Satanism Today - An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore and Popular ...
Satanism Today - An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore and Popular ...
Satanism Today - An Encyclopedia of Religion, Folklore and Popular ...
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Apparition 9<br />
Entering into the arena <strong>of</strong> public concern<br />
about <strong>Satanism</strong> also gave the ACM a new forum<br />
within which to promote its perspective on cults<br />
<strong>and</strong> mind control. Thus, for example, these ideas<br />
were incorporated into a CAN checklist entitled<br />
“Warning Signs <strong>of</strong> Occult Influence”:<br />
Those who have declared teenage <strong>Satanism</strong><br />
something to be ignored have not made<br />
themselves aware, knowledgeable <strong>and</strong><br />
educated about destructive Satanic cults <strong>and</strong><br />
their persuasive methods <strong>of</strong> mind-control<br />
recruitment. How does a teenager outgrow<br />
Satanic indoctrination that culminates in<br />
child pornography, child prostitution,<br />
violence, murder, suicide, drug addiction <strong>and</strong><br />
a complete loss <strong>of</strong> free will that leaves the<br />
victimized teenager bound in a belief system<br />
that they can’t get out [<strong>of</strong>], even if they want<br />
to get out (Cited in Hicks 1991, 276)<br />
Finally it should be noted that the ACM also<br />
supplied the burgeoning ritual abuse movement<br />
with the notion <strong>of</strong> “cult apologists”—a rhetorical<br />
strategy for dismissing academics <strong>and</strong> other<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionals critical <strong>of</strong> both brainwashing <strong>and</strong><br />
the notion <strong>of</strong> a vast Satanic conspiracy. This<br />
tactic is reflected in the remarks <strong>of</strong> Cynthia<br />
Kisser, former director <strong>of</strong> the Cult Awareness<br />
Network:<br />
In contrast to the mounting evidence <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Satanism</strong> impacting on society as a social<br />
movement a small yet persistent group <strong>of</strong><br />
“apologists” for <strong>Satanism</strong> have emerged. Their<br />
arguments for dismissing the <strong>Satanism</strong><br />
phenomena are on the whole shallow, <strong>and</strong> not<br />
well researched. (Cited in Victor 1993, 252)<br />
Why pr<strong>of</strong>essionals should be motivated to<br />
defend <strong>Satanism</strong> is not explained, although Kisser<br />
seems to imply that they are ivory tower<br />
researchers who have not looked closely at the<br />
phenomenon. For people deeply committed to the<br />
belief in an underground Satanic network,<br />
however, the explanation is obvious: <strong>An</strong>yone<br />
dismissing the Satanic threat is ipso facto either a<br />
Satanist or in league with Satanists—a h<strong>and</strong>y bit<br />
<strong>of</strong> circular reasoning that protects such beliefs<br />
from empirical disconfirmation.<br />
See also Satanic Ritual Abuse; Mind Control<br />
For Further Reading:<br />
Hicks, Robert D. The Pursuit <strong>of</strong> Satan: The Police<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Occult. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books,<br />
1991.<br />
Lewis, James R. Cults in America. Santa Barbara,<br />
CA: ABC-CLIO, 1998.<br />
Richardson, James T., Joel Best, <strong>and</strong> David G.<br />
Bromley, eds. The <strong>Satanism</strong> Scare. New York:<br />
Aldine De Gruyter, 1991.<br />
Victor, Jeffrey S. Satanic Panic: The Creation <strong>of</strong> a<br />
Contemporary Legend. Chicago: Open Court,<br />
1993.<br />
Apparition<br />
The term apparition usually refers to immaterial<br />
appearances <strong>of</strong> people, also called ghosts, animals,<br />
objects, <strong>and</strong> spirits. Despite much skepticism,<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> apparitions have always had a particular<br />
importance in folk belief <strong>and</strong> in the history <strong>of</strong> religion.<br />
Even though there can be religious apparitions<br />
(e.g., an apparition <strong>of</strong> the Virgin), they are<br />
traditionally associated with the diabolical, despite<br />
the fact that they <strong>of</strong>ten appear to be <strong>of</strong>fering<br />
consolation <strong>and</strong> guidance.<br />
Apparitions, which are not seen by everyone,<br />
usually involve noises, unusual smells, extreme<br />
cold, <strong>and</strong> the displacement <strong>of</strong> objects. Also visual<br />
images, tactile sensations, voices, <strong>and</strong> the apparent<br />
psychokinetic movement <strong>of</strong> objects may be<br />
included. Apparitions move through solid matter,<br />
appear <strong>and</strong> disappear abruptly, can cast shadows<br />
<strong>and</strong> be reflected in mirrors, seem corporeal or<br />
luminous <strong>and</strong> transparent, <strong>and</strong> can be lifelike or<br />
have limited movements.<br />
It has been shown that there are few differences<br />
between the characteristics <strong>of</strong> apparitions <strong>of</strong> the<br />
living <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> the dead. Apparition experiences can<br />
be <strong>of</strong> various types. They can be crisis apparitions,<br />
which typically appear to individuals who are<br />
emotionally very close to the agent, or apparitions<br />
<strong>of</strong> the dead, which usually occur within a short time<br />
after death. Sometimes apparitions are collective,<br />
occurring simultaneously to multiple witnesses, or<br />
can be reciprocal, when both agent <strong>and</strong> percipient,<br />
who are separated by distance, experience each