history
people’s temple (original)
from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice
After growing his congregation in a basement, Jim Jones moved the flock to this location of their first church. Renamed the "People's Temple," Jones organized soup kitchens and unemployment assistance for hundreds of people. He and his wife adopted eight children of several different ethnicities.
However, Jones's outspoken integration of African Americans into the conservative community caused a backlash in early 60's Indianapolis. His wife was spat on as she walked with their black child down the street.
Jones's sermons grew more fervid. He began faith-healing by removing tumors from people's bodies. These "tumors" were actually chicken livers removed by a sleight-of-hand trick, but the People's Temple believers were hooked.
When Jones thought the church should move to California to avoid a nuclear holocaust, 135 members loaded into buses and followed suit. The People's Temple had moved west...
community unity church
from jim jones, people’s temple, jonestown posted in history by pete_nice
Back in 1954, Jim Jones was an up-and-coming Pentecostal-style bible thumper. After leaving the Methodist church because of their intolerance of African Americans, Jones had taken to selling monkeys door-to-door to raise money for his first ministry.
Established in 1955, the Community Unity Church rented a space for their congregation in the basement of this address. The following year, the church grew large enough for their own building at 975 N. Delaware, which became the first People's Temple.
fort harrison hotel
from scientology posted in history by tacopolis
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones wrote the lyrics to "Satisfaction" by the pool at the Fort Harrison Hotel.
heaven’s gate house
from cults posted in history by pete_nice
In March of 1997, thirty-nine bodies were found in this 7-room, 9,200 sq ft mansion north of San Diego.
The grisly scene was the result of a mass suicide by the Heaven's Gate cult. A mixture of Christianity and science fiction, the cult was led by Marshall Applewhite. Partially influenced by Star Trek, the group killed themselves so their souls could join an alien spaceship hidden in the tail of the passing Hale-Bopp comet.
fort harrison hotel
from scientology posted in history by tacopolis
The Fort Harrison Hotel serves as the flagship building of the "Flag Land Base," the spiritual home of the Church of Scientology. The 11-story hotel has over 220 rooms, was opened in 1926, and was purchased by the Church in 1975 when it was in a state of disrepair. Today, the hotel accommodates many of the high profile members of the organization when visiting the area.
Notably, Scientologist member Lisa McPherson was kept captive in Room 174 for 17 days after having a psychotic episode. The religion eschews any sort of conventional psychiatric therapy, in favor of their own version of treatment. McPherson died of a pulmonary embolism en route to a hospital on December 5, 1995. The incident has become a rallying cry for many anti-Scientology groups.