Jim Jones
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'''Jim Jones''' was a [[guru]], preacher and complete nutcase in California who was initially considered a great humanitarian. His church, the People's Temple, worked for [[civil rights]] and against nuclear weapons. However, he was also possessed of delusions of grandeur, and believed he was the reincarnation of [[Jesus]] and possibly [[V.I. Lenin]]. | '''Jim Jones''' was a [[guru]], preacher and complete nutcase in California who was initially considered a great humanitarian. His church, the People's Temple, worked for [[civil rights]] and against nuclear weapons. However, he was also possessed of delusions of grandeur, and believed he was the reincarnation of [[Jesus]] and possibly [[V.I. Lenin]]. | ||
| − | Eventually, he became convinced that despite all of his work, nuclear war was on its way, with only a few places to be spared. He moved his whole congregation to Guyana, South America. After this, reports started to come out of people being held against their will. With this, an American Congressman, Leo Ryan, went to investigate. He was attacked as he tried to leave, and ended up being American Congressman to be murdered. | + | Eventually, he became convinced that despite all of his work, nuclear war was on its way, with only a few places to be spared. He moved his whole congregation to Guyana, South America. After this, reports started to come out of people being held against their will. With this, an American Congressman, Leo Ryan, went to investigate. He was attacked as he tried to leave, and ended up being the first American Congressman to be murdered on the job. |
Knowing that world-wide condemnation and reprisals were certain, he and his top aides brewed up a batch of Kool-Aid laced with cyanide, and the whole church drank it. Since none survived to describe how it happened, there is some debate as to whether the people who drank were aware of the poison. However, it seemed evident by the marks on the bodies that some were forced to drink the poisoned Kool-Aid. Babies were apparently administered poison by syringe into the mouth. Jim Jones himself was found with a bullet in his brain, though it was impossible to tell if it was self-inflicted or not. | Knowing that world-wide condemnation and reprisals were certain, he and his top aides brewed up a batch of Kool-Aid laced with cyanide, and the whole church drank it. Since none survived to describe how it happened, there is some debate as to whether the people who drank were aware of the poison. However, it seemed evident by the marks on the bodies that some were forced to drink the poisoned Kool-Aid. Babies were apparently administered poison by syringe into the mouth. Jim Jones himself was found with a bullet in his brain, though it was impossible to tell if it was self-inflicted or not. | ||
Revision as of 13:39, 28 August 2008
Jim Jones was a guru, preacher and complete nutcase in California who was initially considered a great humanitarian. His church, the People's Temple, worked for civil rights and against nuclear weapons. However, he was also possessed of delusions of grandeur, and believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus and possibly V.I. Lenin.
Eventually, he became convinced that despite all of his work, nuclear war was on its way, with only a few places to be spared. He moved his whole congregation to Guyana, South America. After this, reports started to come out of people being held against their will. With this, an American Congressman, Leo Ryan, went to investigate. He was attacked as he tried to leave, and ended up being the first American Congressman to be murdered on the job.
Knowing that world-wide condemnation and reprisals were certain, he and his top aides brewed up a batch of Kool-Aid laced with cyanide, and the whole church drank it. Since none survived to describe how it happened, there is some debate as to whether the people who drank were aware of the poison. However, it seemed evident by the marks on the bodies that some were forced to drink the poisoned Kool-Aid. Babies were apparently administered poison by syringe into the mouth. Jim Jones himself was found with a bullet in his brain, though it was impossible to tell if it was self-inflicted or not.
Because of this, Jim Jones and Jonestown have both become synonymous with destructive cults as well as a group that has been completely dominated. It is from this horrific event that the phrase Kool-Aid drinker comes.