The Satanism Scare

by Joel Best

Overview

No detailed description available for "The Satanism Scare".

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780202303796
Publisher:	Transaction Publishers
Publication date:	12/31/1991
Series:	Social Institutions and Social Change Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	326
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1360L (what's this?)

About the Author

Joel Best

Table of Contents

I: Introdution; 1: Satanism as a Social Problem; II: Anthropological and Historical Perspectives on Satanism; 2: The Demonology of Satanism: An Anthropological View; 3: The Historical Satan; 4: Satanism: The New Cult Scare; III: The Satanic Threat to Children; 5: Satanism and Child Molestation: Constructing the Ritual Abuse Scare; 6: Endangered Children in Antisatanist Rhetoric; 7: Satanic Cults, Satanic Play: Is “Dungeons & Dragons” a Breeding Ground for the Devil?; IV: Psychiatry and Occult Survivors; 8: Occult Survivors: The Making of a Myth; 9: Satanism and Psychotherapy: A Rumor in Search of an Inquisition; V: Satanism and The Law; 10: The Police Model of Satanic Crime; 11: Law Enforcement and the Satanism-Crime Connection: A Survey of “Cult Cops”; 12: Satanism in the Courts: From Murder to Heavy Metal; VI: Rumor and News About Satanism; 13: The Dynamics of Rumor-Panics about Satanic Cults; 14: Accusations of Satanism and Racial Tensions in the Matamoros Cult Murders; 15: Devil Worship in Western Montana: A Case Study in Rumor Construction; 16: Caldrons Bubble, Satan's Trouble, but Witches Are Okay: Media Constructions of Satanism and Witchcraft; VII: The Satanists; 17: Legend-Trips and Satanism: Adolescents’ Ostensive Traditions as “Cult” Activity; 18: Social Construction from Within: Satan's Process

Editorial Reviews

During the 1980s, media sensationalism and the rhetoric of fundamentalist preachers ushered in a new threat to the US - satanism. This collection examines the satanism scare as an emergent social problem grounded in extant belief systems but constructed through social action. The volume is well organized and provides an excellent, comprehensive, and readable treatment of the topic . . . Collectively, the articles in this volume make an important contribution to this approach to social problems as well as offering interesting insights into such topics as deviance, collective behavior, and the mass media. Upper-division undergraduates and above.” —J. Lynxwiler, Choice “The Satanism Scare is an important look at one of the most telling and least understood excitements of our time. A wise and compelling book.” —Kai Erikson, Yale University “The Satanism Scare is a rare multidisciplinary look into a currently popular folk belief of growing cultural and social significance. Folklorists, anthropologists, sociologists, criminologists, an attorney, and a journalist all contribute their unique perspectives in this outstanding effort to understand the most recent manifestation of the traditional Euro-American witch-hunt. The broad interdisciplinary range of investigators covers a variety of data and research strategies. . . . [A] very useful compilation.” —Linda J. Jencson, The Journal of American Folklore “Let’s not mince words here. This book represents a facile and exemplary use of the social constructionist perspective. The editors have done an outstanding job of gathering a set of contributions to their volume, with a very high level of scholarship evidenced. . . . The Satanism Scare is an excellent book for use in upper-level classes in crime, deviance, religion, and social movements. It should also be required reading for cult cops and mental health workers. Come to think of it, it’s a good read for just about anyone interested in critical thinking.” —Raymond A. Eve, Social Forces

From the Publisher

Selected papers from various disciplines, broadly covering contemporary aspects of satanism in America from the vantage points of studies in folklore, cults, religion, deviance, rock music, rumor, and the mass media. Covers aspects of: the social problem, anthropological and historical perspectives, and the threat to children. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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