John Todd (1949–2007), also known by aliases like John Todd Collins or Lance Collins, was an American conspiracy theorist and public speaker active mainly in the 1970s evangelical Christian circuit. He claimed to have been born into a prominent witchcraft family (the Collins line, allegedly tied to Salem), risen to become a high-ranking Grand Druid priest and member of the Illuminati (a supposed secret Satanic elite group controlling world events), and even involved in occult activities like human sacrifices and funding schemes. After a dramatic conversion to Christianity, he toured churches warning audiences of a vast Satanic/Illuminati plot to take over the world, corrupt youth through rock music (which he called a demonic tool funded by the Illuminati), and target Christians—urging preparation like arming themselves for an impending upheaval.

His sensational stories, spread via widely circulated audio tapes, influenced early modern conspiracy culture, including fears of hidden elites, Satanic influence in media, and government-occult ties. However, his claims were widely regarded as fabrications or delusions; investigations and reports (including from Christian publications) debunked them, and he faced legal troubles, including a conviction leading to prison time. He died in a psychiatric facility in 2007. Many view him as a pioneer of contemporary conspiracy narratives that echo in later phenomena like QAnon.

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