RAELISM: AN UNCONVENTIONAL RELIGIOUS PATHWAY TO TRANSHUMANISM

Raelism is a controversial new religious movement that originated in France in the 1970s and has since spread around the world. The movement's core tenets are rooted in science, technology, and freedom and can be summarized as a blend of science and spirituality, millenarianism, revelation, story, pseudoscience, and reinterpretation. Ra & euml;lians believe in the extraterrestrial origin of humanity and promote the pursuit of higher consciousness, inner peace, individual empowerment, and peace-building. To this end, the movement offers a series of seminars that aim to provide a transformative experience for participants and leads various social initiatives and projects at a global level. Although Ra & euml;lism has gained popularity among some individuals, it has also been the subject of substantial criticism and controversy, particularly because of its unconventional views on sexuality and its alleged support for human cloning and genetic engineering. Nonetheless, the movement continues to be a subject of interest and scrutiny for scholars, journalists, and the curious. This article provides an overview of the history, ideology, and practices of the Ra & euml;lian Movement and its relationship with transhumanism.

Journal

ILAHIYAT STUDIES-A JOURNAL ON ISLAMIC AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Year

2024

Volume

15

Issue

1

Pages

31-59

ISSN

1309-1786

eISSN

1309-1719

DOI

10.12730/is.1442273

WoS UID

WOS:001322515400003