The Satanism Scare

Front Cover
James T. Richardson, Joel Best, David G. Bromley
Transaction Publishers, 1991 - Social Science - 320 pages

Although there is growing concern over Satanism as a threat to American life, the topic has received surprisingly little serious attention. Recognizing this, the editors of this volume have selected papers from a wide variety of disciplines, broadly covering contemporary aspects of Satanism from the vantage points of studies in folklore, cults, religion, deviance, rock music, rumor, and the mass media.

All contributors are skeptical of claims that a large, powerful satanic conspiracy can be substantiated. Their research focuses instead on claims about Satanism and on the question of whose interests are served by such claims. Several papers consider the impact of anti-Satanism campaigns on public opinion, law enforcement and civil litigation, child protection services, and other sectors of American society.

The constructionist perspective adopted by the editors does not deny the existence of some activities by ā realā Satanists, and two papers describe the workins of satanic groups. Whatever the basis of the claims examined and analyzed, there is growing evidence that belief in the satanic menace will have real social consequences in the years ahead.

 

Contents

I
3
III
21
IV
41
V
49
VI
75
VII
95
VIII
107
IX
127
XVI
205
XVIII
221
XIX
237
XX
249
XXI
263
XXIV
279
XXV
297
XXVII
311

XI
145
XII
175
XIV
191

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