This podcast episode explores Oregon's first sex cult, the Holy Rollers. They discuss the desire to join a sex cult and share a story about the recruitment process. They delve into the rise of cult leader Edmund Crefield and the disturbing perception of the cult. The story of Samson Levens, a former logger who joined the cult, is also explored. The misogynistic portrayal of the cult leader and the rational decisions made by women within the cult are discussed.
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Quick takeaways
Edmund Creffield's cult attracted followers seeking a more personal connection with God and a sense of altered state and unity through intense worship practices.
Some individuals were drawn to Creffield's cult due to dissatisfaction with traditional churches and a belief in his direct connection with God, offering a more authentic religious experience.
Creffield's cult appealed to individuals dissatisfied with conventional churches, offering a more radical and interesting alternative lifestyle on an island near Portland, involving eccentric practices and stolen peaches.
Deep dives
Edmund Creffield establishes his cult in Corvallis
Edmund Creffield moves to Corvallis, Oregon, where he starts preaching his radical take on Christianity. He attracts followers from the Salvation Army, promising them a more personal connection with God. Creffield introduces intense worship practices, including hours of rolling on the ground, creating a sense of altered state and unity among his followers. He preaches that other churches are false and encourages isolation from the outside world. His charisma and hypnotic tactics draw people in, especially bored and dissatisfied individuals in an impoverished small town.
Controversy and opposition from the community
Creffield's cult and its practices receive backlash from the community, with newspapers labeling him a hypnotist and criticizing his followers as being 'dead to all human sympathies.' Many view the cult's worship practices as burlesque and disruptive to religious peace. The strict Victorian society becomes outraged by the unconventional behavior. However, some people are drawn to Creffield's cult due to their dissatisfaction with traditional churches, believing that his direct connection with God offers a more authentic religious experience.
The allure of perfection and separation from society
Creffield's cult appeals to individuals seeking a sense of perfection and purpose in their lives. His preaching emphasizes the idea that true Christians should focus solely on worship and have no time for worldly pursuits. By isolating themselves from the profane world, members aspire to achieve spiritual perfection. Creffield also instills a sense of separation, proclaiming that his followers are chosen by God, while labeling other Christians as false. The cult's intense worship practices, including rolling on the ground for hours, create a sense of camaraderie and altered state, offering an outlet for personal expression in a repressive society.
The initial converts and their motivations
Some of Creffield's earliest followers are individuals dissatisfied with their existing church experiences. They are drawn to his charisma and magnetism, as well as his claims of being chosen by God. The promise of a direct connection with deity and the opportunity to receive personal messages from God intrigues and excites these individuals who are seeking a deeper spiritual connection. The allure of tapping into a higher power and the need for personal fulfillment motivates them to abandon their previous religious affiliations in favor of Creffield's cult.
Crephield's Cult and the Appeal of Radicalism
Crephield's cult, characterized by its weirdness, attracted individuals who were dissatisfied with more conventional churches and sought something more radical and interesting. The appeal of the cult stemmed from the perception that life outside the cult was dull and unsatisfying. Exiled from Corvallis, the cult found refuge on an island near Portland, Oregon. Living on the island allowed the cult to indulge in eccentric practices like rolling around, screaming, and wearing minimal clothing. This unconventional lifestyle, fueled by stolen peaches and constant worship, became attractive to many followers.
Crephield's Manipulation and the Disturbing Actions
As the cult grew, Crephield exerted control and manipulated his followers. He renamed himself Joshua, claiming divine instruction, and declared his female followers eligible to become brides of Christ, with one chosen to give birth to the second coming. Crephield's male followers were tasked with providing resources for the cult. His manipulation escalated as he convinced followers to sever ties with loved ones, engage in constant exhaustion and starvation, and engage in sexual relations with him. Those who resisted faced public humiliation or physical abuse. The cult's actions raised concerns, resulting in efforts to intervene by organizations like the Salvation Army.
