'God is a Myth!' Raelian Movement Launches Atheistic Campaign

[salvorhardin]

Think all atheists are rationalists or that rationalism necessarily leads to atheism?

The International Raelian Movement (www.rael.org) has just launched the next phase of its atheistic campaign by purchasing very high profile billboard space on the busy I-15 southbound freeway in Las Vegas. Each month for the next six months, hundreds of thousands of people will see the huge "GOD IS A MYTH" message while commuting or visiting the city.

Ricky Roehr, leader for the North American Raelian Movement, explained why the Raelians plan to make this huge public statement that will possibly upset so many Christians and members of other religious faiths.

"If you drive the freeway between Vegas and Los Angeles, you'll see several signs warning drivers to follow the Bible or else face eternal hell," he said. "Those signs are designed to make viewers feel fear and guilt. We want to counterbalance that fear by letting them know there is no God or Devil. There's no need to live in fear. We should enjoy our precious lives to the fullest while of course giving love all around us. Surely that's a message even Christians recognize as one that Jesus taught. But, whether the source is the Bible, the Koran, or Greek or Roman mythology, all gods are myths, just as there's no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny etc. What there are, however, are human beings who were advanced scientists who created all forms of life, known as the Elohim. You can read about them in the oldest versions of the Bible, and the oldest versions are always the less polluted versions."

Roehr said the Raelian explanation about the extraterrestrial origin of life has become even more popular in the United States after the History Channel's "Ancient Astronauts" series presented evidence of this advanced race's interaction with us thousands of years ago.

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/god-is-a-myth-raelian-movement-launches-atheistic-campaign-117087438.html

Note: That is from a press release put out by the Raelians, who believe that "...life on Earth was scientifically created by a species of extraterrestrials, which they call the Elohim. Members of this species appeared human and when having personal contacts with the descendants of the humans they made, they were mistaken for angels, cherubim or gods. Raëlians believe messengers, or prophets, of the Elohim include Buddha, Jesus, and many others who informed humans of each era. The founder of Raëlism, members claim, received the final message of the Elohim and that its purpose is to pacify and inform the world about Elohim and that if humans become peaceful enough, they wish to be welcomed by them." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra%C3%ABlism)

[Ian David]

1. Raelians launch atheist billboard campaign

Raelians launch atheist billboard campaign
* March 1st, 2011 4:23 pm ET

A new atheist billboard campaign in Las Vegas is causing some attentions. The billboard states, “God is a Myth.” The good news is that God is a myth. The bad news... at least for the group who is responsible for putting up this new billboard is that Rael is a fraud.

The Raelian religion is basically a poor person’s Scientology complete with aliens and a self-help guide for life. Founded by Claude Vorilhon who now calls himself Rael, the religion is known for their use of various publicity stunts to gain attention. Every now and then they actually get it.

This time, the Raelian Movement is trying to use the success of the American Atheist billboard campaign and that of other atheist billboard campaigns to gain media attention. While atheists tend to agree with the message of this new billboard, the modern atheist community tends to distance ourselves from crazy alien-based religions.

Even though the only requirement for atheism is a lack of belief in deities, the modern atheistic community tends to embrace values of humanism, freethought, science, and skepticism. The Raelians don’t share many of those values.

More:
http://www.examiner.com/atheism-in-philadelphia/raelians-launch-atheist-billboard-campaign

Still, of all the cults out there, I think the Raelians are probably the most fun, and seem to have a lot of sex.

[salvorhardin]

2. Haha! Great minds think alike!

I was going to say something about Raelians and sex but then thought better of it.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. As PZ Myers says:

Yes, Virginia, atheist creationists do exist. And they're just as insane as the religious kind.

[trotsky]

4. The difference is, our creationist weirdos are a rare exception.

Rather than a majority. (At least here in the USA!)