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The Raëlian Embassy for Extraterrestrials is the vision of the International Raëlian Movement to establish an embassy, at a base cost of $20 million, with a landing pad that would serve as spaceport for extraterrestrial spaceships. The funding of the embassy has been reported over time by the media.^[1][2][3] Its location is intended to be in neutral territory, preferably Jerusalem, and would be surrounded by acres of campground capable of supporting about 144,000 people^[4] or more than twice the estimated Raëlian membership as of 2005.^[5] The deadline set for the building's completion is 2035.^[2]

[edit] Religious purpose

Raëlians believe that life on earth—as well as many religions of the world—was the work of extraterrestrial influence. They believe these were scientists and that ancient people saw them as "gods" and gave the name "Elohim".^[6][7] Raëlians believe that the Embassy for Extraterrestrials or "Third Temple"^[8][9][10] is to support an official contact with Extraterrestrial Elohim and their messengers of the main religions at the "New Jerusalem".^[8][11]

[edit] Funding

In April 16, 1987, the Chicago Sun-Times estimated the funding for the "cosmic kibbutz" at $1 million.^[1] In 1997-1998, the funding had risen to $7 million.^[2][12][13] By 2001, $9 million had been saved for the embassy,^[14] and in October, the funding had reached $20 million.^[3]

[edit] Controversy

Tent version of the Embassy for Extraterrestrial Elohim for use in a Raëlian seminar in Colombia, South America (1/4th the width, 1/4th the length, and half the height of the proposed embassy)

[edit] Israel

In February 1991, the Raëlian Church modified their symbol to remove the swastika to help in negotiations with building the "Third Temple of Israel". The official reason given was a telepathic request from extraterrestrials called Elohim to change the symbol in order to help in negotiations with Israel for the building of a Raëlian "embassy" or "third temple of Israel" to greet the anticipated coming of extraterrestrials and founders of past religions, although the country still denies their request.^[15]

[edit] Lebanon

In 2005, the Israeli Raëlian Guide Kobi Drori stated that the Lebanese government was discussing proposals by the Raëlian movement to build their "interplanetary embassy" in Lebanon. However, one condition was that the Raëlians did not display their logo on top of the building because it mixes a swastika and a Star of David. According to Drori, the Raëlians involved declined this offer, as they wished to keep the symbol as is.^[5]

[edit] Architecture and land

International Raëlian Movement envisions having an entrance with an aseptic chamber leading to a conference room for twenty-one people as well as a dining room of the same capacity.^[16] In the plan are seven rooms for the purpose of receiving human guests into the embassy. The embassy building, along with the swimming pool, would be in the center of a large park and protected from trespassing by a wall−a maximum of two stories-to surround the entire complex's circumference. Trees and bushes are to be planted in the outskirts of the wall's area. The walls are to have a northern and southern entrance. The landing pad for the embassy should be able fit a spaceship of twelve meters of diameter or 39'4" on its terrace. The terrace is to be above the rooms in the torus, which are for extraterrestrials only. The seven rooms directly underneath the landing pad would be protected from occupants of other rooms with a thick metal door. Finally, the International Raëlian Movement wants to avoid military and radar surveillance of the airspace above the embassy. Buildings for administration, food and water provisions, and state-of-the-art sanitation and communication systems are part of this vision.^[16] A nearby replica of the Raëlian Embassy for Extraterrestrials open to the public is expected to show visitors what it is like inside the real one.^[6]

In December 13, 1997, the leader of the International Raëlian Movement had decided to extend the possibility of building the embassy outside of Jerusalem and also allow that a significant portion of the embassy property be covered with water. The area of the proposed embassy property is still envisioned at a minimum of 3.47 square kilometers, with a radius of at least 1.05 kilometers.^[17]

[edit] See also

• Raelian Foundation

[edit] Notes

[edit] Cited texts

• Palmer, Susan J. Aliens Adored. Rutgers University Press, 2004. ISBN 0813534763.

[edit] References

• Raël, Intelligent Design. Nova Distribution, 2006. ISBN 2940252203.

[edit] External links

• http://www.elohimembassy.org/ - Official website for the proposed embassy
• http://www.maitreya.co.kr/embassy/embassy1.htm - Computer renderings of the Raëlian Embassy for Extraterrestrials
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