MARICOURT, Que. -- Sun Media reporterBrigitte
Mccann and photographer Chantal Poirier infiltrated
the Raelians over a nine-month period and have put to
paper the inside story of this bizarre sect
- - -
Saying he works for free, the man known to his followers as Rael
takes advantage of the annual "awakening" seminar staged in Maricourt to empty his disciples' pockets.
On Thursday, July 17, we witnessed a talent show attended by roughly 400 Raelians. The show turned into an auction intended to help Rael in his mission.
On the large stage, three photos taken by the 57-year-old guru are put up for
auction.
The subject: Sophie Lemieux, his Raelian
wife of 28 years, appearing topless in suggestive poses.
NO SALARY
Followers are expected to spare no expense for their prophet.
"He has no salary, you know," seminar leader Gerard Jeandupeux repeats to the crowd.
Following a short succession of bids, a journalist for the movement's magazine
purchases the first photograph for $900.
Far from happy, the leader urges followers to show more generosity, reminding
them their prophet did not ask to be vested with such an important mission.
His message is heard loud and clear. One of Rael's volunteer
bodyguards purchases the second photo, presenting a generous view of Sophie's
breasts, for $3,300!
His expression speaks volumes on the hole in his budget.
After a battle of bids between three Raelians, the
third photo is finally swept up for $5,000.
According to Rael, it was acquired by a guide with
cancer who doctors say has only six months to live. Rael
has just raked in $9,200 in a half-hour.
A week later, Raelian guide Nicole Bertrand, a close
friend of the prophet, bluntly requests that the followers offer "love
notes" to "take care" of their guru.
"Loving is giving and expecting nothing in return," she says.
"You will be given the opportunity to show him how much you appreciate
him, to treat him without expecting anything in return. Money is love, if
that's what you do with it."
Her message targets everyone, no exceptions.
"Every one of you will have the opportunity to show, to the extent of your
capabilities, how much you love him," she insists.
"These are love notes, don't you ever forget it, every time you offer a
100-dollar bill."
The members must place the money in straw hats held out by Rael's
Angels, pretty young women at his service. Escaping is impossible -- at least
two scantily-clad Angels are posted at every exit.
Claude Vorilhon (Rael) can
claim high and low that the media attention created by human cloning has
brought him a multitude of new disciples, but contributions to his cult are
down.
Vorilhon admitted that fact himself, behind closed
doors, during a presentation of the movement's financial statements for year 57
of the Raelian calendar, which stretches from July 1,
2002, to June 30, 2003.
"Put your pens and paper away!" Rael cries
to the assembly.
"None of what you will hear must leave this room."
The movement's annual dues collected worldwide are established at $1.8 million,
which represents an 11% drop compared to the preceding year.
"But it doesn't matter," the guru adds hastily before changing the
subject.
$13M IN ASSETS
Asian countries alone have apparently contributed $600,000, 27% less than the
year before.
One Japanese woman donated $57,000.
Canada ranks among the 10 most generous countries, with donations of $202,000,
offered in large part by Quebec members, Vorilhon
says.
The U.S. ($105,000), Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, and France are also
included on the Top-10 list.
The guru contends that the movement pocketed a 20% profit on its investments in
the stock market.
He mentions an amount of $13 million "in assets."