Summary
As a young girl watching YouTube unsupervised, I ended up in the rabbit hole of the dark side of humans. I took a peculiar interest in Jim Jones and his settlement in Jonestown, Guyana. The People's Temple was founded by Jim Jones in 1954. It was a religious organization established using a combination of Eclectic Pentecostal, Christian socialist, and communist ideologies. The organization ran in California, based in San Francisco, until they relocated to Guyana in 1974 after conflict with the American authorities. Between December 1974 and 1977 over 900 people relocated from the United States to Jonestown under the guise of a religious and socialist paradise. Upon arrival they were confronted with harsh livng conditions, forced labor, and stringent control by Jim Jones. As more people arrived, resources dwindled, exacerbating an already dire situation. Reports of abuse emerged, sparking concerns from worried relatives and authorities in the U.S. These allegations paired with growing unease, resulted in the tragic events of 1977 when Congressman Leo Ryan's visit ended in violence, leading to the mass murder-suicide of over 900 people, orchestrated by Jones himself. A mixture of Flavor Aid and cyanide was created and handed out to the members of the community to drink. Those who refused to drink were shot, injected with cyanide or restrained and forced to drink the laced liquids. For one I would not believe in anyone who self-proclaims as the Messiah sent from God. It is best to do research into such groups and/or leaders of organizations. By knowing the warning signs such as central ideology, financial control, being cut off from the outside world, and emotional and psychological abuse. My heart goes out to all victims of this tragedy.
