Post by rednymph234 on Mar 11, 2007 20:46:42 GMT -4
Ok, I was watching a history channel special on the Jones Town cult. For those who don't know, in about 1978 an Evangelical religious leader set up a cult society, starting in the US, but then moved it to the jungles to Guyana in order to escape the oppresion of the government.
I am attracted to this because of a theory I read in regards to Lost, the one I posted before saying that the island is an escape, a paradise in such, where the Others make the island their haven to wait for the end of the world.
Jim Jones set up this community open to all, in the jungles of Guyana just outside of Georgetown. Though all people of all colors were welcome, they could not get out. Force and violence ensued should they try to escape.
Basically, since his following was very strong, almost 1,000 members, those who tried to escape or began to dislike the "Children's Temple"--the community--well...those people were brainwashed and punished severely. Surviving members claim they were terrified of the physical and mental punishments.
(carl was brainwashed and punished for disliking whatever or causing problems)
Here is a picture of the comminuty, which shares a striking resemblence to the Others' little cottages.
The further Jim Jones went in his preachings, the more political and social he became, and he called himself a prophet and wanted to protect his people.
Although many were afraid and wanted to leave the "children's temple"/Jonestown, the majority loved him and commited a mass suicide at his order, because he told them that God was calling them.
They took the children born and brought to the town and made them drink poisoned kool-aid.
As I watched this documentary I began to think of the Others....this Jacob would be the parallel to Jim Jones, using brain washing and promises of a better future. (Jim Jones promised this exact same thing)
Jacob could have set up this community to sheild its people from the outside world, and the island could be the parallel of the Guyana jungle. Jack asked Ben if they could leave, why didn't they? Because they don't want to.
It is like the movie The Village, where these people set up their own village toescape from the world and its evil and complications.
Jacob (Jim Jones symbol) takes the children and "gives them a better life." [/b]Jim Jones once said this, that his children will receive God's blessing.
This could explain why the Others think they are so superior to the Losties and try to get only the "good ones" to join them.....they think that they are God's chosen and they also beleive that they are enlightened.
Besides, people tend to rever their prophets as some higher being and actually begin to wordhip the man/woman rather than the god or purpose for their assembly. What I mean is, the Others talk about Jacob as this entity, this high and mighty beautiful being.
Carl's voice when he said "God loves you as he loved Jacob" didn't sound right...."Jacob's list' didn't sound normal....
I think Jacob may be dead but people like Ben and Isobel are continuing his/her dream.
Now, I don't think that the show is as Cult-like as Jim Jones and his Temple, but perhaps there are some relevances. I think the Others are more scientific or philosophers, or even supernatural or conspiracy-like than cult-like.
But then again, look at their behavior....the Losties captured act brain washed! The others act so high and mighty, and just give me the feeling of some sort of cult.
This doesn't mean they worship a god or differnent form of Jehova, but still....a cult can take many forms and many practices....maybe it is a science or supernatural/mind power cult? A philosophy cult? Or just a secret society wanting to escape the world. Or to wait for the end of the world.
I have no idea. But this is my theory. And this theory could explain the symbolism of religious usages in the show, names, places, situations, metaphores, etc.
I am attracted to this because of a theory I read in regards to Lost, the one I posted before saying that the island is an escape, a paradise in such, where the Others make the island their haven to wait for the end of the world.
Jim Jones set up this community open to all, in the jungles of Guyana just outside of Georgetown. Though all people of all colors were welcome, they could not get out. Force and violence ensued should they try to escape.
Basically, since his following was very strong, almost 1,000 members, those who tried to escape or began to dislike the "Children's Temple"--the community--well...those people were brainwashed and punished severely. Surviving members claim they were terrified of the physical and mental punishments.
(carl was brainwashed and punished for disliking whatever or causing problems)
Here is a picture of the comminuty, which shares a striking resemblence to the Others' little cottages.
The further Jim Jones went in his preachings, the more political and social he became, and he called himself a prophet and wanted to protect his people.
Although many were afraid and wanted to leave the "children's temple"/Jonestown, the majority loved him and commited a mass suicide at his order, because he told them that God was calling them.
They took the children born and brought to the town and made them drink poisoned kool-aid.
As I watched this documentary I began to think of the Others....this Jacob would be the parallel to Jim Jones, using brain washing and promises of a better future. (Jim Jones promised this exact same thing)
Jacob could have set up this community to sheild its people from the outside world, and the island could be the parallel of the Guyana jungle. Jack asked Ben if they could leave, why didn't they? Because they don't want to.
It is like the movie The Village, where these people set up their own village toescape from the world and its evil and complications.
Jacob (Jim Jones symbol) takes the children and "gives them a better life." [/b]Jim Jones once said this, that his children will receive God's blessing.
This could explain why the Others think they are so superior to the Losties and try to get only the "good ones" to join them.....they think that they are God's chosen and they also beleive that they are enlightened.
Besides, people tend to rever their prophets as some higher being and actually begin to wordhip the man/woman rather than the god or purpose for their assembly. What I mean is, the Others talk about Jacob as this entity, this high and mighty beautiful being.
Carl's voice when he said "God loves you as he loved Jacob" didn't sound right...."Jacob's list' didn't sound normal....
I think Jacob may be dead but people like Ben and Isobel are continuing his/her dream.
Now, I don't think that the show is as Cult-like as Jim Jones and his Temple, but perhaps there are some relevances. I think the Others are more scientific or philosophers, or even supernatural or conspiracy-like than cult-like.
But then again, look at their behavior....the Losties captured act brain washed! The others act so high and mighty, and just give me the feeling of some sort of cult.
This doesn't mean they worship a god or differnent form of Jehova, but still....a cult can take many forms and many practices....maybe it is a science or supernatural/mind power cult? A philosophy cult? Or just a secret society wanting to escape the world. Or to wait for the end of the world.
I have no idea. But this is my theory. And this theory could explain the symbolism of religious usages in the show, names, places, situations, metaphores, etc.
