Wild Wild Country Doc

[airdvr 200]

Fascinating doc on Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and his founding of a city in Oregon. I was a toad learning how not to bounce when this was happening. I don't recall this story.

https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/03/wild-wild-country-the-mindboggling-story-of-the-cult-next-door/555791/

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[ryoder 1,400]

I recall occasionally seeing news items about it.
On one occasion it was a local who had found the cult leader in his Rolls Royce, stuck in a ditch.
The local pulled the car out of the ditch, and through the whole endeavor, the leader refused to speak or even look at the local who was helping him.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[wolfriverjoe 1,351]

The "Bio-Terrorism" story is both interesting and VERY disturbing.

Short version - They wanted to stack the elections and take over the politics of the local town. So they spiked the local restaurant with salmonella. The idea was to make everyone sick, so the cult members would be the only ones voting.

It didn't work.

Wiki Clicky

The footnotes in the Wiki article note a Nova episode on it. I've seen a documentary on the incident somewhere, but it could have been a different one.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[JerryBaumchen 1,066]

Hi Joe,

Quote

a documentary

Oregon Public Broadcasting did one: https://www.opb.org/television/programs/oregonexperience/episodes/701/

Jerry Baumchen

[RonD1120 58]

Jim Arender, former S&A world champion, took me to see a documentary on Bhagwan at an art theater in Santa Fe NM, December 1979. Having been exposed to Yogi Bhajan and his Healthy, Happy, Holy organization; Baba Ram Dass (AKA Richard Alpert) and his Llama Foundation; I considered Rajneesh just another New Ager. The current documentary is amazing as to how they grew and what they did.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[RonD1120 58]

We just finished watching the documentary. I see some similarity with my living situation now.

My wife and I decided to relocate to a safer Christian environment, somewhat of an enclave. We are surrounded by like minded people and we are more comfortable here. Some of the outsiders, here on at the SC don't like our choice.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[wmw999 2,149]

The problem isn't with deciding to live where you're comfortable, and surrounded by like minds. The problem is with assuming that your enclave represents the real America. There's a reason it's called an enclave.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[airdvr 200]

After watching the complete series I'm torn between the idea that the Bhagwan's vision was corrupted by Sheela, or his vision was a scam from the beginning. Many leaders, religious or otherwise make great strides promising it to those who believe they don't have it.

I think, more than anything they allowed the authorities to get involved when they failed to separate church and state.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[jcd11235 0]

wmw999

The problem is with assuming that your enclave represents the real America.

I've found that people (Americans) are reluctant to accept that their personal experiences do not provide a representative view of "real America".

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[wolfriverjoe 1,351]

RonD1120

We just finished watching the documentary. I see some similarity with my living situation now.

My wife and I decided to relocate to a safer Christian environment, somewhat of an enclave. We are surrounded by like minded people and we are more comfortable here. Some of the outsiders, here on at the SC don't like our choice.

wmw999

The problem isn't with deciding to live where you're comfortable, and surrounded by like minds. The problem is with assuming that your enclave represents the real America. There's a reason it's called an enclave.

Wendy P.

The other problem is that in such an insular situation, it's easy to ignore the fact that other people's point of view has any validity.

My biggest problem with Ron isn't his choice of living situation.

It's his repeated assertion that people who don't think, believe, act or look like he does are the "enemy."
They are also Americans and have the same rights, responsibilities and privileges that he does. He seems to ignore that.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[RonD1120 58]

wmw999

The problem isn't with deciding to live where you're comfortable, and surrounded by like minds. The problem is with assuming that your enclave represents the real America. There's a reason it's called an enclave.

Wendy P.

I believe our area is best termed a hopeful America. We all know what the real America is. It doesn't look good and that is why we are banding together.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[RonD1120 58]

wolfriverjoe

[My biggest problem with Ron isn't his choice of living situation.

It's his repeated assertion that people who don't think, believe, act or look like he does are the "enemy."
They are also Americans and have the same rights, responsibilities and privileges that he does. He seems to ignore that.

I do not ignore that or disagree with you at that point. They represent the spiritual enemy. Remember, we do not struggle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in the heavenly realms.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[wmw999 2,149]

So is the real America defined by the people, or only by some people? If some, why? And who?

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[wolfriverjoe 1,351]

wmw999

So is the real America defined by the people, or only by some people? If some, why? And who?

Wendy P.

Well, some people think that they get to define what a "real American" is. Not too surprisingly, it's someone just like them.

And usually because of some self-defined 'moral superiority' they claim to have.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[JerryBaumchen 1,066]

Hi Ron,

Quote

I believe our area is best termed a hopeful America.

The Rajneeshees also did.

Jerry Baumchen

[RonD1120 58]

wmw999

So is the real America defined by the people, or only by some people? If some, why? And who?

Wendy P.

I don't know anymore. Our society is drugged, either with Rx or street varieties. We fight for the right to kill our unborn babies instead fighting to be good parents. We have thousands of individuals that can't tell if they are male or female. We want to open our borders to murderers, terrorists and freeloaders. We are insanely driven to earn so much money that money doesn't matter anymore. Our heroes are Hollywood phonies that became celebrities playing characters other than themselves. Our education system is teaching our children that America is evil and has always been evil. We believe that lying, cheating and stealing is OK if you don't get caught. We have desensitized human life through porn, video games and entertainment.

That is why we live where we are. We believe America is about to crash like a 30 day meth run. The insanity cannot continue at this pace with all these negative factors.

The only concerns seem to be that President Trump screwed a porn star, talks to Putin and we must take guns away from law abiding citizens because criminals and insane people have guns.

Liberalism is a mental disorder and we will destroy our country with its acceptance.

Last Days? SHTF? Invasion by China, Russia, N. Korea, Iran they all seem possible? Another civil war?

America has lost its moral compass. The great experiment is coming to an end.

We are raising our children here to be Christians and trust in the Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to maintain a relationship with our creator and heavenly Father. Why? Because faith in God is consistent and everything else FUBAR.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[DanG 1]

I genuinely feel sorry for you.

It's really not that bad out here in the real America. It's actually pretty darn good. Better than it ever has been, in fact.

I'm sorry that you can't see that.

- Dan G

[pchapman 262]

RonD1120

I don't know anymore. Our society is drugged,

Nice to see the viewpoint of someone "on the other side", to help understand where your concerns are. Unlike one other right wing poster who often just makes one-liner contrarian replies, you're actually listing some of the issues that you see.

I don't have the time right now to debate all the issues you brought up.

I'll weigh in on the killing unborn babies thing though:
I was listening to the memoirs of a retired western-US homicide detective, who one would expect to be somewhat on the side of law & order. He said those opposing abortion should meet all the unwanted children he saw over his career, all the ones who weren't provided for, were neglected, beaten, or otherwise abused...

One can fight for good parenting at the same time as supporting abortion. There doesn't have to be just one tool to fix a problem.

In general about your answer:
I don't see how all those problems of society - real or perceived - somehow accrue to liberalism.

It's not like there's some liberal manifesto saying that stealing is OK if you aren't caught or that one should focus on money above all else. (Wait, isn't that what we liberals think is in the too-far-right manifesto??) It's not like it was only under Democratic presidents that there was excessive interest in Hollywood celebrity, or that it was pinko liberals who legalized violent video games....

[jcd11235 0]

RonD1120

Our society is drugged, either with Rx or street varieties.

That's nothing new, it was that way before the ratification of the Constitution, at least.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[JoeWeber 2,326]

RonD1120

***So is the real America defined by the people, or only by some people? If some, why? And who?

Wendy P.

I don't know anymore. Our society is drugged, either with Rx or street varieties. We fight for the right to kill our unborn babies instead fighting to be good parents. We have thousands of individuals that can't tell if they are male or female. We want to open our borders to murderers, terrorists and freeloaders. We are insanely driven to earn so much money that money doesn't matter anymore. Our heroes are Hollywood phonies that became celebrities playing characters other than themselves. Our education system is teaching our children that America is evil and has always been evil. We believe that lying, cheating and stealing is OK if you don't get caught. We have desensitized human life through porn, video games and entertainment.

That is why we live where we are. We believe America is about to crash like a 30 day meth run. The insanity cannot continue at this pace with all these negative factors.

The only concerns seem to be that President Trump screwed a porn star, talks to Putin and we must take guns away from law abiding citizens because criminals and insane people have guns.

Liberalism is a mental disorder and we will destroy our country with its acceptance.

Last Days? SHTF? Invasion by China, Russia, N. Korea, Iran they all seem possible? Another civil war?

America has lost its moral compass. The great experiment is coming to an end.

We are raising our children here to be Christians and trust in the Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to maintain a relationship with our creator and heavenly Father. Why? Because faith in God is consistent and everything else FUBAR.

Ron,

You need help. Seriously. It's hard to accept that the demons aren't really there. But if you truly do have training in the field then you know that's the most difficult thing to convey.

Give it a try, you've nothing to lose and will have a lot of support if you do.

Joe

[RonD1120 58]

DanG

I genuinely feel sorry for you.

It's really not that bad out here in the real America. It's actually pretty darn good. Better than it ever has been, in fact.

I'm sorry that you can't see that.

If you, a generalization, were born in the '60s or '70s, it was a time of chaos. As such you see chaos as normal and you seek to find a place in the chaos not fix it.

Most people accomplish that goal but in the process they only add to the growing chaos.

My job was to assist individuals who could not make sense of the chaos find a place of comfort and relative peace of mind in order to survive and stay out of jail, mental institutions or the grave.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[RonD1120 58]

pchapman

***
I don't know anymore. Our society is drugged,

Nice to see the viewpoint of someone "on the other side", to help understand where your concerns are. Unlike one other right wing poster who often just makes one-liner contrarian replies, you're actually listing some of the issues that you see.

I don't have the time right now to debate all the issues you brought up.

I'll weigh in on the killing unborn babies thing though:
I was listening to the memoirs of a retired western-US homicide detective, who one would expect to be somewhat on the side of law & order. He said those opposing abortion should meet all the unwanted children he saw over his career, all the ones who weren't provided for, were neglected, beaten, or otherwise abused...

One can fight for good parenting at the same time as supporting abortion. There doesn't have to be just one tool to fix a problem.

In general about your answer:
I don't see how all those problems of society - real or perceived - somehow accrue to liberalism.

It's not like there's some liberal manifesto saying that stealing is OK if you aren't caught or that one should focus on money above all else. (Wait, isn't that what we liberals think is in the too-far-right manifesto??) It's not like it was only under Democratic presidents that there was excessive interest in Hollywood celebrity, or that it was pinko liberals who legalized violent video games....

It is not just one issue or another, it is a degradation of our culture. It is not simply Democrats or Republicans. It is in general liberalism.

Liberalism is a philosophy of acceptance not of solution. Thus our thinking is in a downward spiral. The spiral gets tighter, our thinking becomes linear and myopic. Our revolutions downward are gaining speed.

Even so, Lord Jesus come.

1 Corinthians 3:3 New International Version (NIV)

3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

Galatians 5:16 New International Version (NIV)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[DanG 1]

It has always been a time of chaos. Everywhere. That is the human condition.

Blaming my world outlook on when I was born doesn't make any sense. I am the same age (roughly) as Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio. Why are their worldviews so different from mine?

- Dan G

[RonD1120 58]

JoeWeber

******So is the real America defined by the people, or only by some people? If some, why? And who?

Wendy P.

I don't know anymore. Our society is drugged, either with Rx or street varieties. We fight for the right to kill our unborn babies instead fighting to be good parents. We have thousands of individuals that can't tell if they are male or female. We want to open our borders to murderers, terrorists and freeloaders. We are insanely driven to earn so much money that money doesn't matter anymore. Our heroes are Hollywood phonies that became celebrities playing characters other than themselves. Our education system is teaching our children that America is evil and has always been evil. We believe that lying, cheating and stealing is OK if you don't get caught. We have desensitized human life through porn, video games and entertainment.

That is why we live where we are. We believe America is about to crash like a 30 day meth run. The insanity cannot continue at this pace with all these negative factors.

The only concerns seem to be that President Trump screwed a porn star, talks to Putin and we must take guns away from law abiding citizens because criminals and insane people have guns.

Liberalism is a mental disorder and we will destroy our country with its acceptance.

Last Days? SHTF? Invasion by China, Russia, N. Korea, Iran they all seem possible? Another civil war?

America has lost its moral compass. The great experiment is coming to an end.

We are raising our children here to be Christians and trust in the Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to maintain a relationship with our creator and heavenly Father. Why? Because faith in God is consistent and everything else FUBAR.

Ron,

You need help. Seriously. It's hard to accept that the demons aren't really there. But if you truly do have training in the field then you know that's the most difficult thing to convey.

Give it a try, you've nothing to lose and will have a lot of support if you do.

Joe

My wife and I are enjoying the best support of our lives. Six years ago we made the decision to move out of the environment of liberalism. There was simply to much stress.

Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them.

[gowlerk 1,926]

Quote

I don't know anymore. Our society is drugged, either with Rx or street varieties. We fight for the right to kill our unborn babies instead fighting to be good parents. We have thousands of individuals that can't tell if they are male or female. We want to open our borders to murderers, terrorists and freeloaders. We are insanely driven to earn so much money that money doesn't matter anymore. Our heroes are Hollywood phonies that became celebrities playing characters other than themselves. Our education system is teaching our children that America is evil and has always been evil. We believe that lying, cheating and stealing is OK if you don't get caught. We have desensitized human life through porn, video games and entertainment.

This pretty much sums up how Islamic fundamentalists view America.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.