This is my last Jonestown Journal. Not just of 2018, but ever. It has served its purpose. That was to highlight news, information, and opinion relevant to the flood of interest that arose due to the fortieth anniversary of the deaths in Jonestown.
This doesn’t mean I’m no longer researching and writing about Peoples Temple and Jonestown. Far from it. But the primary venues will be the Alternative Considerations website and academic publications. I’ve already been writing short items for the website. Most recently posted was the answer to the FAQ “What pathologists investigated the deaths that occurred in Jonestown, Georgetown, and Port Kaituma?” Answer here. I’m continuing to talk with students working on their National History Day projects (this year’s theme—Triumph and Tragedy in History). Still responding to email inquiries, the most recent being from an undergraduate student in Russia researching the political activity of Jim Jones and Peoples Temple. I will never stop writing, thinking, and reflecting on the huge topic that is Peoples Temple (which encompasses Jonestown but is not limited to that single event). I’ll just be doing that in some different ways. The columns that appeared on the Furthermoore blog will come down at the end of this year. But the scintillating analyses (though not the heated comments posted in response) are not lost forever. They are archived on my page on the on the website. A big "thank you" to all who took the time to read and respond. You are all part of the ongoing conversation, and I appreciate your involvement. I initially titled this last column “Sayonara,” which is Japanese for goodbye. But according to the Urban Dictionary, sayonara carries much more finality than a simple “adios.” I don’t see this column as being quite that terminal, so I prefer “See you next time.” That is a lot more indefinite, which describes how I am feeling at the end of this tumultuous year. A bit more indefinite.
Kathryn Barbour
12/19/2018 09:58:34 am
thanks, as always, for your clarity. and for your many years long enabling what triumph may be found in our mutual tragedy.
Jordan Vilchez
7/16/2019 06:14:42 am
Endings become clear as they approach. What has been active for long periods of time, shifts. Subjects like this one remain "alive" much like an active volcano and so much of it depends on our relationship to it and the contribution we are called forth to make. You have stepped up to the plate fully and your contribution has been very, very significant. I appreciate all of the heart energy that has fueled your inquiry and analyses which have highlighted so many things, and contributed to deeper understanding of Peoples Temple. You are an inspiration, and as a survivor of the tragedy myself, your contribution continues to have a monumentally positive impact on my experience. Thank you. Comments are closed.
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Author Rebecca Moore is Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at San Diego State University. She is currently Reviews Editor for Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions and Co-Director of The Jonestown Institute. Archives
December 2021
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