Sam Smith broke headlines after the Grammys this year with his performance of his song “Unholy”, sparking another conversation fueled by satanic panic. Many Christian conservatives on social media were horrified by the performance claiming that it was demonic and accusing the Grammys of being a demonic event. Some went so far as to blame the tragic earthquake in Turkey on the performance because “God shall not be mocked”. However, this accusation relies on the assumption that those of us outside of their religion believe in Satan. 

We do not.

Sam Smith could’ve dressed up as Hades, the Greek God of the underworld, and the performance would have had the same effect. The effect is nothing because both costumes represent mythological characters. Also, his song “unholy” calls infidelity “unholy”, and dressing up as Satan makes artistic sense.

One week later, the same satanic panic rhetoric floated around social media about Rihanna’s performance at the Super Bowl. Claims of her performance being demonic circulated including claims of her harness belt buckle being a pentagram. Further investigation of this buckle proved that it was not a pentagram, but a simple buckle.

For as long as I can remember, Satan has captured many Christians into irrational fear which serves no purpose. It seems they are more focused on Satan than they’re focused on Jesus and his message of loving our neighbor. The idea of Satan is given far too much power and it distracts us from what is truly evil in this world-People. People are choosing to exploit others for profit. People are forcing 10-year-old victims of rape and incest to give birth. People in power are destroying our planet by continuing to burn fossil fuels. People in power are choosing to not invest in train safety leading to the derailment in Ohio resulting in vinyl chloride leaking into our waterways. Evil is done by people. As long as we focus our attention on a mythological character, evil will thrive, just like the idea of Satan is thriving and has been since the beginning of the Satanic Panic.

Origins of Satanic Panic

The origins of Satanic Panic can be traced to the 1960s and ’70s when a string of highly publicized cases involving ritualistic abuse of children led to increased media attention. This attention was further fueled by the 1980 publication of “Michelle Remembers”, which detailed the supposed memories of a woman who claimed to have been the victim of Satanic ritual abuse as a child. The book was later discredited, and is now used as an example of false memory syndrome. Soon after publication, Anton LaVey, founder of the Church of Satan threatened to sue Lawrence Pazder, the author of “Michelle Remembers”, forcing Pazder to withdraw his allegation that the Church of Satan had abused Michelle Smith.

The following year, the McMartin Preschool trial began, further increasing public interest in the topic of ritualistic abuse and Satanic cults. The McMartin Preschool trial was a highly publicized and controversial criminal trial that took place in Los Angeles in the 1980s. It was the longest and most expensive criminal trial in American history. The case revolved around allegations of child sexual abuse by the staff of the McMartin Preschool, as well as accusations of Satanic ritual abuse. After a lengthy and costly trial, all of the defendants were acquitted due to a lack of physical evidence. The case has been highly influential in the public perception of child sexual abuse and Satanic ritual abuse, and is often cited as an example of the danger of false accusations.

The 1980s saw an even greater wave of Satanic Panic, with books, news programs, and magazine articles devoted to the topic. Oprah Winfrey and Geraldo Rivera both had episodes surrounding the topic of satanic ritual abuse in America. The rise of the “Satanic cult” became a popular trope in popular culture, and the fear of Satanism and the occult became a national obsession.

Cultural Effects of Satanic Panic

The cultural effects of Satanic Panic were far-reaching. It caused a wave of moral panic and hysteria, with many people believing that Satanism posed a real and tangible threat to society. This resulted in numerous false accusations of cult activity and ritualistic abuse, as well as a general fear of the occult and its practitioners. The panic also caused a number of “Satanic crime” laws to be passed in some states, which made it easier to prosecute those accused of occult activity.

It led to an increase in the number of “Satanic cult” films and television shows, which further perpetuated the fear and paranoia. The panic also had an effect on the music industry, with bands like AC/DC and Black Sabbath facing accusations of promoting Satanic themes in their songs. It also led to a number of self–help books and religious tracts aimed at combating the perceived threat of Satanism, as well as a number of “Satanic panic” tours in which people were taken to supposedly haunted locations in order to expose the “dark side” of occult activities.

The cultural effects of Satanic Panic also included an increase in the number of children being taken away from their parents due to allegations of Satanic ritual abuse. It also led to a rise in the number of daycare centers and preschools being closed due to unfounded accusations of abuse. Furthermore, it caused a climate of distrust and paranoia, with people becoming increasingly suspicious of those who practiced alternative spiritualities or engaged in occult activities. Finally, it caused a great deal of damage to those who were falsely accused of being involved in Satanic cults, leading to long-term stigma and emotional trauma.

Psychological Effects of Satanic Panic

The psychological effects of Satanic Panic were also significant. Many people were affected by the fear and paranoia, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and in some cases, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, the panic caused a number of people to become falsely accused of being involved in cult activity, leading to long-term stigma and a lack of trust in the justice system.

The psychological effects of Satanic Panic also included a rise in Scrupulosity and Religious OCD. Scrupulosity, a form of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) that is focused on moral or religious issues, was particularly prevalent during this time. People with Scrupulosity may become excessively worried about committing a sin, or fear that they are being punished by God for their perceived transgressions. Religious OCD is a type of OCD in which an individual is consumed by obsessive worries about their religious beliefs and practices. These worries can lead to intrusive thoughts, ritualistic behaviors, and a fear of damnation.

Overall, the psychological effects of Satanic Panic were significant, with many people suffering from increased anxiety, depression, and in some cases, Post–Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In addition, the panic caused a rise in Scrupulosity and Religious OCD, as well as a lack of trust in the justice system.

What Can We Do?

One way to address the issue of Satanic Panic is to focus on education and awareness. This could include providing accurate information about Satanism and the occult to the public, dispelling myths and misconceptions, and helping people to understand the difference between fact and fiction. This could be done through media campaigns, educational programs, and public forums.

Another way to address Satanic Panic is to foster an open and accepting dialogue about the topic. This could include creating safe spaces for open and honest conversations about the occult, as well as providing support to those who have been falsely accused or wrongfully convicted of cult activity.

Finally, it is important to address the underlying causes of Satanic Panic. This could include providing mental health services to those who are suffering from the psychological effects of the panic, as well as providing legal services and support to those who have been falsely accused or wrongfully convicted. It is also important to work to improve the justice system and ensure that it is fair and just when dealing with cases involving the occult.

Conclusion

Overall, Satanic Panic was a period of irrational fear and paranoia fueled by the media and popular culture. It was greatly influenced by the publication of “Michelle Remembers” and the McMartin Preschool trial, which increased public interest in the topic of ritualistic abuse and Satanic cults. It caused a wave of moral panic and hysteria, as well as numerous false accusations of occult activity. The effects of the panic were far-reaching, with psychological and cultural implications that are still being felt today.

Perhaps society would benefit from us rejecting this mythological boogeyman and focus instead on how we can improve life here, now. We can take action to prevent human suffering instead of throwing our hands up in the air in apathy and learned helplessness. Satan and his fictional minions are not in charge. We are.

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