Queer Jesus, straight angels: Complicating 'sexuality' and 'religion' in the International Raelian Movement

Abstract

This article highlights the central role of sexuality and the body within the International Raëlian Movement. The world's largest UFO-inspired New Religious Movement, the Raëlian Movement rejects theism and understands higher spiritual awareness to be dependent upon individual and communal sexual identity. Through a process called Sensual Meditation, Raëlians believe that harmony and peace may be facilitated, a view which also underpins their increasing profile of social campaigns and public protests centred upon rights for diverse adult sexualities. It will be argued, however, that Raëlian views of sexuality, although internally viewed as radical and subversive, are in fact predominantly heteronormative.