Citation

Nielsen DA. Sociol. Relig. 1984; 45(4): 315-337.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Association for the Sociology of Religion)

DOI

10.2307/3711297

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This essay examines the Charles Manson Family in civilizational perspective, and stresses the role of changing structures of consciousness in the Family's organization and operation. Employing Nelson's typology of structures of consciousness, we argue that the Family represents a radical "regression" in these structures from a rationalized one to a syncretism, with alternating stresses on a faith structure and a sacro-magical structure. This syncretistic structure of consciousness emerged within the charismatic community surrounding Manson. The elements of a faith structure appeared in the form of a radical anomism, a spirit of acosmic love, and a transmoral conscience. The elements of the sacro-magical structure appeared especially in their mythology of childhood perfection, in an attitude of omnipresent play (puerilism, in Huizinga's phrase), and a bricolage construction of a millenial script for dramatic enactment. The Family ultimately followed a millenial dream which led to murder, a dream fusing the motifs of love and death. In conclusion, we stress certain destructive features of the civilizational analytic approach to such groups and argue that the Family is best seen as a radical anomistic sect similar to the various Medieval and early modern heresies such as the Free Spirit, the Ranters and others more recent.