Presenter: Melissa Woodward

Recorder: Sabrina Frith

05 June 2001

Late 1960s

Summary of Commentary: Charles Manson believed that a racial war similar to Armageddon was going to happen. He preached to his "family" that the blacks were going to rise up and start "Killing the whites and turn the cities into an inferno of racial revenge." Not long after he began to preach this theory, the Beatles released their White Album that contained the song "Helter Skelter." This is where Charles Manson came up with the name for his Armageddon. He told his followers that his family would be safe from the bottomless pit from the Book of Revelations, because they were safe in the desert away from the cities. Charles Manson had forecasted that this turmoil would start in the summer, but the summer was almost over. Therefore, he stated to one of his followers, "The only thing blackie knows is what whitey has told him." He went on to state that he was going to have to show them how to do it.

Objectives: 1. Narratives about the future A) Apocalyptic – the world will be destroyed B) Alternatives – If they stayed with him they could be saved. 3. The future is being written – White Album.

Manson In His Own Words – As told to Nuel Emmons, 1986

1. Do you see something like this happening again in the future?
2. How is technology affecting these situations?

Presentation Discussion: Helter Skelter

Without letting the students know whom I was quoting, I read from Charles Manson’s book to the class. Then, I read my commentary about Charles Manson and his views. I explained how Manson’s views were extremely apocalyptic.

Discussion: After reading my commentary, I read the questions in order to initiate a discussion about Manson and the apocalypse.

Keely began the discussion by stating that every decade someone like that, meaning a fake prophet, whether it be Manson, Jonestown, or Koresh, will always be something there. But, will people follow them?

Dr. White responded to my discussion on Manson using the White album to prove his prophecy. He went on to state that some say this is similar to the assassination Martin Luther King. Some say that it was supposed to start a racial war.

Terri mentioned that America is conceited. We isolate these things. We will always be people who have persuasion power. Other countries may influence us. If you are faith based, what we have had is minor to what may happen.

Keely responded to Terri by stating people want to see Revelations prophecies coming true. An example is Ruby Ridge. He wanted to live a certain way, but the government stepped in. People fought to make a connection with Revelations.

Val commented on how much the availability of technology is effecting this situation. Are we making this a self-fulfilling prophecy?

I stated that most of these people had a great deal of charisma. Dr. White stated this is a standard vision of the anti-Christ.

Melanie ended the discussion by stating that well educated people will still follow master illusionists.