Hollywood
02-18-2004, 12:21 PM
Its funny, amongst all the religious turmoil that has insued today and yesterday, I got more of it at school. In my Crime in America class we watched a documentary on Jim Jones (Jonestown). For those who don't know, he was the guy who started a church which went on to cult status in the 70's. They eventually moved down to Guyana to get away from all the publicity that had stirred due to defectors in his congregation going public with some of his tactics and politics. Here he cleared an area and built a compound and called it Jonestown. He was a master manipulator and on November 18, 1978 Grape Flavor-Aid mixed with potassium cyanide, liquid valium and other drugs were given to just over 910 members of The People's Temple in a mass suicide. Of the 910 members who died, 300 of them were children. Earlier that day, a Senator, I forget his name, and some reporters were gunned down by Jones men while attempting to board the plan and return to America.
I had seen the made for tv movie on this event years ago but this documentary gave a more indepth look at the man behind all this and the events leading up to Jonestown.
Just thought it was odd that amongst all the religious debates this week, I had this video presented in class today.
I had seen the made for tv movie on this event years ago but this documentary gave a more indepth look at the man behind all this and the events leading up to Jonestown.
Just thought it was odd that amongst all the religious debates this week, I had this video presented in class today.