Editing Raëlism (section)

== Reception ==

According to sociologist [[Susan J. Palmer]], in society, Raëlism is "universally mocked",{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=15}} and even at conferences of scholars of religion, where individuals are accustomed to studying a diverse range of belief systems, attendees have treated Raëlian beliefs with "incredulity or even mirth".{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=45}} Non-members often regard Raël's claims as a deliberate forgery to fool his followers.{{sfn|Lewis|2014|pp=191–192}} An especially critical reception has come from ex-Raëlians and the [[anti-cult movement]].{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=169}} Jean-Denis Saint-Cyr, a high-ranking member of the Raëlian movement, for example, accused Raël of plagiarizing the earlier writings of Sendy in creating his religion.{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=169}} Another prominent apostate, namely the Quebecois Erick Lamarche, who calls himself "Exraël", quit while claiming that too much money was being donated to Raël and the senior members so that they could have luxurious lifestyles.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|pp=171–175}} Critics repeatedly drew comparisons between Raëlism and national-socialism, because of the former's promotion of a governance system wherein people are graded by their intelligence,{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=59}} its emphasis upon genetic engineering,{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=59}} and its use of the swastika.{{sfn|Palmer|1995|p=127}}

[[File:Regenbogenparade 2013 Wien (106) (9049171467).jpg|thumb|left|A group of Raëlians protesting for gay rights in [[Vienna]], Austria]]

Raëlism has undergone academic research from scholars of religion, especially from Palmer, who first encountered the religion in Montreal in 1987.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=1}} She initially thought that she "had never encountered an NRM that was so cooperative, that actually liked being studied".{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=2}} Between 2002 and 2003, Palmer was blacklisted by the group; they banned her from their meetings and told her that she had lost the opportunity to meet the Elohim when they arrive.{{sfn|Palmer|2014|pp=186–187}} Palmer then drew upon both her interviews with active members and Raël's publications for her 2004 book on Raëlism: ''[[Aliens Adored]]''.{{sfn|Palmer|2014|p=187}}

Palmer stated that journalists that she had encountered were often "fishing" for "bad things" to say about the Raëlians.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=6}} Many journalists sought to portray Raël as a danger to his followers, akin to [[David Koresh]] or [[Jim Jones]], although Palmer thought this to be "ludicrous", stating that Raël was "not prone to violence".{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=49}} Journalists also sought to present him as someone who sexually exploited his female members, which again Palmer found no evidence for.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=42}} Following statements that the Order of Raël's Angels would do anything for Raël, there was also press speculation that the group would engage in mass-suicide akin to that of the [[Order of the Solar Temple]].{{sfn|Palmer|2014|p=203}} Palmer argued that the Raëlians lacked the paranoid mentality and demonization of the outside world that had been common to new religious movements that had killed people.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=158}}