Editing Raëlism (section)

=== The Elohim on Earth ===
Raëlism teaches that around 25,000 years ago, the Elohim arrived at Earth, and then transformed it so that life could develop thereon. It states that the Elohim used their advanced technology to establish all life on the planet.{{sfnm|1a1=Bozeman|1y=1999|1p=154|2a1=Palmer|2a2=Sentes|2y=2012|2p=171}} Raël characterises humans as "biological robots" that have been created and programmed by the Elohim.{{sfn|Palmer|2014|p=183}} Raëlism teaches that humanity is modelled physically on the Elohim;{{sfnm|1a1=Barker|1y=1989|1p=1989|2a1=Barrett|2y=2001|2p=391|3a1=Grünschloß|3y=2004|3p=432|4a1=Palmer|4y=2004|4p=35}} for practitioners, this is indicated by the passage at [[Book of Genesis|Genesis]] 1:26.{{sfn|Grünschloß|2004|p=432}} Also representing his own interpretation of Genesis, Raël teaches that the Elohim scientist responsible for creating humanity was named [[Yahweh]], and that the first two humans to be created were named [[Adam and Eve]].{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=35}} Raëlians believe that there were originally seven human races, modelling the seven Elohim races, but that the purple, blue, and green races have died out.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=20}} In believing that the human species was created by the Elohim, Raëlians reject [[Darwinian evolution]], and espouse [[creationism]] and [[intelligent design]];{{sfnm|1a1=Chryssides|1y=2003|1p=50|2a1=Palmer|2y=2004|2p=13|3a1=Palmer|3a2=Sentes|3y=2012|3p=172}} Raëlians term their beliefs "scientific creationism".{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|pp=50–51}} Raëlians believe that the Elohim were also created by an earlier species, and they before them, ''ad infinitum''.{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=171}} They believe that the cosmos expands indefinitely, both in time and in space;{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=171}} [[infinity]] is an important concept for them.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=394}}

[[File:Raelians-Japan-Nov2012.jpg|thumb|left|Raëlians promoting their religion on a street in Japan; one is dressed as an alien character mascot.]]

Raëlians believe that accounts of gods in various mythologies around the world are misinterpretations of memories about the Elohim.{{sfnm|1a1=Barrett|1y=2001|1p=392|2a1=Chryssides|2y=2003|2p=51}} The philosophy states that the sacred scriptures of many other religions describe the ongoing activities of the Elohim on Earth.{{sfn|Bozeman|1999|p=154}} For example, the tale of [[Adam and Eve]]'s expulsion from the [[Garden of Eden]], recounted in Genesis, is interpreted as representing humans' difficult transition from the Elohim's laboratories to life on Earth, where they had to become self-sufficient.{{sfn|Bozeman|1999|p=154}} The resurrection of [[Jesus of Nazareth]], as presented in the [[Gospels]], is described as representing how the Elohim cloned Jesus to restore him to life after death.{{sfn|Bozeman|1999|p=154}} References to [[Satan]] are interpreted as referring to the chief of a group on the Elohim's planet who were opposed to genetic experiments on Earth, and who argued that all humans should be killed as a potential threat.{{sfnm|1a1=Lewis|1y=2003|1p=99|2a1=Palmer|2y=2004|2pp=35–36}} According to the Raëlians, the [[Great Flood]] narrative recounts an attempt by the anti-human aliens to wipe-out all humans, but that some humans were rescued by an alien spacecraft which provided the basis for the story of [[Noah's Ark]].{{sfn|Lewis|2003|p=100}}

Various figures who established or inspired religions throughout human history, including Jesus, [[the Buddha]], [[Muhammad]], and [[Joseph Smith]], are portrayed by the Raëlians as having been guided by the Elohim.{{sfn|Bozeman|1999|p=154}} These are characterised as being 39 prophets sent to humanity at various times.{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=51}} Each of them is believed to have revealed information to humanity that they could comprehend at the given time, and Raëlism, therefore, emphasises the idea of progressive truth.{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=51}} Raël claims that he is the fortieth and final prophet of the Elohim,{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=1995|1p=106|2a1=Barrett|2y=2001|2p=392|3a1=Lewis|3y=2003|3p=102|4a1=Grünschloß|4y=2004|4p=432}} sent because the human species is now sufficiently developed to understand the truth about the Elohim.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=391}} He initially claimed that he was chosen for this role because he had a Roman Catholic mother and a Jewish father, and was thus "an ideal link between two very important peoples in the history of the world".{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=390}} He added that he was also selected because he lived in France, which the Elohim considered a more open-minded country than most others.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=390}}

Raël subsequently stated that these prophets are themselves the result of a human mother breeding with an Eloha father,{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=1995|1p=106|2a1=Barrett|2y=2001|2p=392}} with the human mothers having been chosen for the purity of their genetic code, beamed onto an Elohim spacecraft, impregnated, and then returned to Earth with their memory of the event erased.{{sfnm|1a1=Gallagher|1y=2010|1p=21|2a1=Palmer|2a2=Sentes|2y=2012|2p=174}} In his 1979 book, ''Let's Welcome Our Fathers from Space'', Raël added that he was the biological son of the Eloha who he first encountered, Yahweh.{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=1995|1p=125|2a1=Grünschloß|2y=2004|2p=432|3a1=Palmer|3y=2004|3p=31|4a1=Palmer|4a2=Sentes|4y=2012|4p=174}} He noted that Yahweh was also the father of Jesus, making the latter Raël's half-brother.{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=2004|1p=31|2a1=Gallagher|2y=2010|2p=21}} In 2003, Raël publicly identified himself as [[Maitreya]], the prophesied future [[bodhisattva]] of [[Mahayana Buddhism]].{{sfn|Palmer|Sentes|2012|p=175}} He maintains that he continues to be in telepathic contact with the Elohim, hearing Yahweh's voice guiding him in making decisions that affect Raëlianism.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=40}}

The religion also teaches that the Elohim continue to monitor every human individual on Earth, remotely, from their planet.{{sfn|Barrett|2001|p=392}} This is done so that the Elohim can decide which individuals merit being offered the opportunity of eternal life.{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=53}} It argues that the Elohim continue to visit Earth, as evidenced by [[crop circles]], which adherents regard as the landing spaces of the Elohim's spacecraft.{{sfn|Chryssides|2003|p=51}} Raëlians generally understand sightings of [[unidentified flying objects]] (UFOs) as confirmation of their belief in the Elohim, although their opinion of Ufology is ambiguous.{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=1995|1p=128|2a1=Palmer|2y=2004|2p=29}} Raëlians also consider the appearance of "[[Angel hair (folklore)|angel hair]]" as evidence of the Elohim's presence, stating that it has appeared at various Raëlian summer gatherings.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=29}} They typically express scepticism regarding claims by alleged alien contactees other than Raël.{{sfnm|1a1=Palmer|1y=1995|1p=128|2a1=Palmer|2y=2004|2p=29}} Raëlians believe that they are all capable of linking telepathically with the Elohim, but that only Raël is permitted to meet with them physically or receive their revelations.{{sfn|Palmer|2004|p=29}}