Is the concept of "moral panic" actually being used to support evil or satanism?
I went to Wikipedia to look at this not as a source of info but to see, given how popular Viki is, what so many people are reading about moral panic, which is actually a very complex social dynamic that Stanley Cohen is known for. When you look at what's written you get the impression that every crisis in history in which a large group targeted some form of evil it was actually manufactured by "moral entrepreneurs" and can be explained away as simply inducing "moral panic." Abduction of children and their prostitution, illegal drug trade, rises in crime, satanist cults, even the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks are all supposedly simply an example of moral panic. It suggests that real evil does not even exist. As soon as an ethical problem is made public by some organization it now risks being labeled as just one more example of an attempt to create "moral panic."
Cohen's book was written in 1972 and it is gaining so much appeal now? Why? I see the term "moral panic" all over Yahoo Answers (do a quick search). It looks to me like people are using this concept to suggest that evil is not a problem society can do something about.
DOOMED!We'reAllDoomed: "Moral Panic" is a construct, and it only exists as such. If what you want to see out there you define as "moral panic," that does not mean actual "moral panic" exists.
Nightwind: Mwa ha ha: The examples above are not from my explanation or understanding of moral panic. That's what is written at Wikipedia. Check it yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_panic I'm saying that it seems to me that "moral panic" doesn't provide a full explanation of these evils, but you get the impression after reading Wikipedia that these issues are indeed nothing but the result of "moral entrepreneurs" inciting "moral panic."
Explaining away some things as "moral panic" does NOT equate to a claim that real evil does not exist.
In addition, I don't think you're explaining it well. Yes, the concept of Satanist cults trying to destroy the fabric of society is an example of a moral panic.
But the fact that children are abducted and there are illegal drugs have nothing to do with moral panic. Those things are facts.
Then again, if you then blamed drugs and abductions on Satanists, or Dungeons and Dragons, or video games, etc., then the moral panic argument would again be relevant.
Edit: If you think your above statement is paraphrasing Wikipedia, I think you need to read the Wikipedia article better. Moreover, if you don't agree with your source, *don't use it*.
Evil is evil and it obviously comes in the most horrific, most heinous forms, and yes, it does incite moral panic. However, we should use self-control and not just operate under some loose term "moral panic" to delusion ourselves that we're just "panicking" yet not realizing that evil is the profound reason that so many outrageous and wicked acts occur in America; abroad also.
Evil is most profound because it exists and yes, it does cause people to panic. I know I come on the brink of panicking when I witness such heinous, atrocious acts being committed by wicked humans, not limited to just everyday people, but the corruption in our government, in our judicial system, in our county and local governments, etc. It's heart-wrenching but for sure evil is the root of most all wicked acts committed.
What is so hard to understand for the folks on this forum? Moral Panic is another buzz word term but does not in any way minimize the real problem; Satan exists, evil exists, and most people simply cannot be trusted -- we all have the freedom of choice so we cannot just blame Satan alone, but he is always there to push behind the weak or wicked mind. Ultimately man has the reason of choice within him; her too.
Is the concept of "moral panic" actually being used to support evil or satanism?
