Jim Jones,David Koresh: What makes people start these types of cults ?

Answer 1

They didn't start anything. People chose to follow then and exult them to a higher level. We see this in most churches, though to a much lesser degree.

Jim Jones was a dynamic speaker and leader, giving the followers of his time something they could not find in the churches of Christendom. Since then, Pastors, Priest, etc. have learn to project a similar image. People go to church as much to be entertained as preach to, but not ot learn. In the days of Jim Jones, the churches of Christendom were centered more around their followers learning the Bible, but now they just preach at them and telling them what they need to know, from their point of view, and nothing more. Beyond that, they entertainment them, the same way Jim Jones did. It has worked very effectively, as churches have now grown to mega structures.

Answer 2

First of all, you left one off the list who stands equal in shoulders with Jim Jones and David Koresh. That was Muhammad of Mecca, the false prophet of the islam cult.

These cult creators are tempted by the darkest parts of their personalities. They often hear "voices" in their head that give them instruction on how to start the cults. and how to proceed with them.

Answer 3

These kinds of charismatic people are really good at convincing people that it is much worse to walk away from them and face all kinds of unknown evils than to stick it out with them and face a suicide by fire and bullets (Koresh) or doped Kool Aid (J. Jones).

Papa Bear, I wish I could give you ten points for your answer. You hit the nail on the head with your reply. It's one reason why I don't like going to church. It's all opinion based teachings on what the Sunday school teacher wants you to believe or you'll be treated badly or shunned till you do.

Answer 4

Same thing that makes people start any other religion or cult. They get inspired and think they have some great knowledge or power and are charasmatic enough to get followers. The followers they get make them think even more highly about themselves, even to the point of martyring themselves sometimes. It doesn't matter if it's David Koresh, Joseph Smith, or Jesus. It's all about getting people to believe their myth.

Answer 5

All I know, is prior to the FBI 2nd assault in Waco, there were 25 vibrant living children/ afterwards 25 motionless dead children. Those in society who make apathetic jokes about Waco or obscene gestures, do no better then to masturbate on the graves of children, whose pitiful cries still cry out like the blood of Abel. The Waco children were found wrapped in what had been wet towels covering their horrid contortions while they vainly sought refuge in the arms of thier mothers, for some the two bodies were thus fused together, almost inseparable. At this I will throw a veil over the scene, it is one of those disgraceful moments which the pen of history refuses to further transcribe.

Answer 6

I think they are power hungry. Plain and simple answer anyway. They are geniuses in that sense, where they may lack math, or basic grammar skills, they are highly skilled in the manipulation of a desperate people. As I was watching a show on cults last night they said the "inbetweener" was the most vulnerable to there mad rants. Like inbetween jobs, relationships, etc..Because you are not on steady ground if say you are fired, or the love of your life leaves you. You are looking to belong and men like this know how to manipulate that feeling to there advantage. Scary though

Answer 7

Lack of authority that oversees the ministers. With no central authority, people are basically free to do whatever they want because they are not really answerable to anybody. Jim Jones was an ordained minister in the Disciples of Christ Church which has no hierarchy....no one to make sure that things remain legit.

Answer 8

Some of these people start out as sincere, devout people. But they become "puffed up with pride" (1Timothy 3:6; 2Timothy 3:1-5), and their own ideas become more important than the search for truth. Their charismatic personalities draw others into the web of deceit that they themselves begin to believe. They become Satanic in that they become liars and manslayers.(John 8:44)

Answer 9

In Jim Jones case, he started out as a good and decent man, he really believed in helping people. He believed in racial equality and did a lot of positive things. As his workload increased he felt he never had enough time to get things done so he started using amphetamines to give him a boost, soon he was taking daily injections of speed just to make it through the day. Using that much speed he wasn't sleeping very much. Combine sleep depravation and heavy use of amphetamines you get one seriously unstable and paranoid personality.

Answer 10

Some may start because they honestly believe that they are a Prophet or a Messiah, but it turns into a cult because of the tactics used in order to maintain the position of power.