Satanic Panic; The Creation of a Contemporary Legend

Paperback (Print)
Buy New
Buy New from BN.com
$40.22
(Save 16%)
Used and New from Other Sellers
Used and New from Other Sellers
from $12.59
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
(Save 73%)
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (16) from $12.59   
  • New (6) from $32.90   
  • Used (10) from $12.59   

More About This Textbook

Overview

Again and again we are told - by journalists, police, and fundamentalists - that there exists a secret network of criminal fanatics, worshippers of Satan, who are responsible for kidnapping, human sacrifice, sexual abuse and torture of children, drug-dealing, mutilation of animals, desecration of churches and cemeteries, pornography, heavy metal lyrics, and cannibalism. This popular tale is almost entirely without foundation, but the legend continues to gather momentum, in the teeth of evidence and good sense. Networks of 'child advocates', credulous or self-serving social workers, instant-expert police officers, and unscrupulous ministers of religion help to spread the panic, along with fabricated survivors' memoirs passed off as true accounts, and irresponsible broadcast 'investigations'. A classic witch-hunt, comparable to those of medieval Europe, is under way. Innocent victims are smeared and railroaded. Satanic Panic uncovers the truth behind the satanic cult hysteria, and exposes the roots of this malignant mythology, showing in detail how unsubstantiated rumor becomes transformed into publicly-accepted 'fact'.
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
Victor relies heavily upon the theories of social behavior and urban legends to explore and explain the ``rumors, claims, and allegations'' about Satanic cult crime in American society. Helpfully, he uses a language that renders the theories understandable to the lay reader, thus clearing away the psychological and linguistic smoke screen that usually accompanies the idea of Satanism. Along with his clear, well-researched analysis, Victor ( Human Sexuality , 1980) provides the reader with several appendixes, including an excellent bibliography and names and addresses of professionals who can be contacted for help. Parents, school administrators, police, and psychotherapists will find this a valuable tool as they investigate the underlying motivations of the Satanic panic in America. It should be made available to balance the one-sided, hysteria-driven production of books created by Satanic ``experts'' and ``survivors.''-- John B. Wright, Brigham Young Univ . , Provo, Utah
Booknews
A rational view of evidence for the existence of witches and other boogies. (The mindless folk do need some excitement with all the commies swept from under our beds--and their rousers need the cash offerings.) Published by Open Court Publishing Co., 332 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60604-9968. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780812691924
  • Publisher: Open Court Publishing Company
  • Publication date: 4/28/1993
  • Edition description: New Edition
  • Pages: 436
  • Sales rank: 975,414
  • Product dimensions: 1.01 (w) x 6.00 (h) x 9.00 (d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Ch. 1 Rumors, Claims, and Allegations about Satanic Cult Crimes 1
Ch. 2 The Evolution of the Satanic Cult Legend 7
Ch. 3 The Social Dynamics of a Rumor-Panic 27
Ch. 4 Rumor-Panics across the Country 57
Ch. 5 Satanic Cult "Survivor" Stories 79
Ch. 6 Satanism and Alleged Threats to Children 103
Ch. 7 Satanism and Teenage Crime 133
Ch. 8 Searching for Satanism in Schools, Books, Music, and Games 155
Ch. 9 The Moral Crisis in American Society 181
Ch. 10 The Search for Scapegoat Deviants 195
Ch. 11 The Rhetoric of the Moral Crusade against Satanism 207
Ch. 12 The Organization of the Moral Crusade 229
Ch. 13 The Politics of the Moral Crusade 247
Ch. 14 The Medieval Origins of Modern Demonology 273
Ch. 15 Conclusions: The Social Construction of Imaginary Deviance 291
Appendix I: Bibliography of Resource Books, Articles, and Periodicals 311
Appendix II: Resource Persons Who May Be Contacted for Assistance 319
Appendix III: Guidelines for Dealing with Satanic Cult Rumors in a Community 325
Appendix IV: Descriptions of Satanic Cult Rumor-Panics in the United States and Canada, 1982-1992 330
Appendix V: Some Satanic Ritual Abuse Cases, 1983-1987 355
Notes 362
Index 399
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 3, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing 1 Customer Review
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)