Voting Station

Father Yod

Please vote to return to collections.

Cultist

The Resume

    (June 4, 1922-August 25, 1975)
    Born in Cincinnati, Ohio
    Birth name was James Edward Baker
    Also know as Ya Ho Wha
    Ex-Marine and martial arts expert founded the vegetarian Source Restaurant in the Laurel Canyon section of Los Angeles (1969)
    Founded The Source Family - combining Eastern religion with Western esotericism (1969)
    Founder and lead singer of the psychedelic band Ya Ho Wa 13 that recorded nine albums between 1973-75
    Moved his Family to Hawaii at the end of 1974
    Died after breaking his back in a hang gliding accident on the island of Oahu at age 53
    Author of the book 'Liberation' (1970)
    Source Family continues with the Source Foundation and authored the book 'The Source: The Untold Story of Father Yod, Ya Ho Wa 13 and The Source Family' (2007)

Why he might be annoying:

    After becoming a devoted follower of Yogi Bhajan, he broke off from the yogi's teaching and created his own philosophies and religion/cult.
    He took 13 wives.
    He gave his children weird names such as Tau, Buttercup and Yod.
    He had over 100 followers living at his Hollywood Hills home and accommodated them by building cubbyhole beds in beehive-like design.
    When a Family member brought a child to UCLA Hospital with a staph infection, authorities were alerted to possible child endangerment.
    Rather than deal with it, he sold his restaurant and hightailed it from L.A. to Hawaii with his Family.
    Entering a hang gliding contest with no previous experience, he crashed onto a rocky beach and died later that day.
    His followers prayed and chanted over his body for three days hoping for resurrection, but it didn't happen and they cremated him.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was a highly decorated World War II vet with the U.S. Marine Corps, earning the Silver Star.
    He was a peaceful leader who created The Ten Commandments For The Age Of Aquarius to co-exist with the Bible's Commandments.
    Such commandments as 'Possess nothing you do not need and share all that you have' and 'Do every act energetically, intelligently, truthfully and lovingly' could benefit today's society.
    His belief was animals should be treated like friends, but he never went to extremes like PeTA.
    At the height of its popularity, his organically healthy Source Restaurant earned $10,000 a day and was visited by regulars such as Marlon Brando, John Lennon and Julie Christie.
    His albums, such as 'To The Principles For The Children' and 'Penetration: An Aquarian Symphony,' are collectors items and have been cited as some of the best improvisational, psychedelic rock of all time.
    Unlike such cult leaders as Jim Jones or David Koresh his followers felt at ease with his teachings and were not fearful or angry, a reason his Family continues today.

Credit: Scar Tactics


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 107 Votes: 46.73% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 304 Votes: 51.64% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 317 Votes: 53.94% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 86 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 26 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 51 Votes: 50.98% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 349 Votes: 79.08% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 105 Votes: 76.19% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 96 Votes: 51.04% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 25 Votes: 52.00% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 28 Votes: 60.71% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 105 Votes: 77.14% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 90 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 67 Votes: 67.16% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 307 Votes: 78.50% Annoying