Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: Episode Summary – "The Spell Breaks"
Release Date: May 5, 2025
Host: Christianity Today
Featuring: Mike Kosper, Ken Lanning, Rebecca Sebastian, Elizabeth Loftus
Introduction
In "The Spell Breaks," the latest episode of Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, host Mike Kosper delves into the intricate web of the Satanic Panic that gripped America during the 1980s and 90s. This episode explores how widespread hysteria overshadowed genuine threats, leading to the devastation of innocent lives and diverting the church’s focus from real moral failings within its own ranks.
The Historical Context: End of the Cold War
The episode opens by contextualizing the early 1990s, a period marked by significant political and social shifts. Mike Kosper reflects on the transition from the Reagan era to George H.W. Bush's presidency:
Mike Kosper [00:48]: "The fall of Communism happened because a bureaucrat misread a memo and the border police didn't know what to do in response."
This anecdote highlights the unpredictable nature of historical events, setting the stage for the ensuing societal anxieties that fueled the Satanic Panic.
The Rise of the Satanic Panic
Moving forward to 1993, Kosper introduces the audience to the Satanic Panic—a period characterized by unfounded fears of widespread satanic cults involved in heinous crimes. He underscores how cultural shifts and sensationalized media reports led to the scapegoating of various groups:
Mike Kosper [03:51]: "Tonight, citizens from both Germanies are singing and dancing on the Wall itself."
This metaphor illustrates the fleeting and surface-level solidarity that masked deeper societal issues.
Ken Lanning’s Role in Investigating Satanic Ritual Abuse
Central to the episode is Ken Lanning, a retired FBI agent whose experiences provide critical insights into the Satanic Panic. Lanning recounts his path from naval service to the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit:
Ken Lanning [08:26]: "I volunteered for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal program, which eventually led me to the FBI."
Lanning's initial focus was on training law enforcement to handle bombings by left-wing radicals. However, as the political landscape changed, so did his assignments, bringing him face-to-face with allegations of Satanic Ritual Abuse (SRA).
The Investigation of Satanic Ritual Abuse Cases
Lanning meticulously describes the nature of SRA cases, emphasizing their recurring patterns:
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Multiple Victims: "These offenders were molesting multiple children over time."
[Ken Lanning, 13:28] -
Multiple Offenders: "It could be 2, 3, 4, 5 people that were doing this and working together."
[Ken Lanning, 13:28] -
Fear-Based Control: "The victims would always describe fear as the primary controlling tactic."
[Ken Lanning, 13:28] -
Bizarre Ritual Elements: "They would describe strange rituals, standing in circles, torturing children, hurting them, eating flesh, drinking blood."
[Ken Lanning, 13:28]
Despite the horrifying allegations, Lanning struggled to find any corroborative evidence:
Ken Lanning [29:54]: "We couldn’t find the pornography, we couldn’t find anybody who snitched anybody off... it didn’t seem to be happening."
This lack of evidence led Lanning to question the veracity of these widespread claims, even as the number of allegations continued to rise.
The Role of Memory: Insights from Elizabeth Loftus
The episode features an interview with cognitive psychologist Elizabeth Loftus, a leading expert on memory. Loftus explains the malleable nature of human memory, debunking the notion that it functions like a reliable recording device:
Elizabeth Loftus [48:05]: "Memory does not work like a recording device. We don't just record the event, play it back later... it's a constructive process."
She highlights how memory can be influenced and altered, a fact that has significant implications for the credibility of SRA allegations. Loftus' work demonstrates how suggestive interrogation techniques can lead to the creation of false memories, echoing the problematic methods used in many SRA investigations.
The Decline of the Satanic Panic and Ongoing Implications
As the episode progresses, Lanning describes the gradual decline of the Satanic Panic, attributing it to the mounting implausibility of the allegations and the persistent lack of evidence:
Rebecca Sebastian [44:36]: "It's just everything piling up—the lack of evidence, the questions around the science and psychology... people move on to other things."
However, the episode also underscores the lasting impact of the panic, noting that similar patterns of unfounded hysteria continue to emerge in contemporary contexts, such as conspiracy theories and the misuse of artificial intelligence in memory manipulation.
Conclusion: Balancing Belief and Due Process
"The Spell Breaks" concludes by highlighting the delicate balance between believing survivors and ensuring due process. Lanning emphasizes the importance of verifying claims to prevent the unjust persecution of innocent individuals:
Ken Lanning [43:00]: "If this isn't happening, this is going to do tremendous damage to the progress we've made in recognizing the child."
Elizabeth Loftus echoes this sentiment, advocating for a careful examination of evidence and the mechanisms through which memories are recovered and validated.
Final Thoughts
In this compelling episode, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea meticulously dissects the Satanic Panic, offering a nuanced perspective that challenges both historical narratives and contemporary beliefs. By intertwining firsthand accounts from Ken Lanning with scientific insights from Elizabeth Loftus, the episode provides a comprehensive understanding of how fear, memory manipulation, and societal pressures can distort justice and truth.
Notable Quotes:
- Mike Kosper [00:48]: "The fall of Communism happened because a bureaucrat misread a memo and the border police didn't know what to do in response."
- Ken Lanning [13:28]: "These offenders were molesting multiple children over time."
- Elizabeth Loftus [48:05]: "Memory does not work like a recording device. We don't just record the event, play it back later... it's a constructive process."
- Ken Lanning [29:54]: "We couldn’t find the pornography, we couldn’t find anybody who snitched anybody off... it didn’t seem to be happening."
- Rebecca Sebastian [44:36]: "It's just everything piling up—the lack of evidence, the questions around the science and psychology... people move on to other things."
This detailed summary captures the essence of "The Spell Breaks," providing listeners with a thorough understanding of the episode's key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions.