message, came out in 1998. He wrote more about his ideas in other books: Accueiller Les Extra-Terrestes in 1979 (translated as Let's Welcome Our Fathers from Space in 1986), La Méditation Sensuelle in 1980, and Geniocracy.
Recent Developments
In 1980, the Raëlians sent a group to Japan. Another went to Africa in 1982, and to Australia in 1990. In the early 1980s, the Movement bought a campground in southern France. They named it Eden. In 1984, Raël took a year-long break from public appearances. The next year, his first wife left him and the movement. He then started a relationship with a Japanese Raëlian, Lisa Sunagawa, for several years. In the mid-1990s, Raël went back to motor racing. He competed in some races in 1995 and 1998 before stopping in 2001. In 1992, a split happened in the religion. About forty followers were expelled. They formed a smaller group called the Apostles of the Last Days. They believed Raël had been taken over by Satan.
In 1992, the Raëlian Movement bought land in Quebec, Canada. They named it Le Jardin du Prophète ("the Garden of the Prophet"). In 1997, they opened UFOLand there. This was a museum about ufology. Its goal was to raise money for the Elohim Embassy. But in 2001, it closed to the public because it was not making enough money. Also in 1997, Raël started a company called Valiant Venture. This was to explore the business uses of cloning. This led to Clonaid. A Raëlian Bishop, Brigitte Boisselier, was a co-founder and spokesperson for Clonaid. This group's focus on human cloning caused a lot of debate. Many religious leaders, scientists, and ethicists discussed it. Raël and Boisselier both spoke at a US Congress hearing on human cloning in March 2001.
At a training camp in July 1998, Raël announced something new. He said that in December 1997, he received another message from the Elohim. It told him to create a new group within the Raëlian Movement. This group was called the Order of Raël's Angels. It was to be a secret society. Only women could join. They would be trained to become the partners of the Elohim when they arrived on Earth. A newsletter, Plumes d'Anges (Angel Feathers), shared information about the Order. One scholar noted that by focusing on women's unique qualities, this group challenged the usual Raëlian idea that men and women are completely equal.
In 2001, Raël traveled through Asia, giving talks. That year, he married for a second time to a 16-year-old ballet student. Raëlism usually discourages marriage. This marriage was for practical reasons. He had been questioned by customs officials when traveling with her. They later divorced but remained a couple. In November 2002, a local man damaged the group's property. Raël said this was a test of the "Abraham Project." He claimed this was a joint plan by the Central Intelligence Agency and French intelligence agencies. He said they wanted to kill him using schizophrenics controlled by mind control.
In December 2002, Boisselier announced that Clonaid had created a baby. She claimed it was Eve, the world's first human clone. The child was not shown to scientists for review. The Raëlian Movement's claims about Baby Eve were never proven by the scientific community. Many people thought the announcement was a trick. In January 2003, the Raëlians said Eve's parents had hidden to avoid attention. Baby Eve's appearance brought a lot of international news coverage to the Raëlians. It also brought much ridicule. The group claimed this publicity brought about 5000 new members. Boisselier later announced more clone babies had been born. These were supposedly in the Netherlands, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. However, the press increasingly saw these as hoaxes. They stopped attending Raëlian press conferences.
In January 2003, Raël announced Boisselier as his chosen successor. He also published The Maitreya. In this book, he said he was the same figure as the Maitreya from Buddhist prophecy. Because of Raël's connection with Clonaid, South Korean immigration authorities did not let him enter their country in 2003. The group then protested near South Korea's Ministry of Health. The Ministry ordered him to leave. In 2005, two amateur documentary makers filmed a Raëlian seminar in Las Vegas. They said they were making a student film. They then used the footage for a documentary that claimed to expose the group. A court case followed in 2008. The Raëlian Movement sued, saying the filmmakers got in by lying. A judgment was made against one filmmaker in 2011. He was ordered to return his footage to the Raëlian Movement. In 2009, the Church announced plans for a new UFOLand in Las Vegas.
How Raëlism is Organized
Raëlism is a very structured organization. There are two main types of members. Most members are simply called "Raëlians." Those in the higher levels who control the Movement are called the "Structure."
Member Ranks
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The "Structure" has six levels. Raël is at the very top of the Raëlian Church. He is called the "Guide of Guides." Senior members of the Structure vote to re-elect him every seven years. Below Raël are the "Bishop Guides." Then come the "Priest Guides," followed by the "Animators." Next are the "Assistant Animators," and finally the "Probationers." Those called "Guides" are expected to be role models for everyone else. However, by the mid-1990s, there were few women in leadership roles.
Members of the Raëlian structure start as "trainees" at level 0 during yearly seminars. In 2007, the Raëlian structure said it had about 2,300 members. This included 170 "Raëlian guides" and 41 bishops.
Three Raëlian Bishops form a "Council of the Wise." This council checks for beliefs that go against the group's teachings. They also arrange punishments for those who break rules. When they punish someone, it is usually a seven-year "excommunication." This means the person is removed from the group for seven years. This period is chosen because Raëlians believe it takes seven years for every cell in the human body to be replaced. In more serious cases, the council can "demark" someone. This means they cancel the "transmission of the cellular code." They believe this takes away the person's hope for immortality through cloning.
Members pay a yearly fee to the Raëlian Movement. Full members are encouraged to give 10% of their income to the organization. This money is then divided. 3% goes to the national branch, and 7% goes to the International Movement's main office. An extra 1% may go to Raël himself. However, paying this money is not forced. In her research, one scholar found many members who admitted they did not pay. A 1991 survey of Raëlians found that one-third of people did not pay. Raël himself suggested that over 60% do not pay. These fees and membership payments, along with sales of Raël's books, are the main income for the International Raëlian Movement. This money is saved for building the Elohim Embassy. It is also spent on making flyers, books, videos, and other materials to share the Raëlian message.
The group first owned a country estate in Albi, France. Later, they got one in Valcourt, Quebec.
The Order of Angels
In 1998, Raël created a special group just for women. It was called the Order of Raël's Angels. These women are trained to become the partners of the Elohim. He said these women would be the only humans allowed to contact the Elohim after they arrive on Earth. He also claimed they would help the Elohim talk to human politicians, scientists, and journalists. Raël stated that only women could be Angels. This is because men were not feminine enough for the very gentle and sensitive Elohim. Trans women were allowed to join. Raël praised one transgender member for "choosing to be a woman."
The Angels are meant to develop their feminine and caring side. They are tasked with changing themselves. They try to please the Elohim and become more like them. They do this by practicing discipline, calmness, harmony, purity, humility, charm, and both inner and outer beauty. The Angels are told to pray to the Elohim regularly and meditate often. They are encouraged to eat less meat and avoid carbohydrates and sugar. This helps them keep their physical beauty. They have been helpful for the group's public relations. They have also volunteered for its human cloning experiments. The Order has also sold human eggs online. They launched a website for this in 1999. Raël said this would help the Angels become financially independent.
The Order of Raël's Angels has a six-level structure. This matches the six-level structure of the Raëlian Movement. Raël divides the Angels into three groups: White, Pink, and Golden Ribbon Angels. White Angels wear white feathers on a necklace. They can choose human partners. Their job is to work in the world and attract more women to the Raëlian movement. Pink Angels wear a pink feather on a necklace. Raël considers them the "Chosen Ones" who will become the partners of the Elohim. They are expected to live a more private life, often in the Jardins des Prophètes community. The Gold Ribbon Angels wear a gold cord around their neck. Raël personally chooses them for their physical beauty. They are described as the first humans who will meet the Elohim when they arrive on Earth.
The Order was kept separate from the rest of the religion. For example, the Angels' living areas were off-limits to non-Angels. Access to the Angels is very limited for journalists and scholars. Gold Ribbon Angels have lost this status as they have gotten older. The explanation is that as their physical beauty declined, they were no longer suited to greet the Elohim. These demoted individuals then train younger replacements. Other individuals have lost their Angel status completely. This happens when they are seen as acting against the group's beliefs.
The initiation ceremonies include making a promise or signing a contract. In this, one agrees to defend the Raëlian ideas and its founder, Raël. A few days later, Time magazine wrote that French chemist Brigitte Boisselier was an Order of Angels member. Around this time, a cult expert said the Order of Angels was "one of the most open movements" he had seen. However, he was concerned by the women's promise to defend Raël's life with their own bodies.
Outreach and Public Actions
The International Raëlian Movement has started various projects to share its beliefs. In 1997, it created Clonaid. This company focuses on human cloning. Clients can store a sample of their DNA with the group. Clonaid offers to create a clone of the person after they die. Another Raëlian company, Ovulaid, aims to provide ovaries for people who cannot have children naturally. It also wants to develop technologies to create "designer babies" based on what clients want. An additional project, Insuraclone, is designed to clone organs for a person if their organs fail in the future. Clonapet planned to clone people's pets after they died.
Raëlians are known for their social and political actions. They especially support women's rights, gay rights, and fighting racism. They also oppose nuclear testing and promote genetically-modified foods. Through its activities, one scholar said the Raëlian Movement creates "a mild level of cultural conflict." This helps them get publicity for the group. They also openly try to get media attention. She compared these methods to those of Anton LaVey's Church of Satan in the 1960s and 1970s. When the media makes fun of the religion, Raël has told his followers to defend their beliefs. This has led to letter-writing campaigns and sometimes lawsuits.
Who are Raëlians?
Raëlism started in France. It first spread in French-speaking areas of Europe, Africa, and North America. By the mid-1990s, most members were in France, Quebec, and Japan. One scholar noted that in Canada, Raëlism had trouble spreading from Quebec to the English-speaking provinces. In 1999, one expert said the Movement had about 35,000 members. In 2003, another said it had about 55,000 members worldwide. By the early 2010s, the group claimed 60,000 members internationally. However, some scholars thought this number was "probably too high." In Britain, a sociologist said there were "only a dozen or so" dedicated members in 1989. By 2001, another sociologist suggested there were about 40 to 50 dedicated members in the country and about 500 people who supported them. Two years later, a scholar thought there were about 40 members and 200 supporters in Britain.
An internal survey of the group's members in 1988 found that there were almost twice as many men as women. Similarly, based on her attendance at Raëlian events in Quebec, one scholar noted that men usually outnumbered women. She observed that many of the men acted in a gentle way. They were often attracted to other men.
How People Join Raëlism
Raëlians try to attract new followers. Members buy Raël's books to sell on the street. They hope to earn back what they spent. They often face a lot of resistance when trying to convert others. Raël explains that this is normal. The Elohim told him that only 4% of humanity is smart enough to accept the Raëlian message. Any Raëlian who tries to force someone to convert is banned from the organization for seven years. This is because Raëlians believe it takes seven years for every cell in the body to be replaced.
Since 1979, new members of the Raëlian Movement have been expected to sign an "Act of Apostasy." They also send a letter to any religious group they were part of before. They also sign a contract that allows a funeral director to take a piece of bone from their forehead after death. They call this the "Third Eye." This sample will be kept in ice at a facility in Switzerland until the Elohim return. At that time, it may be used to clone the deceased person. This process is known as the "lifting of the frontal bone." Also, those joining are expected to leave their belongings to the local Raëlian group. However, this is not required.
Some former Christian clergy have joined the Raëlians. They are sometimes quickly promoted to Priest or Bishop. This is because of the skills they bring from their previous religious organization. For example, in 2004, Ron Boston, a former bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joined the Raëlian Movement. He said doing so would allow him to accept his homosexuality.
See also
In Spanish: Movimiento raeliano para niños
- Nontheistic religions
