Cult Leaders and Their Abuse of Power Although power should be used with virtue by those who mean well, many of the most powerful people in the world use power in ways that intentionally harm other people, the most famous example of this being Adolf Hitler during World War II. More generally, this includes some past (and present) members of royal families, some political leaders, and some religious leaders who have used their power to manipulate those who are lower than them in terms of social status. An example of a "religious" leader who abuses power is Reverend Jim Jones who initiated a ritual suicide to protest racism and fascism. Although he had food intentions in his mind, to save the world from Armageddon, he was mad and, in overabundance of power, managed to kill more than 900 people. It is unclear whether Jim Jones committed suicide during the ritual or was shot by another, so it is not safe to say that he also intended to die. While his protests were for good moral purposes, it was wrong of him to use his status as Housing Authority chair and award recipient to gather more followers to join in the suicide. Here he had crossed the line and abused the power given to him by putting other people's lives at risk. Being in his position, he was most likely aware that he had many supporters who believed in him and would willingly follow his example. It is at this point that he chose to abuse his power by taking advantage of the people who had the most respect and admiration for him. Charles Manson is an example of a cult leader who abused his power, however with very different intentions than Jim Jones. Charles Manson wanted revenge for all the harm he had suffered, which is much more selfish and very different from Jim Jones. Charles Manson had experienced a very bumpy childhood as the son of a teenage prostitute, bisexual and alcoholic. Being dragged between relatives' homes and orphanages, it is not surprising to see that his criminal activity began from an early age. Manson's incredible charisma attracted many hippies and he managed to gain a reputation as being divine in the eyes of many beautiful girls. When Manson and his "Family" settled at the Spahn Ranch, he managed to sleep with a different girl every night.