Jim Jones was born in May 31st, 1931 in Lynn, Indiana. As a young man he had become a pastor of a Methodist church but could not become a minister for not meeting Methodist standards. Then in 1954 he left to found a community what would be called The People’s Temple. Later on in the mid-1960’s he had a vision of a nuclear holocaust and moved the congregation to Ukiah, California, which he believed was a safe place, then became affiliated with the Disciples of Christ.
As things progressed Jones had become a social activist extending his work to Los Angeles and San Francisco building African congregations also but had become frustrated that his efforts to end racism, he began to lean increasingly to Marxism. In 1973 he founded a rural colony in the largely Marxist country of Guyana. The colony seemed to prosper though rumors had surfaced of irregularities in the temple, including violence against former members and temple critics. Then in 1977 Jones and many of his followers migrated to the colony, which had been named Jonestown.
Jones had responded to his accusation with heightened paranoia. He was also seeking ways to finance his following and placing his followers in a harmonious environment. He looked at the possibilities including “revolutionary suicide.” Then in 1978 congressman Leo Ryan made a visit to Guyana to observe Jonestown. Then immediately after he left and prepared for his trip back to the U.S. a group of temple members attacked and killed him including his party. A short time later at least 900, including men, women, and children either committed suicide by a cyanide laced drink or were murdered. Jim Jones died by a gunshot wound to the head on the same day.
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