Rael's first published book, the basis of the Raelian movement

Raëlism is the belief system promoted by the Raëlian Movement, a religious organization which believes that scientifically advanced extraterrestrials known as the Elohim (one of the words used to refer to God in the Torah) created life on Earth through genetic engineering (which would be Intelligent Design), and that a combination of human cloning and "mind transfer" can ultimately provide immortality. Raëlism is a new religious movement and has been described by detractors as a cult. Book published by Claude Vorilhon, A.K.A. Rael File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Belief is assent to a proposition. ... Fishers of men; Oil on panel by Adriaen van de Venne (1614) Religion—sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, and institutions associated with such belief. ... The existence of extraterrestrial life remains hypothetical though human beings continue to search Extraterrestrial life is life that may exist and originate outside our planet Earth. ... Torah, (תורה) is a Hebrew word meaning teaching, instruction, or especially law. It primarily refers to the first section of the Tanakh–the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, or the Five Books of Moses, but can also be used in the general sense to also include both the... Earth, also known as the Earth, Terra, and (mostly in the 19th century) Tellus, is the third planet outward from the Sun. ... An iconic image of genetic engineering; this 1986 autoluminograph of a glowing transgenic tobacco plant bearing the luciferase gene of fireflys strikingly demonstrates the power and potential of genetic manipulation. ... Intelligent Design (or ID) is the controversial assertion which states that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by positing an intelligent designer. ... Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing human or growing cloned tissue from that individual. ... In transhumanism and science fiction, mind transfer (also referred to as mind uploading or mind downloading, depending on ones point of reference), or whole body emulation refers to the hypothetical transfer of a human mind, body, and environment to an artificial substrate. ... Immortality is the concept of existing for a potentially infinite or indeterminate length of time. ... A new religious movement or NRM appears as a religious, ethical or spiritual grouping that has not (yet) become recognised as a standard denomination, church, or body, especially when it has a novel belief system and when it is not a sect. ... In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs which may be different to those held by the majority of society. ...

Claude Vorilhon (born 1946), also known as Raël, was an aspiring entertainer and performer who had produced a short-lived automobile racing magazine entitled Auto Pop, before he allegedly received a vision from the celestial Elohim on December 13, 1973 in the crater of a volcano near Clermont-Ferrand in central France. Following what he claimed were the instructions given to him, he founded the Raëlian Movement, which claims to have about 55,000 members from almost 84 different countries. Membership may be particularly high in France, Japan, Canada (especially Quebec), and the United States (especially Florida). The Movement spreads its message via Raël's books, Raëlian gatherings, and its web site. Raels first published book, the basis of the Raelian movement Claude Vorilhon, also known as Raël, (born September 30, 1946) is the founder and spiritual guide of the Raelian Movement. ... 1946 was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Auto racing (also known as automobile racing or autosport) is a sport involving racing automobiles. ... December 13 is the 347th day of the year (348th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... A volcano is a geological landform (usually a mountain) where magma (rock of the Earths interior made molten or liquid by high temperature along with a reduction in pressure and/or the introduction of water or other volatiles) erupts through the surface of the planet. ... Clermont-Ferrand is a city of France, in the Auvergne region, with a population of approximately 140,000. ... During the 1960s, a terrorist group known as the Front de libération du Québec (FLQ) launched a decade of bombings, robberies and attacks on government offices. ... State nickname: Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush (R) Official languages English Area 170,451 km² (22nd)  - Land 137,374 km²  - Water 30,486 km² (17. ...

The Raëlians promote the social ideas of sexual self-determination and a spirit of sharing and responsibility, which, they claim, will bring a new age of wealth and peace. The philosophy is based on humanitarian values including human rights and freedoms. Humanitarianism is the view that all people should be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve as human beings, and that advancing the well-being of humanity is a noble goal. ... Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ...

The Elohim

According to Vorilhon a message of the human origin was dictated to him in December 1973 in personal meetings with a 25,000-year-old extraterrestrial who came in a UFO. The story goes that after terraforming of Earth, human beings from another planet (the "Elohim" - which Raliens translate as meaning 'those who came from the sky') created humans and all life on earth using DNA manipulation and genetic engineering. Elohim (אלהים) is a Hebrew word related to deity, but whose exact significance is often disputed. ... December is the twelfth and last month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ... 1973 was a common year starting on Monday. ... Extraterrestrial, as an adjective, refers to something that originates, occurs, or is located outside Earth or its atmosphere. ... A UFO -- fact or fiction? A UFO or unidentified flying object in the original, literal sense is any airborne object or optical phenomenon, detected visually or by radar, whose nature is not readily known. ... Artists conception of a terraformed Mars in three stages of development. ... Human beings are defined variously in biological, spiritual, and cultural terms, or in combinations thereof. ... Space-filling model of a section of DNA molecule DNA Under electron microscope Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or deoxyribose nucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions specifying the biological development of all cellular forms of life (and many viruses). ...

The message dictated to Rael during his encounter with the Elohim states that the Elohim sent all the prophets who were at the origin of the main religions (Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, etc.) Abraham (אַבְרָהָם Father/Leader of many, Standard Hebrew Avraham, Tiberian Hebrew ʾAḇrāhām; Arabic ابراهيم Ibrāhīm) is the patriarch of Judaism, recognized by Christianity, and a very important prophet in Islam. ... A stone image of the Buddha. ... This 11th-century portrait is one of many images of Jesus in which a halo with a cross is used. ... Muhammad is a common male name for Muslims. ...

The Raëlians believe, furthermore, that the Elohim will return to Earth when enough of its population is peaceful and come to know about them. They believe this is foretold in all religious texts. They say they will meet in the embassy they want to build for them and share their advanced scientific knowledge with us, their creation. Thus one of their major goals is to inform as many people as possible about this extraterrestrial race. // What is science? There are different theories of what science is. ...

The Raëlian symbol, before 1991 and after

The symbol initially chosen by Raël for his movement was the source of considerable controversy: it resembled a Star of David with the image of a swastika embedded in its center. According to official Raëlian statements, the swastika "represents infinity of time, and trace its origins to Sanskrit and Buddhist symbols, to the Chinese character for temple, and to ancient catacombs, mosques, and synagogues." In 1991, the symbol was changed to remove swastika, out of respect for the Jews. The original symbol is still in use in parts of Asia. Another possible motive was to help in negotiations with Israel for the building of a Raëlian "embassy" or 'third temple of Israel' to greet the anticipated Elohim space vessels, although Israel still flatly denies their request. The official reason given was a request from the Elohim to change the symbol. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x779, 57 KB)raelism symbols i did my self symbols from 1991 and now File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1576x779, 57 KB)raelism symbols i did my self symbols from 1991 and now File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The Star of David The Star of David (Magen David in Hebrew or Mogen Dovid in Ashkenazi Hebrew, Shield of David, Solomons Seal, or Seal of Solomon) is a generally recognized symbol of Judaism and Jewish identity. ... The swastika (卐) is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles either clockwise or anticlockwise. ...

Immortality through science?

The Raelians believe that immortality through science will one day be possible. The prophet Raël explains that this will be achieved through the following steps:

1. creating a genetically identical copy of someone by human cloning
2. causing the clone to mature much, much faster than normal (Raël makes the statement that in future scientists will discover a so-called "accelerated-growth process" - see mention on CNN. Then in a process like guided self-assembly of rapidly expanded cells or even nanotechnological assembly a whole human body may be created in a very short time.)
3. transferring the memory and personality of the original person to the mature clone by some kind of scientific process.

The first step, human cloning, while certainly not trivial, is widely recognized as a goal science is capable of pursuing, despite being thought of as science-fiction only 20 years ago. Some scientists and many non-scientists, however, find both ideas ethically troublesome. Raelians do not share these scruples, and followers of Raël, including trained scientists, are actively researching this first step. One Raëlian member has founded Clonaid, a company that claims to have cloned at least one human being. Clonaid has produced no supporting evidence, and the claim is widely regarded as a hoax. Genetics (from the Greek genno γεννώ= give birth) is the science of genes, heredity, and the variation of organisms. ... Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing human or growing cloned tissue from that individual. ... Clonaid is a self-described human cloning company. ... Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an original. ...

It is unclear to many non-Raelians how the second or third step could be accomplished, but there does appear to be growing research in Asia and other places concerning both accelerated growth and brain-computer communication.

Raël also proposes cloning as the solution to terrorism by suicide-attacks, as the perpetrators wouldn't be able to escape punishment by killing themselves if they could be recreated after their attacks.

Confusion about human cloning

It is important not to be confused by different uses of the word "cloning". In the scientific community, cloning refers only to the creation of a genetically identical individual. Note that "genetically identical" does not mean altogether identical; this kind of cloning does not reproduce a person's memories or experience, for example. Cloning is the process of creating an identical copy of an original. ...

In discussions of Raëlism, cloning sometimes seems to refer not only to biological cloning, but to biological human cloning plus mind and/or brain transfer, or to a process where adult clones can be directly made. Human cloning is the creation of a genetically identical copy of an existing human or growing cloned tissue from that individual. ...

In 2002, a Raël-affiliated company named Clonaid announced its intention to clone a human being for the first time in history, though this goal was seen by medical professionals and scientists as unlikely given current technology. On December 26, 2002, French scientist and Raëlian Brigitte Boisselier claimed the company had assisted in the birth of a girl through Caesarean section, the first of a supposed five total cloned babies. By New Year 2003, the story had spread like wildfire throughout the mainstream press. Claiming the possible destruction of the babies' right to live normally, they did not provide the press or authorities with proof of this birth, such as a chance to obtain DNA samples. Boisselier claims that such evidence would lead to her incarceration in her country of birth, France, due to a new law that was introduced there. 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Clonaid is a self-described human cloning company. ... December 26 is the 360th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, 361st in leap years. ... 2002 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Brigitte Boisselier is a Raelian bishop and the CEO of Clonaid. ... A caesarean section (cesarean section AE), is a form of childbirth in which a surgical incision is made through a mothers abdomen (laparotomy) and uterus (hysterotomy) to deliver one or more fetuses. ... This page deals with the annual event. ... 2003 is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

As of 2004, there has been no further evidence supporting Clonaid's human-cloning claims. As a result, these claims are generally viewed as dubious or discredited in the mainstream press. In regards to cloning, Clonaid and the Raëlian Movement are seen by the public as having orchestrated an enormous hoax. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A hoax is an attempt to trick an audience into believing that something false is real. ...

Confusion about reincarnation

The Raëlians seem to have an interest not only in immortality but also in reincarnation. They are willing to bring back famous individuals such as Jesus or Hitler, either for inspiration or to allow for retroactive punishment. In fact, they do not believe in reincarnation as dictated by mystical writings because they do not believe that an ethereal soul (free of physical confinements) exists. In their books, they explain the soul as a primitive man's term for DNA. They consider human cloning as the only step toward everlasting life. It is clear that in the final stages, DNA alone would be enough to bring someone back. Prior to the final stage, reincarnation would require a "recording" of the individual's mind, for use in mind transfer into a fully grown adult clone which has not been exposed to any sensory input. Past Lives redirects here. ... This 11th-century portrait is one of many images of Jesus in which a halo with a cross is used. ... Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April 30, 1945, standard German pronunciation in the IPA) was the Führer (leader) of the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) and of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. ...

Geniocracy

The Raëlians promote a new form of government that they refer to as geniocracy, or rule by geniuses. It advocates a requirement of having at least 50% more than the average intelligence potential (though not IQ) as based on a test in order to run for office, and at least 10% above average in order to vote. Thus, even though electorally structured as a democracy, such a regime would be a representative oligarchy. A geniocracy is a governmental structure whereby power is given to those who have high average intelligence potential (IP) levels or are considered to be a genius. A geniocracy is fundamentally the same as a democracy, except for the fact that people must qualify with a certain IP level (10... Oligarchy is a form of government where most political power effectively rests with a small segment of society (typically the most powerful, whether by wealth, military strength, ruthlessness, or political influence). ...

Allegations of Raëlism as a cult

Despite many allegations, the Raelian Movement has never been proven to be a cult. Some have claimed that Claude Vorilhon uses donations for his own benefit - but this has never been substantiated and all financial records of the Raelian Movement are open for inspection by any member.

The Raëlian movement has received especially harsh criticism in the French press. Some believe this is due to the fact that Claude Vorilhon (aka Rael) is French born. Despite numerous amounts of bad press and allegations Rael himself has never been found guilty of any crime in his 30 years as a "prophet".

[In 1991,] "...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 Raëlian Movement as an unbridled sex orgy where brainwashing was perpetrated and perversions were encouraged, though these accusations were not substantiated.

“The biggest media brouhaha arose in 1992 when Raël appeared on the French TV talk show Ciel mon mardi, hosted by the popular journalist Christophe Dechavanne. Towards the end of the show (where Raël’s liberal views on sex were critiqued by a priest, a social worker, and a psychologist), an ex-Raëlian suddenly appeared and unleashed a diatribe claiming that Raël was holding his wife and children prisoner, had engineered the breakup of his family, and personally presided over child sacrifice and pederastic orgies at the Sensual Meditation camp. Again these claims were found to be false, despite the media's choice to keep the truth of the matter low key.

”The Raëlians inundated Dechevanne’s TV station with letters of protest from all over the world. Dechavanne retaliated by suing Raël for "incitement to violence" and the judge appointed to the case decided to call Raël in for questioning. Raël then agreed to ask his members to stop sending letters, but demanded a public apology, and the two parties agreed to drop the feud.” -- The Raël Deal by Susan J. Palmer

In 1991 Raël sued French journalist Jean-Yves Cashga for defamation; however, he lost and was ordered to pay court costs. The judgment remains uncollected. Amidst growing legal problems Raël decided to leave France, emigrating to Canada, where he is a resident and has achieved tax-exempt religious status for his Raëlian movement. 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1992 is a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ciel mon mardi was a television talk show hosted by Christophe Dechavanne and running on French television every Tuesday at the beginning of the 1990s. ... Christophe Dechavanne is a popular French radio host and program producer. ... 1991 is a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In English and American law, and systems based on them, libel and slander are two forms of defamation (or defamation of character), which is the tort or delict of making a false statement of fact that injures someones reputation. ...

References

• Raël, Claude. Yes to Human Cloning: Immortality Thanks to Science. Tagman Press, 2001. ISBN 1903571057; ISBN 1903571049.
• Raël and Marcus Wenner. Yes to Human Cloning: Eternal Life Thanks to Science. Raelian Movement, 2001. ISBN 2883950105. (Possibly the same book?)

External Links

• Rael.org - Web site of the Raelian Movement
• Raelianews.org - Web site of the Raelian Movements News & Views
• RaelianMovement.org - Unofficial Information about the Raelian Movement
• rael-science.org - Get the news of tomorrow's science today!
• Clonaid.com - Website of the first human cloning company
• RaelianGay.org - A website for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Communities
• Presentation by The University of Virginia
• The Rael Deal by The Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life
• Human Rights Without Frontiers (HRWF)
• Apologetics Index Entry of Raelism
• Vision of Raelism as a fanatic cult
• An Anti-Rael site in French
• Original text for the creation of the Angels Order, in French