Peoples Temple Settlement In Guyana

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Durkheim states that emergence occurs from the interrelationship of elements of a simpler or less complex reality and the outcome is a phenomenon at the level of a more complex reality that creates new characteristics (Ashley 117). Jim Jones took very simple elements of religion and missionary enthusiasm and with their combination created a very complex commune, a society made up of all walks of life, a community of various followers to help him spread his socialist and Marxist ideas.
Jonestown's structure can be explained using Durkheim's ideas of mechanical and organic solidarity. According to Durkheim, a mechanically organized society is one in which social integration is based on a high level of shared beliefs, values, customs, and ritual interactions. All persons in this type of society are very consistent in their perceptions of reality, their social behavior, and their responses to the behaviors of others. These people thus have little sense of distinction and share a unity ...

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People's Temple could also be considered as being a mechanically organized society. Jim Jones was a very charismatic leader, because of this all of his followers believed in his ideas and values.
As the group became larger it was clear that the followers were adapting to Jim Jones' belief and value system. The main reason for this however is most likely due to the threats and humiliation that Jones' placed on his followers when certain members disobeyed or were negative about his beliefs. In the end we could say that the People's Temple was very much a mechanically organized group in the aspect of beliefs and values but when dealing with the individuals it was clear that there was ...

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