![Picture](/uploads/2/6/1/5/26157826/7992137.jpg)
This man to the left is the infamous Jim Jones. He was the founder and leader of the People's Temple. A captivating man with a god-like complex, who convinced his followers to leave everything and everyone that they loved behind in order to be part of his congregation. Except for the money, everyone had to give up their monetary assets for the good of the community. For example, the elderly sold their homes and gave up their retirement funds to be cared for by the like minded followers of the encampment.
His Marxist ideas ironically convinced many people that they were exploited by the wealthy and the government. Jim preached that the best solution to rid themselves from the binds of society was to join his own socialist club.
Maybe in the beginning his ethics were pure, especially because he was against segregation during a time of social discord. Jim's church was integrated, all races and colors were welcome. But as his flock increased, his own righteousness got the better of him and he decided that he didn't want the government questioning his religious zest. So he uprooted his entire community of about 1,000 devotees to Guyana in 1974.
Jim Jone's would put most prison wardens to shame in the way that he organized and controlled his population. In other words, no one could escape even if they wanted to because armed guards patrolled the parameters of his 3,800 acres of land. Although I should probably note that circumstances inside of Jamestown weren't as bad as the notorious South Korean prison camps, but as dictators go, he controlled everything that came in and out of the camp. An interesting fact apart from performing many fake "healings" to increase his popularity, was that he prohibited married couples from coitus, while simultaneously asking husbands and wives to be available to him as sexual partners.
In November of 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan of California was heavily urged by former temple members to go and visit Jamestown. After interviewing some members Ryan and his crew decided to make their way back to California and with them sixteen members of the "People temple." They were cornered at the airstrip by armed men at the command of Jones who opened fire. Congressman Ryan and his camera crew never made it back. That same day, over 900 people were poisoned as was commanded by Jim. He had grown fearful that everything he had created would be destroyed, so he decided to get rid of it himself.
His Marxist ideas ironically convinced many people that they were exploited by the wealthy and the government. Jim preached that the best solution to rid themselves from the binds of society was to join his own socialist club.
Maybe in the beginning his ethics were pure, especially because he was against segregation during a time of social discord. Jim's church was integrated, all races and colors were welcome. But as his flock increased, his own righteousness got the better of him and he decided that he didn't want the government questioning his religious zest. So he uprooted his entire community of about 1,000 devotees to Guyana in 1974.
Jim Jone's would put most prison wardens to shame in the way that he organized and controlled his population. In other words, no one could escape even if they wanted to because armed guards patrolled the parameters of his 3,800 acres of land. Although I should probably note that circumstances inside of Jamestown weren't as bad as the notorious South Korean prison camps, but as dictators go, he controlled everything that came in and out of the camp. An interesting fact apart from performing many fake "healings" to increase his popularity, was that he prohibited married couples from coitus, while simultaneously asking husbands and wives to be available to him as sexual partners.
In November of 1978, Congressman Leo Ryan of California was heavily urged by former temple members to go and visit Jamestown. After interviewing some members Ryan and his crew decided to make their way back to California and with them sixteen members of the "People temple." They were cornered at the airstrip by armed men at the command of Jones who opened fire. Congressman Ryan and his camera crew never made it back. That same day, over 900 people were poisoned as was commanded by Jim. He had grown fearful that everything he had created would be destroyed, so he decided to get rid of it himself.
Jim Jones represents one of the best charlatans in history, an evil brainwashing genius who comes very close to Hitler's own psychosis, but on a much smaller scale. Although he never actually drank the poisoned " Kool-Aid," instead he took the easy way out and received a quick death from a gunshot in the head. It is still a mystery whether a member of his inner circle shot him or the deed was performed by his own hand.
All belief systems need structure or else they fall apart