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Investigating Religious Terrorism and Ritualistic Crimes

• Superstitious Folly

Dawn Perlmutter is the author of Investigating Religious Terrorism and Ritualistic Crimes having never heard of her before I don't know if she's a good scholar or an academic oppotunist.

"There are literally thousands of new religions, many of whose theologies advocate violence, springing up in this country today," Perlmutter says in an interview.

"I know of at least 150 satanic groups in existence, and more are being formed every day. Many of the white supremacy groups hide behind a Christian facade, distorting that faith and advocating an apocalyptic view of the world.

"What concerns me," she says, "is that people are now using the Internet to create their own extreme religions, and find followers. I've tried to be careful not to disrespect any religion, but I do draw a very clear line between what's legal and what's illegal."

She says she tries to look at each group's practices from its unique perspective, in order to lend some in-depth understanding of members' motives. ...

She explains the theory this way: "In all religions, there has always been some form of religious sacrifice, and contemporary ritual homicide often mimics and distorts that. Now, by working with law enforcement, I saw the chance to learn more."

Perlmutter says she is trying to "oversee a typology, a ritual homicide classifications system that distinguishes between type of crimes and shows a police force, for instance, the difference between a serial killer and a satanist. It's the culmination of all my research."

Sharon Schlegel, Newhouse News Service: Expert on the Occult Pioneers Study of Ritualistic Crimes

Richard Evans Lee
October 26, 2003 •
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Well, no disrespect meant to the woman at the culmination of her career, but his road has been trod into muck already. There is good stuff, from the FBI's Kenneth Lanning (who concluded that a separate typology is not useful), to the wacked out of their minds, like Dale Griffis (whose expertise in satanic crime helped put the West Memphis 3 behind bars), Sandy Gallant (wacked-out former San Francisco cult cop), Ted Gunderson (completely wacked-out cult 'investigator,' last seen circling Diana Napolis, herself a wacked out conspiracy nutter. Which isn't to say I don't hope the good doctor Perlmutter gains some insight, just that the muck left by the other wackos will likely stick. I think it is a dead-end for her career.

Posted by: William Scott Scherk | October 27, 2003 1:23 AM

William followed this up in a couple of emails:
I did find an online essay from her pen. It makes for interesting reading (if you like clotted jargon with your bogosity): Excerpt: Skandalon is an expression found in the Gospels that refers to an obstacle upon which one keeps stumbling, a trap, a snare; it is associated with Satan. In Girardian terms, skandalon designates an inability to walk away from mimetic rivalry that esults in all kinds of destructive practices and exemplifies the predicament of the model-obstacle of mimetic theory.
Where's that book: The Legitimization and Hegemonizing of Academic Discourse and Strategic Obfuscatory Narratology (SUNY Series in Subcritical Hermeneutics and Heirarchical Textualities). Hey, I've tried to walk away from mimetic reality myself. But it just stands there daring me to know the chip off its shoulder. What can you do? Judging from the comment you left on the entry you've taken a real interest in the investigation of 'satanism.' (I like serial killer movies but am so tired of seeing them chased by FBI agents instead of murdering teens in the good old-fashioned way.) When I look for satanic news it seems to be mostly Africa (where they don't really mean Satan in the Christian sense) or Anne Rice fans gone berserk.

Posted by: Richard Evans Lee | October 27, 2003 4:51 AM

Halls of Kurmudgeon
Get the lowdown on your favorite conspiracy nutjob. When the wading gets deep we go fishing.

Posted by: Roving Reporter | January 5, 2004 11:08 PM

Not all people believe in god, I for one dont, and those people are not evil! Bont judge people before you know them!

Posted by: ALL WICCANS | January 30, 2004 1:57 PM

Can't get to the 'Halls of Kurmudgeon" could you please post a URL? JM

Posted by: jm | June 1, 2004 2:02 PM

I have gone through this lady's book, and it's not filled with any new thinking that I can see (I am not a criminologist). Her sources on Palo Mayombe are downright WRONG!! She lifted her "facts" from another dubious author on Afro-Carribean religions. She is a philosopy professor, not a expert on criminal investigations. SHE IS RIDICULOUS!!! WHAT A SHAME TAX DOLLARS GO TO THIS WOMAN WHEN POLICE DEPTS. PAY FOR HER "ADVICE".

Posted by: Mimi | November 22, 2005 3:13 PM

I've devoted eight pages of my website to critiquing various statements by Dawn Perlmutter. If interested, please see: Dawn Perlmutter and her Institute for the Research of Organized and Ritual Violence

Posted by: Diane Vera | April 22, 2006 8:56 PM

How do you feel?

Feel free to share your feelings about Investigating Religious Terrorism and Ritualistic Crimes. Please stick to the theme of the entry. Disagreement is fine. Homophobia, racism, and kindred expressions of hatred will be deleted. This site is one of my hobbies. I genuinely enjoy hearing from people and hate moderating or killing comments. Forthright disagreement is fine as long as it is civil.
My thanks,
Richard

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