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The Bulletin

Whatchu Mean

Feb 28, 2025
Mona Charen, a syndicated columnist and policy editor, discusses the implications of Germany's elections and the rise of extremism in the U.S. Mark Meynell, a pastor and author, shares how C.S. Lewis inspired his work in Ukraine, exploring themes of hope in crisis. Meanwhile, Wendy Alsup, a theology author and community college math teacher, highlights the importance of trusting Bible translations and the evolving nature of scripture. This lively conversation touches on democracy, faith, resilience, and the significance of engaging with religious texts.
01:02:10

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast highlights how the satanic panic of the 1990s reflected societal anxieties, influencing legal and social spheres through public hysteria.
  • Political movements benefitted from the climate of fear during the satanic panic, using it to rally support for stricter laws and traditional values.

Deep dives

The Satanic Panic and Its Legacy

Between 1991 and 1993, over 12,000 allegations of satanic ritual abuse emerged across the United States, signaling a widespread cultural fear. However, an audit by the FBI in 1995 found no substantiated evidence linking these claims to any real cult activity. This phenomenon, often referred to as the 'satanic panic', not only reflected societal anxieties but also affected various legal and social spheres, including high-profile cases such as the West Memphis Three. The ensuing panic exemplified how public hysteria can lead to disproportionate responses and misdirected attention on actual criminal behavior.

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