ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the problem of religious authority. In the course of religious lives and worlds whether who does the people trust. Charismatic movements, deeply institutionalized religions, scriptures, rituals, divine speech, shamanic healing, marriages, museums, and health programs: all express this same problem. The religious authority is actively reproduced, negotiated, and contested amid dynamic social processes. In a startling way, the example of the Rajneeshee points a general problem in the anthropology of religion: the problem of authority. All religions-large and small, global and regional, marginal and mainstream-must provide adherents with a source of primary legitimacy. The Rajneeshee movement continues today as The Osho International Foundation (OIF). Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and Osho fits the bill of a charismatic leader and exemplifies Weber's charismatic authority. Four religious specialists lead the ritual: a Road Man is the main organizer; a Drummer Man; a Fire Man; and a Cedar Man.
