New religious movements and science: Rael's progressive patronizing parasitism
Author
Summary, in English
The article examines the concoction of religion and science contained in the revelation that substantiates a new religion: Raelianism, founded and led by the prophet Claude Vorilhon/Rael after having received a revelation in 1974. After a detailed examination both of Rael's prophetic message and his/the Raelians' interpretative practices, an ad hoc model is presented to describe such concoction (progressive patronizing parasitism), and it is compared to other models. It is in particular claimed that Rael, while seemingly talking about science, is actually constructing a science-fictional and even pseudoscientific narrative. The article finally raises the question whether the discussion of the science-religion interaction from the viewpoint of traditional religions can be considered to be immune to the usage of such rhetorical devices.
Department/s
Publishing year
2015
Language
English
Pages
64-83
Publication/Series
Zygon
Volume
50
Issue
1
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
Topic
- Other Social Sciences
Keywords
- new religious movements
- pseudoscience
- Rael
- Raelianism
- science
- fiction
- UFO religions
- Claude Vorilhon
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 0591-2385