Raëlism: The UFO Cult, Its Ideologies And Practices

Raël: The Alien Prophet has released on Netflix on 7th February. The docuseries by Banijay France features interviews of Raël, his followers, and criticisms of the Raëlism movement.

Claude Vorilhon, a journalist and former racer, claimed in 1973 that he was contacted by extra-terrestrial beings called Elohims. They named him Raël and assigned him to be their ambassador to Earth. They gave him messages to spread among humans, stating that the Elohims planted human life on Earth nearly 25,000 years ago. Raël also mentioned his second tryst with the aliens in October 1975, during which he was informed about the return of the Elohim in 2035.

Raëlism has received widespread and mostly negative criticisms for its beliefs and practices. Raëlians believe the Elohim created life on Earth in a scientific manner. Extraterrestrials have great technology that allows them to construct humans, animals, landscapes, and atmospheres. The Elohim are considered a distinct race, with individuals akin to miniature humans.

Raëlians believe that Elohim’s scientific advancements will allow humankind to achieve relative immortality via cloning and journeying around the cosmos, producing life from DNA. Raëlianism, rooted in Abrahamic traditions, incorporates Jewish messianism, prophecy, and a new interpretation of the Book of Revelation. In 2035, the Elohim will return to earth if humanity fulfills the movement’s main goals and reveal their scientific knowledge to humanity.

To become a Raëlian, a novice must undergo baptism. The Raëlian movement refers to this type of baptism as «transmission» or «the cellular plan.» The baptism is comparable to Christian baptism, with one guiding member sprinkling water on the new member’s forehead. Telepathic connection with extraterrestrials is a critical component of this procedure. The transmission rite follows the Raëlian calendar and occurs four times a year.

The Elohim taught Raël another practice, a euphoric method called sensual meditation, following his second visit to their world. It is not unusual for members to do sensual meditation daily using a half-hour audio recording of sensual awareness methods and a guided meditation. The movement’s ideological system places a high value on sexuality. Raël encourages free love and views sex as a natural, vital, and healthy aspect of life.

Raëlianism does not promote homophobia or discrimination based on sexual orientation. Raëlians actively support equality and the fight against racism.