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Expert offers tips to spot SatanismBy GILDA WILLIAMSSatanism in the south suburbs? Yes, there are people in the south suburbs practicing Satanism.Parents should educate themselves on the symbols and rituals of these people, according to Karen Koch, an Oak Forest police officer and an expert on Satanism or devil worship.And if parents should see their own children wearing clothing or carrying notebooks with these symbols etched on them, parents should not panic because their children probably are not involved in Satanism but are merely being “copy cats.”Koch made these remarks at a recent forum on Satanism. The gathering at Tinley Park’s Central Junior High School was sponsored by the PTO/PTA coordinating council of Elementary District 146.The council is made up ot parent groups from all district schools.Koch, a veteran police officer with 14 years of experience specializing in undercover investigations, child abuse and ritualistic crime, said she is aware of Satanists in the community. The remains of Satanic rituals have been found in nearby Forest Preserve areas, she said.But she said people should not stop visiting the Forest Preserves because the Satanists go deep into the woods for their rituals and do not want to be found out or seen by people.Because of this and the fact that Satanists usually don’t leave any evidence of their rituals behind, it is hard to catch them and charge themwith a crime.“We are here to learn more aboutabout what it is we fear. My goal is to leave you with lots of information to make you aware but not scare you,” Koch said.Koch explained that Satanism is considered a religion and therefore the practice of it is protected under the U.S. Constitution.But the Constitution does not protect some of the offensive practices attributed to Satanism such as animal and human sacrifices.“No community is safe from crime or from people with different beliefs,” Koch said.Koch explained that most Satanists are “dabblers” — youngsters and adults who are “copy cats” imitating real Satanists, who practice the rituals as religion and are descendents of families who have practiced Satanism for centuries.“Satanism appeals to the youth sub-culture, to the youthful search for identity in their effort to be antiestablishment. Dabblers are usually between the ages of 12 through 24,” Koch added.Children who are seeking an identity or depressed are often easy prey for Satanists. Koch explained that these youths are often drawn to Satanism through rock music — especially heavy metal music — or games such as Dungeons and Dragons.“Kids start playing games because games are fun. They begin with a circle on the floor and everybody sings and chants. There’s a slow indoctrination. They will not be exposed to animal mutilation right away,” Koch said.
Newspaper Details
Worth Star
Worth, Illinois, US
Thu, Nov 02, 1989
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Jacob S.
SE 27 Apr 2023
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