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Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism

ePub Lure of the Sinister: The Unnatural History of Satanism by Gareth Medway in History

Description

The Jehovah's Witnesses endured intense persecution under the Nazi regime; from 1933 to 1945. Unlike the Jews and others persecuted and killed by virtue of their birth; Jehovah's Witnesses had the opportunity to escape persecution and personal harm by renouncing their religious beliefs. The vast majority refused and throughout their struggle; continued to meet; preach; and distribute literature. In the face of torture; maltreatment in concentration camps; and sometimes execution; this unique group won the respect of many contemporaries. Up until now; little has been known of their particular persecution.


#2633423 in Books NYU Press 2001-04 2001-04-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.02 x 1.19 x 5.98l; 1.70 #File Name: 081475645X463 pages


Review
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful. Well-Researched and Informed Investigation of SatanismBy Matthew S. SchweitzerGareth J. Medway's "Lure of the Sinister" is a well written investigation of historical and modern Satanism; focusing on the myths of Satanic Ritual Abuse and the wide-spread Satanic Panic of the 80s; when many people; deluded by sensationalist books and TV talk shows were lead to believe that an international Satanic conspiracy was working to undermine church and state.The book first addresses the origins of Satanism and the idea behind the existence of the mythical entity known to Christians as Satan and Lucifer. It analyzes the cases most often cited as reliable instances of historical Satanism and devil worship such as Gilles de Rais; the Affaire des Poisons; The Hell Fire Club; as well as modern cases of supposed Satanic crime like the Black Circle Boys and Richard Ramirez. In all cases; paranoia and media sensationalism were shown to have warped the facts of these crimes and have mythologized them to the point were fact and fiction are indistinguishable and that; in truth; Satanism was either not a factor or was only a side issue to the real motivation. It also shows that the Church of Satan; far from being a truly evil threat to mankind; is not much more than a red herring meant to antagonize mainstream Christians and induldge themselves on ego rather than the Dark Lord. The book goes on to take task with the myth of SRA and the panics of the 80s and 90s that were fueled by delusional paranoid religious factions and psychotherapists eager to cash in on a nation's fears by endorsing nothing less than a real modern witch hunt.While there are very real problems with adolescent crime and drug abuse today; the fears that they are related to a world-wide conspiracy of black magic and devil worship are unfounded and have no supporting evidence. The book debunks the many myths that have grown up around this subject and gives a balanced and interesting accounting of them.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Great read; but misleading title.By Abraham DeLeonGareth Medway's book is an illumanating look at the Satanism; and Witchcraft scare that has plagued England; and the United States. Medway retells stories of supposed possessions; satanic activity; and other "evil" occurrences; and discounts the authenticity of these accounts. Even though he is biased in his presentation of some of the facts; his wit; and sense-of-humor emerges throughout the book. The title is misleading though because Medway does not really deal with the history of Satanism; instead with the hysteria surrounding it. His bibliography is also extensive for anyone interested in the occult. This book is ideal for those looking to examine if those stories we heard during the 80's of Satanic rituals in our backyards were true.2 of 4 people found the following review helpful. Footnotes don't mean you did your homeworkBy Scott C. LocklinYet another history of Satanism. While this one was recommended highly by people who should know better; the prose is journalistic; windy and overwrought. Some small parts of it cover interesting history not covered elsewhere but the yellow press who originally covered it. The problem is; some of it was excruciatingly poorly researched nonsense (probably based on some other yellow journalism). Medway desperately needs a fact checker. Footnotes do not mean you checked your facts. Its main purpose seems to be something with footnotes to wave at witch-hunters when they show up at your door bearing pitchforks and torches; assuming you are a friendly neighborhood Satanist. Mostly it made me sleepy. Doubtless the soporific effect would also be effecacious on pitchfork-wielding witch hunters.Seriously; the world doesn't need another book about this sort of thing. I wish Mr. Medway well in getting his assistant professorship or whatever this book was supposed to accomplish; but the rehash of well-known nonsense involving Led Zeppelin records; Al Crowley and Charles Manson for the umpteenth time is completely unnecessary. The repeating of Huysmans and Dashwood mythology; yet again; is actively harmful to scholarship in this "field." If you want to dig up something new in the Satan game; dig up some reports of Satanism from other cultures and other histories. And please; check some of your footnotes.

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