The story of Jim Jones and Jonestown is one of deception and manipulation. Jim Jones\u2019s personality was contradictory; even though he was a huge advocate for civil rights and racial equality, one of his childhood role models was Adolf Hitler. Tony and Albert from the podcast \u201cBig Ideas\u201d describe how Jones was drawn to the preciseness in the discipline and order of the Nazis, while most kids wanted to act like American soldiers. His persona of a benevolent preacher was also a fa\u00e7ade, as he engaged in extramarital sex and heavy drug use. Furthermore, he acknowledged and justified these things to his congregation.<\/p>\n
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Whether his actions were genuine or not, Jones could be extraordinarily kind to his followers. He did his best to know every single member of his congregation, and when someone needed help on bills or rent, he would often times rally his followers around this person to help them.<\/p>\n
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In today\u2019s polarized political environment, I think that it is incredibly important that we do not \u201cdrink the Kool-Aid.\u201d It should go without saying that a mass murder-suicide is unlikely in our modern era, but with today\u2019s mudslinging campaigning style dominating politics, it is crucial that we maintain the ability to see both sides of an argument. Evaluating each sides\u2019 motive is the first step, and it further than concluding that they just want to win a particular position.<\/p>\n
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The story of Jim Jones and Jonestown is one of deception and manipulation. Jim Jones\u2019s personality was contradictory; even though he was a huge advocate…<\/p>\n