Who Are the Raelians, and Why Are They Naked?

I think that I am prepared to overlook some of the obvious flaws in the Raelian philosophy, given the obvious attributes of its postulants.

Marius vanderLubbe, Nullabor Plain, Australia
August 04, 2007 5:56pm

Hi, Brian:

I used to know a Raelian, and a somewhat prominent one at that.

Several years ago at the gym I used to attend, one of the personal trainers I worked with was also a research scientist at one of our local biotech companies in the Bay Area. Turns out that he was also a "priest" in the Raelian movement. I discovered this when I googled his name, because it was a very interesting name. If you google "Felix Clairvoyant", you'll see various references to all things Raelian.

He seemed to be a very nice, personable guy, and was into what appeared to be new-age healing arts, which he integrated into his personal training regimen. I thought nothing of this at the time, but reading up on the Raelians and their interest in cloning meant I was not surprised that he worked in the biotech industry.

What fascinated me at the time was how someone of obvious intelligence (and who advised me on my cario workouts!) could believe such things. This is also why I really like your podcasts! What some people choose for belief systems fascinates me to no end.

Dan, San Francisco, CA
August 04, 2007 6:19pm

Dan,if I were a raelian, I would also have a somewhat prominent one.All the time.
That's the thing with people in general. They seem smart, then come out with stuff that makes you head spin. What do we do? Lampoon them without mercy? Only us who are in on the joke get it , so that's wasted. I still do it as often as I can though.Dosnt make it right. Education? I could stand in front of a room full of baboons and very carefully and logically explain the laws of thermodynamics. Come the days end, what would I have? A room full of baboons. Pass the bananas and the tranq gun.

Marius vanderLubbe, Nullabor Plain, Australia
August 05, 2007 1:07am

I was agnostic for a few years, and when I ran into a life or death situation, I began using the four phoenician vowels (i.e., YHWH; YAHWEH) in my prayers and I swear as YAHWEH lives, I woke up one morning with a very "random" object lodged into the top of my ear. A month later the spaceship that was seen on November 7 2006 @ the Chicago O'hare Airport was hovering over my home on October 15 2006. Since then I've been a practicing Hebrew Israelite who uses the four vowels to make contact, I've "called" almost 7 UFO's since then on cue so I'm not skeptical at all...I'm just a little bit confused as to what this all means now, and maybe what else I'm supposed to be doing to prepare or whatever.

Shalom Aleichem all

Channing, Pittsburgh, PA
October 25, 2007 9:49pm

you must be joking, right?

sebastian larsen, cph, denmark
November 13, 2007 9:33am

I’m a Raelian and like that you point out that the basic philosophy of the religion is great – that peace and love can save the world and that science can improve our situation.
I also think it’s great that if you only take the philosophy away and disbelieve all of Rael’s ‘stupid alien stories’ as you call them.
You state that you can have the philosophy without an ‘untrue belief system’ – but to myself and the other Raelians this isn’t untrue. Ask yourself ‘what if the events did happen?’ – surely this compliments the wonderful philosophy that Rael has been given from the Elohim?
You say that Rael’s story can’t be true with what we know of evolution – but there is a whole bunch of science that opposes the THEORY of evolution. It’s just that we’ve been taught that evolution is true. Check out the alternate side of the argument and you’ll see that Rael’s ‘stories’ are true (or at least possible from your opinion).
You say that Raelians do what they do because Rael says so – but I’d say to you that I was a Raelian before I found out about Rael. I’d always believed in the philosophy of love and the idea that science could help humanity. So I don’t believe what I believe just because Rael has stated the truth – I believe what I believe because his message mirrors ideas I’ve had my whole life.
You say that going ahead with following

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
December 23, 2007 6:24pm

Joshua - Thanks very much for posting this. But I can flip it around and ask you the same question: Since the philosophy it's what's important, why not keep that and ignore Rael's absurd alien sci-fi tale? Surely it's the philosophy that's more relevant to your daily life than Rael's catered dinner with the robotic space station hookers. The philosophy can be held by anyone, Raelian or not. What does adhering to his outlandish sci-fi tales add to your daily life? I submit that you'd be a better person if you stuck not only to the great philosophy, but also to real science and real history.

Brian Dunning, Laguna Niguel, CA
December 23, 2007 10:11pm

Hi Brian,

Thanks for your comments, but the reason that I believe in Rael's 'absurd alien sci-fi tale' is because it really isn't that absurd!
Being taken to another planet is only stupid if you think space travel is impossible and that aliens look like little green men from the movies. But when you think of them as advanced human beings from another planet, it's nothing special to be taken to their home. It's just like me flying a helicopter to a remote tribe in Africa, taking one on board and flying him to New York to experience nice food and see a film. When I dropped him back, his tribe would call his tale 'absurd' too! People get too hooked on these 'absurd' facts, but really, Rael was just being shown the Elohim's lifestyle and was given a glimpse at new technology and given an updated message.
You say that I'd be better sticking to 'real science' but the Elohim have said that what we know about science isn't absolute. Things change...the THEORY of evolution is already being rethought as we come across evidence that supports Rael's claims. A few years ago we discovered that we can travel faster than the speed of light, but Einstein taught that nothing could go faster. In time, you'll start to see science is supporting Rael's claims (and it already has supported many of his claims) eg. cloning is possible.
The philosophy can be held by anyone, but what makes someone Raelian is acknowledging the Elohim as our creators. This is something that I acknowledge.

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
December 26, 2007 6:07pm

I am prepared to be a Raelian on Friday and Saturday nights. I fully support the bfree love idea but Sunday through Friday I need to be rational for work purposes.

David Aldridge, Adelaide
December 30, 2007 7:15am

Rael reminds me a little of Marshal Applewhite-all eyes and otherworldly smile...along with such an earnest desire to pass along the message and enlighten the rest of humanity. Yikes.

And if the Raelians' message is so important and they are so advanced, surely they possess the intelligence to devise a way to contact lowly earthlings without setting off a panic.

Kat, Bellingham, WA
January 02, 2008 2:05pm

Hi Kat - your comment about Rael looking like Marshall Applewhite made me laugh....Rael is always smiling and I suppose this can be 'creepy' to people who're used to the idea that the world gives no one a reason to be happy. But one major difference is that you'll never hear Rael give an order for people to commit suicide - how can we spread the message when we're all dead?
The Elohim have given Rael the message in order to spread it through humanity to lessen the panic when they arrive....through non invasive means like books, videos, the internet. We're slowely making humanity aware of who the Elohim are and why they want to land. This is the best way to ease humanity into an official contact....this is why they haven't devised another way to contact 'lowly earthlings' because the official contact hasn't happened yet. When they arrive at the embassy, that'll be their way of contacting us.

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
January 02, 2008 8:53pm

Hey Joshua, did Elohim tell you everything you know about the Rael? Has anyone else had contact? This is not a disguised attack, it's a genuine question.

David Aldridge, Adelaide
January 24, 2008 3:34am

Hi David,

No one else but Rael has had contact with the Elohim. Others, like myself, have seen UFO's when we've been telepathically communicating with them, but no one else has had a real physical contact.
Everyone I, and all the other Raelians know about the Elohim are from what Rael has told us, but this has always been their methods of contact. Look back in history and you'll see that 'god' only ever spoke to his chosen 'prophet', who was carefully selected to pass on any relevant information. Humanity isn't really for full on contact, so Rael has been given the task to spread the information in order to carefully prepare humanity for the coming contact. If they just appeared, even to Raelians, it would have a serious psychological effect on us. This is why they want an official embassy built, so that humanity is fully prepared and have a good knowledge about who the Elohim are and why they are landing.
-Josh

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
January 30, 2008 5:05pm

This is my way and that´s your way. I am not judging you and I hope that you´re not judging me.

realian, barcelona
April 24, 2008 12:44pm

A comment on the French-bashing (or poking, really).

Why wouldn't alien guy speak in French? The French do believe that French is the universal language. Certainly it's no more odd than every science fiction film or series in which everyone speaks English (forget the Universal Translator BS).

And that umlaut is a diaeresis, or in French, a "tréma". It's not there to look fancy, but to show that the two vowels are pronounced separately.

Marc Naimark, Paris, France
April 29, 2008 10:54am

Yahweh, the ET that contacted Rael, spoke in French because it was the only language that Rael understood!

Not because it's the universal language! When the Elohim contacted Buddha they would have spoken Indian. When they contacted Mohammed they would have spoken Aramaic. When they contacted Rael they spoke French.

They've been watching us ever since they created us and they know all of the languages of the Earth.

Their official language closely resembles ancient Hebrew (which makes sense because the early humans would have picked up language skills from their creators), but this is their world language (like English is becoming for us). On their planet they still have many cultures and languages like we do.

-Josh

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
April 30, 2008 8:00pm

In the end, can anyone prove this?
No.
So it comes down to another religion - one man's interpretation or search for a basis for existence.
I think it always comes down to man's natural instinct to found out why we are here, the meaning of life etc. Man, by nature, is curious and seeks to make the unknown, known.
So hey, if people like the notion of raelians, mohammed, shiva, or some other deity or story about how we came into existence - they're welcome to it.
But i agree with Brian - just dont start conducting medical experiments on other people etc. A line's gotta be drawn there.

Anthony, Australia
May 29, 2008 7:41pm

Hey Anthony,

I agree with you...in the end it all comes down to if you think this is logical and possible. There is no concreate proof, however the information given to Rael in 1973 have started to come true and this lends weight to his revelations.
I agree that people can believe whatever they want as long as it doesn't harm other people.
Why would Raelians start conducting medical experiments on other people? This will never happen!

-Josh

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
June 01, 2008 7:31pm

Boy, I must be visiting the wrong hangouts here in Korea... I've never run into a bunch of naked alien (e.b.e.)-lovers.

eric thorn, Seoul, ROK
June 22, 2008 6:01am

You'll also find that we're a bunch of clothes-wearing alien lovers too.

;)

Joshua Wilson, Melbourne, Australia
July 06, 2008 8:52pm

I think that everyone's missing the main point of this article. Rael went to an alien sex party with his immortal biological robot mother. If that's not the coolest history from any religion, I'll eat my hat. :)

Joshua Marks, Huntsville, Texas
July 17, 2008 10:24pm

its amusing about Raël experience in space. If Raël knows so much technology, why doesn't he help the science today how to cure Aids, Cancer etc..? He would attract more people than today! By the way he will gain himself. I do believe some of his principles but the statements above really make me drink my piss and eat my eyes' shits

ali, mauritius
September 28, 2008 12:24pm

The problem is that alien intelligence boosts ( and mind alterations in general ) wear off in the presence of radio waves. Notice that the more prevelant cell phones have become, Raels ability to convey his aquired intelligence has greatly dimminished. In fact, it seemed to start the minute he returned. We may never know the real answers.

Adam, Isreal
October 22, 2008 1:09pm

Hi everyone, my name is Evelyne, and i'm a Raelian religion.

The headline asked the question of why we are naked. Well, the thing is we shouldn't be ashamed to walk around in our homes or outside in the streets naked, after all, we were all born naked, and Adam and Eve never wore clothes before they starting making them, if fact, Adam and and Eve were never ashamed of their nakedness in the beginning, and the Elohim, especially Yahweh, was fine with them walking around naked, after all He created them that way and He never wanted them clothes to begin with.

Genesis 3:10 And he (Adam) said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

3:11 And he (Yahweh) said, Who told thee that thou wast naked?

Anyways, If any of you want to e-mail me, you can do so at elinares87@hotmail.com

Thank you for reading my post.

Sincerely, Evelyne
From the Raelian religion.
www.rael.org

Evelyne, Melbourne, Australia
November 15, 2008 5:18pm

i have studied a whole heckuva a lot of religions and this one is straight retarded. These people should be stopped from doing anything involving himan life or dna. sex is sacred. to expose yourself to others is distracting and sick. as far as rael the moron and brigette the plastic surgery queen, just get a porn site and also brigette, you talk about using "chemicals" for you and your guy rael with the old balls to use for cloning? i bet if there was a god he would tell you to go find your own "chemicals" later

tabatha, tulsa,oklahoma
November 23, 2008 7:00pm

Jeez Tabatha,
I understand that its pretty hard to get behind the ideas contained in this religion, but I think that you are showing great fear and ignorance in your posted response to it.
It seems to have struck a nerve?
Might do some good to put your name calling aside and do a little introspection on your reaction, and perhaps think about what freedom of religion and tolerance mean to you.

Im a little to uptight to walk around naked myself, but I certainly dont think it is "sick".

Best, Jake

Jake, Brooklyn, NY
November 23, 2008 7:53pm

After hearing about this religion, I decided to read some of Rael's books (they're free, and available online) to see what he had to say.

Sadly, Rael's books read like bad science fiction. The premise is that the Bible contains a lot of information about the Elohim, plus a lot of "poetry" that is useless. As "Yahweh" explains the Bible's true meanings to Rael, he constructs a brand new creation myth that accounts for the strange order of things in Genesis and that says that humans are essentially clones of aliens, who are essentially clones of other aliens, and so on, in an eternal loop that is purported to go on forever.

One of the more peculiar arguments is that the different races are the creations of different scientific teams. Another is that Noah's ark was actually a spaceship. (Raelians do believe in "intelligent design" and think evolution is a myth.)

Pieces of the Bible are cherry-picked and interpreted to suit this strange series of revelations. Some verses are plucked entirely out of context, of course. Rael is yet another prophet who has no evidence of his claims.

I do agree with Brian's assessment that the Raelians are fairly harmless overall, and do share his reservations about Cloneaid. Rael seems like an interesting fellow, and I like the fact that he seems to be more like the peace-loving Mike out of "Stranger in a Strange Land" than an obvious con artist like L. Ron Hubbard.

And I wish all religions were as benign and peace-loving as the Raelians!

SeanJJordan, St. Louis
December 02, 2008 11:54am

Hi, I had the interesting experience of attending a weekend away with the Raelians. They promote peace, love and tolerance. And were respectful of the fact that I was not going let a bunch of men I did not know hug me. However I did get an invitation to join Rael's Angels - a holy order of women , bit like Nuns for Jesus - "an alternative to the downward spiral of drugs and depression" - now I know where to turn when that starts to happen :) - and while we're waiting for the Elohim to come, so we can serve them - sexually, that is - and it would be an insult to refuse them (there are robots for the menial chores)we get to serve Rael at the gatherings. Lucky Rael. BTW, Rael - according to one of the members present is the ONLY one to have ever been taken up into a spaceship. All those other people who make similar claims are suffering mental illness!
Anyway, on the whole the local group seemed kind and supportive people, though a little dogmatic on some points. I didn't sign up. Part of their dogma was "There is no god. we have no soul". And I was Noah's wife in a past life. I'm not giving that up to be a sex slave for Rael.

Katerina Haymen, Australia
January 31, 2009 5:56pm

Interesting that they use the word Yahweh. Yahweh from my own knowledge is the actual name of the Christian God, Catholic God.
What some people would call the Abrahamic God, or the Judeo Christian God.

The Jehovis Witness religion states that the name Yahweh, as the God of the Bible is mispronounced and was simply written incorrectly. The actual name is Jehova, not Yahweh according to them.

I discovered the name when looking at one of my favorite youtube channels, "NonStampCollector". Also I confirmed it with a bit more research on Wikipedia.
Not the most reliable source, but I don't think the information is wrong either.

Manni, Miami, FL
February 20, 2009 10:52am

I really do agree with many of their philosophies, that's why I look past my skepticism about the whole alien thing. I can agnostically admit: it's a possibility, so it allows me to be polite with them about their beliefs even if I don't reinforce them.

Doing so encourages them to be more agnostic too.

Tyciol, Toronto
March 10, 2009 6:27pm

Manni, and anyone else who was wondering:

Yahweh is the current generally accepted pronunciation for the name of God given in the old testament, usually translated along some variant of "I am who am." Among observant Jews, speaking the name is sacrilegious, even when reading aloud from their sacred texts. Unsurprisingly, surrounding this taboo and due to the rather wide, rapid dissemination of early Christianity, the proper pronunciation was lost. Scholars who didn't know how to read Hebrew (difficult, as ancient Hebrew is written without vowels) read the name of God as "Jehova."

There're various reasons to see this translation as incorrect, most notably that the J sound isn't present in Hebrew. Biblical J's come to us mainly through Greek translations and misreadings. You know, names like Joseph, Jeremiah, and Jesus.

The Jehova's Witnesses were founded before the pronunciation was reassessed by modern scholars. Their stubbornness is understandable. Changing the name of your religion IS sort of awkward.

Anyway, good work Brian, as usual.

Siobhan Duffey, Northampton, Ma
April 03, 2009 10:54am

I am Raelian and have been for a few years now (since 2003 i think)

my experience in the movement has been pretty amazing and i have seen a lot of different attitudes and media coverage towards the group, most is not so nice, but this article was done really well so i decided to comment :)

just to give you idea of who i am, i have been a professional dj playing worldwide for most of my life, trying to spread love with the music i play! I am happy and intriged to understand the mysteries of live, our past on this planet and most importantly the amazing changes that are coming in our future.

I Guess the messages really resonated within me and i have always followed my intuition to guide my life, and i am rarely wrong or decieved. The teachings that Rael gives are truely mind opening and sometimes hard to accept without lots of thought and discussion. To be honest i always try and question everything, and even Rael tells me this is a great way to treat life.

i would like to say even with my high libido, it was not the free love that attracted me to the movement, although the girls there are of amazing beauty, intellect and open mindness. It was more of a feeling deep inside once i have read the books.

If Rael is wrong and made this all up then i believe he is a great story teller lol, but the teachings and messages serve an important way of life and hope for the future :0

peace love and harmony

Rich xxx

Rich, UK
April 16, 2009 8:52am

Not just you Rich. I think all religions are full of craziness. Believing we are from the stars is no different than being made from dust, the thoughts of a higher being or whatever else you might think of.

In my opinion, however, the newer religions have better crazy than the older ones. Mormons have some good crazy in their religion. The Scientologist also have good crazy in it.

John Mc Gee, Imperial Ca
April 23, 2009 10:46am

I agree with Joshua in Australia. I always mirrored my belief along the same lines before I even heard of Rael (which has only been recent, in this year). I look forward to attending meetings in the future to understand the Raelian movement. For those who believe this is untrue, religion has yet to explain many mysterious creations and wonders that science hss offered a explanation. Just something to think about.

Sabrina P. Chapmam, Pittsburgh, Pa
June 23, 2009 6:46pm

Hello,

I just found this post and I think its a great conversation started. However, let me correct some of Brian's "mistakes" on the Raelian Movement. I've been a Raelian for 20 years now and I've been involved with the group on a deeper level for some years too.

First off, the Raelian Movement, contrary to what the medias are constantly trying to point out, does NOT do cloning. Raelian philosophy support the technology on a philosophical level. Clonaid is a private company that has no links to the philosophy. The confusion comes from the fact that Dr. Brigitte Boisselier, the company's owner happens to be a Raelian Bishop as well. But her business is her business.

Secondly, yes sometimes when it is possible, some raelians undress at private events. Buts its not about sex, its about sensuality most of the time. I've never seen a raelian orgy or people openly having sex, and in 20 years have very rarely had any sort of sexual encounters at these events. This is a myth. Just because people feel that the human body is beautiful and its ok to expose it doesn't mean they have sex all the time. Many who come for that leave very disappointed.

Raelian philosophy is all about free thinking, science, peace, love, harmony, and of course preparing the planet for the return of our Creators. I'm a scientist myself, and a large % of raelians are VERY well educated (I have 3 university degrees as an example).

If you want to know more, visit www.rael.org

Sylvain R, Ottawa, Canada
July 08, 2009 3:55pm

I have to play the French teacher and correct your French, Brian.

Gramatically, the umlaut over the "e" letter in "Raël" is not to make it sound more exotic or Scandinavian. In French, umlauts are used to indicate that the particular vowel must be pronounced as if it was a syllab of its own, thus accentualized.

As examples:
- the word "noël" (Christmas) is pronounced "NOw-AY-LL" (phonetic /nɔ.ɛl/).
- the word "ouïe" (hearing) is pronounced "wOO-EE" (phonetic /wi/).

It is trivial compared to the subject at hand. Especially that the Province is Quebec is a major hub of the Raëlian movement (Raël himself lives here) and, thus, French is the main language used by the Raëlians.

Nicholas Malouin, Montreal, Canada
August 25, 2009 1:00pm

i just can't beileive there has been a communication between the human on the earth and the outer space creator or creators no matter what religion you are affiliated with .if you have some guessings about them and practice some crazy faiths its cool as long as you dont bother others.

aryan perse, montreal
November 26, 2009 2:14pm

Sylvain, right, the movement as a whole is not an army of cloners in the making, although as the website points out:

"CLONAID™ ,the first human cloning company in the world, was founded in February 1997, by RAEL and a group of investors"

And skepticism is warranted of an organisation whose name isn't even public, claims results yet does not divulge means of verifying them, demanding faith instead, yet will gladly take your investment money.

Claiming that the pool of people who are Raelians are better educated than average does not significantly mean anything, especially because it does not address the standing question of "Why all the dogma?"

Mathieu, Montreal, Canada
January 05, 2010 7:23am

Their philosophy might be cool, but the exploits of his founder . . . are hilarious and sound like he just woke up after a strange dream or acid trip and wrote down what he remembered. I've had equally plausible experiences;

I was standing on the track field of my High School, naked, being watched through the one-way mirror windows of a nearby building by proffessors and scientist The hill nearby was volcanic as it began spewing a great lava flow. I attempted to climb this side of the hill to get to the other side but was ignited by the lava and got re-incarnated into a new body like a pheonex. I've also skydived into the ocean from space and had visions of other planets and their alien ecology.

I wonder if a number of self-proclaimed Raelians don't really believe their founder's exploits and are just in it for the fun

Jonathan, Earth
January 11, 2010 7:45am

@Sylvain: Claiming you're a scientist with 3 university degrees is exactly something that was addressed even on this site.

People are people; you can hold Doctorate and Masters degrees and still be a moron. All it really takes is paperwork and knowledge of your craft.

Case in point: Well known historians, likely masters with Doctorates in their craft, going on History Channel shows like "Battles, BC" and saying things like: "The Roman Maniple cannot turn on its side on a dime, and this is why they were crushed at the Battle of Cannae"

Even a cursory reading of basic Roman miltiary tactics will tell you that is not only wrong, it goes completely contrary to exactly why the Roman army was so successful---in fact, one of the main reasons was specifically BECAUSE the Roman Maniple could turn on its side on a dime.

The next closest military formation comparison would be the Phalanx, which CANNOT turn on its side, and which is a completely different monster from the Maniple---like a rhinocerous to a gorilla.

From what was written here, I'm surprised Brian Dunning didn't put more emphasis on the fact that the free sex elements would possibly be the only real reason why Raelianism has such high membership.

But if what you say is true, then that honestly and genuinely makes me feel better about it.

I don't hate Raelianism. I just think it's tragic that anyone would believe every part of it wholeheartedly. Just like any ancient religious texts

Andariel Halo, Miami, Florida
January 15, 2010 9:25am

I seem to be a Raelian by birth.
Without ever knowing, but after reading Rael's books, I fit in that movement as missing piece of a puzzle. Nudist, anti violence, technological, sexual liberated, no organized religion, believing in Aliens, everything fits. Erich von Danniken showed the proof of ancient visits by aliens in his books long ago, he confirmed my understanding. The only mystery that remains is who created the first thought that became an alien that became me?

Captain Zen, Sint Maarten Dutch West Indies
February 22, 2010 9:28am

@Captain Zen

I hope you're joking or being in some way facetious. I can't judge what you say about yourself, but I can judge this:

Erich von Danniken, as fun as his ideas are, offered NO PROOF WHATSOEVER of ancient aliens. He even admits himself that he showed NO PROOF! He simply saw circumstantial evidence, and asked questions. That's exactly what he himself said! It's statements like yours that make people think he's a crackpot.

Well, he probably is a crackpot, but he's smart enough to know he has no proof, and thus keeps his conjectures in the conjecture phase.

Andariel Halo, Miami, Florida
March 24, 2010 5:47am