Mainly what I remember of the Jonestown Massacre, as it pertained to The Way International, is that we fervently tried to distance ourselves from any comparisons being made with the lifestyle they lived to the lifestyle we lived. There wasn't much discussion of doctrinal differences. Our concerns seemed to be mostly about public perception. I don't recall much discussion internally, amongst ourselves, questioning whether or not we were deluding ourselves. From our perspective, they were a counterfeit and we were "the real deal".
In the video above by Kristi Burke, six passages from the bible are talked about in order to show the other side of the belief that Jesus was all about peace and love. One passage is Matthew 10:34-39. It says, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.
Here are some of her quotes in italics:
"Jesus knew his message was radical. He knew that his message would not be accepted by the masses. He was essentially creating his own apocalyptic cult that was branching off of Judaism, and he knew that it would not be well received by those around him – Jew and Gentile alike. So, of course, he knew that they would be persecuted for their beliefs, for following him, for doing something very different and radical."
According to the Old Testament, God began the great "us vs them" scenario when he called the children of Israel to be his chosen people. Jesus seems to have continued this theme in his ministry.
"To Jesus and his followers, this really seemed to be more of a battle, a spiritual and earthly battle. They were waiting for the kingdom to come here on earth, and they had to accomplish all that would be accomplished including war and persecution and bloodshed before all of that could be done."
Again, similar to the history of constant wars against other nations in the OT, Jesus purpose for coming was not to bring peace, but a sword.
"You would think that the message of the creator of the universe come to earth [sic] to bring it would find a way to bring people together, but instead, it almost seems that Jesus’ coming was an attempt to make that all boil to the surface so that those who wanted to be his disciples and follow him can walk away, can shut everyone off and walk away, leave their family behind."
This was encouraged by twi and even expected if you were participating in their different programs like the WOW, Fellow Laborer, Corps, etc. programs. How many other religious groups/cults have said something similar to this?
"At the end of it, he is saying, 'He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake will find it.' That’s a dangerous message. He is encouraging people to become martyrs. That is cult-leader behavior – somebody telling you, you might die for me, and I want you to die for me. I want you to be persecuted for me. You’re going to be blessed in the afterlife – don’t worry, I’ll take care of you afterwards, but in this life, you need to be willing to leave your dad and leave your mom, to become enemies with everyone you love and know and follow me even unto death."
"Cult-leader behavior" as seen in the Jonestown's story from penworks' post above about the International Cult Awareness Day. Was this not the same mindset as Matthew 10:34-39?
Recommended Posts
Charity
6 Times Jesus Wasn't all Peace and Love
In the video above by Kristi Burke, six passages from the bible are talked about in order to show the other side of the belief that Jesus was all about peace and love. One passage is Matthew 10:34-39. It says, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. 39He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.
Here are some of her quotes in italics:
"Jesus knew his message was radical. He knew that his message would not be accepted by the masses. He was essentially creating his own apocalyptic cult that was branching off of Judaism, and he knew that it would not be well received by those around him – Jew and Gentile alike. So, of course, he knew that they would be persecuted for their beliefs, for following him, for doing something very different and radical."
According to the Old Testament, God began the great "us vs them" scenario when he called the children of Israel to be his chosen people. Jesus seems to have continued this theme in his ministry.
"To Jesus and his followers, this really seemed to be more of a battle, a spiritual and earthly battle. They were waiting for the kingdom to come here on earth, and they had to accomplish all that would be accomplished including war and persecution and bloodshed before all of that could be done."
Again, similar to the history of constant wars against other nations in the OT, Jesus purpose for coming was not to bring peace, but a sword.
"You would think that the message of the creator of the universe come to earth [sic] to bring it would find a way to bring people together, but instead, it almost seems that Jesus’ coming was an attempt to make that all boil to the surface so that those who wanted to be his disciples and follow him can walk away, can shut everyone off and walk away, leave their family behind."
This was encouraged by twi and even expected if you were participating in their different programs like the WOW, Fellow Laborer, Corps, etc. programs. How many other religious groups/cults have said something similar to this?
"At the end of it, he is saying, 'He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake will find it.' That’s a dangerous message. He is encouraging people to become martyrs. That is cult-leader behavior – somebody telling you, you might die for me, and I want you to die for me. I want you to be persecuted for me. You’re going to be blessed in the afterlife – don’t worry, I’ll take care of you afterwards, but in this life, you need to be willing to leave your dad and leave your mom, to become enemies with everyone you love and know and follow me even unto death."
"Cult-leader behavior" as seen in the Jonestown's story from penworks' post above about the International Cult Awareness Day. Was this not the same mindset as Matthew 10:34-39?
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.