Beware the Kool-Aid

Jonestown Massacre in Guyana, 30th Anniversary: Peoples Temple Founder, Jim Jones, Led More than 900 in Mass Suicide

Respected Community and Religious Leader

While there were certainly signs of danger early on in the strange career of Jim Jones, the overall positive message he preached drew large numbers of congregants to Jones' sermons. Even as he requested money in exchange for miracle healings and preached the need for a complete separation from society or anyone not a member of the Peoples Temple, Jim Jones also did something almost unprecedented for a white religious leader. He advocated integration of his Church, and his black and white followers worshipped side-by-side at a time when racial tensions were still extremely high across the country.

By the 1970s, Jones, ever charming and charismatic in social situations, had gained attention and cultivated swift popularity amongst influential political leaders within his San Francisco community. At a September 1976 dinner honoring Jim Jones for his contributions to the black community, Willie Brown, Jr. had the following to say about the evening's honoree:

"I have had the great pleasure of knowing a leader with tremendous character and integrity. . . Rev. Jones is regarded among government officials, civic and religious leaders, and particularly the black community and working class people, with utter respect for what he has done to upgrade the quality of life in our area and to bring greater health and well-being to thousands of poor, minority, and disadvantaged people.