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Origins of the Ritual Abuse Scare
It would be useful to explore the origins of the Satanic cult conspiracy myth, as it is the popular belief in such stories that have given shape to the memories. Although the origins of the myth are sociological in nature, they have provided patients and therapists with a convenient interpretation of bizarre psychological phenomena, that has in turn given strength to the myth.
The following is a history of the modern satanic cult scare, which has helped give rise to the recent claims of ritual abuse in Western cultures. Some of the key events in the making of the myth are outlined below:
The Rise of New Religions:
In the 1960s, many new religions become popular amongst young people. These groups were labelled ‘cults’ by those in the christian community, and were associated with brainwashing and forced membership. The Jonestown incident, in which 913 cult followers committed suicide, further reinforced this negative stereotype.
Satanism:
By the 1970s, small groups of people calling themselves ‘Satanists’ were formed. The most well known of these was the Church of Satan, headed by Anton LaVey (pictured). There are many misconceptions about Satanism that exist. For instance, while many people believe that satanism is about the worship of the Devil, in most cases Satan is a mere metaphor for the forces of nature, or for the self. Satanic groups that view the Devil as a real entity are rare and consist of only a few members. Satanists do not necessarily consider themselves as rivals of Christianity; rather, they reject the system of morals of Christians and have developed their own code to live by. For example, the Church of Satan is devoted to the self, and to rationalism rather than morality (Passantino & Passantino, 1995). Church of Satan Homepage
Teenagers linked with Satanism by the Media:
As concern about Satanic cults spread, newspapers began to report on the activity of groups of juvenilles, who claimed to commit crimes in the name of their satanic ideologies. However, these groups were small and localised, with middle-class teenage members from good backgrounds. These teens used drugs and performed black magic rituals found in popular books, but were not part of a wider network of Satanists. The involvement of some teenagers with role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons was also taken as evidence of cult activity, as was listening to certain types of music, and drawing graffiti that was considered to possess occult symbolism.
Teenage interest in satanism and the occult is still considered by some to be evidence of widespread devil-worship in society. For instance, the author of "Cults that Kill" claims that the book presents startling evidence of the activities of satanic cult members. However, many of the reports appear to be about the activities of teenagers, who are not part of any wider organisation or cult, and who attach satanic elements to their activities as a mark of retaliation against traditional authorities.
Mysterious Cattle Mutilations:
In the mid-1970s, cattle mutilations across the US were reported in the media, amid speculation that they were the work of satanic cult members. This was the first instance of authority figures (media and police) publicly giving credence to the idea of a satanic cult conspiracy. The deaths were later found to be the result of natural causes, but this finding was played down and the rumours that satanists were responsible continued.
Conspiracy Rumours:
During 1980, the Proctor and Gamble company logo was rumoured to be a satanic symbol. The rumours led to boycotts of the company’s products, and in 1985 the logo was changed. This was the first conspiracy rumour to maintain that large businesses may be controlled by satanists. Another persistant rumour is that the president of Proctor Gamble once appeared on a talk show and admitted to his membership in the Church of Satan. This is simply not true (Passantino & Passantino, 1995).
Michelle Remembers:
Also in 1980, the book Michelle Remembers was published. In it, Michelle Smith and her co-author/therapist tell of retrieving memories of horrific abuse, which Smith had previously repressed. This was the first ‘survivor’ account of childhood ritual abuse, and sparked many similar reports, both published and in therapy. This book was also the first to suggest an association between the sexual abuse of children and satanism, and linked Multiple Personality Disorder (now called Dissociative Identity Disorder) and repression to a history of satanic abuse.
The Daycare Cases:
In 1983, seven workers at the McMartin Preschool in California were arrested and charged with ritualistic torture and sexual abuse of the young children there. This was the first of a spate of investigations of preschools, both in North America and in other countries, where satanic ritual abuse was alleged to have ocurred. In every case, however, no evidence of Satanic ritual abuse could be substantiated. The cases brought into question the procedures used to obtain evidence from children, who seemed to be making up the bizarre stories in order to please either their parents or investigators. (See Children and the Ritual Abuse Scare)
More Media Speculation.
In 1985, the 20/20 television programme featured an ‘expose’ of the growing problem of satanism in the US. It uncritically claimed that satanic cults are infiltrating all aspects of American Society.
The 1985 "Toledo Dig" began after a Toledo, Ohio sheriff was informed that 50 to 80 victims had been buried at a certain location. The ensuing excavation was a huge media spectacle, and would later be cited as proof of the existence of a murderous group of satanists, even though nothing to suggest this was actually found at the site.
The "Matumoros Murders" in 1989 is another event which is still regarded as proof that murders occur in satanic rituals. Over a dozen mutilated bodies were found in Mexico, with evidence that bizarre torture had been perpetrated on the victims during a ritualised killing. The details fit with the satanic cult murder stereotype and was portrayed as such in the media, rather than being reported as murders committed by drug-smugglers, which is what they were found to be. (Victor, 1993; Nathan & Snedeker, 1995)
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