I'm for Jonestown - by Shona

The presentation is all set for tomorrow. The power point is done and being the good team we are, we have all looked through it together with plans for another run through early tomorrow. We have chosen an excellent story and have covered it in depth. However, to fully appreciate the emotion of the story and the way in which people there must have felt - everyone should watch the videos and listent to the death tape.

When I speak to friends - and educate them about what went on, I am sure although they appreciate how awful the consequences were, they do not see the other side of the People's Temple. Now I know about Jonestown, I find it amazing that people who I know and consider people of the world dont know about this. How come? If this was n the UK, it would never be forgotten.

I feel, out of all of the cults/communities that we have covered that this IS one that I would have considered joining (am i weird!?) It did seem like a paradise and to those who were discriminated against because of their race, age or sexual orientation, it must have felt like the paradise that was promised.

Many of the groups we have looked at like Heavens Gate (no offence if this is one YOU would join) it seemed to be a small group of either very gullable or simply mad people. I mean UFO'S to Heaven!?

The Restoration of the Ten Commandments had many believable factors for followers but the prophecy that blocks of cement falling from the sky would definitley cast doubt for me if I was a member.

As far as Waco was concerned - any serious group governed by someone called the 'Masturbating Messiah' would not be encouraging. As a male member I would lose the right to have sex with my wife and unless I was grateful for this, the idea of not being able to sleep with my own husband would not be my idea of a welcome community.

All of the groups offered sanctuary, a community, acceptance, a new kingdom in some cases but for me the Peoples Temple was at the right time and for the right reasons. It proved itself to be serious through to its relocation and the achievement of what Jonestown had become. Some say that if Jim Jones hadn't lost control of his mind or on the other hand if there was no Jim Jones, the idea behind the Peoples Temple and the 'Promise Land' was infact paradise.