Читать книгу The Slaughter of God - Jeff Hood - Страница 13

“ . . . as Jack Beam often said (and I don’t know where he’s at right this moment, poor Jack), he says if it’s only worked one day, it was worthwhile . . .”

—Jim Jones

In Jonestown, Jack Beam served the community as an engineer. By all accounts, Beam was a generous and loving person. In the hour of death, Jim Jones shared a quote from Beam to push the people forward. Just because Jones used Beam’s quote for evil doesn’t make it evil. When he previously shared the quote, Beam was seeking to encourage people. What did he think when he heard the quote for the last time? For many that lived there, Jonestown was a success for at least a day. So was it worthwhile? For many, it was. The end doesn’t determine whether it was. The days do. There were many residents who were boldly following God and seeking community. Isn’t that what we’re all supposed to do? While I’d encourage everyone to chase the days that work . . . I’d also encourage you to carry caution along the way.

Amen.

Crowd: Cheers

Jones: Of what’s going to happen here in a matter of a few minutes, is that one of the few on that plane is gonna shoot the pilot. I know that. I didn’t plan it, but I know it’s gonna happen. They’re gonna shoot that pilot, and down comes that plane into the jungle and we had better not have any of our children left when it’s over, ’cause they’ll parachute in here on us. I’m telling you just as plain as I know how to tell you, . . .