What Is “The Process”?

Episode #18: Charles Manson (Part 12) - The Processean Legacy: An Empire of Lies

Jun 10, 2025
Delve into the murky connections between Charles Manson and the enigmatic Process Church. Explore how legal battles and sensationalist literature shaped public perception of both cults. Discover investigations into murder motives, courtroom revelations about drug use and abuses, and the impact of Ed Sanders' controversial book. Uncover parallels in belief systems between Manson and the Process, challenging narratives that have long influenced the story. This deep dive reveals the intricate web of lies and truths surrounding a dark chapter in history.
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INSIGHT

Process Church Rebranded Through PR And Litigation

  • The Process Church's public narrative was heavily managed to distance itself from past controversial beliefs and actions.
  • Dana argues this rebranding included legal intimidation and PR efforts to reshape public perception.
ANECDOTE

Pulp Author Linked Manson To Cults

  • James Moffat (as Richard Allen) authored Satan Slaves, a pulp cash-in linking Manson and California cults.
  • Dana notes the book recycled tabloid reports and provoked Scientology's legal reaction.
INSIGHT

Scientology Used Lawfare To Suppress Criticism

  • Scientology actively litigated against many publications that linked it to Manson or other scandals.
  • Dana presents this as coordinated lawfare to suppress unfavorable entheta.
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