[PODCASTS] Satanic Panic

[calzephyr]

One thing I love about podcasts is the deep dives into long ago events. What stories were untold? What was unknown? How has society changed since then?

As an 80s kid, I'm keenly aware of the assorted satanic panics and how they permeated news stories. For whatever reason, I never felt the reach of this moral panic, but accusations ruined so many lives.

Throughout the 1980s, Satanic cults were widely believed to be preying on children — torturing and terrorizing them as part of dark rituals. Across North America, there were hundreds of false allegations, scores of unjust criminal trials and countless lives torn apart. But never any real proof. By the early 90s, the panic reached the tiny Prairie town of Martensville, Saskatchewan. And nearly 30 years later, the people touched by it all are still picking up the pieces.

So what happened? And why do so many still believe to this day? Uncover: Satanic Panic investigates.

Comments

[daryl_wor]

Wow! It got up there in the Provinces, too, eh? Best recap in that panic is an issue of Genetic Disorder I got where the zinester wrote to a lot of the organizations that were active back then and kept getting "return to sender" envelopes as a result. I wish I could get more copies of that zine as there are a couple pals I know who would love it. Great stories from the realms of high school and metal head fun.

I remember a friend who had a lot of posters and such put in the fireplace of the house they were living at since they were church-goers for want of a better label. I remember being touched by the satanic panic

[calzephyr]

Yep! Canada is usually 5-10 years behind things happening in the US (or used to, anyways). It wasn't too long ago here in Alberta that book were banned for witchcraft--maybe they still are! It really had a radiating effect on so many people. I remember when heavy metal was the devil too!

[daryl_wor]

Wow, I wonder if it was the Harry Potter stuff that got banned. very relieving to be in a time even looking back in retrospect isn't so bad. ^_^