Mansonism is the ideology of Charles Manson (1934-2017) and his Manson Family. The Manson Family was a Californian murder—doomsday cult, gang and hippie commune. It was active in the late 60's and early 70's, and was convicted for nine murders in 1969. The cult was also directly related to the attempted assassination of Gerald Ford in 1975.
The main tenants of the Manson Family are very wacky; Manson's own philosophy was based off the Bible, the Beatles, writer Dale Carnegie, Scientology and science fiction book Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein.
History
After being released from federal prison in 1967 after living of life of crime, pimping and stealing, Charles Manson would move around an develop his philosophy. He even got involved in 
Scientology.
After that he would get comfortable with a librarian at UC Berkeley named Mary Brunner and convinced her to let him sleep at her house, and soon Manson was living with her. From there he'd preach his philosophy and attract some listeners, some of whom (mostly female) went on to be devout followers. He would keep the wits of his cult down with group LSD sessions and sex, so he'd have complete control over them into believing whatever he said. Eventually the cult would grow to have around 100 followers.
After the Manson Family developed into a doomsday cult, they would go on to commit a series of murders. Their first and most infamous one was committed on 2 Nov. 1969, which was known as the Tate/LaBianca murders. Members of the Manson Family arrived at a wealthy Los Angeles residence where they brutally murdered 5 people, including film actress Sharon Tate who was 8 months pregnant at the time. Their motive was to start a race war (see Helter Skelter below).
Several of his Family were trialed in 1970. Manson would show up with an 'X' carved into his forehead, and his Family would follow suit. 4 of his Family ended up being sentenced to death, and Manson himself was sentenced to life in prison. In prison, Manson would famously carve the 'X' on his forehead into a swastika and would go onto appear on several interviews. He died in prison on 2017.
Beliefs
Religious beliefs
Charles Manson first looked for spirituality after his release from prison in 1967, eventually coming across the Church of Scientology, where he became quite invested in it, before leaving it because they were too crazy for him. (Now that's saying something).
With the formation of the cult, the Manson Family believed that Manson was Jesus Christ reincarnated and that they were the reincarnation of the original Christians. They also believed the government was literally akin to the 
Romans. Manson's followers would listen to him unquestionably.
Helter Skelter
In 1968, The Beatles released their "White Album", which included the song "Helter Skelter". Manson believed The Beatles were prophets and this song prophesized a race war, somehow. It is likely, considering Manson's 
white nationalist views, the name "White Album" resonated with him, and Manson, in his crazed LSD state of mind, took it as a sign.
Manson used the term "Helter Skelter" to refer to an impending race war he believed would happen where the African-American population would revolt and kill all the whites except for the Manson Family. However, he believed that blacks were too mentally inferior to whites and would require a leader. This is where Manson believes they would step in and he and his Family would become rulers of the world.
The Tate-LaBianca murders of 1969 were initiated to kickstart Helter Skelter, as well as to give blacks an example of what to do.
ATWA
ATWA (acronym for Air, Trees, Water, Animals and All The Way Alive), was an ecological philosophy created by Manson and his Family which named the forces of life which they believe hold the balance of Earth.
The Manson Family committed numerous acts of eco-terrorism in the name of this, years before mainstream radical environmentalists such as 
Edward Abbey and 
Dave Foreman.
In 1975, a Manson Family member, Lynette Fromme, attempted to assassinate then-president Gerald Ford. When questioned about it in custody, she responded: "I stood up and waved a gun (at Ford) for a reason, I was so relieved not to have to shoot it, but, in truth, I came to get life. Not just my life but clean air, healthy water and respect for creatures and creation."
Personality
Mansonism is very charismatic and loves music. His favorite genres are folk rock and psychedelic folk. In fact he also makes songs too, and he loves to sing with his Family. To an outsider he may not even look like a cult leader, well at least not up until his arrest.
He is frequently consuming acid with his Family and even having freaky sex with his female ones; perhaps even doing it with a male member once in a while.
How to Draw
- Draw a ball and color it a faded white color. White and black will be the only colors needed for the rest of the ball.
- Draw a small, black triangle with a white scorpion inside it.
- Draw a glowing light around the triangle.
- Draw four sets of arms which protrude in the intercardinal directions from the center.
- These arms should be holding black rifles.
- These arms should be bent as to make them form a synchronized swastika formation.
- (Optionally) On the opposing side of each set of arms, draw a bell flower.
- Draw a rabid wolf emerging out of each bell flower.
Stylistic Notes
- Etch a swastika into the ball's forehead.
- Optionally, for simplicities sake, just draw a black triangle or circle for step #2.
- Optionally, for simplicities sake, skip step #3.
Relationships
Friends
Siegeism - At least some outside of my cult believes I'm Jesus, or some sort of deity.
Ethnocracy - Blacks will look for us to rule them!
Christian Anarchism - I am Jesus.
Turnerism - Race war?
Frenemies
Hippieism - What do you mean my doctrines go against you guys. My family is made of hippies and they love me.
Scientologist Theocracy - Thanks for removing my thetans, but you all are too crazy for me. *proceeds to mass murder*
Black Nationalism - How foolish to think you guy's could gain independence. But we do need you to slaughter all the other whites.
Enemies
Nixonism - We killed far less people than your war machine in Vietnam!
Kritarchy - "In the name of Christian justice, someone should cut your head off!"
Christian Theocracy - He keeps saying something about me being a heretic.
Gerontocracy - "What the hell do the old know about the young?"
Patriotism - "They put a picture of old George on the dollar and tell them he's your father, and to worship him"
Further Information
Wikipedia
- Charles Manson
- Manson Family
- Charles Manson discography
- Skelter (scenario)
- Tate–LaBianca murders
- ATWA
- Attempted assassination of Gerald Ford in Sacramento
YouTube
Websites
Articles
- What are the beliefs of Charles Manson? His philosophy
- Charles Manson and the Manson family: What to know about the murderous cult leader
- How Many People Did The Manson Family Kill?
