Precious in the sight of the Lord,
is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15
Finally, after a long battle with brain cancer, Susan Atkins is now free...
is the death of His saints.
Psalm 116:15
Finally, after a long battle with brain cancer, Susan Atkins is now free...
Since first being diagnosed with cancer in 2008, Susan tried to fight her cancer with every ounce of her strength. Eventually, she had to have a leg amputated. At times, she went into a coma, and in her final months she suffered paralysis and had difficulty speaking. Her death was painful and at the age of 61 Susan died in a prison hospital after spending about forty years in confinement for her involvement in the infamous murders of actress Sharon Tate and six other persons. It was a horrific crime which shocked the nation. Charles Manson was the ringleader of a group of misguided young persons, one of whom was Susan Atkins.
The crimes Susan Atkins was eventually convicted of happened on January 25, 1969, in California. I myself recall hearing about Charles Manson and the murders, but I never followed the case. However, in the stories now coming out about her death, of no surprise, the media has been crucifying her. I read the write-ups of her passing in both the New York Daily News and the New York Post. Susan was for the most part labeled as a monster and heartless. In the Daily News, former prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi said he remembered Susan Atkins as a "bloodthirsty robot." While the Post had the attention grabbing headline: "Manson's Chilling Zombie is Dead in Jail."
The New York Post went on to describe Susan Atkins as a "blood-lusting witch." The article began, "She missed out on Helter Skelter, but now she can enjoy hell." She's in heaven with the One she loved the most, Jesus Christ. Susan Atkins placed her faith in Christ, and she repented of her many sins and crimes. She expressed deep remorse for what she'd done. In addition, Susan went on to help write a book about her life called, " Child of Satan, Child of God." In it, Susan described her years as a troubled adolescent. She wrote about running away from home and going to the West Coast to seek a new life for herself. She also discussed her struggles with LSD and other drugs, and how she became involved with Charles Manson.
In the opinion of many people, including her prosecutor, Susan Atkins was a victim of mind control. She foolishly allowed Charles Manson to have power over her. She lived in a desert commune and was out of touch with society, at least to a degree. As a young and idealistic woman, Susan was a ripe candidate to come under Manson's spell, and to be used by him.
While in prison, Susan would eventually become a Christian. She then devoted herself to Bible studies and chapel services. She would pray for other inmates, and for the guards as well. Gradually, Susan would change for the better, and the power Manson once had over her would diminish. In time, her life would become an example of God's power to change even those whom society would write off as hopeless and beyond redemption.
At one point, some friend of Susan Atkins helped her start on online newsletter. Her writings would inspire and encourage people from all walks of life. Several years ago a friend sent me several copies of Susan's newsletters which he downloaded from the Internet. Her writings were filled with stories and biblical insights about God's love. She wrote about forgiveness and hope, and she told her readers what Christ was doing behind the walls of the prison she was confined in. To me, her writings revealed a heart of compassion and tenderness. She had the heart of the Savior.
Too bad the media, with its overall shallowness and bias, especially its bias toward those who've committed crimes, missed the true essence of Susan Atkins. And, as a result, they may be guilty of robbing the public of a story of hope and inspiration.
Too bad we're mostly at the mercy of the media when it comes to such stories. Of what they report, or refuse to report. Yes, Susan died in prison. She paid the ultimate price for her crimes. But this is not the end of Susan's story. She's with Jesus now. Susan is more free at this very moment than every other human being who still has his or her feet planted on this earth.
D.B.
Sources: New York Daily News, Saturday, September 26, 2009,
"Manson Follower Dies in Jail."
New York Post, Saturday, September 26, 2009,
"Manson's Most Chilling Zombie is Dead in Jail."
The crimes Susan Atkins was eventually convicted of happened on January 25, 1969, in California. I myself recall hearing about Charles Manson and the murders, but I never followed the case. However, in the stories now coming out about her death, of no surprise, the media has been crucifying her. I read the write-ups of her passing in both the New York Daily News and the New York Post. Susan was for the most part labeled as a monster and heartless. In the Daily News, former prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi said he remembered Susan Atkins as a "bloodthirsty robot." While the Post had the attention grabbing headline: "Manson's Chilling Zombie is Dead in Jail."
The New York Post went on to describe Susan Atkins as a "blood-lusting witch." The article began, "She missed out on Helter Skelter, but now she can enjoy hell." She's in heaven with the One she loved the most, Jesus Christ. Susan Atkins placed her faith in Christ, and she repented of her many sins and crimes. She expressed deep remorse for what she'd done. In addition, Susan went on to help write a book about her life called, " Child of Satan, Child of God." In it, Susan described her years as a troubled adolescent. She wrote about running away from home and going to the West Coast to seek a new life for herself. She also discussed her struggles with LSD and other drugs, and how she became involved with Charles Manson.
In the opinion of many people, including her prosecutor, Susan Atkins was a victim of mind control. She foolishly allowed Charles Manson to have power over her. She lived in a desert commune and was out of touch with society, at least to a degree. As a young and idealistic woman, Susan was a ripe candidate to come under Manson's spell, and to be used by him.
While in prison, Susan would eventually become a Christian. She then devoted herself to Bible studies and chapel services. She would pray for other inmates, and for the guards as well. Gradually, Susan would change for the better, and the power Manson once had over her would diminish. In time, her life would become an example of God's power to change even those whom society would write off as hopeless and beyond redemption.
At one point, some friend of Susan Atkins helped her start on online newsletter. Her writings would inspire and encourage people from all walks of life. Several years ago a friend sent me several copies of Susan's newsletters which he downloaded from the Internet. Her writings were filled with stories and biblical insights about God's love. She wrote about forgiveness and hope, and she told her readers what Christ was doing behind the walls of the prison she was confined in. To me, her writings revealed a heart of compassion and tenderness. She had the heart of the Savior.
Too bad the media, with its overall shallowness and bias, especially its bias toward those who've committed crimes, missed the true essence of Susan Atkins. And, as a result, they may be guilty of robbing the public of a story of hope and inspiration.
Too bad we're mostly at the mercy of the media when it comes to such stories. Of what they report, or refuse to report. Yes, Susan died in prison. She paid the ultimate price for her crimes. But this is not the end of Susan's story. She's with Jesus now. Susan is more free at this very moment than every other human being who still has his or her feet planted on this earth.
D.B.
Sources: New York Daily News, Saturday, September 26, 2009,
"Manson Follower Dies in Jail."
New York Post, Saturday, September 26, 2009,
"Manson's Most Chilling Zombie is Dead in Jail."
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