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File:Let's welcome the Elohim to earth!.jpg
Japanese Raëlians in the 2006 Hiroshima Flower Festival.
Part of a series of articles on the
Raëlian movement
Doctrines

According to the History of Raëlism, in December 13, 1973, a man had six CE-5 encounters with an extraterrestrial human that said others like himself created life on Earth.[1] The purported contactee, Claude Vorhilon, changed his name to Raël and founded the Raëlian Church. This small Raëlian Movement began in September 1974 as MADECH, a small organization in France.[2] By 1976 it became the International Raelian Movement.[3]

That year, the International Raelian Movement preached what they believe to be a correction of biblical text and the obsolesence of the Christian Church,[1] as well as philosophy and commandments of Yahweh, the extraterrestrial Rael met in second set of CE-5 encounters.[4][5] The first two set of encounters led to the first two books which have been to date translated into 33 other languages.[6] Five additional books from 1977 (Geniocracy) to 2003 (Maitreya) form the rest of the Raëlian messages.[7]

The movement has been attracting both attention and criticism by the media due to their beliefs, sexual practices,[8] and more recently a Raëlian-inspired organization claiming to have assisted the surrogate birth of female baby human clone named Eve.[9] There are journalists who have described the movement as a cult.[10] However, there are those who use the less severe description of "New Religious Movement".[11] The movement's worldwide membership may be as high as 65,000, giving it minority status.[12]

Members

Structure

Member Level[13] Can Baptise
0 Trainee No
1 Organizer, Assistant No
2 Organizer No
3 Guide, Assistant Yes
4 Guide, Trainee Yes
Guide, Priest Yes
5 Guide, Bishop Yes
6 Guides of guides Yes

According to an issue of the Raelian Contact Newsletter, less than five percent of the International Raëlian Movement's members - about 2,300 people[14] - consists of the International Raelian Movement's backbone, which is normally refered to as "the structure". The structure requires that one have attended a Guide Seminar[15], Course of Guides[16], or Course for Guides[17] to become a member of the structure. According to the Raëlian Press Site, there are about 170 guides in the structure (level 3 or above) who work under Raël, the present "Guide of Guides".[18]

Relationship with religious people

There have been mutiple mentions of former clergy of mainstream religions, especially in Quebec, becoming automatically promoted to the upper Raelian guide levels due to "extensive Bible training and teaching skills".[19] Two purported testimonials which can be found in the latest compilation of the Raëlian Messages[20] are described to been have written by two Québécois guides, Victor Legendre[21] and Charles-Yvan Giroux[22] of the Raelian Movement, both of which are purportedly ex-Roman Catholic Priests. According to one article, a gay former bishop of the Church of Latter Day Saints joined the Raelian Movement.[23] In the same article, a quote of Raëlian representative Mark Woodgate, states that 8% of Raelians worldwide were former Mormons. Religiously mixed couples are common in this movement, especially with spouses who are Christians or Buddhists.[24]

Raëlian Angels

File:Raelian angels Santa Monica Group.jpg
Raëlian Angels of Santa Monica, California

Raëlian Angels are a group of women around the world who call for femininity[25] and refinement for all of humanity. Raëlians believe that people must grow beyond today's pscyhological imbalances. They believe that the balancing minds of the world are more feminine, and that these feminine qualities are essential to avoiding hostile agression, with the Raëlian Angels serving a primary role in the movement's femininity.[26]

In order to become part of the Raëlian Angels team, women are required to sign a contract or an oath when they begin their service. The idea which this oath signifies is one's preparedness to do anything for Raël as long as it agrees with one's conscience.[27] According to an article on the Skeptical Inquirer of July-August 2002, Raël maintains that the Order of Raëlian Angels are under no pressure to sleep with him since their ideology is sexual freedom, not coercion.[28] According to a 2003 article on the Calgary Sun, Mike Kropveld, the head of Info-Cult, expressed his lack of concern for the Raëlian Angels, describing them as "one of the most transparent movements" he had ever witnessed.[29]

See also: Femininity

Activities

On the streets

File:Raelian Parade Float Japanese.jpg
Two Japanese Raëlians stand on a float which Japanese Raëlian women used during a Flower Parade sponsored by Hiroshima in 2005.[30] They have also appeared the year after.[31][32]

Around the world, Raëlians have proselytized the Raëlian message at booths. Through these, Raëlians have called for feminine values, gay rights,[33] and their beliefs of extraterrestrial creators of mankind (Elohim) sending crop circles,[34] UFOs,[35] and spaceships for their arrival at an embassy. Anti-war rallies in Asia had the support of Raëlians with pasties and white alien costumes.[36][37] The Raëlians of Los Angeles, California with a silver inflated "UFO" float were sighted by online bloggers,[38][39] and a few years later other Raëlians had a booth in the Burning Man festival.[40][41]

See also: History of Raëlism

Seminars

File:Raelian Meditation.jpg
A picture of Raëlians taking part in a basic Sensual Meditation exercise.

Raëlian seminars[42][43][44] are gatherings of Raëlians and non-Raëlians. Each continental seminar (as well as each mini-seminar)[45] takes place over a period of several days. The Raëlian form of mediation is outlined in Raël's book of Sensual Meditation. During the day, Raëlian guide(s) or even Raël himself are present in the area to lecture about Raëlism and the "religion of the infinite" which they believe to be the philosophy of their extraterrestrial creators, the Elohim, and of all other other living beings having reached a consciousness in harmony with the universe-level.[46]

Reporters for Agence France-Presse spoke of what happened in one of these "sensual seminars" which occurred in Spain:

After lessons in the group philosophy, there follow a range of games where participants frolic around blindfolded, girls disguised as boys and vice-versa, in a series of erotic shows on a dance floor.

“May” did not go into the sexual details of what members got up to at night in each other’s rooms.

“During the day they get you to caress each other and to make love in the evening. Many are seduced by it all. The most bizarre thing is that almost all of them really believe in this stories of extra-terrestrials,” she adds.[47]

— Anonymous, Agence France-Presse
See also: Sensual Meditation

Transmission of the Cellular Plan

File:Raël giving a Cellular Transmission.jpg
Raël giving a Raëlian Baptism. Members call this a "Transmission of the Cellular Plan".

The Raëlian form of baptism is the "transmission of the cellular plan" using water on the palm of a Raëlian Guide applied to the forehead of the new member of the Raëlian Church.[20] The act is believed to be recorded by a computer to be accounted for at the initiate's final hour of judgment.[20] Baptism by a Raëlian Guide makes one a member of the International Raelian Movement.[17] According to Glenn Carter, a level 5 member of the structure in London, the practice symbolizes one's acceptance to be a Raëlian in the eyes the movement.[13]

Size

Before 1990

According to the Raëlian website, by December 1974, one year after Claude Vorhilon's purported encounters with Yahweh Elohim, MADECH had 170 members.[2] The first book of the Raëlian Messages suggests that sometime before October 7, 1975, MADECH had 700 members.[1] In 1979, the third book about Raelism states that the Raëlian Movement had 3000 members.[46] In April 16, 1987, an article on the Chicago Sun-Times cites the movement as having 20,000 members.[48]

1990s

In January 9, 1990, an article by John Hughes of the Knight-Ridder News Service was posted in the Wichita Eagle.[49] In that article, Hughes reports an estimate of 25,000 Raelians worldwide. According to an letter by the United States Raelian Movement communicated through email in the SubGenius Digest of the Church of the Subgenius in August 28, 1992 estimates the Raelian Movement as counting more than 30,000 members in more than 40 countries.[50] Susan J. Palmer who wrote book on the Raëlian Church titled Aliens Adored mentioned therein of an error in a December 2001 New York Times article which used one of her estimates, 35,000 members dated in 1993, and compared it to the Raelian's estimate of 55,000 members dated in 2001, without mentioning the dates.[51] May 4, 1995, Art Levine of The Miami Herald stated that Raëlian membership was 45,000 members worldwide.[52] Another article from The Miami Herald, this time written by Cristina M. Ortega, published on January 14, 1996, cites the movement as having 35,000 members worldwide.[52] According to one scholar, Faye Whittemore of the University of Virginia, there were 4,000 members in Quebec, 4,000 members in Japan, and 10,000 members in Europe.[53] However, 40,000 was less than the estimate by Art Levine three years prior. Also in 1998, two different independent sources (the latter one by Whittemore) gave different estimates for the size of membership: 27,000 members in 67 countries[54] and 40,000 members in 80 countries.[53]

2000s

Membership estimates on various dates according to different sources.

In March 13, 2001, 60 Minutes reported an estimate of 30,000.[55] According to Susan J. Palmer in her book Aliens Adored, there were 55,000 members in 2002 and 65,000 members in 2003, but these estimates referred to the number of baptised Raelians and not the number of active members.[56] Raelian webpages dated to October 4, 2002 and April 7, 2004 give the figures 55,000 and 60,000 respectively.[57][58] In January 29, 2003, staff editorial of University Wire says that Raelians estimate the size of their movement at 30,000.[59] A February 10, 2003 article from Japan Today stated that, "A Japan-based press official for the cult said that the group has 55,000 followers in 84 countries and that Japan has the largest number of followers at about 6,000."[60] In August 3 of that same year, So Ji-young of Korea Times newspaper cites a figure of 60,000 Raelians worldwide and states that there are 4,000 Raelians in South Korea.[61] In April 25, 2004, New Truth & TV Extra also estimated 60,000 members worldwide and said that there were 80 in New Zealand.[23] In Cinco de Mayo of 2005, Colleen Williams of NBC 4 of Los Angeles stated that the movement was growing with 65,000 members in 85 countries.[12] The Middle East Times in November 18 mentions a "60,000-strong Raelian movement"[62] the same estimate made by the Korea Times two years prior. As of December 2006, The Raëlian Movement estimates its own membership: 65,000 members in 86 countries.[2] According to Raelian Contact issues 267,[63] 287,[64] and 304,[65] Africa is the continent with the fastest growing chapter of the International Raëlian Movement.

Criticism

There is disagreement over what the International Raëlian Movement should be called. There are governments[66] and scholars[11] who classify the International Raëlian Movement as a religion or new religious movement, while others, such as France, classify it as a cult. Most reporters do not question the Raëlian Movement's cult status.[10][9]

Threat against sanctity

Despite being born over two decades apart, many media people strongly associate the Raëlian Church with Clonaid, whose susidary, BioFusion Tech, said that they developed a RMX 2010 in order to create human clone embryos.[67] The Catholic Church called this a portrayal of "brutal mentality".[68] Former Pope John Paul II criticized the experiments which he believes threatens the dignity of human life.[69]

Child abuse

File:RaelianContact324 (NOPEDO.ORG).jpg
November 26, 2006 - Raëlians in Los Angeles, California speaking against pedophilia.[70]

The Raëlian Movement, as with many other religions, has members who do not follow the code of ethics espoused by the movement. Two guides of the Belgian Raëlian Movement have been convicted for child abuse. Despite the fact that the founder of the Raëlian Movement subsequently deposed a coursuit against psychiatrist Jean-Marie Abgrall,[71] and lost it, these criminals were excommunicated by the Raëlian Church for a minimum of 7 years.[72] A source of these controversies can be traced to the Raëlian idea that children should have a sensual education.[73] However, in observance of law, the majority of Raëlians denounce sex between a minor and an adult, while supporting consensual sex between adults. Minors having attained puberty are encouraged to have sexual contact among themselves but not with adults.[70]

Condoms and orgies

Raël's teachings on sexual liberalism have been subject of much controversy. In Montreal, the Catholic schools refused to put a condom vending machine on school grounds deeming it contrary to their mission. The Raëlians in response began distributing condoms to the students. The Commissioner of Catholic schools for Montreal accepted that they could do nothing to stop the distribution of condoms, which was dubbed by Raëlians as "Operation Condom".[8]

Before 1991, the media tended to treat the Raelians as harmless nuts. Rael became adept at deflecting the insults and insinuations of TV hosts. Appearing on "Geraldo" in late 1991, he seemed oblivious to host Geraldo Rivera’s habitually aggressive and derisive manner. Then a French journalist signed up for the week-long nudist Sensual Meditation Camp, and covertly taped couples making love in the tents. This was played over the radio, and subsequent news stories presented the Raelian Movement as an unbridled sex orgy where brainwashing was perpetrated and perversions were encouraged.[74]

— Susan J. Palmer, The Rael Deal

Other criticisms

Two videodocumentary makers, Abdullah Hashem and Joseph McGowen were welcomed to videotape the Raëlian seminars. Their interpretive view of the video suggested to them that Raelians' cult operations must be stopped, however, Sage Ali, a Raëlian guide told he has no qualms about what was videotaped and that there was nothing to hide.[75]

Over the years, I’ve watched Guides—members of the Raelian priestly hierarchy—preside over monthly meetings by reading out the latest news reports on Rael. Most are clearly tongue-in-cheek, disrespectful, [and] anti-cult(...)[74]

— Susan J. Palmer, The Rael Deal

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Book 1 of 2 in the following compilations: The Message Given to me by Extraterrestrials (1986), The Message Given by Extraterrestrials (1998), The Final Message (1998), True Face of God (1998). Book 1 of 3 in the compilation Intelligent Design (2006).
  2. ^ a b c Rael: Messenger of the Elohim, The International Raelian Movement. Retrieved 1 December 2006. Cite error: The named reference "Rael: Messenger of the Elohim" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ Raelians and Cloning: Are They for Real?, Zenit News Agency. 16 January 2003. Retrieved 25 March 2007.
  4. ^ Book 2 of 2 in the following compilations: The Message Given to me by Extraterrestrials (1986), The Message Given by Extraterrestrials (1998), The Final Message (1998), True Face of God (1998). Book 2 of 3 in the compilation Intelligent Design (2006).
  5. ^ See History of Raëlism#Second encounters.
  6. ^ The Raelian Movement: Downloads, The International Raëlian Movement. 2007. Retrieved 3 April 2007.
  7. ^ See History of Raëlism#Raëlian messages.
  8. ^ a b Religious Movements Homepage: Raelians (paragraph on Operation Condom), University of Virginia. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  9. ^ a b THE CLONING DEBATE, MacNeil/Lehrer Productions. 27 December 2002. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
  10. ^ a b Grescoe, Taras, Raël love, Salon.com Travel. 8 March 2000. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  11. ^ a b Palmer, Susan J. Aliens Adored - search term is "NRM". New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2004.
  12. ^ a b 'Clone Baby' & Raelians, NBC 4 Los Angeles. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 12 March 2007.
  13. ^ a b Welcome to the Raelian World, British Raelian Movement. 2006. Retrieved 22 April 2007.
  14. ^ For our pleasure..., Raelian Contact 331. 7 April 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  15. ^ Isaksson, Stefan, New Religious UFO Movements: Extraterrestrial Salvation in Contemporary America - AnthroBase, California State University, Fresno. Spring 2000. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  16. ^ WHAT IS IT ?, Hungarian Raelian Movement. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  17. ^ a b STRUCTURE, Hungarian Raelian Movement. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  18. ^ Raelian Press Site, The International Raëlian Movement. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  19. ^ Palmer, Susan J. Susan J. Palmer: search terms are susan j palmer aliens adored teaching skills. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2004.
  20. ^ a b c Raël, Intelligent Design. Nova Distribution, 2006. ISBN 2940252203.
  21. ^ Raël et le mouvement raélien, SECTES ET MOUVEMENTS RELIGIEUX. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  22. ^ Groups hurl accusations at anti-cult organization, Montreal Gazette. 1 April 1993. Retrieved 19 April 2007.
  23. ^ a b Cult Lures Gay Bishop into Fold, New Truth & TV Extra. 23 April 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
  24. ^ The Raelian Movement, Human Rights Without Frontiers. Retrieved 2 December 2006.
  25. ^ Dellagloria, Rebecca, LINCOLN ROAD: Raelians swagger for femininity: Dressed down as far as they could muster without attracting authorities, a handful of women and men paraded in South Beach for the cause of femininity., The Miami Herald. 7 March 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  26. ^ RaelRadio #7: Femininity Day, RaelRadio.net. Retrieved 18 April 2007.
  27. ^ Broughton, Philip D. Promise of as much sex as you want and everlasting life, The Age. 31 December 2002. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  28. ^ Rise of the Raelians: flying saucers, science, sex, and religion, Skeptical Inquirer. July-August 2002. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  29. ^ McCann, Brigitte, Raelian Nation angels poised to die for prophet, Calgary Sun. 7 October 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2007.
  30. ^ Raëlians at Hiroshima Flower Parade Event 2005, (West) Japanese Raëlian Movement. 2005. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
  31. ^ Raëlians at Hiroshima Flower Parade Event 2006, (West) Japanese Raëlian Movement. 2006. Retrieved 30 December 2006.
  32. ^ Ichikawa, Hiroko, IN HIROSHIMA, JAPAN, Raelian Contact 271. 9 May 2005. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  33. ^ eric_bolou's photos, Yahoo! Photos. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  34. ^ Bourgeaux, Par Pierre, CROP-CIRCLES in the Streets of Switzerland, Raelian Contact 309. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  35. ^ Raëlian Exhibitions in Japan, (West) Japanese Raëlian Movement. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
  36. ^ raelity show, Associated Press. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  37. ^ Translation: Global anti-war rallies map series, BBC Chinese. 15 March 2003. Retrieved 13 March] 2007.
  38. ^ Doodah Parade 2003, Cruftbox.com. 2003. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  39. ^ Same Street, Different Parade, Support4Change Blog. 30 November 2006. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  40. ^ Embassy For Extra-Terrestrials, Burning Man. 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  41. ^ Lara, Burning Man Diffusion, Raelian Contact 310. 3 June 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2006.
  42. ^ Raëlian Seminars in the Americas, The International Raëlian Movement. Retrieved August 6 2006.
  43. ^ Raëlian Seminars in Asia, The International Raëlian Movement. Retrieved August 6 2006.
  44. ^ Raëlian Seminars in Europe, The International Raëlian Movement. Retrieved August 6 2006.
  45. ^ Adrael, Star, Australian Raelian Movement: Event List, Australian Raelian Movement. 6 April 2007. Retrieved 25 April 2007.
  46. ^ a b Let's Welcome the Extraterrestrials (1979) a.k.a. Let's Welcome our Fathers From Space (1986). Book 3 of 3 in the compilation Intelligent Design (2006).
  47. ^ “Sensual seminars” and flying saucers, Agence France-Presse. 22 September 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  48. ^ Rael is here with message from folks in space, Chicago Sun-Times. 16 April 1987. Retrieved 9 April 2007. (highlight)
  49. ^ Hughes, John, RAELIANS ARE WAITING FOR THE SPACESHIPS (subscription), Wichita Eagle (source: Knight-Ridder News Service). 9 January 1990. Retrieved 23 March 2007. (highlight)
  50. ^ Volume3: Subgenius Digest V3#153, The Church of the SubGenius. 28 August 1992. Retrieved 9 April 2007.
  51. ^ Palmer, Susan J. Aliens Adored - search term is "members". New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2004.
  52. ^ a b Levine, Art, GROUP SAYS ALIENS FROM OUR GALAXY CREATED MANKIND 25,000 YEARS AGO, The Miami Herald. 4 May, 1995. Retrieved 13 March 2007. Cite error: The named reference "GROUP SAYS ALIENS FROM OUR GALAXY CREATED MANKIND 25,000 YEARS AGO" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  53. ^ a b Religious Movements Homepage: Raelians, University of Virginia. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  54. ^ Ireland, Rowan. NEW RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS IN AUSTRALIA, Australian Association for the Study of religion. January 1998. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  55. ^ Human Cloning - CBS News, 60 Minutes. 13 March 2001. Retrieved 13 April 2007.
  56. ^ (2004) Aliens Adored: Raël's UFO Religion. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press.
  57. ^ THE RAELIAN REVOLUTION - English, International Raelian Movement. 4 October, 2002. Retrieved 10 April, 2007.
  58. ^ The Raelian Message, International Raelian Movement. 7 April 2004. Retrieved 10 April, 2007.
  59. ^ EDITORIAL: The key to eternal life?, University Wire. 29 January 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2007 (highlight)
  60. ^ Japan's Raelians hold parade to celebrate human clone births, Worldwide Religious News, Japan Today. 10 February 2003. Retrieved 10 November 2007.
  61. ^ Ji-young, So, Raelian Cult Leader Threatens to Sue Korea Over Denied Entry, Korea Times. 3 August 2003. Retrieved 12 March 2007
  62. ^ Thomas, Amelia, Raelians want to establish ET embassy in Jerusalem, Middle East Times. 18 November 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  63. ^ NEWS FROM THE RAELIAN PLANET: TRANSMISSIONS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF APRIL, Raelian Contact 267. 4 April 2005. Retrieved 25 January 2007. ("Last Sunday, 268 individuals chose to recognize the Elohim as our creators and get baptized. 168 of them did so in Africa!!! More than 60%!!!")
  64. ^ OCTOBER CELEBRATION AROUND THE WORLD, Raelian Contact 287. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 25 January 2007. ("A total of 263 new Raelians joined us through the transmission of their Celluar Plan. Africa has been the busiest with 136 transmissions done, including 107 in Burkina Faso...")
  65. ^ First Sunday of April celebrations 378 new Raelians on the planet!, Raelian Contact 304. 8 April 2006. Retrieved 25 January 2007. ("Lets start with a special record as 121 transmission were done in Burkina Faso and 251 altogether on the African continent !!!")
  66. ^ International Religious Freedom Report 2003, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. 18 December 2003. Retrieved 6 August 2006.
  67. ^ Human cloning firm sets up affiliate in Korea, Korea Herald. 13 July 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2002.
  68. ^ Vatican slams 'brutal' clone claim, Cable News Network. 28 December 2002. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
  69. ^ Religious Leaders Condemn Report of Cloned Baby, Cable News Network. Retrieved 29 April 2007.
  70. ^ a b DIFFUSION IN THE WORLD: THE US TEAMS DENOUNCE CATHOLIC PRIESTS PEDOPHILIA, Raelian Contact 324. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  71. ^ Procès Raël contre Jean-Marie Abgrall, Prevensectes Template:Fr icon
  72. ^ Palmer, Susan J. Aliens Adored - search term is "excommunicated". New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2004.
  73. ^ Cult leader Rael denied residence in Switzerland, Agence France-Presse. 19 February 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2007.
  74. ^ a b Susan J. Palmer, The Rael Deal, Religion in the News, Summer 2001, Vol. 4, No. 2.
  75. ^ Philipkoski, Kristen, Some Sex With Your Clone Perhaps?, Wired News. 31 August 2005. Retrieved 13 March 2007.

References

Further reading

Official Raëlian Sites

Raëlian Research Interests

Sexuality in Raëlism

Unofficial Raëlian Sites

Odd Connection... Study concerning this New Religious Movement
Criticism from Skeptics
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