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The Reverend James Warren “Jim” Jones.
I was in high school (1978) when the news came of the Congressman (Leo Ryan) being shot and killed in Jonestown, Guyana where Jim Jones based his cult.
Only later it would be discovered that 900+ people died after ingesting a cyanide-laced “koolaid” ~ many forcibly (including 200 children).
This “Jonestown Massacre” (as it is known) is the ultimate outcome of a person who has a “Messiah complex.” Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, it “was the greatest loss of American civilian life in a non-natural disaster.”
In another blog post on this subject I wrote of how a person with a “Messiah complex” never presents him or herself in a bad light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15) (Of course, it was Jim Jones’ approach.) Who would follow them if they did? Who would drink their “koolaid”?
And yet, if you look close enough ~ actually, you don’t have to look so close. You just have to open your own two eyes.
And let me just expand upon that thought for a moment ~ of opening one’s eyes. Many people just won’t do it. They have eyes, but they won’t use them. I submit (suggest) it’s because they don’t want to. You see, for some of these, they get so emotionally invested in a man or woman (includes politicians) that they will simply overlook almost anything (even the worst of corruption) to remain under their spell. (2 Corinthians 4:4)
Which brings me to another list to go along with my first one. Could it be that you need to open your eyes?…
7 more characteristics of a Messiah complex (plus 1 bonus):
1. Promotes godlessness.
2. Says one thing while (quite obviously) doing another thing.
3. Plays on / manipulates the emotions of followers.
4. Slanders opponents through the use of “straw man” arguments.
5. Bribes (buys off) select individuals to further his (her) ends.
6. Serves up poison (half-truths) in the form of “koolaid.”
7. (Likely) Has some kind of connection in the past to the occult.
BONUS Poses as a believer in Jesus Christ.
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