Set to build a utopian society, the hopes and faith of over 900 people fell upon a man that was seen as a savior, but some saw as a madman. A man who was able to gain the trust of hundreds and twist their minds to believe that suicide was their only way. Those that rejected to comply were injected with poison. Children and babies were the first to go in a tragedy that had no rival in US deaths until the September 11 tragedy of 2001. The day 900+ people would drink cyanide for a man they believed in. It's a tragedy I'd heard about a lot in my life but never really looked into. What happened in Jonestown was not mass suicide, it was mass murder. After hearing the audio of the entire event, with children screaming they don't want to die, some suggesting fleeing to Russia instead of suicide, the shooting of a congressman, it's a glimpse into one of the darker sides of mankind. One man convincing hundreds of people to take their lives and the lives of 301 children. This is not for the faint of heart, this is not for the strong-willed, this is not for anyone. This is a reminder that the hearts of mankind are easily swayed with trust and confidence. A reminder that evil is real. A reminder that men can easily manipulate people who have been through tragedy themselves, use a person's trauma and depression to build themselves up as a God in their eyes. Do not forget this tragedy. Do not forget this evil. Keep in mind cyanide is not a peaceful death as he told the people. It's agony and suffering while the body convulses struggling for oxygen. No one was getting out of this alive whether they denied it or not as armed gunman watched. Jones would then shoot himself after everyone was dead.

This man had done a test run of the mass suicide prior when he asked his followers to drink poison from a cup to show their faith in him. In the end, he revealed there was no poison and it was just to show faith in him. From then on he knew he had ultimate power over the people.

As a member of the Ecumenical Order of Christ, a "cult" that has been ridiculed and had false allegations of human sacrifice, self-harm, drugs, and more, we have come up against the term "drinking the Koolaid" but life is something held dear among our pledges and teachings. There is nothing more vile in the world than someone who would force people to take their lives. Before you give your lives to any mortal man, ask yourselves and them if they truly would follow these ways.