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One Page Assignment 5 - Presley
Criminal Justice Research and Writing (Liberty
University)
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DURKHEIM, TOTEMISM, AND THE MANSON FAMILY 1
Durkheim, Totemism, and the Manson Family: Theorizing on the Relationship
Between Religion and Violence
Zachary Cushman
Liberty University
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DURKHEIM, TOTEMISM, AND THE MANSON FAMILY 2
Abstract
By using Durkheim’s theory of religion, as well as Hall’s theory of religion and violence, one
can begin to describe why Charles Manson’s followers displayed undying loyalty to him through
a religious scope. The researchers used theoretical thematic analysis to generate ideas explaining
how and the followers described their participation in the Tate/LaBianca murders. Within this
analysis, they used qualitative research to dig into some archived multimedia that the Manson
Family members wrote or spoke. These members had a very unified belief system rooted in
“Helter Skelter” (an upcoming racial revolution) and its sacredness. This unity eventually formed
a moral community at Spahn Ranch. With Manson achieving the title of “God” within the cult,
Durkheim’s religious formation requirements were finally met. The inescapable thought of
“Helter Skelter” was one of the most significant sections of their belief system. They had their
minds set that a massive, world-ending war would come in the upcoming years. One explication
of the 1969 murders is that the members had a religious duty to carry out these killings in order
to bring about “Helter Skelter”.
Keywords: religion, belief, Helter Skelter, violence, Charles Manson
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DURKHEIM, TOTEMISM, AND THE MANSON FAMILY 3
Durkheim, Totemism, and the Manson Family: Theorizing on the Relationship Between
Religion and Violence
By using Durkheim’s theory of religion, as well as Hall’s theory of religion and
violence, one can begin to describe why Charles Manson’s followers displayed undying loyalty
to him through a religious scope. The researchers used theoretical thematic analysis to generate
ideas explaining how and the followers described their participation in the Tate/LaBianca
murders.
Within this analysis, they used qualitative research to dig into some archived multimedia that
the Manson Family members wrote or spoke. These members had a very unified belief system
rooted in “Helter Skelter” (an upcoming racial revolution) and its sacredness. This unity
eventually formed a moral community at Spahn Ranch. With Manson achieving the title of
“God” within the cult, Durkheim’s religious formation requirements were finally met.
According to Sutton, D. (2018), “According to this theory, in order for a religion to form, a clan
must ascribe sacredness to an object, animal, or individual, which subsequently determines the
conduct of its members.” (p. 73). The inescapable thought of “Helter Skelter” was one of the
most significant sections of their belief system. They had their minds set that a massive, world-
ending war would come in the upcoming years. One explication of the 1969 murders is that the
members had a religious duty to carry out these killings in order to bring about “Helter Skelter”.
Scripture tells us not to trust and put faith in false leadership and not be misled; Manson was
wrongly attributed the name “God” causing many members to fall. In Matthew 24, the text says
“And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come
in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and
rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not
yet the end.” (New American Standard Bible, 1995, Matthew 24: 4-6).
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DURKHEIM, TOTEMISM, AND THE MANSON FAMILY 4
References
Sutton, D. (2018). Durkheim, Totemism, and The Manson Family: Theorizing on the
relationship between religion and violence. In M. Deflem (Ed.), Homicide and violent
crime (Vol. 23, pp. 63–79). Emerald Publishing Limited.
https://doi.org/10.1108/S1521-
613620180000023005
New American Standard Bible. (1995). BibleGateway online. https://www.biblegateway.com
