November 18 in Christian History

40 years ago today, 909 lives were taken in one of the most horrific perversions of Spiritual fervor in history.

Jim Jones was a charismatic preacher who become popular in Indianapolis for his miraculous healings and mind readings. In the height of the civil rights movement, his gospel of equality and socialism struck a chord among blacks and whites alike.

When he relocated to California, over 100 of his followers accompanied him. The fiery preacher attracted hundreds of new recruits to his movement. His followers formed a close family-like community known as the People’s Temple and Jones was referred to as the “father of all.” He often pressured his followers into giving their properties and fortunes to the community, or perhaps more accurately, to Jones himself.

In 1977, Jones and over 1,000 followers relocated to a commune deep in the jungles of Guyana. Jones promised to build a communist paradise where his followers would be free from worldly influences and safe from nuclear holocaust. In this remote commune, which he named Jonestown, his rule was absolute. He subjected his followers to psychological and sometimes physical abuse. They were overworked and underfed and were forbidden to leave.

In November, 1978, congressman Leo Ryan flew to Jonestown to investigate letters written from members who were being held against their will.

On November 18, Ryan confronted Jones with the letters. Furious, Jones ordered Ryan and his camera team to leave. They did so, along with a small number of defectors. Jones’ men launched an attack at the airstrip as Ryan attempted to depart. Ryan and four others were killed in the attack, but the rest managed to escape with their lives.

That evening, Jones ordered the entire People’s Temple community to commit mass suicide. His final orders were recorded on tape: “I tell you, I don't care how many screams you hear, I don't care how many anguished cries. death is a million times preferable to 10 more days of this life.”

His followers distributed grape Flavour-Aid laced with Cyanide. Those who refused to take the poison were injected with it. Jones shot himself after the massacre was complete. The next day, Guyana authorities found 909 lifeless bodies on the fields of the Jonestown commune.

Only 36 members survived the massacre. Some managed to hide until the suicides were finished, others fled 30 Miles through dense jungle to the nearest town, still others lay with the other bodies pretending to be dead.

This shocking tragedy shook the world to the core and cast an understandably critical light on Christianity. It shows how a religious movement with an innocent façade can become an oppressive and deadly cult, and how a charismatic leader can psychologically manipulate well-meaning individuals.

Jonestown survivor Leslie Wilson commented on Jones’ manipulative power: “We all are looking for a place to fit into the world. We’re looking for love; we’re looking for acceptance, and Jim Jones provided that.” While this unspeakable tragedy is certainly unique, many so called spiritual leaders use tactics of psychological manipulation and spiritual abuse for their own gain. This underlines the importance of spiritual discernment and the need to hold leaders accountable to the Bible.

Verse of the day: Ephesians 4:14
We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.