The cult with the highest death count is known as People’s Temple, founded in Indiana in the 1950’s by Jim Jones. From a young age, Jones showed a passion for religion and a talent for public speaking. However, he had also demonstrated that he was not to be confined to an established religion either. Author Daniel Cohen, who attended the University of Illinois, wrote a novel, Cults, discussing what a cult is and what it does. Cohen incorporates Jim Jones into his remarks towards cult leader behavior. Cohen comments that “by 1956, he had broken away from the Methodists and founded his own church” (14). He had began to create what would later be known as the People’s Temple at the age of twenty-five. From first glance, People’s Temple appeared …show more content…
Jones integrated himself into the political campaign of California and was appointed chairman of San Francisco Housing Authority. He also had an open meeting with with the wife of President Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter. Those outside of the cult were unaware of Jones unusual behavior. Once people entered the church, they took notice to Jones paranoia and fear. He would commonly vaguely discuss forces that were out to destroy his church and a nuclear war that would eradicate the world. On the other hand, the fear of nuclear war was justified and widespread during the time, so his followers were not questioning his concern. On the contrary, Jones behavioral issues began to be noticed be the public. He knew that if he stuck around in the United States for too long he would be the target of some criminal investigations for improper use of funds and fraud. Jones decided to evacuate to Guyana due to the weak and indulgent government. As a result, Jones and hundreds of his followers traveled to a town called Jonestown in the late summer of 1977. He manipulated his followers in believing that they were not safe in America, and those who believed him
This actually worked well for him in the early and successful years of the franchise because there were coaches who actually held Mr. Jones in check. Jimmy Johnson made sure that Mr. Jones’ rationale and need for hype didn’t endanger the team’s
He was forced to flee to Virginia, where he changed his name first to John Jones, then to John Paul Jones. Though he seems like a horrible mass murderer, he really wasn't. He had his best points in history. For example, he "started" the American navy and he performed a hit and run raid on Whitehaven. When Congress formed the "Continental Navy," Jones offered his services and was commissioned as first lieutenant.
He used the media as a tool and he knew that what people read and what they see and hear directly affect what they think.
The cult was mainly composed of men and women both. All members had crew cuts and were between the ages of 26 and 72. Although many members lived together in a mansion in California, they came from all parts of the country. Many were from California, but members also came from Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Minnesota, Utah, Ohio, and Florida. There were approximatly 39 members who lived in the 1.3 million dollar Rancho Santa Fe mansion. They operated a web site for their cult called “Higher Source”.
This mass enterprise is reviewed through five traditions in the early nineteenth century: the Christian movement, the Methodists, the Baptists, the black churches, and the Mormons. Hatch explains that these major American movements were led by young men who shared “an ethic of unrelenting toil, a passion for expansion, a hostility to orthodox belief and style, a zeal for religious reconstruction, and a systematic plan to realize their ideals” (4). These leaders changed the scope of American Christianity by orientating toward democratic or populist ideals. Their movements offered both individual potential and collective aspiration, which were ideas ready to be grasped by the young and booming population. These early leaders had a vision of a faith that disregarded social standing, and taught all to think, interpret, and organize their faith for themselves. It was a faith of “religious populism, reflecting the passions of ordinary people and the charisma of democratic movement-builders” (5).
The Heaven’s Gate Cult was founded in the early 1970’s by Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. Applewhite was recovering, under the care of his nurse Ms. Nettles, when he claimed to have has a near death experience. Applewhite claimed that he and Nettles were the two witnesses spoken of in the Book of Revelation. And they were to prepare the worlds inhabitants for recycling.
...s already small portions of food and horrible tasks given to those who didn’t obey Jim Jones. Also, Reverend jones clearly didn’t mind the fact that he was forcing more than nine hundred people to commit suicide, a third if them children. Being me, I feel like the way Jim Jones treated these people, and the way he led this cult compound was completely wrong. I feel like Peoples Temple was a humungous mistake. I also feel truly sorry for those who lose friends and family in this horrible event and for those who went through this. Although this is all over the Jim jones Massacre will forever be remembered and never be forgotten.
Jim Jones and his infamous cult entitled, “The People’s Temple,” holds an interesting value to social psychology. Jonestown is a topic that can relate back to many sociology terms and ideas. Jonestown can be related to social deviance, the effect of American culture on social groups, labelling theory, charismatic authority, and even shows how societal history often repeats itself. American society during the late 60’s-70’s is what led to the creation of Jonestown. Jonestowns downfall provided a lot of insight to the American public of how society needed to change, proving that the deaths of about 900 people weren’t for nothing.
The True Temple of Solomon in Chicago, Illinois, was established in 1950 as seen on the Church’s website. Prophet Peter Banks, is the founder of this church. In the religion that he preaches he claims that he and his followers are a form of Christianity. After Prophet Peter passed away his grandson Prophet John, was left to take control of the Church and all other property that corresponded with the church. From 2000 until present day Prophet John has been growing as activist in the south-side neighborhoods surrounding his church. Many fundraisers and food drives have been held over the years to help the ...
Cults are dangerous institutions that have existed for many years, corrupting and reforming the minds of innocent people into believing outrageous doctrines that eventually result in disaster. Horrifying cases involving men such as Charles Manson, Jim Jones and David Koresh have bewildered people and raise the question: how could individuals be easily susceptible to the teachings of these men, so influenced that masses go as far as to commit the unthinkable? Individuals who are in a vulnerable position in search for an identity are attracted to cults because they offer a sense of belonging. In addition, isolation from society contributes to the functioning of a cult for it creates an atmosphere where submissiveness and obedience runs high. These two factors seem to hold true for one of the most notorious cults currently established in the United States and Canada. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or, FLDS, is an international polygamist sect that incorporates belonging and isolation along with a dangerous mentality that have resulted in the abuse of women and children in the name of God.
...fortunately, when a person is given that much power and control over a large group of people their decisions as well as reasoning can become altered. In the case of Jim Jones his power lead to an enflamed ego, which led to a greed, not only of loyalty but of money. Money then lead to drug use, and in the end, drug use led to insanity. Those who are gifted with the ability to influence others have a huge responsibility. They must recognize what they have as a gift and not abuse what God has given them. Jim Jones is a person who had this gift as well as good intentions, yet he could not balance and keep in perspective that what he was doing was to benefit the world, not to benefit himself.
So he began his brainwashing campaign and used loud speakers and radio broadcasts. He started destroying books that opposed his views and murdered people that stood in his way to power. To keep control over society, the inner party also used the same tactics. They formed a secret organization known as the Brotherhood to stop any threat to the party. And built departments (Ministry of Love, Truth and Plenty) to keep the party in power, the party even eliminates or re-writes parts of history if needed.
No one could have predicted the strange circumstance of the mass suicide of thirty-nine people that happened on March 26, 1997 in San Diego, California. To fully understand the bizarre case that is the cult of Heaven’s Gate one must first go back before the group was founded and understand the creator and self proclaimed prophet that was Marshall Applewhite. Marshall Applewhite was born on May 17, 1931, in Spur, Texas. Through the help of his second wife Bonnie Nettles they created a strange cult called Heaven’s Gate which brought the unfortunate deaths of thirty-nine men and women. The strange religious cult drew inspiration from science fiction movies and writings, as well as biblical scripture.
Jim Jones lured vulnerable people to his cult, the people he lured were from different races and backgrounds who are insecure. He promised his cult that he will lead a society free of discrimination, which was ideal for a large number of his followers since they were Africian Americans. In addtion, he repetitively made them "rehearse" the act
On November 18, 1978, a notorious religious organization lead by Jim Jones became international news. As a result of manipulation and isolation, Jim Jones influenced his followers to commit suicide. Not only, but his followers were utterly convinced that what they were doing was for a good cause, specifically, a political movement. With kool-aid and a dash of cyanide, 918 people, adults and children, ended their lives that day. The aftermath of this horrific event resulted in numerous documentaries, on of which being, Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple. Created in 2006, this documentary gives a thorough and accurate account of the events that lead up to as well as occured that day.