American History Hit What was the Satanic Panic?
Nov 20, 2025
Joseph Laycock, an associate professor of religious studies and author specializing in American religious history, dives into the chilling phenomenon of the Satanic Panic. He explores the origins rooted in 1960s culture and media influences, showcasing how fears were exacerbated by figures like Manson and LaVey. Laycock recounts the explosive McMartin preschool allegations and the media's role in amplifying panic for ratings. He also connects this moral panic to modern conspiracies like QAnon, revealing the enduring belief in evil and societal anxieties.
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Horror Film Shifted Perception Of Evil
- Rosemary's Baby (1968) helped Americans imagine everyday people as secret Satanists.
- The film shifted fear from garbed strangers to neighbors and professionals, amplifying suspicion.
Michelle Remembers Fueled The Panic
- Lawrence Pazder's book Michelle Remembers popularized the term "satanic ritual abuse" in 1980.
- The book's vivid, unverified memories fueled therapists and police to treat ritual abuse as real.
McMartin Case Became A National Spectacle
- The McMartin preschool prosecutions began from an accusation about a rash and expanded into mass claims and tunnel conspiracies.
- After seven years, lack of physical evidence collapsed the case but destroyed lives and reputations.
