Comments on: Quick Note: The Lingering Damage of the Satanic Panic Scare http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html A modern Pagan perspective Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:46:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: The Wild Hunt » Witch-Hunts Then and Now http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17746 The Wild Hunt » Witch-Hunts Then and Now Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:17:33 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17746 [...] with the “Satanic Panic” and “Satanic Ritual Abuse” madness of the 1980s (a madness we are still feeling the ramifications of) as proof that it can still happen in advanced and “rational” America. Indeed, Hari [...] [...] with the “Satanic Panic” and “Satanic Ritual Abuse” madness of the 1980s (a madness we are still feeling the ramifications of) as proof that it can still happen in advanced and “rational” America. Indeed, Hari [...]

]]> By: Rita Rippetoe http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17762 Rita Rippetoe Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:10:29 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17762 Indeed the scare is still on. A Randy Noblitt, PhD is giving a talk on "Ritual Abuse in the 21st Century" April 25 in Davis, CA. The listing for the event specifically mentions "efforts to discredit survivors" as a topic. This is sponsored by the California Protective Parents Association and Incest Survivors Speakers' Bureau. Indeed the scare is still on. A Randy Noblitt, PhD is giving a talk on "Ritual Abuse in the 21st Century" April 25 in Davis, CA. The listing for the event specifically mentions "efforts to discredit survivors" as a topic. This is sponsored by the California Protective Parents Association and Incest Survivors Speakers' Bureau.

]]> By: Peg http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17752 Peg Sun, 05 Apr 2009 15:04:17 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17752 Thanks for continuing to give attention to this issue, Jason. I think we certainly can't discount the influence both fictional and "news" media had on peoples' willingness to believe in this stuff. Charlie Manson and his killing sorority lent credence to fictional texts such as Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist. The Omen, and The Believers, and of course our friendly misinformed talk-show pundits you mentioned helped to inflame the imaginations of many Americans who felt the country "lost its way" in the Sixties and Seventies, that increasing secularism and experimentation with alternative spiritual paths was somehow inevitably linked with "evil." It certainly helped that these fictional and true stories were usually portrayed in the most titillating manner possible. Satanic soft-porn, anyone? Thanks for continuing to give attention to this issue, Jason. I think we certainly can't discount the influence both fictional and "news" media had on peoples' willingness to believe in this stuff. Charlie Manson and his killing sorority lent credence to fictional texts such as Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist. The Omen, and The Believers, and of course our friendly misinformed talk-show pundits you mentioned helped to inflame the imaginations of many Americans who felt the country "lost its way" in the Sixties and Seventies, that increasing secularism and experimentation with alternative spiritual paths was somehow inevitably linked with "evil." It certainly helped that these fictional and true stories were usually portrayed in the most titillating manner possible. Satanic soft-porn, anyone?

]]> By: Fern Green http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17760 Fern Green Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:39:43 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17760 Bjorn's latest reply came to me via email but I have not been able to view it here. I would like to reply but sadly this technology does not seem to allow me to do so. In any event I applaud those who are in whatever way dismissing and dispelling rumors and falsehoods in our society. I try to do the same where I think it will do some real good for all those involved. Unfortunately this world has a long way to go before there will be true freedom of religion, and given human nature, I am uncertain whether that day will ever come for us all. Bjorn's latest reply came to me via email but I have not been able to view it here. I would like to reply but sadly this technology does not seem to allow me to do so. In any event I applaud those who are in whatever way dismissing and dispelling rumors and falsehoods in our society. I try to do the same where I think it will do some real good for all those involved. Unfortunately this world has a long way to go before there will be true freedom of religion, and given human nature, I am uncertain whether that day will ever come for us all.

]]> By: Bjorn Odinsson http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17754 Bjorn Odinsson Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:10:03 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17754 <continuing> I have also experienced a lot of persecution from friends and family that I left behind when I turned my back on Christianity. My family has told me I am going to Hell, that I am unconsciously worshipping the devil. . .name the propaganda and I can guarantee you I have heard it. However my devotion to the truth and to educating the willfully ignorant has reaped results. . .but only after years of hard work and bloodying the "wall" (of ignorance) by banging my head against it. Now my father, a freak fanatic Jesus lover, has actually come to my defence while in debate where my brother will say something untrue about Paganism. It doesn't mean he believes what I believe, but it does mean that he understands that there is a difference between my beliefs and Satanism. It boils down to a matter of commitment. My Heathen faith compells me to stand in defiance of ignorance and to be proud, not to hang my head in shame, veil my religious jewelry behind my clothing or to "grin and nod" along with society. <continuing>
I have also experienced a lot of persecution from friends and family that I left behind when I turned my back on Christianity. My family has told me I am going to Hell, that I am unconsciously worshipping the devil. . .name the propaganda and I can guarantee you I have heard it. However my devotion to the truth and to educating the willfully ignorant has reaped results. . .but only after years of hard work and bloodying the "wall" (of ignorance) by banging my head against it. Now my father, a freak fanatic Jesus lover, has actually come to my defence while in debate where my brother will say something untrue about Paganism. It doesn't mean he believes what I believe, but it does mean that he understands that there is a difference between my beliefs and Satanism. It boils down to a matter of commitment. My Heathen faith compells me to stand in defiance of ignorance and to be proud, not to hang my head in shame, veil my religious jewelry behind my clothing or to "grin and nod" along with society.

]]> By: Bjorn Odinsson http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17755 Bjorn Odinsson Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:05:24 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17755 I didn't mean that the person who believes fallacies should be compelled to not believe them, but rather a Pagan's conscience should compell the Pagan to dismiss the rumor in any way possible. I myself have encountered a lot of persecution for my religion, but that has never caused me to hide my hammer inside my shirt, or to cover my runic tattoos up. At my last job I was asked by an ignorant supervisor who was a retired sheriff if I was a neo-nazi based on my tattoos. I laughed heartily and said. . .NO! I didn't pussy-foot around the issue, I told him point blank that I was a Heathen and my beliefs had nothing to do with White Protestant Supremacy. I didn't mean that the person who believes fallacies should be compelled to not believe them, but rather a Pagan's conscience should compell the Pagan to dismiss the rumor in any way possible. I myself have encountered a lot of persecution for my religion, but that has never caused me to hide my hammer inside my shirt, or to cover my runic tattoos up. At my last job I was asked by an ignorant supervisor who was a retired sheriff if I was a neo-nazi based on my tattoos. I laughed heartily and said. . .NO! I didn't pussy-foot around the issue, I told him point blank that I was a Heathen and my beliefs had nothing to do with White Protestant Supremacy.

]]> By: Fern Green http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/2009/04/quick-note-the-lingering-damage-of-the-satanic-panic-scare.html#comment-17757 Fern Green Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:40:53 +0000 http://patheos.com/blogs/wildhunt/?p=2720#comment-17757 Some folks are hard to educate. Below you go on to say: "Any time a Pagan is met by someone who spouts this sort of spurious tripe, they should be compelled to dismiss these rumors." I wish it were that easy. People cannot be "compelled" to dismiss rumors. We can only do our part to try to educate, and it is up to the listener whether or not to receive that education. And sometimes people have to be met in communication at the level where they are or our words of education will be wasted. To say nothing of the fact that in some areas of the world, the broom closet is still an unpleasant necessity for those who would preserve their jobs, families, and even lives. Slowly we are improving the lot of Pagans but it is still a slow go. Some folks are hard to educate. Below you go on to say: "Any time a Pagan is met by someone who spouts this sort of spurious tripe, they should be compelled to dismiss these rumors." I wish it were that easy. People cannot be "compelled" to dismiss rumors. We can only do our part to try to educate, and it is up to the listener whether or not to receive that education. And sometimes people have to be met in communication at the level where they are or our words of education will be wasted.

To say nothing of the fact that in some areas of the world, the broom closet is still an unpleasant necessity for those who would preserve their jobs, families, and even lives. Slowly we are improving the lot of Pagans but it is still a slow go.

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