From: David.Rice@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.skeptic
Subject: Satan: Big Business
X-Sender: newtout 0.02 Oct  1 1992
Date: 08 Oct 92  08:03:48

Tag: James J. Lippard (lippard@skyblu.ccit.arizona.edu)
Re: Lauren Stratford's _Satan's Underground_
 
Replying to Message-ID: 3OCT199211533698@skyblu.ccit.arizona.edu
 
JLL> "This book, published in 1988, was shown to be almost
JLL> entirely fabrication by an investigative report published
JLL> in 1990 in the Christian magazine _Cornerstone_ (copies of
JLL> this article have circulated the net). I just discovered,
JLL> however, that the book was reissued in July 1991 by a
JLL> different publisher: Pelican Publishing Co., a small
JLL> Louisiana publisher."
 
Oh, good bloody grief! I queried the original publishers,
Harvest House I believe, about why they did not ask for proof
before publishing the book--- I got a form letter thanking
me for my "interest in our many informative and thought-
provoking" books, and a copy of their summer catalog.
 
JLL> "This new edition features cover blurbs from such people
JLL> as Hal Lindsey [...]"
 
Whom I have on audio tape as saying the the Xerox photocopier
was invented by Satan, planted in the sleeping mind of the
human inventor. His proof is that no one is that smart without
infernal help.
 
JLL> "[....] and Johanna Michaelson (who helped get the book
JLL> published in the first place, but who I thought accepted
JLL> the _Cornerstone_ criticisms) [....]"
 
Ha! Another liar of monumental stature. She wrote "He Came to
Set the Captives Free," and "The Beautiful side of Evil." She
tours from state to state hauling her pet psychotic woman
around on a leash, telling people that vegetarianism is one
way Satan lures people into hell. I think she's the one who
includes the Megan David ("Star of David") as a "Satanic
symbol," along with the peace symbol--- I could be wrong
(I have her books, but not here at work).
 
JLL> [...] and Mike Warnke (whose claims of being a "former
JLL> Satanist High Priest" have just recently been shown to
JLL> be false by _Cornerstone_)."
 
Who stared me straight in the face and REFUSED to answer probing
questions, then had his thugs walk me to my car. He game me a
look that I'd reserve for rapists and politicians. He doesn't
like ANYONE asking him the wrong questions.
 
JLL> "What is most galling about the new edition of the book,
JLL> however, is its afterword, by three Los Angeles clinical
JLL> psychologists, all women sporting either an M.D. or Ph.D.
JLL> after their names."
 
You will find all three women come from the same organization,
working for a Dr. Maas. I can email their address and phone
number to you if you want to talk to them personally.
 
JLL> "The two-page afterword does not address *any* of the
JLL> _Cornerstone_ criticisms, but alludes to them by saying
JLL> that (paraphrase) 'some critics state that this book should
JLL> not have been published unless every single fact within it
JLL> could be verified and documented.' It goes on to say how
JLL> unreasonable these critics are, and that numerous other
JLL> people have reported stories 'like' Lauren Stratford's.
JLL> I suspect that the 'some critics' referred to do not exist;
JLL> that no one has made any such claim about Stratford's book.
JLL> The _Cornerstone_ criticism thoroughly documented the fact
JLL> that the book is almost entirely a fabrication by Laurel
JLL> Wilson (the real name of 'Lauren Stratford'), a very
JLL> disturbed young woman whose story has changed radically
JLL> over time."
 
JLL> "Surely both the publisher and these clinical psychologists
JLL> must be aware of the details of these criticisms. To go ahead
JLL> and republish the book is the height of irresponsibility.
JLL> Those interested in the address of the new publisher may
JLL> send me email."
 
You will find that writing to the publisher will get you diddly.
Except maybe a form letter and a warm, affectionate greeting.
They will =NOT= address the issue (if you get a letter saying
"we'll look into it--- thank you for bringing this to our
attention" or the like, I'll believe in Santa Claus and God!
 
This is BIG BUSINESS we're talking here. The facts will have
to take a number and wait behind 1) money, and 2) validation
of these particular Christians' occult mythos.
 
Such books give the theists, whos faith is always weak and in
need of boosting, validation that Satanists (if not Satan) exists.
In ironic perversity, it gives them a warm, fuzzy feeling "knowing"
that Satanists are out there butchering infants for Satan, and
that their Gods love them for not approving of Satanism. It also
makes them feel smug and superior for being "in the know" and
"informed."
 
As long as there are Christians looking for easy money, there
will be Satanism. As Lyon pointed out, if it were not for

--- Maximus 2.00
Newsgroups: sci.skeptic