Was the Manson Family a Cult?

Questions persist more than 50 Years Later

The Manson Family remains one of the most infamous groups in American history, often classified as a cult due to the intense loyalty its members demonstrated toward their enigmatic leader, Charles Manson. However, debates persist about the true nature of the group: was the Family a bona fide cult, with Manson as a manipulative and authoritarian figure orchestrating a dangerous ideology, or was it a commune caught up in the turbulent countercultural ethos of the 1960s that spiraled into criminality? Some argue the Family was more akin to a criminal organization or a loose collective of disaffected youth seeking freedom, rather than a structured cult. These perspectives reveal the complexity of the case, but an assessment of the group’s behavior and dynamics — using criteria often applied to cults — paints a more definitive picture.

Leadership and Authority

Question 1: Is the leader or leadership considered infallible or beyond question?
Yes. Charles Manson was seen as a near-messianic figure by his followers, who often called him “Christ.” Members believed his interpretations of the Bible and Beatles lyrics revealed divine truths. Manson’s charisma was such that dissent or questioning was rare and often met with psychological manipulation or expulsion.

“Charlie preached and supervised acid sessions, and at night amused himself by soaking in a hot tub while Leslie read to him from the Bible, always…