Description
Book SynopsisAn in-depth look at the Raelian movement, founded in the 1970s by Rael, born in France as Claude Vorilhon. It traces Rael's philosophy and the formation of the Raelian subculture - radical sexual ethics, gnostic anthropocentricism, and ecotheology, showing how our worldviews have been shaped by globalization, postmodernism, and secular humanism.
Trade ReviewSkillfully weaving together engaging narrative and careful sociological analysis, Susan Palmer has written a ground-breaking study that will be the benchmark for all future studies of alternative religions. -- James R. Lewis * general editor of The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements and author of L *
Susan Palmer has an extraordinary ability to probe beyond stereotypes and understand unconventional religious and social movements. Her latest book admirably combines rigorous scholarship and honest empathy in depicting one of the most poorly understood movements of our time. -- Timothy Miller * University of Kansas *
Drawing on interviews, participant-observer accounts of Raelian meetings and analyses of the movement's increasingly sophisticated public relations outreach, Palmer profiles a fascinating new religion still struggling to define itself. Her tone is sometimes admiring, sometimes critical, and always intrigued. * Publishers Weekly *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: How I researched the Raelians
Contactee prophets in the history of UFOlogy
The last and fastest prophet
On how to construct a new religion
Mutating the millennium
A visit to the court of Raël
Sexy angels for amorous aliens
"Enemies within!"
Cloning around-hoax or heresy?
"Science is our religion."
