Posted on 03/08/2002 9:05:27 PM PST by craigoethe
Tonight on Dateline am old case from Gilmer, Texas was covered. It had to do with a missing teenage girl, allegations of child abuse, and Satanic Ritual Abuse.
What started out as a routine investigation by the local CPS mushroomed into a full blown witch hunt by some very well meaning people. A special prosecutor, two social workers, and two alleged satanic experts were left to investigate the case. They began to refer to themselves as "The Team". The Team believed they were on a mission from God to root out satanism in the small town. They determined that local adults had participated in a Satanic cult which included cannibalism in their activites. As the case wore on, no one was safe. The sheriff was eventually indicted as well because he produced evidence to the contrary of The Team's evidence.
There was no forensic evidence to back up any of their allegations. Nothing. A bone was found, which The Team announced as being human before having it examined by a forenisc anthropolgist. It turned out to be a pig bone.
Their case and all its lies and twists finally unraveled when the State's Attorney was called in. He disbanded the Team and dismissed all of the charges against the accused. It was discovered that the children of the alleged satanists had been physically and emotionally bullied by social workers and the satanist experts into "confessing" the crimes of the group.
In my opiniokn the Team was drunk with it's own power. And in ignoring traditonal investigative methods (forensics) they ruined the lives of many people and discredited Christians everywhere who know that Satan's hand can be felt. They made good, honest, Bible believing people look like loons, and ruined the life of a good man (the sheriff).
As Christian, we need to be aware that Satan's hand is involved in the world. But, we also must be careful not to fall into his trap ourselves as this team of experts did. Their pride and power trip blinded them from the truth.
Or someone who watches the show for the commercials.
Anyway, the churches call is to know Him and let Him pour His life through us to the lost. We have missed it in thinking that we are here to be His policemen against evil. We must return to preaching the gospel of Peace and not a gospel of Law. Grace has come! Now, go tell!
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