Monday, March 21, 2011

‘God is a Myth!’ Raelian Movement launches atheistic campaign

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.

“Making people live in fear not only greatly diminishes the quality of life; it facilitates intolerance and hate,” Roehr said. “But religious leaders know that fearful masses are much easier to control. Humanity is paying a huge penalty for all this fear because when people live in fear, all higher thinking like love and compassion shuts down. That’s why violence continues on Earth, and this is why we cannot stay silent like most atheists do when we see god believers maintaining people in fear and promoting their scriptures full of hatred and encouraging so many crimes.”

Raelians are conducting their annual Happiness Academy (seminar) in Las Vegas from March 27 to April 2 at the Alexis Park Hotel. Raelian seminars are known for teaching tools for attaining happiness and for promoting hedonistic values, science and art. ...

via Raelian Press Site: ‘God is a Myth!’ Raelian Movement launches atheistic campaign.

I don't know what the Raelians teach, but be aware that there are different "hedonistic values". The one I like is the modern utilitarian hedonism where you perform whichever action maximizes the aggregate good.  This does not mean living selfishly only for the moment.  If your personal goal is to maximize long term happiness, the Golden Rule still applies: Treat other people the way you want to be treated.

In the movie "Paul" which I saw last night, there is a funny depiction of a religious person going wild after realizing that God is a myth.

11 comments:

Cheng said...

Always a myth....never a mythus.

arjay001 said...

I bet this comes down or is destroyed very soon.

oliver stieber said...

God is a metaphor... well the Christian one.

"This does not mean living selfishly only for the moment."
hmm... the other take on that is live each day like it is your last... I think many people would choose to make amends for the wrongs they have done... even Catholics.

Religion is the Myth if ever their is one, Religion doesn't mean theism it's a way of life and mostly seems to be a mixture of law, social reform and rebellion (out with the old, in with the new testament) and what they now call counciling and cognitive behavioural therapy.

oliver stieber said...

"Treat other people the way you want to be treated."... hmmm.... that's silly... you should treat other people the way that they want to be treated... I would not treat other people like I treat myself nor want them to treat me like they treat themselves, or other people for that matter or how they would want to be treated... The way I want to be treated depends on the person who is treating me for a start.

Xeno said...

Good point! But many times how you would like to be treated is the best available approximation of how the other person would like to be treated.

Litestyle0o said...

I think religion is like looking at the of the ocean from a helicopter. All you see is the surface. To truly understand spirituality you have to step out of your comfort zone (heli) & explore first hand the limitless world deep within us all.

Xeno said...

By what device will you tell fact from fantasy during your inner journey?

Xeno said...

I think Paul the alien would say, "Whatever, dude". Are you qualified to say the tooth fairy is a myth? I think you are. Imaginary friends can be all kinds of fun. Knock yourself out. I'm thinking about getting some myself. In fact, to help me out, could you please tell me what size your god is? What color hair does your god have? What does your god wear when going to the movies? How fast can he/she/it run? Also, please describe any special magnificent or horrific jewelry, vehicles or weapons your god has. I may want to add some of your god's traits to the one I'm building. Thank you for your help.

Sam said...

"and remember when you think you are right you stop learning."

That's why I'm a scientist and not a "believer."

sulochanosho said...

Yes, God is fraud!

Setsuka said...

"Elohim" is Ancient Hebrew for "Gods" and is used a lot in the Torah (and some traditional prayers) as a name for "God".

Wait a second. Could this be a reference to the two deities the ancient Israelites may have worshipped? Cool!