Satanic ritual abuse: Difference between revisions

From Citizendium
Jump to navigation Jump to search
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz
mNo edit summary
imported>Howard C. Berkowitz
No edit summary
Line 5: Line 5:
  | date = January 28, 2009 | author = B.A. Robinson
  | date = January 28, 2009 | author = B.A. Robinson
  | url = http://www.religioustolerance.org/sra.htm
  | url = http://www.religioustolerance.org/sra.htm
}}</ref>
}}</ref> It is of very serious concern to some observers, who have termed the Wikipedia article on the subject a promotion of [[[pedophilia]],<ref name=SMART>{{citation
| title = Press Release: Wikipedia “Satanic Ritual Abuse” article promotes PEDOPHILIA
| author = S.M.A.R.T.
| url = http://ritualabuse.us/ritualabuse/articles/press-release-wikipedia-%E2%80%9Csatanic-ritual-abuse%E2%80%9D-article-promotes-pedophilia/ }}</ref> while others regard it as a [[moral panic]] or as a [[subversion ideology]].<ref name=deYoung>{{citation
| url = http://www.aaets.org/article26.htm
| publisher = American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
| title = Sociological Views on the Controversial Issue of Satanic Ritual Abuse: Three Faces of the Devil
| author = Mary deYoung}}</ref>


The long list of synonyms is a bit confusing, since not all [[cult]]s are Satanic, and not all [[sadism]] is ritualistic or even a group activity. Whether or not a given ritual is abusive is also dependent on context: eating pork is commonplace to billions of people, while forcing a devout Muslim or Jew to eat pork would be abusive. Some cultures believe male [[circumcision]] or [[female genital mutilation]] are quite appropriate, and neither Christianity or Satanism may have anything to do with their beliefs.
The long list of synonyms is a bit confusing, since not all [[cult]]s are Satanic, and not all [[sadism]] is ritualistic or even a group activity. Whether or not a given ritual is abusive is also dependent on context: eating pork is commonplace to billions of people, while forcing a devout Muslim or Jew to eat pork would be abusive. Some cultures believe male [[circumcision]] or [[female genital mutilation]] are quite appropriate, and neither Christianity or Satanism may have anything to do with their beliefs.


A 1992 report by Kenneth V. Lanning, Supervisory Special Agent, Behavioral Science Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] said "Most people today use the term  to refer to abuse of children that is part of some evil spiritual belief system, which almost by definition must be satanic." <ref name=>{{citation
A 1992 report by Kenneth V. Lanning, Supervisory Special Agent, Behavioral Science Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] said "Most people today use the term  to refer to abuse of children that is part of some evil spiritual belief system, which almost by definition must be satanic." <ref name=Lanning>{{citation
  | title = 1992 FBI Report: Satanic Ritual Abuse
  | title = 1992 FBI Report: Satanic Ritual Abuse
  | author = Kenneth V. Lanning
  | author = Kenneth V. Lanning
  | publisher = Behavioral Science Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]   
  | publisher = Behavioral Science Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]]   
  | url = http://www.rickross.com/reference/satanism/satanism1.html}}</ref> Williams observes that the definition is especially difficult for law enforcement. Ritual with  a child is not necessarily abusive; First Communions, Bar Mitzvahs, and other coming-of-age ceremonies are ritual by definition.
  | url = http://www.rickross.com/reference/satanism/satanism1.html}}</ref> Williams observes that the definition is especially difficult for law enforcement. Ritual with  a child is not necessarily abusive; [[rite of passage|rites of passage]] such as [[First Communion]]s, [[Bar Mitzvah]]s, and other coming-of-age ceremonies are ritual by definition.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}

Revision as of 14:50, 20 March 2009

This article is developing and not approved.
Main Article
Discussion
Related Articles  [?]
Bibliography  [?]
External Links  [?]
Citable Version  [?]
 
This editable Main Article is under development and subject to a disclaimer.

Satanic ritual abuse (SRA) has been defined as "the psychological, sexual, and/or physical assault forced on an unwilling human victim, and committed by one or more Satanists according to a prescribed ritual, the primary aim of which is to fulfill the need to worship the Christian devil, Satan. The same source refers to it as synonymous for cult related abuse, ritual abuse, ritualized abuse, sadistic ritual abuse and organized sadistic abuse[1] It is of very serious concern to some observers, who have termed the Wikipedia article on the subject a promotion of [[[pedophilia]],[2] while others regard it as a moral panic or as a subversion ideology.[3]

The long list of synonyms is a bit confusing, since not all cults are Satanic, and not all sadism is ritualistic or even a group activity. Whether or not a given ritual is abusive is also dependent on context: eating pork is commonplace to billions of people, while forcing a devout Muslim or Jew to eat pork would be abusive. Some cultures believe male circumcision or female genital mutilation are quite appropriate, and neither Christianity or Satanism may have anything to do with their beliefs.

A 1992 report by Kenneth V. Lanning, Supervisory Special Agent, Behavioral Science Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Federal Bureau of Investigation said "Most people today use the term to refer to abuse of children that is part of some evil spiritual belief system, which almost by definition must be satanic." [4] Williams observes that the definition is especially difficult for law enforcement. Ritual with a child is not necessarily abusive; rites of passage such as First Communions, Bar Mitzvahs, and other coming-of-age ceremonies are ritual by definition.

References

  1. B.A. Robinson (January 28, 2009), Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA), Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
  2. S.M.A.R.T., Press Release: Wikipedia “Satanic Ritual Abuse” article promotes PEDOPHILIA
  3. Mary deYoung, Sociological Views on the Controversial Issue of Satanic Ritual Abuse: Three Faces of the Devil, American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress
  4. Kenneth V. Lanning, 1992 FBI Report: Satanic Ritual Abuse, Behavioral Science Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Federal Bureau of Investigation