5 ways to not drink Kool-aid
As a subscriber to boingboing.net, I was immersed today, as I caught up on my blog reading, in a main topic of conversation – The 30 year anniversary of the largest mass suicide in history. In 1978, Pastor Jim Jones coerced and in some cases intimidated his followers into drinking kool-aid laced with cyanide and other toxins that killed them, including hundreds of children.
I read tons of articles, and watched a PBS special on the background of Jones’ story, and I am filled with horror at what took place during this time. What started out as a group of people trying to create a utopic society, became a nightmare for thousands of members and family.
Here was a man with a mission “from God” who preached values like equality and justice, giving to the needy, and humbling yourself, and then turned around to make it all about him. “I’ll be your best friend if you want me to be. If you need a father, I can be your father. I’ll be your God if you want me to be your God,” Jones said from the pulpit.
So what went wrong? How do we know that religion won’t always go this route? I’ve thought of a few ways to safeguard our lives to follow God’s leading and not a humans.
1) If a person says they are God, in any sense (Jesus, Holy Spirit, etc…), be done with them.
A person is not God. God is God. Anything else is idolatry.
2) Don’t blindly follow a person.
Many times we choose to be a part of a church or an organization because we like the leader, rather than the vision of the church or the organization. If so, you will be gone immediately after the leader leaves, dies, or asks you to drink this. Please investigate the mission of your church, non-profit organization, kid’s school, or book club group (to name a few). Why do they do what they do? If they don’t know, then they’re probably not accomplishing anything.
3) When you give, stay informed about where it goes.
I’m not saying you should have a say in where it goes, but I do think you should be able to ask questions to ensure accountability in the process.
4) If someone preaches dogmatically living life one way, and lives their life the opposite way, this is not healthy.
In the case of Jim Jones, he preached justice and equality in a socialistic environment, and then lived in wealth. He spent a lot of money given to him by his congregation, while asking them to give more, and he slept with whatever woman he wanted whenever he wanted. For those of you dreaming of a utopian society one day, socialism at its base is just like capitalism. If either is left unchecked, they will fall hard, because they both require leadership.
5) Pray.
Stay in tune with God, constantly asking him if this next move or decision is the one you need to make. This helps to safeguard your decisions and keeps you free of manipulation.
30 Years ago. But it could happen today.
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I don’t know what to make of this post. It seems pretty accusatory to a guy that was just trying to do some good in this world.
Anybody with me?!
I’m skeptical that he was “just trying to do some good in this world.”
Good post, Marty. Related to your 5 points (esp the last one)–I think it’s helpful to stay in touch with people from other congregations, so if the organisation you’re in starts derailing, you have a few other points of contact to help you not derail with it. (I just know that sometimes I can ask God stuff and still make up my own answers and think it’s Him.)
Here’s a question for you, though:
What do you say when a person who doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Son of the One True God (as opposed to some other manifestation of “divinity”) says, “I think anyone who asks for total trust is bound to fail you at some point”? As a believer in Jesus, I feel this is true of everyone EXCEPT for Jesus (cf your first point–and sort of your second), but if someone doesn’t already believe in Jesus, what’s to keep them from applying that point to Him, too? I have found that Lewis’ “liar, lunatic or Lord” argument does not really seem to compel people these days.