How does The People’s Temple resemble a cult?
The people’s temple resembles a cult in all of the 6 ways that Eileen Barker made for signs of a cult. That had a movement that separated itself from society. Not just with the moving to Guayana but also because they separated themselves completely from society. They made their own religion and practiced their own beleifs. They believed in God, yes but there movement was completely out of orthodox.
Secondly the adherents became increasingly dependent on the movement for their view for reality. In other words they lived their who lives in People’s Temple. There was nothing outside only that. They followed its rule, lived in its community, and worshipped its leader.
Thirdly, all of their decisions were made by important members or Jim Jones himself. They had no real say for themselves. Anything, especially anything important wasn’t up to them. It was up to their superiors.
Fourthly, all of the members who were truly dedicated ,made sharp distinctions between us and them. They hated anyone who wasn’t in their group. They though they were wrong and just trying to push against them. Like the woman on the documentary said “We died because you wouldn’t let us live.” She truly believed that, too.
Fifth, there was definetely a leader who claimed divine authority. Jim Jones was this man. He claimed to be their everything and what he said was law. He made himself available as a god. They saw him their god.
And finally, they were focused on achieving that one goal, suicide. And they succeeded.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Blog post March 13, 2009
"Survey sees a drift away from religion in America."
This article is discussing how Christianity is fading from many American's heart. But it hasn't led them to have no faith at all. Today, 76 percent of Americans call themselves Christian. Obviously that is a huge number. However, in 1990 86 percent said that same thing. So the percentage has dropped 10 percent. These days, once in every 5 adults (US) choose nbot to identify a Christian identity. 15 percent of these people chose no religion instead of choosing one.
The cause for this isn't really known. Maybe people are just losing interest or maybe they're just losing faith. Whatever the reason, the numbers show that people who believe are dropping pretty steadily. In my opinion, I think people just need to figure out things for themselves. I personally haven't made a decision about being a Christian or not. I want to see what other religions are out there first before I commit a life to God.
Age and gender also has a lot to do with it. The younger generation is more open minded and open to discussion about things they believe in. Eventually this country's main religion could be no religion. But we don't know that, only time can tell.
This article is discussing how Christianity is fading from many American's heart. But it hasn't led them to have no faith at all. Today, 76 percent of Americans call themselves Christian. Obviously that is a huge number. However, in 1990 86 percent said that same thing. So the percentage has dropped 10 percent. These days, once in every 5 adults (US) choose nbot to identify a Christian identity. 15 percent of these people chose no religion instead of choosing one.
The cause for this isn't really known. Maybe people are just losing interest or maybe they're just losing faith. Whatever the reason, the numbers show that people who believe are dropping pretty steadily. In my opinion, I think people just need to figure out things for themselves. I personally haven't made a decision about being a Christian or not. I want to see what other religions are out there first before I commit a life to God.
Age and gender also has a lot to do with it. The younger generation is more open minded and open to discussion about things they believe in. Eventually this country's main religion could be no religion. But we don't know that, only time can tell.
Blog post March 13, 2009
'Dalai Lama: Tibetans 'suffering' under China.'
This article includes information about The Dalai Lama and his opinion about his people in China. The Dalai Lama has said that life for the Tibetans in China has been "hell on earth." The Dalai Lama is usually peaceful and is known for his kind words, so obviously something has rubbed him the wrong way about the treatment of Tibetans. He thinks that China treats the people wrong and over these 50 years there has only been suffering to the land and to the people.
He fears the extinction of Tibet's religion and culture and wants something done about it. He is against Chinese movements that have caused harm and death to many Tibetans. Communist experiments and particularly the Cultural Revolution "thrust Tibetans into such depths of suffering and hardship that they literally experienced hell on earth." says the Dalai Lama.
He thinks that it has only become worse and even today Tibetans fear for their lives. Even though all of this has occured the Dalai Lama has "no doubt that the justice of the Tibetan cause will prevail if we continue to tread a path of truth and nonviolence."
This article includes information about The Dalai Lama and his opinion about his people in China. The Dalai Lama has said that life for the Tibetans in China has been "hell on earth." The Dalai Lama is usually peaceful and is known for his kind words, so obviously something has rubbed him the wrong way about the treatment of Tibetans. He thinks that China treats the people wrong and over these 50 years there has only been suffering to the land and to the people.
He fears the extinction of Tibet's religion and culture and wants something done about it. He is against Chinese movements that have caused harm and death to many Tibetans. Communist experiments and particularly the Cultural Revolution "thrust Tibetans into such depths of suffering and hardship that they literally experienced hell on earth." says the Dalai Lama.
He thinks that it has only become worse and even today Tibetans fear for their lives. Even though all of this has occured the Dalai Lama has "no doubt that the justice of the Tibetan cause will prevail if we continue to tread a path of truth and nonviolence."
Article Review- February 13, 2009.
'After Attacks, Cricket Fights For Life in South Asia'
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1886449,00.html
'Cricket' is many things to South Asia. For many it means war. For others it means business. Cricket is like a glue that binds the community together. In India, cricket is a big game. The Indian Premier League began in 2008 and is already worth approximately $2 billion. But last year's terror attack on Mumbai, and the assault on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan on March 3rd in which 8 people died and several players were injured have raised fears about the future of the game in the entire region. At the rate Cricket may not be played very much, if at all.
Right now in India, the game has little hope. But, security and other costly measures has been increased rapidly in hopes to save what is left of this precious social activity.
Cricket is a very important aspect of a lot of South Asian cultures, so hopefully something will be done to preserve it.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1886449,00.html
'Cricket' is many things to South Asia. For many it means war. For others it means business. Cricket is like a glue that binds the community together. In India, cricket is a big game. The Indian Premier League began in 2008 and is already worth approximately $2 billion. But last year's terror attack on Mumbai, and the assault on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan on March 3rd in which 8 people died and several players were injured have raised fears about the future of the game in the entire region. At the rate Cricket may not be played very much, if at all.
Right now in India, the game has little hope. But, security and other costly measures has been increased rapidly in hopes to save what is left of this precious social activity.
Cricket is a very important aspect of a lot of South Asian cultures, so hopefully something will be done to preserve it.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Article Review- March 5th, 2009
'Life Sentence for Austrian incest case'
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/world/europe/20austria.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
An Austrian court sentenced Josef Fritzl, 73, to life in prison for allowing one of his children whom he fathered imprisoned daughter to die without medical attention. The guilty verdict and sentence, which he will serve in a secure psychiatric facility, brought to a close a sensational tale of incest in the man's own basement shocked the Austrian community as well as the world.
He was found guilty on all counts including: rape, incest, imprisonment and enslavement. Even though all of these charges are quite extreme it was the negiligent homicide charge that got him the life sentence. The verdict was unanimous, meaning the whole jury felt that without reasonable doubt this man was guilty.
He first denied all the charges and pleaded innocent but on Wednesday changed his plea to guilty and was then sentenced the life long punishment. He will more than likely not have any oppurtunity for parroll.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/world/europe/20austria.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper
An Austrian court sentenced Josef Fritzl, 73, to life in prison for allowing one of his children whom he fathered imprisoned daughter to die without medical attention. The guilty verdict and sentence, which he will serve in a secure psychiatric facility, brought to a close a sensational tale of incest in the man's own basement shocked the Austrian community as well as the world.
He was found guilty on all counts including: rape, incest, imprisonment and enslavement. Even though all of these charges are quite extreme it was the negiligent homicide charge that got him the life sentence. The verdict was unanimous, meaning the whole jury felt that without reasonable doubt this man was guilty.
He first denied all the charges and pleaded innocent but on Wednesday changed his plea to guilty and was then sentenced the life long punishment. He will more than likely not have any oppurtunity for parroll.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Article Review - March 2nd, 2009 (Sick)
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article5829575.ece
Name of Article- 'Race to save whales stranded in mass Tasmania beaching'
This article is concerning the beached whales on an island just south of Australia. There are over 200 whales who have washed up on the shores. Among the whales are a number of dolphins. The whales/dolphins came onto shore on March 1st, 2009. While 200 washed up, only 54 remain alive. They have been heard crying and can not get back into the water on their own.
Over 150 local people are helping park officials to rescue these creatures and hopefully get them back to safety. All the volunteers and park officials are doing everything they can to help the animals. If they can't get them off the beach and back into the water the animals will die and there will have to be a massive clean up of all the bodies.
I really hope the animals get resuced. It's already pretty bad that over 100 of them have died. I wonder what the cause of the beaching was, because the article doesn't really say. It seems to happen a lot. Hopefully someday we can come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again.
Name of Article- 'Race to save whales stranded in mass Tasmania beaching'
This article is concerning the beached whales on an island just south of Australia. There are over 200 whales who have washed up on the shores. Among the whales are a number of dolphins. The whales/dolphins came onto shore on March 1st, 2009. While 200 washed up, only 54 remain alive. They have been heard crying and can not get back into the water on their own.
Over 150 local people are helping park officials to rescue these creatures and hopefully get them back to safety. All the volunteers and park officials are doing everything they can to help the animals. If they can't get them off the beach and back into the water the animals will die and there will have to be a massive clean up of all the bodies.
I really hope the animals get resuced. It's already pretty bad that over 100 of them have died. I wonder what the cause of the beaching was, because the article doesn't really say. It seems to happen a lot. Hopefully someday we can come up with a solution to prevent this from happening again.
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