J MARAIS 62138014 RST2603
ASSIGNMENT 5 – 16 AUGUST 2019
The typology of Anthony and Robbins
The Peoples Temple- Monistic movements
The Peoples Temple advocate’s an inner spiritual awakening of the individual whom followed Jim
Jones. Mainly Peoples Temple can be classified in the Subgroup the type Charismatic groups under
Monistic Movements which focus on a leader figure who serves as a model of the ideal to be
pursued. To make spiritual progress, it is essential to imitate and venerate the leader or guru. As
mentioned, He had his followers call him “Dad,” an extension of communalism. He was a man of
action, not just talk, not merely preaching a new society, but requiring his members to be a part of
it. Jones offered safety and the only escape from the outside world, preaching that soon there would
be famine and race wars in the United States” (Caley Follmer, 2019) and Jones would “[Lace]
together facts and deceptions, he created a world of horror that could only be escaped with his help
and guidance. For this, the congregation was eternally grateful. Jones had said, “I don’t want you to
worship me. I want you to become what I am… How much I have loved you. How much I’ve tried to
give you a good life. This world is not our home” (Orsot). “Jones was the answer to all their troubles,
the savior that would bring them life. Many loved his character and devotedness to their
community. His leadership and character allowed for the church to be successful as the members
were devoted to a man who was “devoted” to them and were therefore willing to go to great
lengths for him” (Caley Follmer, 2019)
Paganism - Dualistic movements
Dualistic movements rest on the assumption that God and his creation are separate. As mentioned
by Ross Douthat “What is that conception? Simply this: that divinity is fundamentally inside the
world rather than outside it, that God or the gods or Being are ultimately part of nature rather than
an external creator, and that meaning and morality and metaphysical experience are to be sought in
a fuller communion with the immanent world rather than a leap toward the transcendent” (Ross
Douthat, 2018) Dualistic movements, ethical prescription is usually present in the form of religious
laws or commandments, and these have great importance for the members. “Paganism is not, at
core, dualistic, but rather a rainbow of ideas. It contains dark, light, and everything in between.
Being good comes from balance more than from any one side or pole …Yet I see dualistic thinking
pervade even Paganism”. (Patheos, 2019). The dualistic Modern Paganism reject’s the
permissiveness of modern society. They are strenuously opposed to what they perceive as the low
moral standards of modern people, as said again by Douthat “But it is deliberately agnostic about
final things, what awaits beyond the shores of this world, and it is skeptical of the idea that there
exists some ascetic, world-denying moral standard to which we should aspire. Instead, it sees the
purpose of religion and spirituality as more therapeutic, a means of seeking harmony with nature
and happiness in the everyday” (Ross Douthat, 2018)
I JAYDENE MARAIS declare that this is m y ow n, original work and that where I used other information and resources, I
did so in a responsible manner. I did not plagiarise in any w ay and have referenced and acknowledged any resources that I
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that I am aw are of what plagiarism is, and the consequences thereof. Furthermore, I acknow ledge that I am aw are of UNISA’s
policy on plagiarism and understand that if there is evidence of plagiarism w ithin this document, UNISA w ill take action.