Editing Fiat Lux (UFO religion) (section)

== History ==
The 'religious order' of Fiat Lux was founded in 1980 by [[Switzerland|Swiss]]-born Erika Bertschinger-Eicke who adopted the name Uriella as its spiritual leader and [[mediumship|trance medium]]. According to members, Bertschinger receives divine messages from [[Jesus Christ]] as well as [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary, mother of Jesus]].{{sfn|Partridge|2003|p=185}}

The group also believes the [[apocalypse]] is coming, and that [[extraterrestrial life|alien]] ships will arrive to evacuate adherents, followed by the transformation of the earth into a new paradise, called "Amora". According to Bertschinger, the end of the world was due to arrive in 1998, but has since been postponed "due to the immense praying energies of the faithful".{{sfn|Grünschloß|2004|p=425}}

Characterized as a cult,<ref name=DieWelt /><ref name=Blick /><ref name="Dame2001">{{cite book|author=Frederick William Dame|title=History of Switzerland: Modern Switzerland|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1iUkAQAAIAAJ|year=2001|publisher=[[E. Mellen Press]]|isbn=978-0-7734-7250-1}}</ref> Fiat Lux has been estimated to contain an "inner circle" of approximately 135 members in addition to 800 "dedicated followers" and 2000 "sympathizers". Devotees reportedly follow a monastic lifestyle, including scheduled prayer times, the wearing of white ceremonial robes, and adherence to a strict vegetarian diet.{{sfn|Grünschloß|2004|p=425}}{{sfn|Partridge|2003|p=185}}{{sfn|Tumminia|2007|pp=309–310}}

The order's founder, Uriella (born 20 February 1929 in Zurich, Switzerland), died on 24 February 2019.<ref>[https://www.suedkurier.de/region/hochrhein/ibach/Uriella-ist-tot-Sektenfuehrerin-aus-Ibach-stirbt-im-Alter-von-90-Jahren;art372602,10062607 Uriella ist tot: Sektenführerin aus Ibach stirbt im Alter von 90 Jahren] {{in lang|de}}</ref>

According to German newspapers, Bertschinger called for the release of accused pedophile Beat Meier.<ref name=DieWelt>{{cite web|last1=Huwiler|first1=Sira|title=Sektenchefin Uriella fordert, Pädophilen freizulassen (Cult leader Uriella calls to release pedophile)|url=https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article145967829/Sektenchefin-Uriella-fordert-Paedophilen-freizulassen.html|website=[[Die Welt]]|publisher=[[Axel Springer AG]]|accessdate=22 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=Blick>{{cite web|last1=Dammann|first1=Viktor|title=Uriella now defends a Bubenschänder|url=https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.blick.ch/news/schweiz/die-neuste-botschaft-der-sektenfuehrerin-jetzt-verteidigt-uriella-einen-bubenschaender-id4086842.html&usg=ALkJrhj5TrF8T9N2EO7oNOc33k-Ur-PT-Q|website=[[Blick]]|publisher=[[Ringier]]|accessdate=22 November 2015}}</ref>