Jonestown Tragedy

SSCM Gilmore made an unannounced visit to 139 Langston Drive Grovetown Ga 30813. SSCM met response time at 11:15am. SSCM met with Ericka Gilstrip, Hunter Gilstrip, Justin Gilstrip, and Katherine Gilstrip. SSCM Gilmore explained to Bmo about the allegations that were listed in the report. She stated the incident happened the past summer in the month of July. She stated the incident was related to one of the many times that Justin was into areas that he was supposed to be in. She stated her and her sister was telling him that chucky area in the areas that he is not supposed to be in, so he will not go in those areas. She stated that Justin in afraid of chucky, which is why they use chucky. She stated that on that particular day Justin was playing with the lighter after her and her sister had advised him not to

However, it was not so luxurious after all. The members were working long days, patrolled by armed guards, and even monitored when making calls. The frightened relatives of members created the ‘Concerned Relatvies’ and contacted the US government for help in which Congressman Ryan agreed. It would wind up a fatal mission for him as Jim Jones was prepared to kill him and every one of his members. Tim Reiterman, a reporter on the scene, wrote that the activities Jones put on for them appeared phony and one woman stated that the accusations he has been told were false (492-493).

Jim Jones was the leader of the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project also known as Jonestown. This American religious organization is most known internationally for the events that happened on November 18, 1978. In the 1950s, the group was founded, but the Temple moved their following to San Fransisco in the mid 1970s. But even there they received critical claims and had several newspaper articles written about the group. The course of those events plus the defection of eight temple leaders made Jones prepare for an escape plan to get out of the United States and find a new place to make a compound for his group. There were several places that were considered, but eventually the Temple chose Guyana because of its own socialist politics.

People who joined the People’s Temple wanted a place where they felt like they belonged. Jim Jones recruited people who were vulnerable.

Jones became so paranoid that the government was threatening his progressive movement that he convinced the people of Jonestown to commit suicide by telling them that the government was going to come and torture them and their children, that they would fall into the hands of the enemy and that that would not be a dignified or respectful way to go, he told them that they were not to fall into the hands of the enemy and that if they could not live in peace then they would die in peace, he called this massive suicide the act of protesting the conditions of an inhumane world. Jones was so insinuated into the lives of these people, he controlled every aspect of it, he preached that no one had the right to play god, which is what he ended up doing. The Peoples’ Temple was a religious cultural trend in the 70s because it represented what people wanted and yearned for at the time which was a utopia, people strongly believe that perfection was attainable. There were so many other religious groups and cults trying to achieve the same thing, the perfection of society in their own way such as the sacrificing of animals in some and the murder of people in

Due to these tedious conditions, the people wanted to leave Jonestown, and to leave they would need Jones’ permission to do so, but Jones did not anyone to leave. Due to complaints, Leo Ryan, a US Representative form San Mateo California went to Jonestown along with some members of NBC film crew. To Ryan, everything looked fine, until he was secretly informed that the people were held against their will. On November 18, 1978, Ryan announced he would take anyone who wished to leave back to the US. Ryan and the others boarded a truck, but Ryan was attacked by a member of the People’s Temple, because he stayed back to make sure everyone that wanted go left.

The days leading up to the suicides are vastly important in Jones’ twisted reasoning in the decision to make over 900 people commit suicide in the town pavilion. It started after reports of sexual, mental and physical abuse in Jonestown had been reported to the US government. After hearing this news Congressman Leo Ryan was flown into Guyana on November 14th with 31 others including news reporters, photographers and worried relatives of The People’s Temple members. Entry into Jonestown was denied for three days before the group was welcomed into the town with dinner and entertainment for the night on November 17th 1978. Throughout the night members of the group were handed notes from Jonestown citizens asking for help defecting from the cult. The next day the visitors began to leave Jonestown with the defecting members of the cult, this sent Jones into a panic, he believed that the end was near for himself and The Peoples Temple. Jones sent gunmen to kill the congressman and other visitors before they could leave, only a handful of 5 people were shot and killed, including Leo Ryan. Jones then called for a White Night; getting nurses to create a concoction of Kool-Aid/Flavour Aid and Cyanide; an extremely poisonous compound Jones had stockpiled in his time as a

Back in the United States, ex-members and relatives of members were very anxious and worried as to what was going on in Jonestown. They received help from Congressman Leo Ryan. Eventually, Leo Ryan, a news crew, and several concerned family members were able to travel to Jonestown. Jim Jones held a celebration for their arrival, but it was to make it

This portrays a biased point of view. We are only able to see Jones through the eye of his previous followers, which prompts us to view him as a political power broker, molester and a killer. Wouldn’t you want to defend yourself if people were claiming this about you? The fact that the film relies whole-heartedly on the views of those who were apart of the People’s Temple does not allow for any doubt as to Jones’ ideals. Viewers are not given the opportunity to see him as a saviour, a messiah or a preacher. Instead, all that is imprinted in the audience's brain is his patronizing personality, his sick demeanour and superficial

The Peoples Temple which was founded by Jim Jones, was a racially integrated church that focused on helping people in need. Jones originally established the Peoples Temple in Indianapolis, Indiana, but then moved it to Redwood Valley, California in 1966.

Every human in this world is promised to something from love to a better country.

Earlier that month, the people’s temple had a visit by congressman Leo Ryan, who was there to investigate reports of abuse and overwork by relatives of Jonestown members. During his stay, numerous men and women had requested his assistance to help them get out of this horrid cult. Ryan opened up this offer to the rest of this community but in fear of their leader,

The most tragic mass murder in U.S. history before the attack on the twin towers, the Jonestown massacre. In 1955, Jim Jones established Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ, commonly shortened to Peoples Temple, and soon this religious movement struck criticism and also a big following. The church’s tolerant philosophy and community outreach caused Peoples Temple to grow quickly. They cared for the elderly, ran a soup kitchen, and even maintained a social service center in Indiana (Lewis, 100). Because of his active role in the community, Jim was awarded with the head position of the Indianapolis Human Rights Commission, giving the Temple an even better reputation and more networking opportunities (Steel, 6). Many of the church followers

Charismatic leaders are able to inspire emotion and passion in their followers by being optimistic and enthusiastic. Without passionate and emotional employees, an organization will be crippled and unable to face

Many great leaders have one thing in common and that is charisma. Charismatic leaders are those that have the capability to inspire and encourage people to do more than they would normally do, despite obstacles and personal sacrifice. (Daft, R.L, pg. 364) Charisma is what provokes energy and commitment out of its followers. These leaders possess the power to motivate their followers to do almost anything. They create an atmosphere of change and express an ideal vision of a better future. The most common characteristics of the charismatic leader involve maturity, communication, humility, and inspiration. These unique qualities impact their followers and conduct themselves in such a way that allows for remarkable results. Then