6,491 research outputs found
Spartan Daily, October 27, 2008
Volume 131, Issue 32https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/10516/thumbnail.jp
Spartan Daily, October 27, 2008
Volume 131, Issue 32https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/10516/thumbnail.jp
Spartan Daily, December 4, 2000
Volume 115, Issue 63https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/9630/thumbnail.jp
Spartan Daily, March 15, 1961
Volume 48, Issue 85https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/4139/thumbnail.jp
Spartan Daily, March 15, 1961
Volume 48, Issue 85https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/4139/thumbnail.jp
Raising the Devil: Satanism, New Religions, and the Media
Raising the Devil reveals how the Christian Pentecostal movement, right-wing conspiracy theories, and an opportunistic media turned grassroots folk traditions into the Satanism scare of the 1980s. During the mid-twentieth century, devil worship was seen as merely an isolated practice of medieval times. But by the early 1980s, many influential experts in clinical medicine and in law enforcement were proclaiming that satanic cults were widespread and dangerous. By examining the broader context for alleged âcultâ activity, Bill Ellis demonstrates how the image of contemporary Satanism emerged during the 1970s. Blaming a wide range of mental and physical illnesses on in-dwelling demons, a faction of the Pentecostal movement became convinced that their gifts of the spirit were being opposed by satanic activities. They attributed these activities to a âcultâ that was the evil twin of true Christianity. In some of the cases Ellis considers, common folk beliefs and rituals were misunderstood as evidence of devil worship. In others, narratives and rituals themselves were used to combat satanic forces. As the media found such stories more and more attractive, any activity with even remotely occult overtones was demonized in order to fit a model of absolute good confronting evil. Ellisâs wide-ranging investigation covers ouija boards, cattle mutilation, graveyard desecration, and âdiabolical medicineâ--the psychiatric communityâs version of exorcism. He offers a balanced view of contentious issues such as demonic possession, satanic ritual abuse, and the testimonies of confessing âex-Satanists.â A trained folklorist, Ellis seeks to navigate a middle road in this dialog, and his insights into informal religious traditions clarify how the image of Satanism both explained and created deviant behavior.
The strengths of Raising the Devil lie in its meticulous research (in many cases, uncovering a wealth of obscure materials), close attention to detail, and broad view of the subject. . . . An insightful contribution to a vital topic that refuses to give up and die. -- American Studies International
An interesting analysis of satanic folklore and organized antisatanism in the US and UK. -- Choice
Highly valuable to scholars interested in the Satanic panics, in rumour panics in general, in the ways in which institutions draw on folklore for their own purposes, or in belief. -- Culture & Tradition
A fascinating study that should become a classic. -- Daniel Wojcik, University of Oregon
A fascinating study. It also has a message that, if heeded, will remove a potent source of grief and fear. -- Folklore
If you read one book on the latter-day Satan revival, this is the one you want. -- Fortean Times
Very few scholars have attempted what Bill Ellis does in this book: the careful, methodical study of a legend complex and its interaction with the surrounding contextâsocial, historical, and global. . . . A story that is nothing short of fascinating. -- Journal of American Folklore
Very few scholars have attempted what Bill Ellis does in the book: a careful, methodical study of a legend complex and its interaction with the surrounding contextâsocial, historical, and global. -- Journal of American Folklore Research
Never again shall I see âSatan and all his worksâ in the same light. Such is the effect of reading a good book. -- Lexington Herald-Leader
Highly recommended as a lucid and well-documented account of a subject that is not always given thoughtful treatment. -- Library Journal
Shows how ancient bogeyman beliefs became aligned with politics and the criminal justice system to produce witch-hunts like the infamous McMartin Preschool case. -- Mother Jones
Takes an important and newsworthy topic and provides a very different slant upon it. The diversity of his approaches will make it important to several different fields. -- Philip Jenkins, Penn State Universityhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/upk_occultism/1000/thumbnail.jp
Spartan Daily, May 6, 1987
Volume 88, Issue 62https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/7587/thumbnail.jp
Daily Eastern News: February 13, 1985
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/den_1985_feb/1006/thumbnail.jp
Daily Eastern News: February 13, 1985
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/den_1985_feb/1006/thumbnail.jp
Daily Eastern News: February 13, 1985
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/den_1985_feb/1006/thumbnail.jp
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