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In Memory of Susan Denise Atkins-Whitehouse

Just Like Those

During Susan's early years of incarceration,
a Bible was sent each to Susan,
and her former associates,
 by someone Susan didn't know.

In Susan's work
Child of Satan Child of God
(by Susan Atkins with Bob Slosser),
Susan tells us that
​the brown leather Bible she was sent
"was all soft and lovely after three and a half years
lying unused in my cell"

Susan shares with us why, after three and a half years,
​ she began reading the Bible
she had been given ​by the woman she didn't know.
Susan tells us "it was hard going at first, but interesting.
And I plowed on - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses..."

---

Susan shares with us how she reacted to
passages in the Bible as she read.
Susan took a fervent interest in the story of Moses;

"...I was stunned as I reflected on those people whom God
loved so much turning on him and his servant, Moses...."
​"...Before long, I was feeling very sorry for God..."

"...The children of Israel built an idol and worshiped 
right in the presence of God,
who had loved them and saved them. 
​How could they do that?

As I sat staring at the wall, I could feel the tears on my face.
I was weeping....weeping for God.
'Who am I, to cry for God', I thought.
'How presumptuous can you get?'

I was suddenly confused.
I was too small and inadequate for such emotions.
I was furious at those people for turning their backs
on this wonderful God and sinning right there in his presence."

Susan then makes a startling discovery;

"Suddenly the bomb fell.
I saw something clearly for the first time.
I was just like those children of Israel!

How many times had I cursed God?
How many times had I worshiped an idol?
​How many times had I sinned
​ at the foot of Mount Sinai?​

---

I grabbed the brown, leather Bible and turned quickly to
the Ten Commandments. Exodus, chapter 20 -- I had it marked.
There was not one I had not broken.
I had broken them all....willingly.
'I broke them all,' I said half-aloud.
'No one broke them for me.'

I closed my eyes, and my mind was clogged
with a huge mound, right in front of me.
It was massive pile of dirt, and garbage, and filth.

There in front of me
I saw twenty-six years of sins..."

(All quotes are from
Child of Satan Child of God
by Susan Atkins
with Bob Slosser)

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