Kier-la Janisse

I've grown up to be a spiritual & open-minded about the occult/witchcraft & I have alternative beliefs, I believe the Occult/witchcraft is real, I absolutely love vampires, I love various types of metal music, horror films, the horror genre in general so I don't understand what exactly a Fundamentalist Christian is.
I disagree with what people in general believe to be "evil" at least from the perspective of people in the 1980's or a fear mongering Christian's perspective/point of view.
Demons are neutral, not all demons care about humanity, some hate humanity.
It depends on your intention, what you want to achieve with the left-hand path, with witchcraft, what you want to achieve spiritually.
Demons can be helpful, if you are respectful to them, loyal to them.
I've never been baptised, or gone to church, read the Christian Bible so I think it's quite easy for anyone that's Christian/religious to demonize something/someone that you have no idea about and don't understand, at least do some research before you condemn something other people enjoy, appreciate or are entertained by.
It's disrespectful to discredit, condemn, belittle, bowdlerize alternative religions/beliefs just because Christianity is a monotheistic religion ad alternative religions/beliefs and polytheistic religions/beliefs. Christians in my opinion are spiritual narcissists:
(The belief that your spiritual wisdom makes you more special than others.
It can be used to shield yourself from criticism, to impress others, or to enhance your-self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself.)
For example not all goths, or metalheads are in a vampire cult/satanic cult, are a satanist just because they love horror films, heavy metal/death metal bands or bands that use vampiric and satanic imagery, or are interested in the occult/witchcraft.
The same applies to horror films, books about vampires or the occult (especially the Satanic Bible is wasn't intended to be taken seriously, unless you are serious about being a satanist and want to join to the Church of Satan, The Temple of Set)
Animals are also never harmed, rape or abuse of any kind is prohibited,any member of the church of satan would be banned if they were discovered to be a child molestor.
Satanic witches only use a person's body as a symbolic altar,
(no human baby or virgins are ever sacrificed unless the person is a devil worshipper or they practise black magic and they are trying to achieve something specific like a curse, to summon a demon, curse someone etc..)
There is a big difference between edgy people that are a Devil-worshipper due to them thinking it is aesthetically cool/edgy and genuine Satanists
(most of them are a atheist and don't believe that Satan or Lucifer are a real celestial, fallen angel/powerful interdimensional supernatural entity/Demonic being or that they even exist)
"Michelle remembers" This "supposed" account of satanic ritualistic sexual abuse of a 5 year female child only resulted in a patient having a inappropriate relationship with her doctor.
Regression therapy or whatever the name of it was at the time helped to create false memories of events that never happened.
There is a film about this exact subject, regression therapy was eventually dismissed due to it not be a trustworthy form of therapy for victims of abuse.

Erotic horror books by Russ Martin, were controversial for the time that they were published due to the mix of sex & the occult.
At the time Rosemary's bay was released, as well as the exorcist more people were becoming interested in satanism, the occult or believed that demons or possession was real, so if they watched the film it would physically affect them which is really dumb by today's standards.

I have never played Dungeons & Dragons but I fail to see how it encourages anyone to want to engage in anything involving the occult, anything related to sex, drugs, alcohol, violence just because they have played a fantasy based roleplaying tabletop board game.
The fundamentalist Christians that condemned a lot of nerdy, or very intelligent people for playing this game because they couldn't tell the difference between fantasy and reality is ridiculous.
Due to the influence of people like Geraldo Riviera, he believed that there was a "underground secret network satanic cult" that was influencing young people through different forms of entertainment for example dungeons & dragons, music videos horror films etc..
Why isn't Lord of the rings the books or films and the PC not Diablo considered "satanic?"
Anything could be considered satanic just because of the imagery, themes that are used, such as magick, vampires and other supernatural creatures, occult symbols, but it doesn't necessarily mean that it is satanic just because a book, film CD/vinyl, videogames contains these aspects.
From the point of view of fundamentalist Christians then is H.P. Lovecraft's work satanic then?
He interviewed Ozzy Osbourne, Zeena schreck (Anton LeVay's daughter) and other people about the "supposed satanic underground cult" but he was just speculating whatever he wanted to fit his agenda and use Satanism as a scapegoat for the main force that was corrupting your people in america at the time. Did any of the Christians ever play dungeons & dragons, or ask their children about it?
How can they know if dungeons & dragons is satanic (in their opinion) if they have never played the game? It is a fantasy game that's all it is, nothing more stone else that read too much into it was taking the game and the supposed "satanic panic" threat way to seriously!

A lot of content on television that was viewed offensive or supposedly satanic wasn't involving the occult so how is it satanic?
I think the fundamentalist Christians, priests, evangelist's were just trying to control people by fear mongering them into believing that what they were saying was true, even though there was never any evidence to prove satanic ritualistic abuse was ever real.
Satanic films were made for entertainment, the same allies for any metal band using satanic imagery, it is for entertainment purposes only, some members in metal bands are real satanists but not all of them!
It is very easy to assume things about something you don't understand, together caught up in mass hysteria, just because on person has claimed that there is a satanic cult(s) throughout America and young people are involved.
The "filthy 15" list of songs only contains songs that Christians were merely offended by, there aren't really any true metal bands that would have a deserved place on the list, which makes the whole this seem very trivial and stupid.
If bands like mayhem (a Norwegian black metal/death metal band) was included then I would understand because they had a very anti-Christian, pro-satan aesthetic/vibe to their music but the songs listed are not satanic, it is satanic imagery, occult imagery was used and they were offended by drug use and sex used in the music videos.
Did any of the Christians actually listen to any of the songs on the list? How can you condemn something if you have never even listened to it?
I agree that there should be wage rating for horror films, books, video games, CD's but I don't agree with censorship of that particular entertainment content or Christians having the power to get something banned just they are offended by it (depending on what it is)

Ricky Kasso "the acid king" at the time was a 17 year drug dealer and self-professed satanist that accused his friend Gary Lauwers of stealing his drugs. He murdered his friend and forced him to declare "say you love satan" Instead he said "I love my mother" he repeatedly stabbed his friend 32 times and gouged out his eyes. He supposed stole two tabs of mescaline and didn't pay him back so he was furious, questioned his friend about the missing drugs and then murdered him.
After the murder he would return with his friend to show them what he did.
He later returned to show people what he did.
A lot of bands were influenced by the murder and the strange behaviour of Ricky Kasso.
He hanged him before the motive for murder could be determined.
I don't agree with the accusatory, paranoid, suspicious,
fear-mongering Christians that think any film, music, books, video games, board games that have Occult themes or even Satanic themes would make a person instantly become a vile, predatory, sadistic, Satanist, necrophile, cannibal, rapist, murderer or serial killer.
I agree that people can be influenced by a outside source but it usually happens if the person is already mentally ill, delusional or susceptible to being influenced by other people due to them being naive & too trusting of people with the worst intentions.
People that are disturbed mentally, emotionally and unstable mentally & emotionally are more likely to commit crimes such as kidnapping, torture, rape, murder, necrophilia, Vampirism, cannibalism & for there to be a Occult, Satanic or Esoteric theme or Occult elements that the crime(s) involve.
The people that are Devil-worshippers have probably had sick, disgusting & disturbing fantasies of committing horrific crimes as part of a Satanic ritual to appease Satan.
Either by themselves or with other people involved.
The Italian murderers "The Beasts of Satan" are a good example.
Some of them probably have some knowledge of Satanism if they read the Satanic Bible by Anton LeVay, however real Satanists don't sacrifice animals or people to Satan, blood would more likely be offered because it has power and energy within it, blood is your essence & lifeforce.
Magically & spiritually blood is a powerful in it's use for blood magick or blood sacrifice.
The Satanic Panic just shows that people will use anything to justify their beliefs, to create mass hysteria to make people unnecessarily panic for no apparent reason, other than to convert more people to Christianity because they are afraid of Demons or of going to hell.
The band Kiss is NOT Satanic, nor is their makeup anyone that thinks they are Satanic is in my opinion incredibly dumb.
What the hell does "hair-metal" "glam-metal" have to do with Metal music or the Satanic Panic, obviously they aren't Satanic it's a load of bollocks.
I'm surprised that bands like Venom (from England), Slayer, Cradle of Filth, Behemoth, Emperor, Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem haven't been mentioned so far due to being genuine metal bands that write music about demons, Satan, worshipping Satan & his Legion of demons, use of Satanic or demonic imagery & artwork for their albums, or promotion of their tours.
Their music is entertaining and I love it so much.
In my opinion it is really dumb, ridiculous what is considered to be Satanic/Demonic/Evil, or anything that Fundamentalist Christians have tried to prohibit, ban or censor because they are morally opposed or offended by it.
Swearing in music, the "Video Nasties" VHS tapes are good examples, but even specific books like Harry Potter were banned because the characters are witches.
There have been various murders that involved young, impressionable people, so Metal music, the "Video Nasties" or violent horror films such as the Child's Play series of films were blamed as something that influenced people to commit horrible murders.
In my personal opinion, if a person is already mentally defective, susceptible or prone to violence, naive, easily influenced, if they are already mentally ill, disturbed, emotionally or mentally unstable they are more likely to commit a crime anyway.
Watching a horror film once, being a horror fan, listening to Metal music or being interested in the Occult, Witchcraft, the paranormal won't instantly make you a murderer like Fundamentalist Christians seem to automatically, inaccurately or unfairly assume.
I grew up watching horror films, I love Metal music, i've always been interested in the Occult, Witchcraft, the paranormal, i've never hurt animal, never commited a crime. I never will.
If your not already mentally defective, most normal people will grew up to be a normal person, that loves horror, love Metal music, practice witchcraft and there's nothing wrong with that.
It's not hurting anyone!

I don't understand what Christian Metal bands has to do with the Satanic Panic, the only relevancy it has is to combat the supposed Satanic influence of Norwegian, Swedish Black Metal/Death Metal bands. I'm not really sure why Christian Metal bands were mentioned in the book, for some of the things mentioned in the book, I don't see how or why it is associated with the Satanic Panic, so I wish more relevant actually associated with the Satanic Panic were mentioned in the books such as the numerous supposedly "Satanic crimes/Occult crimes" that have happened, that would be a lot more relevant that saying about Christian Metal/Glam Metal bands.
Just because a band uses Satanic/Demonic imagery, themes or the lyrics are about Satan his legion of demons, it doesn't necessarily make it Satanic, unless the band members specifically say they are a Satanist, or they practice witchcraft in my opinion then it can be considered genuinely Satanic.

A good example would the British band Akercocke they are genuine Satanists, they respect & worship Satan. Nergal the singer of the band Behemoth is a genuine Satanist.
The same applies for any band that writes any factual song about a serial killer, it's not for the purpose of glamorising serial killers, or murder, or Satanism the songs about serial killers are just factual.
Metal music has never been about glamorising murder, serial killers, Satan, the occult/witchcraft, but most Goths/Metalheads are a horror fan, interested in true crime, or the occult/witchcraft/the paranormal.
The thrash metal band Slayer is not a Satanic band, despite what people try to claim about them, which is usually either inaccurate, incorrect and insulting since i've always been a fan of Slayer, it's sad they are no longer a band, but they have been a awesome Metal band since the year I was born 1987.
None of the band members think that Satan is real, they are not a Satanists, it's just laughable to me that Slayer, Slipknot or Cradle of Filth are labelled as Satanic.
It is at least understandable for Cradle of Filth to be labelled as Satanic/Demonic, due to the imagery, theme, style of music they write, the perversity of their music, but creating dark, Metal music of any genre of Metal about demons, Satan, belief/worship or about witchcraft/the occult in general doesn't really mean that the music created, the band or the band members are Satanic.
The aesthetic of metal, is the traditional "corpse paint" makeup style that Dead from Mayhem created, to portray the look of death, to embody the essence of death, darkness or Satan if you believe in Satan or respect Satan.
Body modification, tattoos/piercings are part of the metalhead aesthetic, a lot of metalheads wear their favourite Metal band t-shirts, black leather, patches that have their favourite bands on their denim jacket. It's not just a aesthetic though, it is a mindset and way of life as well, I will always be a Goth/Metalhead, a spiritual & open-minded person.
Something that is always misinterpreted, inaccurate, or just incorrect is that all Metalheads are evil, a rapist, potential murderous Satanist, a antisocial loner that's a potential murderer.
Most Metalheads are good, trustworthy people, me included, a minority of them probably are a lonely outcast, anti-social, loner (for various reasons) on the fringes of society, because most people don't accept/respect me for who I am as a person.
i'm my genuine/authentic self and people don't like or accept/respect that about me due to being a horror fan, true crime fan, my interest in the occult/witchcraft and alternative spiritual beliefs makes me a unwanted, outcast that is ridiculed, judged, hated just for being different, I've been treated like this my whole life, my family is included in treating me the same way.
I'm not a Goth/Metalhead or a horror fan/true crime fan or interested in the occult/witchcraft just to impress people, nothing I do or say is to impress or please anyone, it never has been.
I dress in the alternative Goth/Metalhead style because I like it, not because people have told me to like it, i've always been a genuine horror fan and interested in the Occult/witchcraft and the paranormal since I was a teenager.
I don't really care if people likes or hates me, if they were always prejudiced, hateful, disrespectful, misogynistic, a emotional sadist, narcissistic bully towards me for no apparent reason anyway or due to me being different.
Especially if people in general are intolerant of me due to being a woman or the spiritual beliefs I have, the type of music I love, being a horror/true crime fan.
A lot of metalheads are former Christians that wish to distance themselves from dogmatic, tyrannical oppressive, controlling Christian faith & distance themselves religious abuse, religious oppression, spiritual narcissism the mindless sheep that blindly follow or believe in God
(only believing in a monotheistic religion & condemning any Polytheistic alternative pantheon/belief system including practicing witchcraft and believing in various Gods & Goddesses Christians arrogantly believe that their religion above any other should be believed in or worshipped which is spiritual narcissism!)
Everyone has free will to believe/not believe in God, or to choose a alternative spiritual path that resonates with them specifically without any outside influence.
Do what feels right for you spiritually, it doesn't matter if people disagree, or judge you for your beliefs, your faith, devotion to, in your heart or soul a Deity would know your true intentions and that is what matters the most, so discover your ancestry, your origins & honour/respect it.
A lot of imagination, creativity, knowledge of history, time, effort went into creating the music, people don't seem to appreciate or respect that for some reason, the music created doesn't always reflect the actual spiritual beliefs of the band/band members, it's just a creative outlet for them to express themselves creatively with their music.
I think for badass metal music written by a Catholic, it is perfection, I especially love the album God hates us all, it's so relatable and i'm not even a Christian.
Metal music has always been and always will be about unity, comradery of outcasts, misfits, loners, people that don't fit in, that are not accepted by society for whatever reason, it is about rebellion, but also it is about rejecting conformity, being controlled, oppressed, against tyrannical Christian, religious abuse/brainwashing.
The Era of the Satanic Panic is mass hysteria/fear mongering by Fundamentalist Christians which is ridiculous without ever discovering any real proof of Satanic Ritual Abuse.
It's stupid, insanity & pathetic in my opinion absolute ridiculous nonsense with no proof of anything, just speculation, assumptions,
pre-judging people for being different, or unfairly, inaccurately judging people and accusing them of horrible crimes when they were innocent, it's absolutely disgusting that innocent people's lives or careers were ruined due to lies, misinformation and mass hysteria.… (lisätietoja)

An interesting read overall but I did not know it was going to be a series of essays. That kind of lessened the experience for me as I was expecting (and would have preferred) an overall assessment of the era. The essay format means a lot of information is repeated (i.e.: Tipper Gore and the PMRC) but it's not a huge deal.

It's worth reading and I think the most interesting chapters are in the first third of the book. The Satanic Film chapter is too long and doesn't add much and the end gets into more regional Satanic Panic stuff (i.e.: Canada)..........so what?

The Genesis P-Orridge chapter was interesting, but only because I'm a Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle and Chris Carter fan.....

Overall I'd recommend but with reservations.… (lisätietoja)