Podcast Summary: After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Episode: Is the Devil Dead?
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling
Guest: Dr. Mickey Brock, Historian of Religion and the Supernatural in Early Modern Scotland

1. Introduction to the Episode

In the second installment of their exploration into the history of the Devil, hosts Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling welcome back Dr. Mickey Brock. Building upon the foundation laid in the first episode—where the origins and rise of the Devil were discussed—the focus of this episode shifts to examining the decline and contemporary relevance of Old Nick, as the Devil is often referred to.

2. Mistress Rutherford and 17th Century Scottish Beliefs

Overview:
Dr. Mickey Brock introduces the case of Mistress Rutherford, an orphan raised in Edinburgh during the early 17th century. Her personal struggles with fear of the Devil exemplify the pervasive belief in Satan's omnipresence across Scotland and Europe at the time.

Key Points:

• Calvinist Influence: Mistress Rutherford's experiences are deeply rooted in Calvinist theology, which emphasized the necessity of controlling not just actions but thoughts to align with divine will. This stringent religious environment fostered intense spiritual anxiety among believers.

• Internalized Fear: The belief in Satan was not just an external threat but an internal battle within individuals, reflecting a broader societal sense of spiritual malaise.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Mickey Brock (04:54): "These Scots people, like Mistress Rutherford, spent a lot of time searching their souls for evidence of their demonic allegiances to see if they were in fact being swayed by Satan too much, or if they had enough godly impulses that might suggest they would go to heaven."

3. The Rise of Skepticism Towards the Devil

Overview:
The conversation transitions to the emergence of skepticism regarding the Devil and supernatural beliefs. This shift began in the late 16th century and gained momentum in the 17th century, particularly among intellectual elites.

Key Points:

• Reginald Scot's Treatise: Scot’s "Discovery of Witchcraft" (1584) challenged prevailing notions of witchcraft and the Devil's role, arguing that many attributed supernatural occurrences to delusions rather than actual demonic influence.

• Thomas Hobbes' Contributions: In "Leviathan", Hobbes dismissed supernatural explanations, suggesting that even divine entities were corporeal, thereby undermining traditional beliefs in the Devil.

• Societal Implications: Skepticism towards the Devil was perceived as a threat to established religious and political structures, as it potentially destabilized the divine right of kings and the sovereignty of God.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Mickey Brock (13:49): "If you start to chip away at belief in witches, soon you'll start to chip away at belief in the devil. And when you start to chip away at belief in the devil, soon you'll start to chip away at belief in God and the whole house of cards comes crumbling down."

4. The Story of Margaret Dixon and the Devil's Persistence in 18th Century Edinburgh

Overview:
Margaret Dixon’s miraculous survival post-execution in 1724 serves as a focal point for understanding the lingering belief in the Devil during a period of intellectual transition in Edinburgh.

Key Points:

• Execution and Resurrection: Dixon was executed for infanticide, a crime heavily stigmatized under the 1690 law which linked such acts to satanic influence. Her subsequent survival sparked widespread rumors of demonic intervention.

• Cultural Impact: The incident fueled narratives that reinforced the Devil’s active role in societal misdeeds, despite growing skepticism. Dixon became a legendary figure, inspiring literature and continuing folklore.

• Legal and Social Tensions: While public sentiment among the general populace continued to attribute Dixon’s survival to diabolical forces, legal authorities and enlightened thinkers began to question such explanations, highlighting the tension between tradition and emerging rationalism.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Mickey Brock (24:18): "Her story needs to be seen in sort of that context of the 17th century law that's playing out in the early 18th century, as you have a society that's having skeptical ideas not just about the church or about God, but also new ways of thinking about science, about medicine."

5. The Devil in Contemporary Times: Has He Died?

Overview:
The discussion culminates in addressing the modern relevance of the Devil in Western society, exploring whether traditional beliefs have waned or transformed.

Key Points:

• Persistent Presence: Dr. Brock argues that the Devil has not died but has instead morphed into various symbols of evil in contemporary contexts, such as political rhetoric and cultural anxieties.

• Modern Manifestations: Events like the 9/11 attacks were interpreted by some as manifestations of an "axis of evil," echoing historical demonization patterns. The resurgence of demonic rhetoric in political discourse, particularly post-2016, illustrates the Devil's enduring symbolic power.

• Satanic Panics: Historical and modern "satanic panics" reveal a recurring pattern of associating societal fears—often involving the protection of children—with demonic influence, thereby perpetuating the Devil’s mythos.

Notable Quotes:

Dr. Mickey Brock (30:28): "The devil really never goes away. It's just ideas about the demonic become channeled into other avenues."

Dr. Mickey Brock (35:12): "It's really fascinating to think about why satanic panics and these practices of demonization so often revolve around this perception of potential harm to children."

6. Personal Reflections and Conclusion

Overview:
Dr. Brock shares her personal approach to studying such a dark and pervasive subject, emphasizing the importance of focusing on historical progress and the human capacity for overcoming entrenched fears.

Key Points:

• Balancing Darkness with Light: Despite the grim nature of her research, Dr. Brock underscores the historical narrative of moving towards enlightenment and tolerance.

• Hope Through History: Understanding the past's struggles with demonic beliefs provides a framework for fostering hope and resilience against contemporary forms of demonization.

Notable Quote:

Dr. Mickey Brock (36:08): "I think that history, even the dark parts of it, are still stories of overcoming, are still stories of moving towards hope, of moving towards light."

Final Thoughts

The episode effectively navigates the complex transition from deeply ingrained beliefs in the Devil to emerging skepticism, illustrating how cultural and intellectual shifts influence the perception of evil. Through historical narratives like those of Mistress Rutherford and Margaret Dixon, combined with Dr. Brock's expert analysis, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the Devil's enduring presence in Western consciousness.

Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.