A lot of people refer casually to the Raelian movement as a cult (a recent article on the Raelian movement used the word “cult” 13 times), but is it one? To find that out I’m going to investigate what the word cult really means. Some people seem to use the word cult to mean any minority religion; this definition would mean that the Raelian movement is a cult, but it would also mean that Judaism, Hinduism, and all religions except Christianity are cults. If you believe that every religion except Christianity is a cult, than this article is not for you. I believe that the word cult implies something more.

I’m going to compare Christianity with the Raelian movement based on this list of what constitutes a cult.

• The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

Christianity: Yes. All Christians are devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and God.

Raelian movement: No. Members of the Raelian movement have a wide variety of different opinions, and many of them disagree with Rael on many points (What Christian would admit to disagreeing with Jesus or God?).

• ‪ Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

Christianity: Hard to say. Someone who questions the existence of God may be ostracized or told to just “have faith,” however I don’t believe this is what is meant by this point, so I’ll say no.

Raelian movement: No. Doubt about any of the religion’s practices are not discouraged or punished.

• ‪ Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

Christianity: No. There are a lot of group prayers, but I don’t believe that’s what this point is referring to.

Raelian movement: No.

• ‪ The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).

Christianity: No. Although there are quite a few rules/restrictions, most Christians secretly break them.

Raelian movement: No. The Raelian movement has far fewer restrictions than Christianity. Raelians are free to do whatever they wish without asking permission.

• ‪ The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

Christianity: Yes. Many Christians believe themselves to be the chosen ones. In church we are told that we need to be like salt making other people “thirsty” for Jesus.

Raelian movement: No. The Raelian movement doesn’t reward blind faith, and does not believe that any of its members will have an advantage when the Elohim return.

• ‪ The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

Christianity: No. Christians are taught to love thy neighbor, no matter what his religion.

Raelian movement: No. Raelians are also taught to love and appreciate those who are different than they are.

• ‪ The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).

Christianity: No.

Raelian movement: No.

• ‪ The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).

Christianity: No.

Raelian movement: No.

• ‪ The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

Christianity: Yes. All of that talk of “hell” and “satin” is a very good motivational tool.

Raelian movement: No.

• ‪ Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.

Christianity: No.

Raelian movement: No.

• ‪ The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

Christianity: Yes. We are told to always be actively seeking out new people and helping them find Jesus.

Raelian movement: No. Raelians are not told to seek out other members.

• ‪ The group is preoccupied with making money.

Christianity: No, although each Sunday after a church service they ask for donations. These are optional, but appreciated.

Raelian movement: No, although members are requested to optionally pay a small percentage of their income (I believe it’s 2%; less than income tax for many people). 60% of members do not pay this.

• ‪ Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

Christianity: Yes. Christians are asked to attend church every week, usually for 1-2 hours.

Raelian movement: No. Raelians are asked only to attend a yearly seminar. Other than that, their time is their own.

• ‪ Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

Christianity: No.

Raelian movement: No.

• ‪ The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.

Christianity: No.

Raelian movement: No.

Well, this proves one thing: Raelism is definitely not a cult in any sense of the word. It is far less controlling of its members than the world’s most common religion, Christianity. While Christianity asks members to attend church every week, Raelians are asked only to attend a yearly seminar. Raelians are much more free to participate in activities that Christians view as forbidden.

But what about the beliefs of Raelism? Many people refer Raelism as “wacky” or “crazy” without really justifying these words. Is Raelism really as “crazy” as many would like us to believe? Let’s see. Raelians believe that humans were created by other humans. This seems quite plausible to me, considering we see humans create other humans, even if by more primitive methods, every day. Our science is improving more and more and it is quite likely that soon we will be able to create life. (I am reminded of an article I read awhile back saying that humans had successfully created one cell organisms in a laboratory. I am unsure of the accuracy of said article, however.) This requires far less imagination to grasp than the tale of some divine being magically creating something out of nothing (that something being the entire universe) in only six days!

If you think I’m being biased, think again. I am a Christian and I believe in Christianity. I just don’t think people should be discriminated against based on their religion, and Raelism actually strikes me as not being wacky or crazy at all.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 2:22 pm. If you enjoyed this post, please consider subscribing to my RSS feed. You can follow any responses to this entry through the comment RSS feed. Please be aware that this post may contain quotes. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.