Peoples Temple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peoples Temple |
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Logo of the Peoples Temple
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| Classification | Christian new religious movement Utopian/social change church movement |
| Orientation | Eclectic Pentecostal with Christian socialist and communist elements / Theosophical / New Thought |
| Polity | Semi-congregationalist |
| Leader | James Warren "Jim" Jones (1955–78) |
| Region | Defunct from 1978, formerly present in: United States
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| Founder | Jim Jones |
| Origin | 1954 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Defunct | December 4, 1978 |
| Congregations | 7 in California (prior moving to Guyana) |
| Members | 3,000–5,000 (over 20,000 claimed but not substantiated) |
The Peoples Temple was a religious group in the United States. It was also known as the Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ. Reverend Jim Jones started the group in 1954 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Peoples Temple taught a mix of Christianity and ideas from communist and socialist beliefs. A main focus of the group was racial equality. This meant they believed all races should be treated fairly.
In the 1960s, Jim Jones moved the group to California. They set up several locations there, including their main office in San Francisco. The Temple became connected with many political leaders. They claimed to have 20,000 members. However, it is thought that they had closer to 3,000 to 5,000 members.
The Peoples Temple is mostly known for sad events that happened on November 18, 1978. These events took place in Guyana, a country in South America. The group had a settlement there called "Jonestown". On that day, 909 people died at Jonestown. Also, U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan and others visiting him died at a nearby airport.
The events in Jonestown led to the largest loss of American civilian lives in one event before September 11, 2001. Because of these deaths, many people and experts see the Temple as a group that caused great harm.
Contents
What Was the Peoples Temple?
The Peoples Temple started as a Christian church. It grew into a group that focused on social change. They wanted to create a better society. Their founder, Jim Jones, led the group from 1955 until 1978.
Early Years in Indiana
The group began in Indianapolis, Indiana. Jim Jones wanted to help people who were struggling. He preached about helping the poor and achieving racial equality. Many people joined because they liked these ideas.
Moving to California
Later, the Peoples Temple moved to California. They opened churches in different cities. These included Los Angeles and San Francisco. The group became very active in politics. They supported politicians who shared their views.
Life in the Peoples Temple
Members of the Peoples Temple lived together and shared their belongings. They worked on projects to help the community. This included providing food and housing for those in need. The group grew quite large in California.
Beliefs and Goals
The Peoples Temple combined Christian teachings with socialist ideas. Socialism is a way of organizing society where everyone shares resources. They believed in creating a fair and equal community. They also strongly supported civil rights for all people.
The Move to Jonestown
In the 1970s, the Peoples Temple started building a new community. This community was in Guyana, South America. They called it "Jonestown." Many members moved there to live. They hoped to create a perfect society away from the United States.
Events in Jonestown
On November 18, 1978, a U.S. Congressman named Leo Ryan visited Jonestown. He was checking on the people living there. During his visit, Congressman Ryan and some of his team died at a nearby airstrip. Soon after, 909 people died in Jonestown. This tragic event led to the end of the Peoples Temple.
See also
In Spanish: Templo del Pueblo de los Discípulos de Cristo para niños
