The Encyclopedic Sourcebook of SatanismJames R. Lewis, Jesper Aagaard Petersen In the public imagination Satanism is associated with bizarre rituals, perverse hedonistic lifestyles, heavy metal music, immature adolescents acting out, horror movies, and rumors of ritual abuse. But what are the facts behind the urban legends and the "moral panics" that periodically sweep the country regarding this countercultural phenomenon? This authoritative reference work gathers together scholarly studies of Satanism and original source material, focusing on two major aspects--organized religious Satanism and the Satanic Ritual Abuse hoax that was prevalent in the 1980s and early 1990s. The contributors first examine modern Satanism, a decentralized movement whose only coherence is based on certain themes that date back to the writings of Anton Szandor LaVey, especially his Satanic Bible. Among other factors, the authors discuss how the emergence of the Internet as a form of communication has created some coherence among disparate groups through cross-reference. Many articles are devoted to the Satanic Ritual Abuse scare, an erroneous belief in a vast underground network of Satanists who were abusing children. For years members of the law enforcement community and numerous therapists, encouraged by the hype of mass media, bought into this panic. Other topics include the role of the media in the perceptions of Satanism and Satanic Ritual Abuse, juvenile delinquency and Satanism, and police pursuit of satanic crime. The volume concludes with primary source material, including a report from the Ritual Abuse Task Force and selections from current Satanism groups. This objective reference work will be useful for professionals in many fields and members of the public interested in sorting out the facts from the myths surrounding this controversial subculture. |
Contents
Introduction | 9 |
SATANIC RITUAL ABUSE AS A MORAL PANIC | 20 |
Giving the Devil More than His | 27 |
Copyright | |
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accusations activity adolescents adults alleged American Anton LaVey behavior belief Bromley child abuse child sexual abuse Christian Church of Satan claims-makers concern Contemporary Legend Coven criminal cult crime culture demonic demonology deviants devil worship disorder drug edited by Richardson evidence evil example experts fear Folklore fundamentalist Geraldo Rivera groups individuals interest investigation involved Journal LaVey LaVey's law enforcement Lawrence Pazder magic mass media memories mental Michelle Michelle Remembers mind control moral panic movement Mulhern Multiple Personality murder occult organized parents patients Pazder perspective police popular prom religion religious reports response ritual child abuse ritualistic role rumors Satan's Underground Satanic Bible Satanic Crime satanic cults Satanic Ritual Abuse Satanism Scare satanists seminars Social Problems social workers society stories subculture suicide survivors symbols talk shows teenagers theory therapists threat tion United vandalism victims Wicca witch witchcraft York young youth