Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple

Deborah Layton:
Nobody joins a cult. Nobody joins something they think's gonna hurt them. You join a religious organization, you join a political movement, and you join with people that you *really like.*

Deborah Layton:
[on Jim Jones's brainwashing of his followers at Jonestown] Every night at some point, his voice would come over the loudspeaker, and he'd say, "I'm sending somebody out tonight. Somebody you know. Somebody you trust. And they're gonna act like they wanna leave. But this is a loyalty test, and you need to turn them in."

Christine Miller:
[abridged dialogue from the infamous "Death Tape", which was recorded on the day of the massacre] I feel like, as long as there is life, there's hope. That's my faith.

Jim Jones:
Well, someday we're gonna die... because everybody dies. I haven't seen anybody yet that didn't die. And I'd like to choose my own kind of death for a change. I'm tired of being tormented to hell, that's what I'm tired of. Tired of people's lives in my hands and I certainly don't want your life in my hands and I'm going to tell you, Christine, without me, life has no meaning... I'm the best friend you'll ever have. And, once I have to pay, I'm standing with Jjara; I'm standing with those people. They're part of me. I'd never detach myself from any of your troubles. I've always taken your troubles right on my shoulders and I'm not gonna change that now. It's too late. I've been running too long. Not gonna change now. Maybe the next time you'll get to go to Russia... the next time 'round. This is what I'm talking about... the dispensation of judgment. This is revolutionary suicide. I'm not talking about self-destruction. We have no other road. I will take your call. We will put it to the Russians, and I can tell you the answer now, because I'm a prophet. Call the Russians and tell them and see if they'll take us.

Christine Miller:
Not that I'm afraid to die...

Jim Jones:
I don't think you are.

Christine Miller:
By no means.

Jim Jones:
I don't think you are.

Christine Miller:
But I look at all the babies and I think they deserve to live.

Jim Jones:
I agree.

Christine Miller:
You know?

Jim Jones:
But they also deserve peace.

Christine Miller:
We all came here for peace.

Jim Jones:
And have we had it?

Christine Miller:
No.

Jim Jones:
Be assured in that choice is not ours now. It's out of our hands. Die with respect. Die with a degree of dignity. Lay down your life with dignity. Don't lay down with tears and agony. Stop this hysterics. Keep your emotions down. Children, it will not hurt if you'll be quiet.