Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Episode 8 - "Forgetting What Happened"

Release Date: May 21, 2025

In the concluding episode of "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," produced by Christianity Today, hosts Mike Kosper and Rebecca Sebastian delve into the enduring legacy of the Satanic Panic that swept through America in the 1980s and 1990s. Titled "Forgetting What Happened," this episode examines how the hysteria of that era not only devastated innocent lives but also laid the groundwork for contemporary evangelical movements and political dynamics.

1. Revisiting the Satanic Panic

The episode opens with a provocative exercise where Mike and Rebecca test each other's knowledge of historical quotes to distinguish between those originating from the Satanic Panic era (1981-1994) and other periods.

• Italian Scoda Case ([01:29–04:04]): Rebecca recounts the Scoda case from Italy in 1997, where Federico Scoda and his wife were falsely accused of leading a Satanic cabal. The fallout was tragic, resulting in the removal of 16 children from their families, the suicide of a single mother, and the wrongful imprisonment of Scoda for 11 years. Notably, Rebecca notes, "All of this on accusations that sound circumstantially, eerily similar to the McMartin case," highlighting the global reach and devastating impact of such unfounded allegations.

• Amanda Knox Case ([04:11–04:29]): The discussion shifts to the Amanda Knox case in Italy (2007), where an American student was wrongfully accused of murder, framed with satanic overtones. The media's sensational portrayal echoed the pervasive fears of the Satanic Panic, despite lacking substantive evidence.

2. Historical Blood Libels and Their Modern Echoes

• Geoffrey Chaucer’s Prioress's Tale ([04:42–05:54]): Mike Kosper introduces a historical perspective by referencing Geoffrey Chaucer's "Prioress's Tale," a medieval blood libel against Jews. He reads an excerpt demonstrating long-standing myths of ritualistic evil, drawing parallels to the unfounded allegations during the Satanic Panic. Rebecca observes, "This is just like the blood libels of the Middle Ages," emphasizing the recurring nature of such baseless conspiracies.

3. Maria Monk and Early Anti-Catholic Sentiment

• Maria Monk’s Memoir ([06:07–07:20]): Rebecca presents Maria Monk's 1836 memoir, "Awful Disclosures," which falsely accuses Catholic priests of horrific abuses. This narrative mirrors the Satanic Panic's themes, combining fictional religious conspiracies with exaggerated claims of supernatural malevolence.

4. The Rise and Fall of Mike Warnke

• Exposure of Mike Warnke ([12:20–16:31]): The hosts explore the downfall of Mike Warnke, a prominent figure who claimed to be a former Satanic high priest turned Christian evangelist. Mike Warnke reflects on his past in a 2024 interview, saying, "I'm a comedian. I can't help but hear echoes of what we see in the media today." Warnke's revelations, including financial misconduct and moral failings, underscore the deceptive narratives that fueled the Satanic Panic. Despite his decline, Warnke remains active in ministry, illustrating the lingering influence of such figures.

5. West Memphis Three and the Quest for Justice

• West Memphis Three Case ([22:37–27:23]): The episode revisits the tragic story of the West Memphis Three—Damien Echols, Jesse Misskelley, and Jason Baldwin—who were wrongfully convicted of murdering three eight-year-old boys. With new DNA evidence casting doubt on their guilt, the trio eventually entered Alford pleas to secure their release after 18 years of imprisonment. Damien Echols shares, "We are in a good spot now and we've got evidence even in the last two, three years that we believe will exonerate these kids," highlighting the ongoing struggle for justice and the deep scars left by the panic-induced convictions.

6. The Influence of the Satanic Panic on Evangelical Politics

• Connection to Political Movements ([39:26–74:02]): Mike Kosper and Rebecca Sebastian draw a direct line from the Satanic Panic to the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and the Christian Right. They discuss how figures like C. Peter Wagner and Lance Wallnau developed theological frameworks of spiritual warfare and dominionism, which were instrumental in shaping evangelical support for political figures like Ronald Reagan and later Donald Trump. Mike Kosper explains, "If you adopt a system that allows you to get around the plain teachings of scripture in one area, you are going to have a very hard time closing the door on someone else using your same argument on a different issue."

7. From Satanic Panic to QAnon: The Evolution of Conspiracy Theories

• Rise of QAnon and Pizzagate ([76:45–93:07]): The hosts analyze the transition from the Satanic Panic to modern conspiracy theories like QAnon and Pizzagate. Damien Echols likens QAnon to a “prophetic conspiracy movement” where clear delineations between good and evil are prevalent, similar to the narratives of the Satanic Panic but adapted for the digital age. Mike Kosper highlights the symbiotic relationship between deep-seated fears about child protection and the perpetuation of unfounded conspiracies, noting, "The conspiracy theory becomes a meme. They are the consequences that are out of sight, out of mind."

8. January 6th Capitol Attack: A Culmination of Deep-Seated Fears

• Capitol Riot ([93:07–105:26]): The episode culminates with a detailed examination of the January 6th Capitol attack, attributing its roots to the ideological remnants of the Satanic Panic and the NAR. Mike Kosper connects the participation of over 60 NAR leaders at the event, noting their belief in a spiritual battle to protect Donald Trump from perceived satanic forces. The use of symbols like the shofar and chants of spiritual warfare illustrate the enduring influence of these conspiratorial beliefs. Rebecca Sebastian reflects on the human tendency to craft narratives that simplify complex realities into battles of good versus evil, warning of the dangerous consequences when such myths are acted upon.

9. Reflections on the Enduring Legacy

• Consequences and Lessons ([105:26–112:12]): In the concluding segments, the hosts emphasize the real human costs of the Satanic Panic and its modern iterations. They juxtapose the mythic evil portrayed in conspiracies against the tangible suffering of victims like the West Memphis Three and law enforcement officers injured during the Capitol riot. Mike Kosper poignantly states, "We did reach out to Mike Warnke for comment. He didn't respond. ... But in January 6th, we saw the culmination of these fears turned violent." The episode ends with a somber reminder of the importance of discerning truth from myth to prevent history from repeating its most painful chapters.

Key Takeaways:

• Historical Impact: The Satanic Panic had profound and lasting effects on individuals and communities, leading to wrongful accusations and convictions.

• Political Mobilization: The fears and narratives from the Satanic Panic era were co-opted by evangelical leaders to galvanize political movements, significantly influencing American politics.

• Modern Conspiracy Theories: Contemporary movements like QAnon have evolved from the Satanic Panic, leveraging digital platforms to propagate unfounded conspiracies with real-world consequences.

• Human Psychology: The episode underscores a fundamental human tendency to create and believe in myths as coping mechanisms for fear and uncertainty, often leading to dangerous outcomes.

Notable Quotes:

• Rebecca Sebastian ([03:33]): "The thing I can't imagine is getting that knock at your door, and in the blink of an eye, your kids are taken away, your newborn baby gets taken away. And for what? For lies? For total fiction?"

• Mike Warnke ([14:12]): "I'm a comedian. I can't help but hear echoes of what we see in the media today."

• Damien Echols ([94:26]): "QAnon is a prophetic conspiracy movement that claims... Patriots were being informed of this through, I'm sorry, rhetorical questions."

• Mike Kosper ([10:57]): "But conspiracy theories and moral panics thrive on something more than just the reality of evil."

This episode serves as a critical reflection on how unfounded fears can morph into powerful societal forces, shaping politics and individual lives long after the initial hysteria has faded.