The Wild, Wonderful & Wacky: A Look into Oregon’s Cult History
Oregon, a place we locals affectionately refer to as the “Pacific Wonderland”, is famous for its stunning vistas, moody coastal landscapes, and outstanding microbreweries. And most Oregonians are happy to rave about our forest hikes, the Crater Lake, our Tillamook cheese, and even the legendary Powell’s bookstore. But stray off these well-trodden paths, and you’ll find a less talked-about piece of Oregon’s tapestry – its compelling history with cults. Yes, local folks, we had and still have, our fair share of unorthodox spiritual and communal movements that have stirred more than rainclouds over Mount Hood.
Of Sannyasins and Salad Bars: The Rajneesh Movement
Probably the most well-known chapter in Oregon’s spiritual and communal history is the story of the Rajneeshees. In 1981, the group moved from India and established their dream utopia – Rajneeshpuram – amongst the wild sagebrush and juniper trees around Antelope, a little eastern Oregon outpost. Their crimson-robed leader Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh had a peculiar love for Rolls Royces, of which he possessed 93.
Their story seems like it’s straight out a novel. The commune followers, or ‘sannyasins,’ constructed an impressive city virtually from scratch, which is no easy feat given Oregon’s wilderness and rugged terrain. They had their functioning airport, water treatment, and electricity plants – all self-sustaining, just like a typical Oregonian’s backyard garden.
The saga of the Rajneeshees includes some dramatic turns of events that still emit shockwaves through our local communities. One fascinating twist was a scandal involving contaminated salad bars in The Dalles, just a stone throw away from the iconic Columbia River Gorge. To consolidate political control over Wasco County, the Rajneeshees executed the most notorious instance of bioterrorism in U.S. History, known locally as the “Biggest. Salad. Mix-up. Ever.” They intentionally contaminated local salad bars with salmonella, causing widespread illness.
The Eccentric Church of Eternal Life
A little deeper into the western Oregon woodlands, the Church of the Eternal Life gained followers in the late 70s. Back then, they captured the imagination of the locals with their fascinating spin on immortality. This cult was less ominous than our friends the Rajneeshees and had a proclivity for anything that lasted forever. Picture this: your Voodoo Doughnut maple bar never finishing, kind of forever!
Members of the Church believed that through achieving cosmic consciousness, their lives could be eternally blissful. Though they disbanded by the mid-80s, pieces of their history still echo in the corridors of our local fairs and community centers, blending into the intricate fabric that is uniquely Oregon’s.
Guarding against Deception: The Guards of Mt. St. Elias
While controversial history might seem relegated to the past, in the heart of Lane County, near the beautiful McKenzie River, lays the Guards of Mt. St. Elias, a monastic community in the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Secluded within the beautiful evergreens, many Oregonians have mixed feelings about the monastery. True, they are no Rajneeshees. But controversy regarding complete isolation and excessively orthodox practices have led to suburban legends like the “Lane County Hide-and-Seek Champions.”
In Wrapping-up
Reflecting Oregon’s pioneering spirit of exploration and freedom, most of these groups came in pursuit of spiritual or lifestyle liberation. While the consequences of their chosen paths have yielded mixed results and have sometimes been more than just a bit quirky, they’ve undeniably added a distinctive flavor to Oregon’s character, which we sometimes forget to appreciate.
Oregon, as you and I know it, pals, is a microcosm of culture, natural beauty, and incredible history. While we tend to talk about our state’s more mainstream highlights, such as Multnomah Falls or our famous Oregon State Beavers, I invite you – next time you’re sipping on a cup of Stumptown Coffee, or maybe sharing a pint of Deschutes Brewery’s best – to share a thrilling tale or two about Oregon’s wild, wonderful, and occasionally wacky side. After all, that’s all part of the magic that keeps us calling Oregon home, right folks?