‘Michelle Remembers’ and The Satanic Panic

Life in 1980’s America was dangerous. There were millions of Satanists just waiting to snatch up the world’s children and do horrific things to them. That’s what we were told, anyway.

Clearly, Mr. Blue Sky is the work of the devil.

Well, cooler heads have prevailed now, and with the added context of time, we can pinpoint the origins of what’s now called “The Satanic Panic.”

There are three people directly responsible for the satanic panic of the 1980s. These people are Mike Warnke, Michelle Smith, and Lawrence Pasder. You probably don’t know them by name, but the damage they’ve collectively done to the world is incalculable.

Satan: circa 1985

Warnke, supposed former ‘High Priest’ of a huge satanic coven, wrote a tell-all book, which came out in 1973. The Satan Seller was a big-time bestseller, and it launched his career as the so-called “World’s #1 Christian Comedian.”

Michelle Smith and Lawrence Pasder collaborated on the hugely popular book Michelle Remembers, the first “real-life” account of Satanic Ritual Abuse to hit the shelves. They also hit the airwaves in a big way, appearing on 20/20, Oprah, Geraldo, and a host of other prominent shows, both Christian and secular. Pasder became a consultant, offering advice and strategy for over 1,000 ritual abuse cases that came to trial in the 80’s and 90’s.

I will follow you into the dark.

What happens in their wake is what we’re talking about this week. From stolen jokes to broken homes, from the Prince of Darkness to the King of Aquanet, we’ll get into everything. Listen on iTunes, TuneIn Radio, or just click the play button below.