Essay · Dec 29, 2025 · By Joseph W Samarneh
Raelism isn’t “canon doctrine”—it’s a narrative device
If you treat Gorillaz like a traditional fantasy universe, you’ll look for “official rules.”
But Gorillaz often works like collage: themes repeat, visuals rhyme, characters perform—then the story shifts.
“Raelism” is best read as a device, not a rulebook.
1) A useful test: does it behave like a doctrine?
Doctrines tend to be consistent: named leaders, stable beliefs, internal logic.
Gorillaz references feel more like signals—they point to cult structure (charisma, salvation, submission) rather than defining theology.
2) What stays consistent across eras
- Promise: “There’s an answer above you.”
- Intermediary: a figure (often Murdoc-coded) who claims access.
- Audience: people who want relief from ambiguity.
- Costume: aliens/occult in one era, consumer worship in another.
3) How to write about it responsibly
- Label interpretations as interpretations.
- Prefer “this suggests” over “this proves.”
- Avoid making real-world accusations or conspiratorial leaps.
- Keep the focus on the text (lyrics, visuals, official lore drops).
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