More of my stories concerning the Rajneesh:

During the summer of 1984 I spend a lot of time campaigning.  I went to a number of meetings both large and small.  In addition I did a lot of knocking on doors.

I was pretty well known in the community.  But not everyone knew me.  I had/have a full beard.  One door I knocked on had a young lady answer that thought I was a sannyasin from Rajneeshpuram and I had to show her my identification before she would talk to me.

But most recognize me and many said they knew my background and would be voting for me and recommending their family and friends do the same.

That summer was one of open hostility from the Rajneesh sect and members of the rest of the citizenry.  The concern that they were trying to take over county government was a very real issue and the fear was that they would influence this particular election to further those goals.

A political action committee was formed by some Wasco County residents.  They supported a number of us that were running.  The people that organized the committee had been exposing the misdeeds of the Rajneesh for quite a while and they felt those of us on the list were the most likely to not cave in to their demands.  The list was based on the people not the party as both Republicans and Democrats were on the list.

Through the years most elections in Wasco County were very close.  One candidate was tied with another candidate for commissioner after a recount they flipped a coin.  It was not unusual for the winner to win office by fewer than 10 votes – one of my predecessors was elected by 6 votes more than his opponent. 

Past practice of the Rajneesh, in elections, was everyone voted the same across the board – there may be one or two voters that didn’t toe the line, but everyone else did.  I believe, at the time, there were somewhere between 500 and 1000 registered voters at Rajneeshpuram, easily enough to sway an election in the county.  Since they were a precinct onto themselves their votes were obvious.

That fear or Rajneesh followers controlling the election grew and it was the reason that the political action committee was formed.  That fall election in Wasco County had an almost 100% turn out of voters.  Many of these voters voted as the political action committee suggested, we were all elected to our posts, by wide margins.

But before that election took place there was a lot of underhanded and criminal activity by the sannyasins to undermine or swing the election.  They too were aware of how close most elections were in Wasco County and looked for ways to tip it in their favor.

They infiltrated the political action committee.  Claiming to be a local resident against the Rajneesh, one young sannyasin joined and gained access to some of the committee’s files.  However, she was soon exposed and she went back down to the ranch.

Another young lady took up residence in The Dalles.  She claimed she was a member of a long standing family – the last of which had moved from the area.  However, she wanted to move back and wanted to help with county government by running for county commissioner.  She took out a petition to gain signatures that would put her on the ballot, she, too, was quickly exposed.

But they also were planning more sinister actions to influence the election: Germ warfare.

Philippians 1:28-30 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

²⁹ For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

³⁰ Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

I awoke this morning with a name on my heart that I had not thought of for several years – at least 20 to 25 years.  I have learned my lesson, when that happens I know the person is in need of prayer – and I started praying.

As I did though a deriding spirit kept creeping into my mind, something that had never happened before when I get these urgent calls to prayer. 

I was ‘reminded’ that this man betrayed me, told lies about me and when confronted, by mutual friends, the only defense he could offer was that I was ‘a born again Christian’ and therefore hated his lifestyle – he admitted that he had never felt that from me, but just knew how I felt because I was so outspoken about my faith.

In addition he had requested, of the County Judge, an investigation into my Office for what he felt was an attitude of prejudice against Gays. 

Now this occurred well over 20 years ago.  The accusation was not as detrimental as it would be now, but any accusation of a deliberate action taken against someone because they belonged to a minority was unacceptable in my mind.

This accusation was an affront to me personally, and to my Christian and law enforcement beliefs and conduct.

What caused the complaint was a traffic stop by one of my deputies in the south part of the county shortly after midnight.

He had stopped the car because of the erratic driving; the car was not maintaining its lane which indicates a possible driver driving under the influence of intoxicants.

The driver was asked to perform field sobriety tests and when finished was determined he was not under the influence, just tired and a bit distracted.  He was given a warning about driving in that condition, was told that a rest stop was up ahead which he might want to pull into and sleep for a while.

The driver reported the incident to his friend.  He felt alone and vulnerable out there in the middle of nowhere and felt he had only been stopped and tested because he was Gay.

The complainant relayed that information to the County Judge and requested an investigation.  The judge came to me, after looking into it, I was able to show the stop was legitimate, not overly long for a possible DUII and there was no apparent impropriety.

Several things were disturbing on this:

I knew the complainant, had attended multiple functions where he was at, we had, on more than one occasion had meals together.  He actually had a powerful position within the community and one that interacted with our Office often.

He would frequently come to me for advice and I gave it to him willingly and some of that was spiritual advice.

He was gay, a fact I was well aware of but never said anything about – to him or anyone else – I knew he was struggling with the lifestyle and that his background as a Christian was behind that struggle. 

Because we had the relationship we had I figured he would come to me if he felt that I could assist him in the struggle – he had come to me on other issues.

After the accusation to the judge and comments to friends he finally came to me – at their urging – and told me about his feelings. 

He admitted I had never treated him differently or unfairly.  That I had never given him cause to be concerned about my thoughts towards him; but, he just ‘knew’ I was condemning him because I was so religious.  He wasn’t apologetic, but felt he needed to talk to me.

It took quite a while for me to figure it out – I was a very outspoken Christian and there was no question I was conservative.  The bible says certain actions are sins – and the physical actions of sexual conduct contrary to the Bible, not just same sex acts, but all improper conduct is a sin. 

There is a difference between temptations, weaknesses and the fulfilling acts of any kind that God has forbid.  There is not a man or woman – except for Christ – who has not yielded to temptation and sinned. 

When I share my testimony with others I seldom point to their sins, for me it isn’t productive.  What I do is share and discuss what is often on their heart, many times it isn’t what they need to discuss, but it can lead to a break through on their part.

It took me a while to realize that he was so guilt ridden and so confused that he lashed out at me as if I was his accuser and not the Holy Spirit. 

It took me a long time to figure out that due to the contacts we had, due to the stands I took and his past stated respect for me, for my boldness as a Christian, forced him to face his own weaknesses and he could only attack what he felt was a major cause of his distress, me.

He told me that he had not felt or seen any overt actions or words on my part to justify his concerns, but he just knew how I felt.  Right then I was feeling hurt, a bit angry and very sorry for this man.  We shook hands and he left.

While we continued having contacts due to our positions, the relationship was not the same and it wasn’t long before he left the community.

As I prayed for him this morning, his accusations kept coming at me, asking me why I should be so concerned for him, why I should pray for someone who had betrayed a friendship and made false accusations.

I broke through, finally, but it was a struggle I don’t ever remember having before.

I have some calls into mutual friends to see if they know anything. 

My thoughts turned to these verses.  First, because while the accusations were real, the alleged conduct wasn’t and some damage to my reputation was the result; I will never know how many people that he told believed what he said. 

I have always taken seriously both my law enforcement duties and my duties as a Christian not to take action against someone for their beliefs unless there was criminal actions accompanying them.  It was my job to defend and help others and that has always been my mind set – not to deliberately attack them.

The only reason for those accusations was my stand for Christ.

Second, because I went through a battle this morning; a battle that pitched those false accusations and questioning why I should even pray for the man against my duties as a Christian who has been told to pray.

People, satan is alive and very much at work in this world today.  He is getting bolder and bolder by the hour.  He is attacking those that oppose him in any way he can and we better be prepared for those attacks.

This was the first time I can remember I was attacked this way, it was vicious and totally unexpected, I hold no animosity against this man (at least that I am consciously aware of) – which tells me he is going to use unfamiliar methods against us in hopes of bringing us down.

I am reminded once again that we have been warned:

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But I am also reminded that God knows this and He is there for us:

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:10-11 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

We may become a casualty in God’s battle against satan, but as we stand true to Him the war will be won for His Glory.  He wants to gather as many people into His fold as He can before He has to finally send Christ back to rule – and we are the implements of war that He uses to reach them.

Later, Art :-)

From the ColumbiaRiverGorgeous
May Our Good Lord Bless and Keep YOU....’til we meet again