The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall Yet another helping from Satan: The Devil’s storytellers
Dec 12, 2025
In a fascinating discussion, Professor Bill Ellis, an expert in folklore and urban legends, explores the psychology behind societal panics. He connects the dots between historical events like the Salem witch trials and today's fears, such as the satanic panic. Ellis highlights how urban legends often reflect our collective concerns and serve as outlets for communal grief. He details a chilling Ohio case where folklore influenced police actions and sheds light on misconceptions surrounding satanism, ultimately framing it as a scapegoat for deeper social issues.
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Doubt Fuels Legend Spread
- People who doubt an urban legend often spread it because they discuss its credible and incredible elements.
- That skeptical circulation turns the story into a vehicle for broader social conversation about current fears.
A Murder Interpreted Through Local Legends
- Bill Ellis recounts a rural Ohio murder seen through local legends about witches and devil worship.
- Police investigated ritual theories because local folklore provided a ready interpretive frame for the crime.
Religious Fears Become Police Action
- Religious rhetoric about spiritual warfare can translate into secular law-enforcement action.
- Charismatic fears about 'counterfeit' demonic acts helped motivate police to treat alleged occult acts as criminal threats.
