What were Jim Jones’s beliefs?

Jim Jones combined strands of Pentecostal Christianity with ideals of socialism and communism, such as equality, shared possessions, and communal living, along with a strong opposition to racial segregation. He explored numerous religious denominations before founding his own congregation, Peoples Temple, in the 1950s. By the 1970s he was preaching what he called “apostolic socialism,” which he said was based on the life of the Apostles and could create heaven on earth. He made messianic claims, yet privately described himself as an atheist or agnostic using religion for political ends.