Satanic panic: the creation of a contemporary legend

Rumors, claims, and allegations about satanic cult crimes

The evolution of the satanic cult legend

The social dynamics of a rumor-panic

Rumor-panics across the country

Satanic cult "survivor" stories

Satanism and alleged threats to children

Satanism and teenage crime

Searching for satanism in schools, books, music, and games

The moral crisis in American society

The search for scapegoat deviants

The rhetoric of the moral crusade against satanism

The organization of the moral crusade

The politics of the moral crusade

The medieval origins of modern demonology

Conclusions: The social construction of imaginary deviance

Appendix I: Bibliography of resource books, articles, and periodicals

Appendix II: Resource persons who may be contacted for assistance

Appendix III: Guidelines for dealing with satanic cult rumors in a community

Appendix IV: Descriptions of satanic cult rumor-panics in the United States and Canada, 1982-1992

Appendix V: Some satanic ritual abuse cases, 1983-1987.