The Raëlian Movement

Melony AlcornLindsay Leigh

Ashley Stevens

Some Facts

• Name of the founder: Claude Vorilhon– Now known as Raël

• Nationality of the founder: French

• Date the group was founded: 1976– In Paris, France

• 65,000 members

Biography of Raël• Born on September 3, 1946

– Ambert, France

• The only child of a 15-year old single mother– His father was a WWII Jewish refugee

• He spent a lot of time at his aunt’s house– Raised by his maternal grandmother

• Was sent to boarding school at age 7– Ran away at 15

– Played guitar on street corners

and cafés

• Discovered by the director of a radio program and became a pop singer– Music career ended when his patron committed suicide

in 1970

• Founded Auto Pop and became a sports journalist– Became a race car driver

• Fell in love with Christine and married her shortly after

• With concerns about speed limits arising, funding for Auto Pop dwindled

Founding of Raëlian International• December 13, 1973

– First visit from the Elohim at Puy-de-Lassolas• During this visit and the next 5 mornings he received

teachings on the “true” origins of humanity

• MADECH emerged in 1974– This group funded Raël’s first book

• “The Book Which Tells The Truth”– The Raëlian movement formed out of the remaining members in 1976

• Two branches of the Raëlians:– Guides– Raëlians

Beliefs Of The Group

• The Raëlians abide by a strict code of ethics:1. Take responsibility for one’s own actions, and never

obey orders that go against one’s own conscience2. Respect differences; racial, sexual, religious, cultural3. Strive for world peace4. Put an end to the masochistic use of drugs that

mutate the genetic code5. Share wealth and resources6. Uphold democracy that will allow a democratic vote to

usher in the geniocracy7. Promote non-violence (Palmer 2004: 62)

• Ultimate Concern: gain eternal life through cloning and to build an embassy for the Elohim to return to in 2035. Also to spread the message of the Elohim on the origins of humanity– On March 9, 1997, Raël created CLONAID

• Bridgette Boisellier

– Trying to get permission to build their embassy in Jerusalem

– We are created from DNA

• They believe that Satan was the head of the adversaries of the Elohim– Early in their existence, he launched an attack against

the humans on earth

• Free love

• Believe in UFO’s

• Influenced by different religions– Christianity

– Buddhism

Charismatic leader• Sings

• Dances

• Wears all white

• Puts hair in samurai top knot

style

• Writes books

• Tells followers to do their

own research

Apocalyptic Beliefs• Unlike other NRM’s

– Three things need to happen before the Elohim return

• Angels need to learn the art of love• Build an embassy for Elohim• Successfully clone humans

• Depending on humans

to bring an end to their

life on earth

Social Encapsulation

• Own land in France and Canada– Albi– Valcourt

• Have conferences in the summers

•Do not live communally