The People's Temple Cult: A Psychological Cult That Deceived Many

Cult Summary

People's Temple was a cult founded by the infamous Jim Jones in 1955. The group had its headquarters in San Francisco and by the late 1970s had locations all across California that had attracted hundreds of followers. As popularity of the cult spread, members of the People's Temple signed an agreement and decided to rent out land in Guyana, South America. The members claimed the land was to be used as an agricultural community away from the media presence within the states. It would become known as Jamestown, named after the group's founder. As Jones decided to "officially" move down to his paradise, he invited all his followers and members to join him. The number who followed was over 900 people. Jones claimed that his Guyana land was a promised paradise away from the wickedness of the world. In 1978, Jones and his followers moved to the so-called paradise. Shortly thereafter on November 18, 1978, an American Congressman Leo Ryan from California was investigating the cult; while he was down there, several members of the group wanted to leave with him, but were cut off from leaving by the cult guards. There, on the airstrip of Jonestown, Congressman Ryan and three journalists were gunned down and slain. After the slaying had occurred, Jones, on the afternoon of November 18, 1978, ordered his whole congregation to drink poisoned Flavor Aid. Not knowing the drink contained cyanide, his members did so thus resulting in a mass murder-suicide as Jones killed himself and forced nearly 909 others to drink cyanide contaminated Flavor Aid.

Core Beliefs

Jones founded the People's Temple cult originally as a mission for the sick, homeless and jobless. After the mission had gained a big following, Jones began to preach of human freedom, equality, and love. Socialism and wealth distribution began to sink into the foundational teachings and sooner than later, Jones' cult began to ridicule white Christianity. He began to offer cures for cancer and for the sick which attracted many followers. Jonas then developed an idea he called Translation, where he and his followers would fake death and all drink a flavored liquid, fall to the ground, and pretend to die – yes, very weird. In fact, Jones would practice Translation with his congregation as an act of loyalty. In general, the People's Temple had no core belief system, although Jones himself was considered a strong Christian.

View of Christ and God

Jones saw Jesus Christ as himself. He believed and preached that he was God and that he was a God. Jones even described himself as divine. But even at the same time, Jones merged some teachings of Jesus Christ into his doctrine. For example, Jones often used the story of when Jesus Christ told people to “sell all their possessions and be equal”, Jones says.

View of Man

The People's Temple was an interracial group of people who strongly believed in helping the community. In fact, Jones himself adopted a black child and 2 Asian children. People's Temple believed that man deserved equality and unity which helped attract several hundred members. Jones believed in a “paradise” away from the racism and ignorance of the United States of America. He founded Jonestown in Guyana where his members would reside until death. When dead, they would then be saved to an eternal paradise.

View of Sin, Salvation, and the Afterlife

The People's Temple taught that all who join the membership will be saved and that one day, all members would go to a separate planet or land to live in harmony and peace forever.Jones believed in a “paradise” away from the racism and ignorance of the United States of America. He founded Jonestown in Guyana where his members would reside until death. When dead, they would then be saved to an eternal paradise.

JohnB0127

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