Dangerous Texts

‘On Old Rumours that Keep Returning and a Report that Solves Nothing’ by dr. Ruben van Luijk

On the déjà vu that historians of Satanism have regarding the investigation of allegations of Sadistic Ritual Abuse (SRA). Van Luijk provides a critical review of the governmental report 'Tussen ongeloof, ondersteuning en opsporing: Over georganiseerd sadistisch misbruik van minderjarigen' (2022) by addressing a confusion of concepts (Sadistic/Satanic Ritual Abuse; Satanism Scare/Satanic Panic), and the impact of the belief in a conspiracy of secret networks involved in the alleged crimes (Organised Sadistic Abuse).

“It is impossible to eradicate conspiracy theories: somehow, somewhere, they will always get a sequel. It is their impact on society that really matters. And the more extensive this impact, history shows, the bigger the catastrophe.”

Link to the article: https://www.dangeroustexts.com/blog/on-old-rumours-that-keep-returning-and-a-report-that-solves-nothing

‘The Catholic Church and Slavery’ by prof. dr. Daniela Müller (Radboud University)

On significant historical milestones in the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church towards slavery and the abolishment of slavery in the tension between religion and economics from the perspective of Church History. The article concludes with a critical reflection on the role of the official Church regarding modern forms of slavery.

Link to the article in the comment section below.

'Courage to Dissent: Some Medievalist Observations' by prof. dr. Daniela Müller (Radboud University)

On the relevancy of the medieval art of dispute and debate in our current post-truth era of ‘political correctness’, and the courage to proclaim “DISSENTIO!” to rediscover the strength that could unify a democratic Europe.

Link to the article in the comment section below.

'Eminentie, Voilà, Uw Schavot is Gereed' by dr. Gian Ackermans (Radboud University)

On the importance of the close study of the sources in research and reports that assess the case of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, and the impact of the lack thereof on cardinal Rainer Woelki.

Link to the article (in Dutch) in the comment section below.

Can texts be dangerous?

Throughout history, dissidents and heretics, Cathars and Bogomils, gnostics and occultists, and pagans and witches, have shown that ideas, beliefs and worldviews can be both thought-provoking and deadly threatening. Other than one might expect, Church history is not only about Christianity throughout the ages; it is also about those who challenged the orthodoxy, tradition and identity of the Roman Catholic Church.

Dangerous texts give us the opportunity to look through the eyes of medieval sorceresses and inquisitors, christian martyrs and saints, dualist dissidents and blasphemous freethinkers. It is our perilous task as Church Historians and Religious Studies scholars of Radboud University Nijmegen to distinguish fiction from fact, myth from reality, and perception from truth. Some texts might be too dangerous indeed, but here we'd like to raise the corner of the veil for you - at your own risk...

👀 Read the thought provoking blog articles of our Historians on the Dangerous Texts website:

Home | Dangerous Texts | Dangerous Texts Dangerous Texts shares blog articles for a wide audience written by historians of the Department of Textual, Historical and Systematic Studies of Judaism and Christianity.of Radboud University Nijmegen, such as research findings, insights, ponderings and reflections. We’d like to enthuse people fo...