Cults and New Religious Movements Case Study 5

Cults and New Religious Movements Case Study #5: Solar Temple

The Violence October 4, 1994 – Fire in at a condominium complex in Quebec Canada 5 dead October 4 & 5, 1994 – Fire in a barn in Cheiry, Switzerland 22 dead – Fire in Granges-sur-Salvan, Switzerland 25 dead March 22, 1997 – Fire at a house in Saint. Casimir, Quebec

Joseph Di Mambro Born in 1924 in France Died in 1994 Was a watchmaker and jeweler Founded several religious groups from the 1970 s through the 1990 s

Luc Jouret Born in 1947 in Zaire Died in 1994 Had his own homeopathic medicine practice Was the front man and spokesman for the group

Attributes of Solar Temple Highly educated Middle and upper-middle classes Appealed to French speaking Roman Catholics 442 members at its height in 1984

Beliefs of the Group Reincarnation Apocalyptism Communal living – Felt that the community had a ““bank of consciousness” that would usher in the New Age” (p. 221) Rearranged marriages by leaders – Goal was the conception of nine “cosmic children” Ultimate concern: To form a nucleus of people who would bring in the Age of Aquarius

The Persecution Anti-cult group Info-Secte put out a letter of warning to the media in 1991 The Canadian police began to investigate the group in 1993 The arrest of Luc Jouret in 1993 Di Mambro’s son, Elie, was exposing the group Increased cultural opposition by others Also several internal struggles – Emmanuelle was becoming unruly – Elie was exposing his father & the leadership – Tony & Nicki Dutoit left & had a child (Christopher Emmanuel) Di Mambo saw Christopher as a threat to Emmanuelle

The Decision to Commit Violence Leaders felt it was no longer possible to effect a transition to the new age of Aquarius – Due to the persecution and internal struggles coupled with decreased membership This led to the eventual suicides (transits) and murders