9.28.2008
You Mean There Isn't A Satanic Voodoo-Santeria Pagan Cult?
A few days ago I mentioned a story that I had some major problems with. It concerned a woman, Michelle Rene Wood, who was badly beaten and rushed to the hospital.
"Michelle Rene Wood, 42, of Palm Coast was found covered in blood with both eyes swollen shut early Monday, according to a St. Johns County sheriff's report. A rope was tied around her right wrist and a bungee cord around her left ankle, the report states."
Wood claimed that her injuries were from members of a "Santeria Voodoo" cult she had been affiliated with. This alleged cult, who she claims robbed and beat her, participated in Satanic rites and needed her for an important Autumn Equinox ritual.
"[Wood] said Sunday's abduction and beating were not the first she had suffered in recent days as a result of her leaving the group last year to become a Christian ... She was later taken to another home, believed to be in Flagler Estates, where her captors took drugs and performed a devil-worship ritual ... Wood also told investigators the men and a petite blonde woman named "Sky" took her to an open field near a home where a bonfire was burning. They were "preparing" for the autumnal equinox, she said. "They needed me to help call the spirits," Wood told investigators..."
A cult that mixes Santeria, Voodoo, Satanism, Paganism, drug-using, and guns? I've heard of syncretism, but this is ridiculous. Apparently the local police think so too, since they have closed the case.
"Flagler County sheriff's investigators closed the case of a Palm Coast woman who claimed to be abducted and attacked by members of a voodoo group, officials said Friday ... cult experts said Wood's story didn't line up with known voodoo practices. And sheriff's investigators found no evidence of organized satanic worship in the county, according to Maj. David O'Brien, Criminal Investigation Unit supervisor. In fact, O'Brien said his investigators couldn't find "credible evidence" that a crime even occurred. Plus, Wood has a history of making similar fraudulent claims to law enforcement, the Sheriff's Office said."
So let's see if I get this straight. A woman with a history of lying to the police, who (indirectly) admits to taking drugs, concocts a story about a "cult" after getting beaten up and this uncritically hits the headlines of the local newspapers and television broadcasters? You would think that a few more phone-calls would have produced the more likely scenario of a woman who has been attending church in an attempt to get clean, falls off the wagon, runs afoul of a gang, and gets robbed and beaten. A story that is just as tragic, but one that avoids smearing non-Christian minority faiths.
This isn't the first time that strange things have been incorrectly blamed on members of occult, modern Pagan, or Afro-diasporic religions, and it most likely won't be the last so long as journalists continue to act as unthinking regurgitators of press releases and police reports. Journalism isn't just repeating what other people say, but a process of gathering information with a set of ethical standards attached. While sensationalism sells, it also creates a fearful and jaded audience who eventually numb to the constant "bleed and it leads" ethic. It is little wonder that blogs and other new media outlets have become so popular at "mainstream" journalism's expense.
Labels: Florida, journalism, law, occult, Paganism, Santeria, Satanic Panic, Satanism, Voodoo
8.08.2008
The Dark Magic of ...Disturbed Teens!
A string of nine severed goat heads found in northwest Florida has some pointing the finger at a "dark branch" of Santeria.
"[Dee] Thompson [director of animal services for PAWS] said those involved in the investigation have discovered a possible link between the killings and Palo Mayombe, a dark branch of the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria, whose rituals call for animal sacrifice. "It's the closest thing that I've been able to find to what's been going on," she said. For example, separating the animal's head from its body is in line with the Palo Mayombe belief that the body is not sacred."
While five paragraphs were devoted to the spooky Palo Mayombe angle, only one paragraph entertained a different scenario.
"Other than the Palo Mayombe angle, Thompson said investigators also have talked to people who raise and sell pygmy goats. She said they did receive a tip from a caller who said three teenagers between the ages of 18 and 24 came into a feed store in Panama City Beach to find out where they could purchase pygmy goats."
The "three teenagers" angle isn't mentioned again in an update, but more seemingly ritualistic details were released to the press.
"There are striking similarities about eight of the nine goats found were such that Thompson said she can link them to one person or group. However, investigators are keeping those similarities to themselves. However, there is one link that's been publicized: Most of the goats were found with cut leaves and twigs arranged in their mouths."
Leaves and twigs! It must be the dark path of Palo Mayombe! Who else could do such a thing! Who else? How about a group of disturbed teens getting their kicks?
"...rumors are surfacing of Santeria and Palo Mayombe involvement in the beheadings. "It is far more likely, even in Florida, that such activity is caused by teenagers looking for thrills or some disturbed individual, than from any Afro-diasporic religious activity," Dr. Eoghan C. Ballard, an expert on Afro-diasporic studies, said in an e-mail. Ballard said that "paleros," or Congo priests, are very discreet in their practices and prefer not to call attention to themselves. Authentic Palo practices require little in the way of sacrifice. Most sacrifices are used for celebratory meals. "From my experience, both in the U.S. and in Cuba, there are no discernable reasons for a Palero to leave a decapitated goat head on a city street," Ballard said."
But, but, what about that "dark branch"! It's, like, dark! Plus, we totally know that practitioners of Santeria sacrifice animals, and the goats had LEAVES in their mouths, so it must be dark magic, right?
"Ballard dispelled theories suggesting Santeria or Palo spells. He said when paleros use spells that require an item to be placed somewhere, it is usually small, inconspicuous and intentionally unidentifiable. As for the azaleas and plants that have been found in the animals' mouths, Ballard said azaleas have no specific meaning in Palo, although goats or rams are often given straw or grass to eat before they are sacrificed. "I suspect this is either a game someone is playing, or the work of another disturbed individual," Ballard said. 'There's nothing in Palo that would justify doing this.'"
That fact that members of Afro-Caribbean faiths sacrifice animals has been sensationalized beyond all sense and reason, often with people who have never attended a ritual (or even met a Santero or Palero) passing cursory judgment on them. Local governments have banned their rituals, and police have harassed them for engaging in legal behavior. Every time a dead animal shows up in a public space in Texas or Florida, a leery eye turns their way, and "not in our backyard"-isms run rampant. The unspoken accusation: we know you did this, even if we can't prove it.
It seems to me, and this is just an opinion, but practitioners of Santeria and other Afro-Caribbean faiths are going through something very like the "Satanic Panics" of the 1980s. Just as Pagans were getting big enough to be noticed, all sorts of nasty rumors started appearing. That we worshiped Satan, that once you were "elevated" through the ranks you learned the REAL TRUTH of our nefarious ways. That we performed blood sacrifices, held orgies, peddled drugs, and on, and on.
We were there, where our theological "cousins" in Santeria, Vodou, and other Afro-Caribbean faiths are now. We don't have to personally approve of animal sacrifice to see that their faiths are being unfairly maligned, discriminated against, and sensationalized by the media. The least we can do now is stand up and say, these people have a right to their religion, and a right to practice it freely within the law. They have a right to fair and equal treatment, and should be defended from unfounded accusations and rumor-mongering in the press. These men and women are our natural allies in fighting for the rights of minority religions, and we should be ready to stand by them.
Labels: African diasporic religion, animal sacrifice, Florida, law, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Santeria, Satanic Panic
7.28.2008
Progress in Santeria-Police Relations
Considering recent troubles in Florida, relations between Florida police and practitioners of Santeria haven't been the best. So it is encouraging to hear that Miami-Dade County police officials are taking a progressive step in bettering relations between law enforcement and this often-misunderstood faith.
"...leaders of the [Santeria] faith are hailing a recent decision by Miami-Dade County police officials to include in their Law Enforcement Handbook a reminder that the U.S. Constitution protects the humane killing of animals in religious ceremonies. Yeyefini Efunbolade, a Santeria priest who lives in Hollywood, expressed hope that the message will spread to Broward and Palm Beach counties, and other jurisdictions with reputations for less tolerance for animal sacrifices."
Lt. Sherry Schlueter of the Broward Sheriff's Office special victims and family crimes unit was quick to point out that police would still prosecute those who do not engage in humane animal sacrifice, a stance that local Santeria leaders endorse as well.
"'The most important word here is humane,' Schlueter said. "If a person kills an animal in a cruel manner, if the knife is not sharp or the kill is not done swiftly, that would be a crime, regardless if it was done as part of a ritual." [Ernesto] Pichardo and [Yeyefini] Efunbolade said they agree. "We believe that the spirit of the animal will come back to haunt you if you make a sacrifice incorrectly," Efunbolade said. Santeros, or priests, must undergo extensive training before they are qualified to conduct sacrifices, Pichardo said."
As the Pagan community has learned over the years, incorrect or incomplete information can lead to unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings between law enforcement and practitioners of minority faiths. This has led some unscrupulous opponents of our faiths to supply law enforcement with misinformation in order to intimidate us, and further their own religious/political goals. One remedy is to support Pagan organizations that engage in and advocate better communications between service personnel and modern Pagans. There may be times when we can't avoid having the police at our door, but we can hope to avoid incorrect perceptions and hostile interactions through better education and information.
Labels: Florida, law, Paganism, Religious Freedom, Santeria
7.18.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
The Pagan-friendly Gaea Retreat Center in Kansas, host of the annual Heartland Pagan Festival, is branching out and allowing a music festival to take place on its grounds for the first time.
"...after enduring several board meetings, Yager and his staff finally convinced the proprietors to embrace the Gaea Retreat and Music Festival, which begins at noon today. “We’ve spawned into this weird festival where it’s a mesh of cultures. We have introduced education through imagery by focusing on things like the environment, free energy, energy conservation alternatives, performing arts,” he says."
Earth Rising, Inc., the legal entity that runs Camp Gaea, is trying to move past its infamous local past (which involved a legal battle over its permit), and reputation as a haven for Pagans and nudists. Though it remains to be seen if Camp Gaea can transform a music festival into a place to "find that realm of evenness and spiritual soundness." While I fully attest to the spiritual power of live music, I'm not sure "evenness" and "spiritual soundness" is what you aim for.
The Claremont Institute reviews "Homer’s The Iliad and The Odyssey: A Biography", by Alberto Manguel, and praises it as a book written with "intelligence and curiosity".
"Manguel's intent is to show that, for over 2,500 years, countless members of the species have found "in these stories of war in time and travel in space...the experience of every human struggle and every human displacement." The Iliad and Odyssey, which can be thought to represent the two great metaphors of life, a battle and a journey, are the "books which, more than any others, have fed the imagination of the Western world." In the 8th century A.D., Byzantine schoolchildren were still expected to have much of the Iliad by heart. Six hundred years later, during the Renaissance, Homer remained the cornerstone of every ambitious library."
According to the review, Manguel does a good job of making the argument that Homer is just as relevant today as he was in antiquity, a poet who described "every secret happiness and every hidden sin." A paperback edition of the book is due out in March of 2009.
A quick update on the "Satanic Panic Alive and Well in North Carolina" story, a judge has lowered the bail amount for Joy Suzanne Johnson, after her public defender argued that the charges against her made "no sense" and that there is a complete lack of "corroborating evidence".
"The woman who is accused of aiding and abetting her husband in a sexual assault case and an alleged kidnapping and cane beating persuaded a Superior Court judge Thursday to reduce bail."
Meanwhile, things aren't looking too good for the prosecution as more and more details about the case emerge. A state assistant distract attorney said that "some if not all of the charges may need to be modified". To catch up on this story, here is part one, and part two of my ongoing coverage.
Expect your local spiritual supply store to have a run on frankincense, Israeli scientists are claiming that the resin can ease depression and anxiety (at least in mice).
"Pharmacologists in Israel have found that frankincense, a whitish resin tapped from the veins of a shrubby tree, relieves anxiety and depression, at least in mice. In an article to be published next month in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and elsewhere report that the active ingredient in frankincense lights up brain receptors that play a role in the perception of warmth on the skin and might help regulate emotion."
While covering this story, the New York Times visits a local occult shop, and finds that the employees aren't surprised in the least by this news.
“Any kind of magic you’re doing,” Ms. Cabral said, “frankincense would be great for any kind of happiness, or success, or attention, even.”
So if things are getting a little stressed at your circle, coven, or grove, be sure to light up (some frankincense)!
This weekend will see a dance festival in Miami to celebrate the survival of West African Yoruban culture and religion.
"This weekend, Coconut Grove will celebrate a culture created in Cuba during the slave trade. The Yoruban culture and the religion Santería, or Regla de Ocha, which was brought to Cuba by the Yorubans of West Africa, are the by-products of slavery, according to Ifé-Ilé's Artistic and Executive Director Neri Torres. With dance workshops and seminars, the Ifé-Ilé Afro-Cuban Dance & Music Festival will bring context to Miami residents. "Today, [the Yoruban culture] is still the root of Cuban culture in terms of art, music and the way we talk and gesture," said Torres, who founded Ifé-Ilé in 1996."
For more information about this event, head over to the Ifé-Ilé web site.
In a final note, The Esoteric Book Review takes a look at the recently released "Witch School 3rd Degree" by Rev. Donald Lewis-Highcorrell, and is disturbed by some of what he finds there.
"I was disappointed to note subtle distinctions being made which imply Correllians are better than other Wiccans and should not be surprised by the bad behaviour of non-Correllians. This smacks a bit of cultish behaviour ... the return to sniping at Wicca was a little tedious and unnecessary ... the last part of the book becomes a bit cultish and for me loses the plot..."
Sniping at other traditions of Wicca? Superior attitudes? Cultish behavior? Doesn't sound like a very positive or affirming way of running a religious tradition. Nor is this the first time such accusations have been made. It should be interesting to see if Witch School responds to the claims made in the review.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: books, Camp Gaea, Festival, Florida, Frankincense, Homer, Kansas, North Carolina, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Santeria, Satanic Panic, Witch School, Yoruba
7.16.2008
"Criminal Mischief", In Case You Were Curious
Ever wondered what the legal consequences might be for leaving a poppet or other inhibiting spell on someone's property? Well, the Volusia County police department in Florida is hazarding a guess after a Voodoo doll was found underneath the mailbox of Deltona City Commissioner Zenaida Denizac.
The offending doll in question.
"Denizac said she is troubled by what her husband first thought was trash Saturday. The doll was found directly underneath her mailbox, on a black tray with black powder over it, and what appeared to be a used candle. "How dare people have the audacity of trespassing on my property, and who would do something like this?" Denizac said. "Is this considered a hate crime? I don't know," said Brandon Haught, a spokesman with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office."
Few have ventured a guess as to why a poppet was left on her property. One article mentions that she has received (non-threatening) letters critical of her work as commissioner, and she is a high school teacher, which raises the possibility of a teenage prank. Whatever the reason, Volusia County Sheriff's Office spokesman Brandon Haught says that they don't think it is a hate crime, and that any perpetrator, if caught, would most likely face charges of criminal mischief.
Criminal mischief penalties differ from state to state, but usually involves a small fine (so long as the damage is minimal). One could also face up to a year in jail, but that would be rare in a case like this. So if you want to hex and vex a local (or national) politician you disagree with, stay off their property, keep the poppet at home, or bury it somewhere other than their front yard. Remember, it can be hard to practice magic if your broke or in jail.
ADDENDUM: I just want to mention that I don't endorse negative or harmful spell-work against politicians you disagree with. Engage in such activities at your own risk.
Labels: Florida, law, Magic, Paganism, Santeria, Vodou, Voodoo
7.10.2008
The Coral Gables Saga Continues
How would you feel if 23 police officers burst into your home, made you, your family, and your house-guests stand outside for hours, only to ascertain that you hadn't broken any laws? That is what happened to Noriel Batista one year ago in Coral Gables, Florida, after an anonymous phone-call reported suspected animal abuse. Since then, the Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye has been requesting documents from the police to find out why such a massive and over-zealous police presence was necessary to respond to an animal abuse call.
"Ernesto Pichardo, president of the Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye, has been trying for almost a year to obtain records relating to the interruption of a Santeria ceremony by police last summer. An attorney he recently hired, David Aelion, has filed a public records request for any documents relating to the incident..."
Despite these requests, the police have only handed over around twenty pages of documents, which Aelion and Pichardo maintain is only the tip of the iceberg for a police action of that size. So a lawsuit has been filed accusing the Coral Gables police of withholding documents.
"The Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye -- which took Hialeah's ban of animal sacrifices to the Supreme Court in 1993, and won -- filed suit in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Miami-Dade County last week, comparing the City Beautiful to the communist regime in Cuba and urging the court to compel officials to provide public records. Attorney David Aelion, representing the church, said the June 2007 incident could be a direct attack to the religion because of what he called excessive police response. He wants the records -- including e-mails about the incident, photographs and audio recordings, and police reports and memorandums -- to determine if there were federal rights violations."
Aelion and Pichardo have speculated the massive response was to make a political statement that Santeria wasn't welcome in a "nice" city like Coral Gables.
"'It sounds a lot like `We're going to make a statement that this isn't going to happen in our city,' and that's where obviously freedom of religion, First Amendment rights were stepped on,'' Aelion said, adding that there also may be Fourth Amendment issues. 'They basically blasted into the house without any warrants and without any probable cause,'"
They may be right. The mayor of Coral Gables has been an outspoken opponent of Santeria in the past, and has claimed to be "investigating" the laws concerning Santeria and animal sacrifice. He has rebuffed calls in the past year for an apology over the incident. But why would he do otherwise? No doubt his power resides with the affluent, predominately white residents who are most likely uneasy about this strange religion moving in. An uneasiness rooted in racism according to Miguel A. De LA Torre, author of "Santeria: The Beliefs And Rituals Of A Growing Religion In America".
"There is a fear that is rooted in racism ... this religion is practiced by Latinos, or people of African descent. It's an element of 'Oh, look at these primitive people sacrificing animals' ... For some people, moving up the economic or social ladder means assimilation, putting away the old religion ... But then you have a generation that says, 'I will live in an upscale neighborhood, but I will also have my santos, thank you very much.'"
So it looks like this issue is only just beginning. Assuming they do get their hands on all documents and communications from that day last year, it is very likely that further lawsuits will be filed claiming violations of their First and Fourth Amendment rights, and even possible false imprisonment for holding everyone outside for hours and not allowing them to leave. If city officials were indeed trying to intimidate a religious minority, their efforts appear to be backfiring. Mayor Don Slesnick (a Democrat) is most likely hoping that the existing paper-trail doesn't lead back to his door.
Labels: animal sacrifice, Ernesto Pichardo, Florida, law, litigation, Paganism, Religion, Religious Freedom, Santeria
6.30.2008
(Pagan) News of Note
My semi-regular round-up of articles, essays, and opinions of note for discerning Pagans and Heathens.
Getting excited about Hellboy II yet? I sure am! The film, directed and co-written by "Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo del Toro, is chock-full of pagan-friendly elements. To whet your appetite for the July 11th release date, an animated comic prologue has been released.
For more pre-release fun, check out the multiple trailers at the Apple site. You might also want to read some advance reviews from Variety, Hollywood Reporter, and Cinematical.
While I'm on the subject of movie news, a recent Virgin Media survey places "The Wicker Man" in the top ten best British films of all time.
"Four Weddings And A Funeral has been named best British film of all time in a survey out yesterday. The 1994 romantic comedy just beat Monty Python's Life Of Brian, and made a star of Hugh Grant, who comes fourth in the Best Actor poll. Trainspotting, Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig as James Bond, Guy Ritchie's Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Lawrence Of Arabia, Withnail And I, Atonement, The Wicker Man and Get Carter completed the top 10 in the Virgin Media survey."
Speaking of "The Wicker Man", star Christopher Lee has lashed out in the press about ageism in the film industry after his role in the Scottish movie "Stone of Destiny" was edited out.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama seems to embody the religious hopes and fears of America. He's been called a secret Muslim, spurred claims that he might be the messiah, or a perhaps a "light worker", pissed off James Dobson, gained the support of a Pagan delegate (and had supposed Pagan ties used against him), and was formally adopted into the Crow Indian Nation. Now Hindus think he might be one of them.
Spot the Monkey God!
"If charges of being a “secret Muslim” weren’t enough, Barack Obama may now need to prove he’s not a secret Hindu as well. According to the Times of India, a group of supporters in New Delhi have sent Obama a two-foot, gold-plated statue of the monkey god Hanuman. According to Indian politician Brijmohan Bhama, “Obama has deep faith in Lord Hanuman and that is why we are presenting an idol of Hanuman to him.” The apparent source of this pronouncement of Obama’s newly-discovered faith is this photo from Time magazine, which shows a collection of lucky charms Obama carries with him, including a small Hanuman charm."
What better way to debunk "secret Muslim" smears than to have the Hindus claim you! Of course Obama is actually a liberal Christian, but this swirl of activity proves just how far America has moved from its "Christian" identity.
The Miami Herald has put out a very nice story about the shrine of la Ermita de La Caridad, a place where Cuban refugees come for solace and to pray. Though technically a Catholic shrine, it also attracts followers of Santeria who see la Caridad as a manifestation of Ochun.
"At the northern end of the seawall, where historic Vizcaya serves as a foreground to the glossy towers of Brickell Avenue, a stone Eleggua (the Santeria god known as the opener of paths) with cowrie-shell eyes gazes up toward the water's surface. At the southern end, near Mercy Hospital, someone's Santeria necklaces cling to a rock, a school of little silver fish brushing by the yellow and amber beads for Ochun, the blue and white ones for Yemaya ... As Catholic as the shrine is, many of the devoted who come here are also followers of Santeria. In the religious syncretism of Cuba, la Caridad, an apparition of the Virgin Mary, is also called Ochun, one of the orishas, the Santeria gods. "A sanctuary is precisely a place where the Catholic religion makes contact with el pueblo," Roman says. "We know there are people who perform rituals out there by the seawall. But they do it very respectfully. They don't let us see it."
A touching and balanced story about how culture and shared experience can sometimes overcome the barriers erected by religion.
In a final note, Religion Clause links to a story about how legal peyote used for religious purposes by Native Americans is becoming increasingly scarce due to local land being leased to oil speculators.
"South Texas property owners have realized there is profit in leasing their land as oil or hunting preserves. Suddenly, the small pittances peyoteros could pay for access didn't seem worth it. "Now, it's getting to where the ranchers don't want to give permission for us to look on their land," he said. "You have to keep going back to the same patches and waiting for it to grow again." This presents a conundrum. If Morales and his colleagues keep revisiting the same patches, the cactus doesn't have enough time to re-grow. Repeated overharvesting also affects the potency of the plant, said Martin Terry, an assistant professor of biology at Sul Ross University in Alpine. "If the demand continues to increase - even slowly - and the supply continues to decrease, then the amount available to the church will just keep continuing to decrease," he said."
Religious prohibitions prevent greenhouse-grown peyote, and trips to Mexico, where the cactus is still plentiful, is wrought with legal entanglements. With only a few legal peyoteros left, and available land dwindling, it remains to be seen if the Native American Church can find a way to solve this problem.
That is all I have for now, have a great day!
Labels: American Indian, Barack Obama, entheogens, Florida, Guillermo del Toro, Hellboy II, Hinduism, law, Native American, Pagan News of Note, Paganism, Religion Clause, Santeria, The Wicker Man
1.14.2008
Maybe Not A Pagan Ritual?
You'll be happy to learn that law enforcement officials in Florida are starting to doubt that "pagan" and "occult" activities are behind a recent rash of goat slayings after finding a fourth decapitated goat in the span of six months.
"The lack of blood has left investigators wondering whether the decapitations are something other than a pagan worship rite of some sort, Thompson-Poirrier said. "Either those doing this are performing very old pagan rituals, or those still making a sacrifice in this form are highly immature or unintelligent," she said."
Yes, amazingly, wholesale dishonorable slaughter of animals isn't always traced back to "pagans", the "Santeria religion", or even "Satanic cults". I guess "gang of cruel teens" isn't as "sexy" (journalistically speaking) as a strange and misunderstood religion. However, to be fair, some law enforcement officials weren't convinced of such a scenario from the beginning.
"She guessed that the incidents could be part of some "occult" ceremony, but [Police Capt. Rose] Berry wasn't so sure. "Everything that I know about animals being used in religious ceremonies, they're treated much better than just being thrown out on the road," she said."
Sounds like Police Capt. Rose Berry read a book or two before making wild guesses as to who killed these goats. Let's hope that more law enforcement officials (and journalists) follow her lead in the future.
Labels: animal sacrifice, Florida, goats, Paganism, Santeria, Satanic Panic
