Utah could become the first state in decades to enact a law codifying ritual abuse. Others passed similar laws at the height of a since-debunked satanic abuse hysteria.
Their testimony included the stuff of nightmares: [I have opted to exclude the list] — assaults so physically and emotionally traumatic that the victims said they repressed memories of their abuse.
It is good to note that recollection of events past is increasingly difficult, to the point that it is not only possible but quite easy to invent memories or have memories implanted by someone skilled in the art of suggestion.
I’m not saying there aren’t people who have experienced ritual abuse, but especially where the “satanic” is concerned, it’s often difficult to gauge the credibility of sources’ memories, especially if they were children when it allegedly happened (children often lack the language and experience to properly understand what happened to them) and especially during a moral panic like we are currently experiencing.
But then, Republicans don’t care about source credibility, as long as it helps propel them into authoritarian power.
It is good to note that recollection of events past is increasingly difficult, to the point that it is not only possible but quite easy to invent memories or have memories implanted by someone skilled in the art of suggestion.
I’m not saying there aren’t people who have experienced ritual abuse, but especially where the “satanic” is concerned, it’s often difficult to gauge the credibility of sources’ memories, especially if they were children when it allegedly happened (children often lack the language and experience to properly understand what happened to them) and especially during a moral panic like we are currently experiencing.
But then, Republicans don’t care about source credibility, as long as it helps propel them into authoritarian power.