In 1973, a French motorsports journalist claimed to have been visited by a UFO that revealed to him the secret origins of humanity. For the next half-century, the man known as Raël would go on to create a new faith with tens of thousands of adherents all around the world.

The media have portrayed the Raelians as not just a cult, but a strange phantasmagoria of extraterrestrials, orgies and clones. But its followers insist it is the only true path forward for humanity.

Featured in this episode: Nicole Bertrand, Susan J. Palmer, Harold Henning

To learn more:

Aliens Adored: Raël’s UFO Religion by Susan J. Palmer

The Prophet and the Space Aliens by Yoav Shamir

The UFO sect campaigning against female genital mutilation by Monica Mark in The Guardian

Credits: Arshy Mann (Host and Producer), Jordan Cornish (Producer), Noor Azrieh (Producer), Annette Ejiofor (Managing Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)

Additional music from Audio Network

Sponsors: Douglas, Athletic Greens

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Pathway to Peace • Ps Paul de Jong