A Twist of Faith Episode
Surviving Utopia: A two-part series that tells the untold stories of the forgotten Jonestown victims. We discover the truths in Jesus’ final warning through their lives and expert interviews. Jim Jones twisted biblical Christianity and created a dangerous environment. Sociologists and theologians say we all can fall prey to this mindset that led over 900 people to their deaths. This series will provide insight into the core of what mankind seeks- paradise and utopia- a concept found only in knowing Christ.
“To me death is not a fearful thing. It’s living that’s cursed.”
– Jim Jones
The series highlights:
The cult movement where over 900 men, women, and children met their tragic end.
Exclusive interview with a cult “insider” instrumental in building Jonestown. Jim Jones mentions this man as the reason for the massacre.
Interview with a woman who escaped death with her infant by running through the jungles. She lost her husband, mother, and sister in its wake.
Look at the patterns of thought that lead people into destructive cults and the survivor’s secondary trauma after they leave Jonestown.
Define the difference between manufactured beliefs and authentic faith in Christ.
Describe the lessons learned from the Jonestown tragedy.
Learn More about Jim Jones:
American cult leader, Jim Jones, was born on May 13, 1931. Jones was considered a charismatic leader and advocate for civil rights. He promised his followers a utopia in the jungles of Guyana after proclaiming himself the messiah of the Peoples Temple, a San Francisco-based evangelist group. He ultimately led his followers into mass suicide, which came to be known as the Jonestown Massarce. This tragic event resulted in the death of 900 of his devoted followers.
In this two-part series, viewers will not forget the faces, the stories, and the lessons learned from a cult that loved people to death.
Over 300 children and teens perished at Jonestown.
Stay tuned for this Twist of Faith episode, Tim Stoen, who helped build Jonestown, breaks his 35 years of silence and describes how Jim Jones captured his heart and imagination. We also meet one of the 80 Jonestown survivors who managed to escape despite the odds.
“I had tremendous grief, and I had tremendous guilt. I had guilt because I had enabled a man that killed 900 some people, including 300, some kids, I had enabled this man, there's no way I can get around that”
– Tim Stoen