Raëlian Movement

Definition

The Raëlian Movement is a new religious movement founded in the 1970s by Claude Vorilhon, who claimed to have encountered extraterrestrial beings known as the Elohim. This movement emphasizes the belief that humanity was created by these extraterrestrial beings and promotes a philosophy centered around world peace, personal development, and the pursuit of scientific knowledge.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Raëlian Movement teaches that all major religions were based on misunderstandings of the messages from the Elohim, which they believe are actually extraterrestrial messengers.
2. Members of the Raëlian Movement celebrate events such as 'Raël's birthday' and 'the World Peace Day' to promote their values of peace and understanding among different cultures.
3. The movement promotes a series of guidelines known as 'The Twelve Commandments', which emphasize ethical behavior, respect for life, and the importance of personal freedom.
4. Raëlians are known for their advocacy of sexual freedom and enlightenment, considering sexual pleasure an important aspect of personal development.
5. The Raëlian Movement has attracted attention for its controversial positions on cloning, particularly its belief in the potential for cloning to create 'immortal' humans.

Review Questions

• How does the Raëlian Movement reinterpret traditional religious narratives through its beliefs about the Elohim?
  • The Raëlian Movement reinterprets traditional religious narratives by positing that the figures and events depicted in major religions are misunderstandings of messages conveyed by extraterrestrial beings known as the Elohim. Instead of viewing these beings as divine, Raëlians believe that they are advanced scientists who created humanity through genetic engineering. This perspective encourages members to view religious texts as symbolic rather than literal truths, reshaping their understanding of spirituality and existence.
• Discuss the ethical implications of the Raëlian Movement's advocacy for human cloning and how it relates to their beliefs about immortality.
  • The Raëlian Movement's advocacy for human cloning raises significant ethical implications regarding identity, individuality, and the nature of life itself. By promoting cloning as a pathway to immortality, they challenge conventional views on life and death, suggesting that physical existence can be replicated. This belief system prompts debates around consent, the moral status of clones, and potential societal impacts, illustrating how their ideas push the boundaries of both science and ethics in contemporary discussions about human rights and technological advancement.
• Evaluate the potential impact of the Raëlian Movement on global perceptions of spirituality and religion in a rapidly changing world.
  • The potential impact of the Raëlian Movement on global perceptions of spirituality is significant, particularly as societies become more interconnected and diverse. By advocating for a global religion that emphasizes scientific understanding, peace, and personal freedom, the movement challenges traditional religious frameworks and encourages dialogue about belief systems. As discussions around spirituality evolve in response to globalization, movements like the Raëlian can influence mainstream thought by promoting alternative ways of understanding existence, ethics, and community in a rapidly changing world.

Related terms

Elohim: In Raëlian belief, the Elohim are advanced extraterrestrial beings who created humanity through genetic engineering.

Cloning: The Raëlian Movement advocates for human cloning as a means to achieve immortality and believes it aligns with their understanding of scientific advancement.

Global Religion: A concept promoted by the Raëlian Movement, which envisions a unified global belief system that transcends traditional religious boundaries.