The Potential of the Raëlian Movement through Humanism Essay -- Religi

The Potential of the Raà «lian Movement through Humanism The Raà «lian Movement, which began in late 1973, is a relative newcomer to the scene of world religions. While its late arrival has presented some difficulty in drawing followers, the movement has significant promise. The Raà «lian Movement is overtly optimistic in its belief of the innate ability of humans to live prosperous lives. The Raà «lian Movement combines principles of secular humanism effectively with scientific accounts of religious events to create a philosophy that has significant potential. On December 13, 1973, a French man named Claude Vorilhon claimed that he encountered an extraterrestrial being. The alien, called Yahweh, explained that he was a representative of an advanced race of beings, the Elohim, who created humankind is their image via cloning techniques. As an experiment, humanity failed to achieve equilibrium within itself and the world it lived in. Throughout history, the Elohim sent prophets to Earth to guide people’s way of life based on that of the superior race. A primary reason that people failed to achieve that peace is that the prophets, â€Å"whose teachings, actually scientific and not religiously oriented, had been misunderstood.† (Laderman 248) Religions thus misinterpreted the Elohim’s teachings, and their different understandings of them separated humanity. Shortly following his encounter with Yahweh, Vorilhon changed his name to Raà «l, â€Å"The Messenger.† The Elohim told him that he is the 40th and final prophet. On August 6, 1945, America dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, representing the apocalypse. In this sense, ‘apocalypse’ refers to humanity’s revelation that, in the age of... ...d. James R. Lewis. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 1995. 105-135. Shuck, Glenn W. â€Å"Raà «lian Movement.† Religion and American Cultures: An Encyclopedia of Traditions, Diversity, and Popular Expressions. Ed. Gary Laderman and Luis Leà ³n. 3 vols. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, 2003. â€Å"The Raà «lian Revolution.† International Raà «lian Movement. 11 April 2004. 1â€Å"The Affirmations of Humanism: A Statement of Principles.† 4 December 2003. Council for Secular Humanism. 19 April 2004. â€Å"A Secular Humanist Declaration.† 4 December 2003. Council for Secular Humanism. 19 April 2004.