The Satanic Panic: how moral panics reveal our true fears

Optional Pre-reading: 'Why moral panics blind us to moral good' (Amy Isham, CBF)
Optional Pre-listening: Christianity Today podcast

Vidoes
McMartin Case, Investigation and Allegations (New York Times)
What was the Satanic Panic? (CBC)

1. 20th Century Stantic Panics

1. Why do you think the parents were so willing to believe the children were abused?
2. Why do you think the kids were so willing to offer stories and demonstrations of ritualistic abuse?
3. What does our fear of ‘Satan’ come from?

2. Repressed Memory Theory

FBI Based their Methodology on Lawrence Pazder’s Research
https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/136592NCJRS.pdf

1. Why do you think the police were convinced by Pazder despite the strange claims of Michelle being so difficult to prove?

3. Michelle Remembers case study

Why is this case so often referred to?