Modern Day Cults Essay

The emergence of cults, otherwise known as New Religious Movements, can be attributed to many sociological factors. Although most people see cults as highly hostile and evil in nature, the majority of groups that are defined as cults display no violence. Modern day cults are groups of people that are separated from the society around it. In this essence, they can be classified as retreatists. They are also in conflict with this society, yet they do not seek to rebel or change the mainstream. Instead, they “organize an alternative value system and way of life... they are the expression of the leader's personal beliefs, hopes, and often, psychopathology” (Lundskow 186-187). Because they reject the world around them, they are forced to create

The first church was built in 1953 and was primarily based in California. Jones' main followers were African American, Christian and from urban areas. These types of people were attracted to The People's Temple because Jones preached a belief in integration and racial equality for blacks. During this time period, it was difficult for African Americans to feel they had a place in society. The Civil Rights movement was a political factor that would explain the growing popularity of Jim Jones. In the church there was no class and no racial discrimination. Here, a new nuclear family and community was created. Jim Jones was like a father figure to them and his charismatic characteristics made it easy to fall in love. The People's Temple gave each member a sense of purpose and meaning in life. They believed he could heal the sick and even predict the future. He was God to them. Eventually, power began to consume Jones. This is when The People's Temple was seen as more of a cult. Once you were in, you were no longer allowed to leave. Threats of murder and torture kept people from trying to escape. Strange practices and rituals also began to occur. Men and women were routinely beaten and forced into having sex with Jones. These abuses when on for years. One survivor states “I knew it was wrong, but I didn’t do a thing to stop it” (Flanigan 225). Their morals were completely disregarded in favor of following Jim Jones whether they realized it or