Results tagged “christianity”

It was only inevitable; indeed, they would say we asked for it. The Secret, the latest in a long line of mega-selling self-help phenomena, is on its way to Toronto. Several "teachers" featured in the original film and the subsequent book will be holding forth on April 14th and 15th at the Westin Harbour Castle. The promotional literature is distinguished by its modest proposal: "The Secret to everything—the secret to life filled with joy, good health, financial freedom, loving relationships, abundant energy, youth: everything you ever wanted." Profundity and provocation are sure to be the order of the day.

Jim Jones was not your typical self-proclaimed messiah. The man preached love for all races and classes, freedom of speech and socialism through Christianity. In 1978, Jones and more than 900 followers, known as Peoples Temple, moved from California to Guyana. They were going to build the ideal society. Dubbed Jonestown, after Jones himself, it was to be a utopia for the disenfranchised; a place where believers of all races and classes could lead self-sufficient lives as equals, far away from the oppression and immorality of the USA.

Rachel is only nine years old, but she dreams of becoming a manicurist since she can preach the Word of God to a captive listener. Levi, twelve, was born-again at age five because he claims he needed more out of life. Ten year-old Tory likes Christian hard rock, but warns, "when I dance, I really have to make sure that's God because people will notice when I'm just dancing for the flesh."