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Followers of the Cult

Order of the Solar Temple

Order of the Knights Templar

  • Jouret, the public speaker for the group, convinced many to join through speeches and personally convincing individuals
  • Jouret was believed to be credible because he was a doctor, and many trusted his logic and wisdom
  • “Cults are typically perceived as largely consisting of young people, and/or people who are overly susceptible or even stupid,” (VCU).
  • Many began to follow because of the religious aspect
  • Were told that the main goals of the group were to prepare for the 'Second Coming of Jesus' and to unite Christians and Muslims
  • Since a separate society was not needed nor developed for the dedication of this “religion’s” members, its followers lived normal lives aside from their involvement in the cult. They lived in different places around the world such as Switzerland, Australia, and where it rose: Quebec, Canada. They did, however, have their own rooms underground where they would spend their time meditating or committing murderous acts.
  • Group and follower size minimized over time, but never completely diminished
  • 1984 Luc Jouret and Joseph Di Mambro in Geneva
  • Specific occurrences in Quebec, Switzerland and Australia
  • Formed during the 12 century but denied by papacy
  • Viewed as heretic and challenged papal power
  • Revived in 19 century by Bernard-Raymond Fabre-Palaprat
  • Humble beginnings: prepared for second coming of Christ through meditation and studying of scripture
  • Believed they were to reestablish authority in society through unity of religious faiths
  • First Crusade: Europeans persecute Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem (initiated by Pope Urban II)
  • 9 men during First Crusade settled in Jerusalem and vowed to live a life of poverty and obedience
  • Men formed the Knights Templar to protect pilgrims in their journey to the Holy Land
  • King Baldwin II gave them a wing of his palace
  • Baldwin's temple believed to lie on Temple of Solomon thus, “Knights Templar”
  • Pope Clement V and Philip IV of France charged French templars (veterans of the Crusade) with heresy
  • Templars executed and burned at the stake
  • Some managed to flee to Scotland and Switzerland

Works Cited

Leaders of the Cult

http://www.crimelibrary.com/photogallery/deadly-cults.html?curPhoto=6

http://www.crimelibrary.com/photogallery/deadly-cults.html?curPhoto=6

http://www.catholic.com/magazine/articles/the-sad-history-of-the-knights-templar

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1418448/Order-of-the-Solar-Temple

http://brainz.org/10-most-notorious-suicide-cults-history/

http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_solar.htm

http://www.has.vcu.edu/wrs/profiles/OrderOfTheSolarTemple.htm

http://blog.templarhistory.com/2010/04/the-tragedy-of-the-solar-temple-cult/

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jerusalem-captured-in-first-crusade

Joseph Di Mambro

Luc Jouret

Anti-Christ

Templars prepare to be burned at the stake.

Philosophies/Practices

  • Tony Dutiot (former follower of cult) refused to acknowlege the power of cult
  • Di Mambro believed Dutiot's son was the Anti-Christ
  • The child and the father were portrayed as a threat towards Di Mambro's authority
  • At three months old, the child was stabbed to death
  • Believed to be Anti-Christ described in Bible
  • The death of the infant marks the beginning of the mass murders and suicides
  • Jouret (physician): public speaker
  • Di Mambro: believed to be member of Knights Templar during 14th century (reincarnated)
  • Emanuelle: Daughter of Di Mambro believed to be "the cosmic child"
  • Emanuelle was said to be born of a virgin birth and expected to lead followers of cult to planet orbiting around the star Sirus
  • Death perceived as an illusion that may be escaped through fire that transitions the spirit to the after life

Suicides and Murders Continued

Suicides/Murders

  • In Switzerland, a 'Last Supper' held for 15 inner-circle members.
  • Di Mambro poisoned and killed members
  • 38 were smothered or shot.
  • 15 set themselves on fire and burned to death.
  • 8 killed themselves using other methods
  • There are visible signs of struggle in at least 4 victims, showing some tried to refuse sacrifice
  • There were 76 total deaths including children
  • Authorities were unaware of most of these deaths until one of the ceremonial rooms was discovered with several burned bodies
  • Predicted crisis in late 19th century
  • Second coming of Christ would end in fire; believed one should die in fire
  • Death by fire transitioned the body to a "new, better" planet
  • Planet said to revolve around the star, Sirus
  • Sacrifices organized to take place during equinoxes and solstices
  • On 1995-NOV-16, close to winter solstice, 16 of the remaining members of the group disappeared from their homes in France and Switzerland. Four left notes which hinted at a second mass suicide and expressing a desire to "see another world" (religioustolerance.org)
  • The first official mass murder began October 1994, in Morin Heights , Quebec after Anti-Christ was killed

Sacrificial Rooms and Ceremonies

The ceremonies took place in such rooms. The participants, usually dressed in black cloaks with plastic bags over their heads, sat or stood around the center star representing Sirius. Though the events that occurred are unknown, the ceremonies always ended in the deaths of the participants. Most followers were drugged, then shot or burned. Though many willingly volunteered for sacrificial purposes, some were forced and tortured for their resistance.

Believed to have 140-500 worldwide followers present day.

According to Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian police cannot investigate any groups registered as religious but can only investigate individual members.

Solar Temple Cult

Delaney Nowlan, Lauren Moghimi, Peace Mutwiri

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