Jim Jones attracted a large following to his Peoples Temple through sermons on tolerance, social responsibility and community. As the church grew, however, the sermons on equality and tolerance were belied by his own increasing demands for personal loyalty and obedience. The extent of his authority meant that his eventual breakdown transformed a personal tragedy into one of the largest mass deaths in American history.
Jones, started the Peoples Temple Church and moved from California to Guyana in South America. There he promised his 900+ followers a perfect utopia. Jones saw Jonestown as both a "socialist paradise" and a "sanctuary" from media scrutiny. Once in Guyana, Jones used his manipulative ways to control his followers and ensure they were living the "proper lifestyle". Extreme religious ideologies sunk in and the colony soon felt like a prison for most of Jones' "followers". With no contact with the outside world back home, almost nobody knew what was going on in the South American colony, except California Congressman Leo Ryan.
Jones, started the Peoples Temple Church and moved from California to Guyana in South America. There he promised his 900+ followers a perfect utopia. Jones saw Jonestown as both a "socialist paradise" and a "sanctuary" from media scrutiny. Once in Guyana, Jones used his manipulative ways to control his followers and ensure they were living the "proper lifestyle". Extreme religious ideologies sunk in and the colony soon felt like a prison for most of Jones' "followers". With no contact with the outside world back home, almost nobody knew what was going on in the South American colony, except California Congressman Leo Ryan.