Unleash The Rajneesh

Unleash The Rajneesh

By: Zach Schultz

When you think of organized religions you think of massive groups that draw in many followers. These organized religions tend to rely on maintaining the status quo and bringing little change. They follow a consistent hierarchy that focuses on hindering their followers ability to individualize or express themselves. These kinds of actions taking place would cause a repetitiveness in ones own culture. Meaning, the religion would only repeat their same morals, values, tradition and norms. Many new religious movements share similarities and differences among each other. 

One group that is similar and different to the Rajenessh is the Branch Davidians. The Branch Davidians is a group that broke off from the seventh-day adventist church. This new religious movement was formed by David Koresh. One of the major similarities between both new religious movements was the presence of a very charismatic leader. Apart from being very charismatic, OSHO took pride in causing controversy and being open with sexuality. He became very vocal with subjects and issues pertaining to the socialism and the teachings of Ghandi. OSHO's followers loved his calm yet eccentric personality; furthermore, that's what made him...him, because he was able to attract followers by advocating sexuality and share the same disgust for socialism. 

Aside from his eccentric and calm counterpart David Koresh, depicted himself as a God. Why? Because he believed in himself that he held all the answers for everything, very ego-centric, very, very narcissistic; and nobody could tell him no. His followers believed anything that would come out of his mouth. Despite , having a god-like complex to him, his followers fed on his ego and believed if they fed him with much admiration he would provide them with more answers and hoping they would also reach his level on intellectual and wisdom. 

Both leaders were able to identify and understand their followers needs and values. Both OSHO and David had this tremendous "gift" for understanding what their followers desired. 

Another similarity is that both groups held a shared living space for the leaders and the followers. The Branch Davidians lived in a compound that was located on the outskirts of Waco, Texas. The Rajeneesh originally started their commune in Oregon, but they tried to build a permanent settlement, when the local townspeople hired lawyers to put illegal barricades that prevented them from building their establishment.  

They also shared many differences. The Brand Davidians were more focused on their world ending views. David Koresh also had many sexualy partners and wives. Some of these wives were even under age girls. Koresh was building his foundation on the so called teachings of God.

The Rajneesh based most of their beliefs around science. They wanted to just live a happy life no mater how it came. They didn't believe in traditional family values. They didn't believe what they were doing was even a religion at all. They just saw each other as the greatest companions a person could find. All of this was due to the teachings of OSHO.