Jim Jones Influence On Religion

However, some new religious movements have taken this positive charisma, created a negative message and amplified it. Charismatic authority was perceived in a positive context by Weber, which made him unseeing to the oppressive prospective of charisma. Zeitlin (2001:238) states that Weber approved of demagogy intended to “bind the masses to the leader.” In addition, the “Peoples Temple” was a new religious movement created by the charismatic Jim Jones designed to spread Christianity, socialism and racial equality. However, dwelling on the errors of the Bible, Jones was encircled by people who bestowed validity on his saviour-ship in putting trust into his revelations. By acting on the emotions of his followers, Jones’ theatrical acts made him