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Raelism is the belief system promoted by the Raelian Movement, a religious organization which believes that scientifically advanced extraterrestrials known as the Elohim (derived from a Hebrew word appearing in the Torah) created life on Earth through genetic engineering, and that a combination of human cloning and "mind transfer" can ultimately provide immortality. Some people consider the Raelism group a cult.
Claude Vorilhon (born 1946), also known as Rael, 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 the crater of a volcano near Clermont-Ferrand in central France. Following what he claimed were the instructions given to him, he founded the Raelian Movement, which claims to have about 60,000 members from almost 100 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 Rael's books, Raelian gatherings, and its web site.
The Raelians 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.
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, aliens (the "Elohim") created humans and all life on earth via DNA manipulation and genetic engineering.
The Raelians claim that the Elohim sent all the prophets at the origin of the main religions (Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad,...).
The Raelians believe, furthermore, that when enough people on Earth become peaceful and come to know the message of the Elohim, the Elohim will come 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.
The symbol initially chosen by Rael 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 Raelian 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 the swastika and deflect public criticism, as well as to gain acceptance in Israel for the building of a Raelian "embassy" to greet the anticipated Elohim space vessels. Official reason was an Elohim claim to change the symbol.
The Raelians claim to have learned from the Elohim the outlines of a technological process for achieving human immortality. The process involves three steps:
The first half of the first step, human cloning, while certainly not trivial, is widely recognized as a goal science is capable of pursuing, if it were desirable to do so. Some scientists and many non-scientists, however, find both ideas ethically troublesome. Raelians do not, and followers of Rael, including trained scientists, are actively researching this first step. A Raelian member has founded a controversial cloning research company which claims to have cloned at least one human being; see Clonaid.
It is unclear to non-Raelians how the second or third step could be accomplished, as they are not considered feasible with current technology.
It is unclear, at least to those outside the Raelian movement, whether and how this mind/brain transfer could be transformed into a viable science. Nonetheless, if it were possible, it would, when combined with cloning, seem to provide for immortality.
Both options have been explored in science fiction and philosophy of mind.
It is important not to be confused by different people's different meanings 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 copy any of a person's memories or experience, for example.
In discussions of Raelism, 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.
In 2002, a Rael-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 Raelian 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's 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.
As of 2004, there has been no further evidence of these claims. As a result, the claims of cloning are generally viewed as dubious or discredited in the mainstream press. In regards to clonining, Clonaid and the Raelian Movement are seen by the public as having orchestrated an enormous hoax.
The Raelians 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 etheral soul (free of physical confinements) exists. They consider human cloning as the only step toward eternal 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. According to Raël's book Yes to Human Cloning, it seems that mind transfer really is a required first step.
The Raelians 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.
Aside from the social ideas promoted by the Rael movement, various facts can identify Raelism as a more common communautarian cult. For example, each member has to materially contribute to the movement by a given amount of its revenue. Claude Vorilhon, an ex auto journalist, often uses part of the large resources provided by the movement often for personal and expensive hobbies, like car racing.
The sexual structure of the movement also fit Vorilhon's personal interests, with various categories of adepts. One of them can be considered as his personnal harem, since the members can only have sexual intercourse with a prophet, and he is the only prophet right now. This is called the "plucks" sytem. In March 2001, some Raelians were sentenced to jail by the court of Saint-Etienne for sexual intercourse in "blooming centers".
A great part of Raelism thoughts are inspired by the 1970s New Age movements. For example, the description of the Elohim is very linked to our present day vision of other forms of intelligence: small human-shaped beings with pale green skin and almond eyes in flying saucer.
Saying that life was created 25,000 years ago, Rael faces the same problems as creationists, when they must confront with the scientific proofs, requiring that science results are also part of Elohim creation.
Raelism can also be seen as a philosophical system in competition with other major religions. For example, on , , or , provide agressive attacks on christianism.
Raelians also alleged to have falsified a 2000 UNESCO document, "2000 Manifesto for a culture of peace and non-violence," linking UNESCO's objectives to Raelian views. They falsely claimed to be on the list of the UNESCO messengers. On the other hand, they denounced UNESCO when it recognized Veda as a world heritage of oral history.
The Raelian movement has received harsh criticism in the French press, with two noteworthy incidents cited as the cause of much anti-Raelian sentiment. As described in a Web publication ‘’,’’ hosted by the The Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life:
In 1991 Rael sued French journalist Jean-Yves Cashga in 1991 for defamation; however, he lost and was ordered to pay court costs. The judgement remains uncollected. Amidst growing legal problems Rael decided to leave France. He immigrated to Canada, where he is a resident and achieved tax-exempt religious status for his Raelian movement.
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