Jan 2, 2021
In the charged atmosphere of the mid-1960s, Jim Jones moved Peoples Temple westward, seeking a new beginning in California’s radical counter cultural awakening. In Redwood Valley Jim Jones embedded himself within an obscure communal sect called the Church of the Golden Rule, an offshoot of Mankind United. Founded by Arthur Bell, a self-proclaimed messenger of superhuman beings living at the Earth’s core, Mankind United preached utopia in exchange for obedience and control. Jones listened, learned, and began to reshape his own mythology. As Temple members settled in Redwood Valley Jones adapted the language of mysticism, conspiracy, and communal living into his new gospel of apostolic socialism.
Featuring first-hand accounts, rare archival recordings, and deep historical analysis, this episode explores how the Temple’s California expansion gave birth to a dangerous fusion of Cold War paranoia, spiritual manipulation, and revolutionary rhetoric. From fabricated assassination attempts to stolen ideologies, we trace the roots of a movement that blurred the lines between salvation and subjugation.