An Extensive Social, Psychological, And Mental Profile Of The Peoples Temple Followers

An African American woman named Mattie Gibson just wanted to escape her past which included “never getting any longer than third grade in primary school, going through a childhoodwithout any proper food or clothing, and having to deal with brutal racism and beatings fromwhite people. ”(Larsen) She died as a Peoples Temple Follower on the night of November 18, 1978, as a victim of society’s negligence to overcome racial inequality, and as a woman who just wanted a better life. After this tragic event, the media labeled the victims, like Ms. Gibson, as crazy cult members for their social deviance, but the followers were not mentally ill. In fact, they were trying to make a statement to the rest of America that they must end the societal torment of poor people and minorities using their mass suicide as a last resort for change. (Richardson)

The people who became the followers of the Peoples Temple were desperate individuals seeking solutions to the injustices of the world around them. Having no other options or communities to join, they sought refuge in what was supposed to be a peaceful, safe, utopian society ran by a sane, charismatic leader whose preachings resonated in them. When the society they joined was revealed to be mentally, psychologically, and physically detrimental there was little the followers could do to escape or resist. (Larsen) In order to avoid torture by armed guards and other followers, they fell in line and accepted the teachings. In the end, they were indifferent to death and were willing to follow any order given by Jones out of loyalty and dedication to their cause including suicide; however, most followers did not join so that they could commit suicide in November of 1978. (Moore) They joined to spark change in a world facing serious repression, cruelty, and prejudice. They also followed Jones in order to get food, shelter, and medical attention because they were poor. This being said, not everyone in the cult was poor, some that became followers did so because of the good work that was being done by the society to help those in need. (Richardson)

The majority of the members of the Peoples Temple were poor African Americans who were victims of horrible discrimination in their home communities. They had over 1000 members: approximately 75% were African Americans, 20% were Caucasian, and 5% were Hispanic, Asian, or Native American. (Chidester) Whole families joined the community in Jamestown, mostly to avoid their racist neighbors; therefore, there were about 300 children and about 150 seniors. (Chidester) The young adults and runaway teenagers who joined were typically compelled by Jones’ socialist ideas and were inspired by his thoughts of change. The new members sympathized with the working class and wished to diminish the wealth gap. Many people also joined to participate in humanitarian activities that would give them purpose in their lives. (Richardson)Even though the followers might not have been mentally ill at the start of their admittance into the society in Jamestown, they began to mirror Jim Jones’ mental profile after months of sleep deprivation, strenuous labor, and psychological stress. (Larsen)

The circumstance and living conditions in the community allowed for these individuals to acquire handicaps preventing them from making choices that they would have if they were in their right state of mind. (Larsen) This hindrance along with Jones’ strong charisma affected the mental profiles of the members. As Jones started to show signs of paranoia and depression, the followers developed a fear of the outside world’s attempt to destroy their society, a feeling of overwhelming and inevitable doom, and a distrust of their relatives who tried to pull them from their society. The followers were prepared to commit suicide because they feared invasion, imprisonment, and torture for their beliefs. (Moore) They felt that they were doomed to this dreadful fate at any moment and had prepared themselves for the sacrifice for a long time before deciding to do so. However, just because they mirrored symptoms of mental illness did not mean that they were mentally ill or depressed. Suicide ideation was their solution to a problem larger than themselves. It could be compared to the altruistic suicides of Kamikaze pilots that thought their death was a way to benefit a group of people. (Richardson) They felt that in the midst of an invasion that would result in their torture and destruction, the only way to fight back would be to kill themselves. Suicide was, however, a last resort solution to the oppression of black people, inequality of wealth distribution, and attacks by outside forces. Some members demonstrated their sanity by attempting alternatives to suicide such as writing letters to congressional officials for help in improving their circumstances. (Moore) All they wanted was equality and the ability to live their lives in peace and without judgement. The social profile of the people who joined the community were not at all homogenous. There were a variety of races, educational backgrounds, and experiences. Some were brilliant, such as Richard D. Tropp, while others were people with a sad or lonely history, such as Virginia Taylor. (Larsen) Many shared a longing for an accepting community or a sincere preacher which the Peoples Temple provided them.

After joining, they made many friends and finally felt like they belonged. In addition, they shared a sympathy for the working class and supported socialist views. (Larsen) Most followers were poor and desperate for the equality that Jones’ socialist community provided. What drove these diverse groups to join this specific society was a combination of appealing factors along with the absence of an equal alternative. (Richardson) Jones’ preaching style appealed to the black community while his race and ideas intrigued affluent whites and blacks. There was not another church in their area that allowed for such racial and economic equality, and the preachers in the area could not compete with Jones’ dedication and allure. (Larsen) The people who joined Jones’ community were mostly sane individuals from a variety of backgrounds who desired a safe, peaceful community to live in or raise a family in. They wanted equality and a sincere religious leader that was not available for them in their home communities. (Larsen) Originally most of the members were of sound mind; then, they underwent a mental transformation that mirrored Jones’ and introduced a vulnerability to ideas that they wouldn’t have initially accepted. Some may have started out as weak-minded individuals, but under the severe circumstances of the community, all of them became victims and perpetrators of Jones’ agenda over time. Finally they resorted to inflicting torture onto others or succumbing to suicidal ideation because of their loyalty to Jim Jones.