Jonestown

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.