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RELS 225 2009-04-06: SatanismRELS 225 2009-04-06: Satanism

AttendanceAnnouncementsReview

Neo-paganismWicca

Satanism

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

Wednesday April 8: Religious Studies book launch

Kornel Zathureczky: Messianic Disruption of Trinitarian Theology Campus Art Gallery 4:00-5:30

The Department of Religious Studies invites you to the book launch of Kornel Zathureczky’s

‘Messianic Disruption of Trinitarian Theology.’

The work is a critique of certain aspects of Christian Trinitarian discourse through the lens of the messianic force of remembrance

as articulated by Walter Benjamin

Bloomfield Art Gallery

Wednesday, April 84:00 pm.

Refreshmentswill be served

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Neo-PaganismNeo-Paganism

Variety; many trace roots to ancient Egypt; Polytheistic, yet monistic.favours imagination rather than will, what is rather than what should be.Emphasis on ritual rather than teachingRoots in romanticism, influence from Masons,Crowley,Categories: Magical; Nature; Wicca (combination)Wicca: nature + evoking God&Goddess; 3 main styles of ritual: Gardnerian, Traditional, AlexandrianFeminism: “witches” were liberated women; some wiccans emphasize the Goddess rather than the Horned God.Aboriginal religion appreciated in neo-paganismSeek to recover a sense of wonder and respect as religious feelings toward nature.

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SatanismSatanism

Satanism scare. Blend of:What Satanism isThe Scare as a social phenomenon.

All cults produced social panics, but this one more than any, even though it is the most imaginary.“A social problem”Practices – 2 groupsSociological studies show the problem is a constructed problem (not a self-existent one).

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Emergence of Satanism as a Social ProblemEmergence of Satanism as a Social Problem

In the 1980’s (mid to late 80’s, early 90’s peak)Because the ACM were losing ground and attention in their battle against boring old cults.‘86, ’87 moved to Satanism.Still 2 source points:

A long cultural tradition of Satanic mythology & conspiracies, going back 500 years and more.Popular culture –

Hollywood produced self-styled Satanists (crazies, adolescent dabblers)Legal Satanic organizations

Plus an new source in the ‘80’s – more serious:Reports of women undergoing satanic ritual abuse as children“False memory syndrome”

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Claims of Satanic ActivityClaims of Satanic Activity

ACM put adolescent reports, ritual abuse, crazies all together and generated an international Satanic conspiracy.

They claimed the victims were brainwashed so they don’t remember it.

Thousands (50000 children kidnapped every year in US & ritually sacrificed every year) or women baby factories for sacrifice.20 years ago, Hamilton kids reported cannibalism, eating feces, desecrating cemeteries.

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Official ResponsesOfficial Responses

At height of the scare, police forces got drawn into investigations.FBI formed special task force – 3 years on all reports of Satanic crime in US

Found no evidence of any satanic crime ever in US.Not even circumstantial evidence to warrant a trial.

British 16 years ago went to the leading proponent of Satanic Ritual Abuse and asked them to write a scientifically credible report and document it.

The deadline passed 4 times with no report.

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Some HistorySome History

19th Century French images by Eliphas Levi show Satan as an opponent to Christ since the dawn of time. Not true.Old Testament: One reference to a personified Satan.

The story of Job originally did not have the Satan prologue , which was added centuries later.

A handful of Jewish writings from the time between OT & NT. A few references to personified evil rarely called “Satan”.New Testament: Jesus casts demons out; Devil as tempter of Christ; “Belial”, “Beelzebub”, “the evil one”Where does Satan crop up?

15th Century Catholic inquisition: wishing to persecute remnants of non-Christian pagans.

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How bad is Satanism?How bad is Satanism?

All Satanic practice is an inversion of Christianity – an act of mockery.Most Satanists don’t want to be malevolent; they want to justify the pleasures Christianity prohibits.

This can be damaging.

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Church of SatanChurch of Satan

Hundreds of sites with serious info.Many fewer by well-organized Satanists.They’ll refer to The Church of Satan

Founded in 1966 by Anton LeVeyBlack cape, goatee, red. Black panther on a chain. Called a press conference to open it. A publicity grab.

Founded it as a profession.Had been: musician, lover of Marilyn Munroe, circus worker, college course, crime photographer, saw hypocrisy of Christian culture.

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Church of Satan, continued.Church of Satan, continued.

1969: published the Satanic Bible. – paperback, Ballantyne books. Sells several 100,000 copies per year.

A series of statements and doctrines:Indulgence, vital existence, undefiled wisdom, kindness to those who deserve it, vengeance, responsibility to the responsible, man is another animal, sins of physical or mental gratification kept church in business.

LaVey disbanded it, but it’s been reconstituted.He lost most of his money, got fat, & tried to eke out an existence. Died in 1998.

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Temple of SetTemple of Set

Came out of Church of Satan. 1975. Exclusive. 500 members.The model for Satan as an entity is the Egyptian god Set.By a protégé: Michael Aquino – completely different character.Disgusted by LaVey’s clown antics.Born 1946. Aquino is still a member, but high priest is now Patricia Hardy.Aquino has PhD in psychology from U. California. Lieut. Colonel in US army. Teaching psychological ops, intelligence, foreign relations, many honours as a soldier.

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Temple of Set, cont’dTemple of Set, cont’d

The Book of Coming Forth By NightFounding Charter of Temple of Set.The god Set has been involved in history for centuries and seeking a new enhanced human species.

Practices greater black magic (to create the awakening of powers within).

Repudiates lesser black magic (curses) as beneath people in his group.

They all abide by laws.

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Satanism as a Social PhenomenonSatanism as a Social Phenomenon

Randy Lippert, Canadian sociologist“Construction of Satanism as a Social Problem in Canada” CJS 1990.

Jeff Victor, Dynamics in Satanism Scare, 1992.

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Rumour panicsRumour panics

data collected on 31 rumour panics in US 1984-1989.Also, 1989 Lethbridge panic.Reminiscent of War of the Worlds (H.G. Wells’ novel narrated by Orson Welles): Mars invades earth, done as a news cast.All 31 had the following characteristics:

Trigger event: discovery of graffiti, vandalism, mutilated animals, teenage suicides (3 in Lethbridge)People keep children home from school, others rush to attach sites of SatanismPolice inundated with calls (cat gone, graffiti, strange neighbour behaviour)Newspaper reported: here are pictures of what to look for.Public meetings – educational, calls to action.Churches hold special classes, bring in outside “experts”Attacks on unconventional members of society (old ladies in dilapidated house).

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Media reports it allMedia reports it all

Bandwagon effect. Report it because everyone else is doing so.Lippert reports: New reports in 1980’s: all in Canada.100’s of discussions of Calgary RCMP report on the number of Satanists in Calgary

Back-pedalled it to one single RCMP constable taking a course, in his paper, he guessed at the number.

Lippert: Who benefits from making the claims? Local Police, Child Welfare, Media, also psychological professionals, ACM, church leaders.Victor: Why are others receptive to them? Every panic happened in small towns in decline:

suicide, alcohol abuse, etc., higher in rural areas.

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