The Ethos of Jim Jones(http://employees.oneonta.edu/downinll/mass_suicide.htm)
On November 18, 1978, Jim Jones coaxed 918 members of his cult, the People Temple, to poison themselves in Jonestown, Guyana. His final speech, later recovered and labeled as the “Death Tape,” was so horrifyingly compelling singularly due to his godlike credibility - his words were undeniable given that his audience was already ardent devotees. He promises that he has always “tried [his] best to give [them] a good life” and incessantly repeats of how he has “never lied to [them].” His words are pregnant with a parental, benign tone, lulling his sheep-like audience into killing themselves. He reminds them of the sayings of the “greatest of prophets from time immemorial,” citing that “no man may take my life from me; I lay my life down,” and thereby draws parallels between what he is asking of his people to what those close to god ask of humanity. He christens them and his proposed act as pure, likening it to an “ancient Greece” tradition and “a revolutionary act.” By shrouding himself in a celestial and charismatic light, Jones makes himself furthermore irresistible to his community.
~ Nyna, 3/1/17
On November 18, 1978, Jim Jones coaxed 918 members of his cult, the People Temple, to poison themselves in Jonestown, Guyana. His final speech, later recovered and labeled as the “Death Tape,” was so horrifyingly compelling singularly due to his godlike credibility - his words were undeniable given that his audience was already ardent devotees. He promises that he has always “tried [his] best to give [them] a good life” and incessantly repeats of how he has “never lied to [them].” His words are pregnant with a parental, benign tone, lulling his sheep-like audience into killing themselves. He reminds them of the sayings of the “greatest of prophets from time immemorial,” citing that “no man may take my life from me; I lay my life down,” and thereby draws parallels between what he is asking of his people to what those close to god ask of humanity. He christens them and his proposed act as pure, likening it to an “ancient Greece” tradition and “a revolutionary act.” By shrouding himself in a celestial and charismatic light, Jones makes himself furthermore irresistible to his community.
~ Nyna, 3/1/17
I'm familiar with the Jonestown Massacre from high school classes mentioning the topic, yet every time I hear about it again its still just as chilling. Your analysis on why the cult members ended their lives is accurate, as every single one of them worshipped Jones as if he were a god.
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