Word: masada
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...Judging Masada...
...parallels between the Zealots at Masada and the followers of Jim Jones in Guyana were rightly alluded to by Richard Corliss [April 6]. Either community could be considered martyrs or fanatics depending upon your point of view. Both groups tried to keep themselves pure and isolated from the dominant culture. Both committed suicide when that culture attempted to bind them to its laws...
...closing moments of the epic Masada were a startling reminder of the events in Guyana under the direction of another fanatic, James Jones. In both cases, the final action is an unacceptable alternative for either cause...
...Jews at Masada were not similar to the people at Guyana. Eleazar and his followers could see their enemy below. He made no pretense to be anything but a military leader. Eleazar was not followed as a Messiah; he did not prevent his people from leaving nor did he turn them into slaves...
...story "The Networks Get Religion" [April 6], Richard Corliss calls Eleazar Ben Yair of Masada an "honorable" Jim Jones. The bravery of the Jews who chose death over capture at Masada can never be compared with the paranoid fear of the "damned" at Guyana. People look to Masada for inspiration. Can Mr. Corliss say the same about the carnage that took place at Guyana...