Editing Raëlism (section)

=== Seminars ===
[[File:Raelian war protest.JPG|thumb|A Raëlian protest sign is raised at a political rally which demands the return of U.S. troops from foreign military engagements.]]

The Raëlian Church holds week-long summer seminars called "Stages of Awakening".{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=2004|1p=61|2a1=Palmer|2a2=Sentes|2y=2012|2p=176}}<ref name="The Sexual Messiah">[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/r12.html The Sexual Messiah], ''[[National Post]]''. 7 August 1999. Retrieved 3 June 2007.</ref> These involve daily lectures by Raël, sensual meditation sessions, periods of fasting and feasting, testimonials, and various alternative therapies.{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=176}} Activities that have attracted press attention have included dressing in the clothes of the opposite gender as part of an exercise to play with the fluidity of gender expression,{{sfn|Palmer|1995|p=115}}<ref name="'Sensual seminars' and flying saucers"/> and observing one's own genitals and masturbating.<ref name="'GET UNDRESSED">{{cite news |last= McCann |first= Brigittee |url= http://www.calgarysun.com/perl-bin/niveau2.cgi?s=Lifestyles&p=78811.html&a=1 |title= Get undressed | date=9 October 2003 |newspaper= [[Calgary Sun]] |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20061116014124/http://www.calgarysun.com/perl-bin/niveau2.cgi?s=Lifestyles&amp;p=78811.html&amp;a=1 |archive-date= 16 November 2006}}</ref>

Raëlians use these seminars as an opportunity to form friendships or sexual relationships.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=61}} Attendees wear white togas with name tags.{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=176}} In 1991, a French journalist attended a seminar, and taped couples having sexual intercourse in tents, something which was then much-publicized.<ref name="SusanJPalmer">Susan J. Palmer, [http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/csrpl/RINVol4No2/Rael.htm ''The Rael Deal''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050615085304/http://www.trincoll.edu/depts/csrpl/RINVol4No2/Rael.htm |date=15 June 2005 }}, ''Religion in the News'', Summer 2001, Vol. 4, No. 2.</ref>
Following these seminars, a second seminar, this time restricted to members of the Structure, takes place.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=61}}